Uncommon Valor

The Recon Company that Earned Five Medals of Honor and Included America’s Most Decorated Green Beret

By: Stephen L. Moore

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

Length: 15 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Uncommon Valor is a look into the formation and operation of an advanced Special Forces recon company during the Vietnam War.

Code-named the Studies and Observations Group, SOG was the most covert US military unit in its time and contained only volunteers from such elite units as the Army's Green Berets, Navy SEALs, and Air Force Air Commandos. SOG warriors operated in small teams, going behind enemy lines in Laos and Cambodia and along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, tasked with performing special reconnaissance, sabotaging North Vietnamese Army ammunition, attempting to rescue downed US pilots, and other black ops missions.

During that time, Forward Operating Base-2's (FOB-2's) recon company became the most highly decorated unit of the Vietnam War, with five of its men earning the Medal of Honor and eight earning the Distinguished Service Cross - America's second highest military award for valor. Purple Hearts were earned by SOG veterans at a pace unparalleled in American wars of the 20th century, with casualties at times exceeding 100 percent. One, Bob Howard, was wounded on 14 different occasions, received eight Purple Hearts, was written up after three different missions for the Medal of Honor, and emerged from Vietnam as the most highly decorated soldier since World War II's Audie Murphy.

©2018 Stephen L. Moore (P)2020 Tantor

Excellent

One of, if not the best MACVSOG book I read to date. Well written and narrated. I would recommend to anyone that would like to know what heroism and patriotism meant during the Vietnam Conflict.

Sicc wicced m8

Straight up this is the second best sog book ever written, right behind John Stryker “Tilt” Meyer’s book Across the Fence. Lots of great information, backstory, great cross examination between different teams at any given time. Loved it, except for the parts where he mentioned Nixon - we tend to forget that buffoon was ever even a president.

Amazing valor

All Americans owe a huge debt to these men. Thank you for your sacrifice and God Bless you!

Uncommon Valor

Great book about America’s silent warriors. The book is presented chronologically with no embellishments. I don’t believe any embellishment is needed for these groups of men. The reader has a pleasant voice. Very enjoyable listen.

inspiracional

truly impressed and totally humbled by the sacrifices of this unit to their country and everyone who served.

Unsung Heroes

Finally, an account of the dedicated bravery of these men and their indigenous comrades, in an era long forgotten by most Americans.
If there is anyone among us that thinks any of these fine young men are “losers of suckers” may you spend your remaining privileged days in your own clueless realm, and enjoy the freedom you have done little to earn or maintain.

very good read

love the book. it certainly provides an accurate portrayal of what the situation was during the Vietnam war.

Incredible stories of courage

An incredible book of unsung heroism and courage. Brought tears to my eyes more than once.

simply outstanding

This is an eye opening, gut wrenching, and in some cases almost unbelievable account of the secret war in Laos and Cambodia.

I recommend this book to anyone that has a love for the military, its history, and those occasional moments where we are privy to secrets that almost no one knew about In a different era.

these men deserve to be remembered, and celebrated. I am glad to know of their service and sacrifice.

One of the best books on the SOG in Vietnam.

Extremely detailed book on the Green Berets flying out of Kontum, Vietnam. Largest amount of Medal of Honors awarded to any one unit.