Legend

A Harrowing Story from the Vietnam War of One Green Beret's Heroic Mission to Rescue a Special Forces Team Caught Behind Enemy Lines

By: Eric Blehm

Narrated by: Fred Sanders

The true story of the U.S. Army’s 240th Assault Helicopter Company and a Green Beret Staff Sergeant's heroic mission to rescue a Special Forces team trapped behind enemy lines during the Vietnam War, from New York Times bestselling author Eric Blehm.

On May 2, 1968, a twelve-man Special Forces team covertly infiltrated a small clearing in the jungles of neutral Cambodia—where U.S. forces were forbidden to operate. Their objective, just miles over the Vietnam border, was to collect evidence that proved the North Vietnamese Army was using the Cambodian sanctuary as a major conduit for supplying troops and materiel to the south via the Ho Chi Minh Trail. What the team didn’t know was that they had infiltrated a section of jungle that concealed a major enemy base. Soon they found themselves surrounded by hundreds of NVA, under attack, low on ammunition, stacking the bodies of the dead as cover in a desperate attempt to survive the onslaught.

When Special Forces Staff Sergeant Roy Benavidez heard their distress call, he jumped aboard the next helicopter bound for the combat zone. What followed would become legend in the Special Operations community. Flown into the foray of battle by the 240th Assault Helicopter Company, Benavidez jumped from the hovering aircraft, ran nearly 100 yards through withering enemy fire, and--despite being immediately and severely wounded--organized an extraordinary defense and rescue of the Special Forces team.

Written with extensive access to family members, surviving members of the 240th Assault Helicopter Company, on-the-ground eye-witness accounts never before published, as well as recently discovered archival, and declassified military records, Blehm has created a riveting narrative both of Roy Benavidez’s life and career, and of the inspiring, almost unbelievable events that defined the brotherhood of the air and ground warriors in an unpopular war halfway around the world. Legend recounts the courage and commitment of those who fought in Vietnam in service of their country, and the story of one of the many unsung heroes of the war.

Critic reviews

“Roy Benavidez is a real badass, a modern day Spartan, the heart of what every warrior prays for when everything goes wrong.”
——MARCUS LUTTRELL, retired Navy SEAL and author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Lone Survivor

“I fought beside and led U.S. Special Operations soldiers, sailors, and airmen during three wars— World War II, Korea, and Vietnam—including the men [of SOG] depicted in Legend. Never have I read a more powerfully honest, realistic, or moving account of the war in Southeast Asia. Eric Blehm masterfully encapsulates the hearts of the men, their impossible mission, and the quagmire of politics of the era and wraps it up in a single bloody battle that portrays the American fighting man at his best.”
——MAJOR GENERAL JOHN K. (JACK) SINGLAUB, U.S. Army (Ret.)

“Legend may be the most important book ever written about the men of Special Operations. It brings to life in touching and brutal detail one of Special Operations Force’s first true heroes as well as the other heroic men who fought and died with him in the jungles of Cambodia. Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez represented the best of the quiet professionals whose incredible actions were long overlooked and lost to history only to be rediscovered through Blehm’s painstaking research and magnificent writing.”
——LIEUTENANT COLONEL JASON AMERINE, U.S. Army Special Forces

"[Legend] is one of the most honest and engrossing narratives of the war I have ever read…. Blehm faithfully describes the complicated choreography of war, and shows us why the Congressional Medal of Honor was bestowed on Sergeant Benavidez for his actions. A magnificent narrative, painstakingly told by a master storyteller."
——MAJ. GEN. PAUL VALLELY

A Testament to the Humble Heroes of Vietnam

Truly inspiring! Eric Blehm reinvigorates the history of another hero of the US Armed Forces. He shares with us not only the prowess of the soldier but his life struggle as a kid and young man as well as his ethos and core values. In addition Fred Sanders does a fantastic job telling this story.

In a time where young people embraces pop culture icons we have here a true example of life. Tango Mike Mike.

Remember service to country regardless of politics

This story demonstrates the army’s intransigence when it comes to recognizing heroism. Yet in the civilian arena, Tiger Woods and Rush Limbaugh are recognized for ‘service’ to country. The service rendered by Roy Benavidez outshines that of any recognition awarded as a result of political ambition or motive. But, that’s America. It takes years of reflection to separate the wheat from the chaff.

Thank you

Thank you to all who have served and fought for our country. Especially those that laid down their lives. This story highlights how incredible the fighting forces of the USA truly are.

Another 5 star for Eric

Another 5 star for Eric he truly is a great story teller. This story needed to be told

Please read this book

This book was both entertaining and insightful to my limited knowledge of the Vietnam War. I think Blehm has done a real justice to the veterans of this difficult and tragic war.