I just finished “Secret Commandos” by John L. Plaster, three-tour vet of SOG operations mostly out of FOB-2 at Kontum. I found it a gripping page turner and well worth reading. I’m now reading “SOG,” also by Plaster.
“Secret Commandos…” was about Plaster’s tours, roughly ’68 thru ’70, just after my time with the 119th. “SOG” is more a history of all the SOG operations.
Dak Sieng, Dak Pek, Ban Me Thuot, Leghorn, all those place names jumped out at me. I regret that I didn’t ask more questions while we were flying those missions; I kinda figured, the less I know, the better off I’d be if captured. And the SOG personnel we inserted and pulled out had better things to think about than to answer idle questions from a door gunner. The books put a lot of loose ends together for me.
I’ll be eager to hear you guys’ impressions if you read either of these.
He also has a book of photos out that is expensive, around $75. I may bite the bullet and get that as well. If there’s anything in it about the 119th, I’ll pass the info along.