Plaster's "Secret Commandos"

**Ambush Master** · 05-04-2004, 18:21

As I stated on the other Thread, I spoke with John today and received his permission to post these here. Following are the Dedication, Preface, and Author's Note.

**Ambush Master** · 05-04-2004, 18:41

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**Ambush Master** · 05-04-2004, 18:44

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**Ambush Master** · 05-04-2004, 18:46

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**Ambush Master** · 05-04-2004, 18:47

And so this new Book Began !! A few of the names were changed in it, but the rest is real, VERY REAL !!!

You guys enjoy !!

Later
Martin

**Roguish Lawyer** · 05-04-2004, 19:10

Thanks to Major Plaster for allowing this to be posted here. I have two long flights next week and will try to get through the entire book then. I will at least get off to a good start.

Thanks, AM.

**The Reaper** · 05-04-2004, 19:34

Well, that did it, I just ordered mine, and will try to get him and some of the others to sign it.

Thanks, Martin, our best to MAJ Plaster.

TR

**Ambush Master** · 05-04-2004, 20:15

Quote:

Originally posted by The Reaper
Well, that did it, I just ordered mine, and will try to get him and some of the others to sign it.

Thanks, Martin, our best to MAJ Plaster.

TR

Sir, John will do ya right. I'll PM you with specifics.

Take Care.
Martin

**Ambush Master** · 05-04-2004, 22:13

The Dust Cover:

DunbarFC · 05-05-2004, 09:01

This truly is one of those up all night reading can't put it down type books

AM you are right this has movie written all over it

Mr. Plaster is a great writer

**Ambush Master** · 05-05-2004, 19:40

For those that haven't decided on getting this one, following are a couple of quotes that set the tone of all that I have read so far:

"" Army helicopter pilots, unlike Air Force, didn't need a college degree; many were scarcely out of high school, gutsy twenty-year-old warrant officers, too young, perhaps, to be daunted by the everyday dangers of flying for SOG. No youthful SOG aviator put it so well as Mike Taylor, A Huey pilot in the 57th Assault Helicopter Company, who attempted to explain aerial tactics to a visiting Marine colonel. "We stay as high as we can for as long as we can," Taylor told him, "then we get as low as we can, as quick as we can." The colonel replied, "Those tactics sound suicidal." "No sir," Taylor explained, "the tactics are sound--the mission is suicidal."

Later John says to a Crew Chief:

"The happiest I am is when I get off that bird, and get away in the jungle. You have to be nuts to fly in and out of hot LZs like you do."

"We're nuts?" he responded. "You guys are f***ing crazy to get off the helicopter!"

It just keeps getting better !!!

Later
Martin

goat · 05-05-2004, 20:45

I finished it a few days ago, it was very difficult to put down after starting to read. About half way through I found myself wanting to eat a steak while reading it. It was interesting to finally read his experiences in Vietnam, but I also appreciated how he still told the stories of other Soldiers who where with him during that time. It is an inspiring book.

**Roguish Lawyer** · 05-06-2004, 00:33

Quote:

Originally posted by goat
About half way through I found myself wanting to eat a steak while reading it.

Not with nuoc mam, I hope . . .

rubberneck · 05-06-2004, 09:39

I bought the book last night and can't wait to get the time to read it. I was struck by the pictures however. It is truely amazing to me, the type of man that is willing to go behind enemy lines and to sneak within feet of an enemy patrol and snap a picture. My hat is off to you Ambush Master, all the SOG vets and all the current SF Soldiers who carry out these types of missions. You guys must certainly have a very large set of brass balls to pull that off.

I do have a question about Col Howard. There is a picture of him attending the dedication of the Vietnam Memorial. In the picture he is wearing a Ranger and an Airborn tab but no Special Forces tab. I was wondering why?

**Ambush Master** · 05-06-2004, 10:05

Quote:

Originally posted by rubberneck

I do have a question about Col Howard. There is a picture of him attending the dedication of the Vietnam Memorial. In the picture he is wearing a Ranger and an Airborn tab but no Special Forces tab. I was wondering why?

We didn't used to have the Tab. That Pic was probably before it's existance.

Edited to add: The Wall was Dedicated in 1982.