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Carnivore: 2,626 Enemy KIA
Amid ferocious fighting that many times nearly took his life, Sergeant Dillard "C. J." Johnson and his crew are recognized by Pentagon reports to have accounted for astonishing enemy KIA totals while battling inside and out of the "Carnivore," the Bradley Fighting Vehicle Johnson commanded during Operation Iraqi Freedom. After miraculously beating stage-three cancer (caused by radiation exposure from firing armor-piercing depleted-uranium rounds during combat), he returned to his platoon in Baghdad for a second tour, often serving as a sniper protecting his fellow troops. Today, Johnson and his men's story is the stuff of legend--earning them a cover story in Soldier of Fortune and a display in the Fort Stewart Museum. But only now is Johnson telling his full story: reviewed and approved for publication by the Department of Defense, Carnivore is the gripping and unflinchingly honest autobiography of a remarkable American warrior.
"The estimated enemy KIAs for Staff Sergeant Johnson's BIFV [Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle] during this fight [22 March, 2003] was 488. The informal estimate from the troop was that Johnson and his crew killed at least 1,000 Iraqis on 23 March. Later in the move north, Johnson engaged and destroyed 20 trucks and tallied 314 KIAs in the vicinity of An Najaf. At Objective FLOYD, Johnson's platoon fought yet another bitter fight against what they claim was a thousand paramilitary troops. ... Events were corroborated by separate interviews with the remainder of C/3-7 CAV, to include the troop commander." --On Point: The United States Army in Operation Iraqi Freedom, the official study of the 2003 invasion commissioned by the U.S. Army Chief of Staff
"The estimated enemy KIAs for Staff Sergeant Johnson's BIFV [Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle] during this fight [22 March, 2003] was 488. The informal estimate from the troop was that Johnson and his crew killed at least 1,000 Iraqis on 23 March. Later in the move north, Johnson engaged and destroyed 20 trucks and tallied 314 KIAs in the vicinity of An Najaf. At Objective FLOYD, Johnson's platoon fought yet another bitter fight against what they claim was a thousand paramilitary troops. ... Events were corroborated by separate interviews with the remainder of C/3-7 CAV, to include the troop commander." --On Point: The United States Army in Operation Iraqi Freedom, the official study of the 2003 invasion commissioned by the U.S. Army Chief of Staff
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First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
January 2, 2022
This is one of those books that, I think, is going to add to the body of works telling the story of those men who served in the Iraq War. Not unlike Robert Leckie's "Helmet for My Pillow" for the Pacific War during WW2.
Being a history buff, sadly, I fear that a number of America's post-Cold War wars like the Iraq War may, as this century progresses, be viewed in the same way that the British Empire's pre-WW1 wars --- like the Boer War and the Zulu Wars --- are viewed: after the World Wars, little remembered today except by a few history buffs like me and academics.
Setting aside the questions of whether America should or should not have fought them, I think it an injustice for the brave soldiers and Marines and other servicemen who served in Iraq and Afghanistan to have their stories and their memory forgotten. Military rank and file don't get to pick and choose when or where they serve --- that's for the civilian political leadership to determine. [All the more reason that Americans ought to put more thought than they do into what kind of politicians they elect based on their national security and military chops than most do.]
Dillard Johnson, in telling his experiences in Iraq, remedies this by telling his story --- and does a service to his fellow Iraq War veterans in doing so. One thing is clear: Operation Iraqi Freedom was a conventional war --- a shooting war --- a brutal war --- that demanded the utmost of those who fought in it. In terms of speed of advance, it was an amazing campaign -- but this was due to the thorough training, professionalism, quick thinking, and physical toughness and stamina of the men fighting it. And make no mistake -- the Iraqi soldiers and Fedayeen opposing them --- while not as well as equipped or well-trained-- did fight bravely and doggedly to defend their country.
Johnson tells his story in the tought no-nonsense vernacular of enlisted soldiers. In other words, he's plain-spoken the way they talk, and that means salty language. Just a heads up for those with virgin ears.
He was a Bradley fighting vehicle commander during the War. While panned as too slow and too vulnerable during its development during the 1980s --- as related in the HBO series "The Pentagon Wars" ---- clearly with a skilled crew, the Bradleys were devastatingly effective and lethal in the Mid East.
As America's involvement in Iraq progressed, so also did Sergeant Johnson's change from conventional combat to one of occupation, peacekeeping, and counter-insurgency. That's also a fascinating story that I'm glad he's told in this book.
In the end, Johnson sums up his opinion of some of the small arms he used during his combat. I was gratified to see that he shared the same low opinion of the Beretta M9 handgun that I held of it when I was in the U.S. Coast Guard --- subject to jamming too easily -- in my opinion, inferior to the Colt .45 it replaced.
In the background, Johnson also relates the story of his family and what they went through during his time in the Army --- one of his sons was handicapped with cerebral palsy with all of the strain this entails upon a family. Having also a son with cerebral palsy and having had to deal with his condition during my Coast Guard career, it's a tough road to go while in the military --- all I can say is that the Coast Guard did a better job with a lot less resources in taking care of my family in that situation than did the Army with respect to Johnson I'm saddened to say ---- a piss poor way to treat a soldier in my opinion. Nevertheless, Johnson served on and did so courageously ---- and his wife is a hero as well for making it possible for her husband to serve as well as he did!
An outstanding book on a story that needs to be told. I highly recommend "Carnivore" for anyone desiring to know about the experience of those who were the boots on the ground during America's Mid East wars.
Being a history buff, sadly, I fear that a number of America's post-Cold War wars like the Iraq War may, as this century progresses, be viewed in the same way that the British Empire's pre-WW1 wars --- like the Boer War and the Zulu Wars --- are viewed: after the World Wars, little remembered today except by a few history buffs like me and academics.
Setting aside the questions of whether America should or should not have fought them, I think it an injustice for the brave soldiers and Marines and other servicemen who served in Iraq and Afghanistan to have their stories and their memory forgotten. Military rank and file don't get to pick and choose when or where they serve --- that's for the civilian political leadership to determine. [All the more reason that Americans ought to put more thought than they do into what kind of politicians they elect based on their national security and military chops than most do.]
Dillard Johnson, in telling his experiences in Iraq, remedies this by telling his story --- and does a service to his fellow Iraq War veterans in doing so. One thing is clear: Operation Iraqi Freedom was a conventional war --- a shooting war --- a brutal war --- that demanded the utmost of those who fought in it. In terms of speed of advance, it was an amazing campaign -- but this was due to the thorough training, professionalism, quick thinking, and physical toughness and stamina of the men fighting it. And make no mistake -- the Iraqi soldiers and Fedayeen opposing them --- while not as well as equipped or well-trained-- did fight bravely and doggedly to defend their country.
Johnson tells his story in the tought no-nonsense vernacular of enlisted soldiers. In other words, he's plain-spoken the way they talk, and that means salty language. Just a heads up for those with virgin ears.
He was a Bradley fighting vehicle commander during the War. While panned as too slow and too vulnerable during its development during the 1980s --- as related in the HBO series "The Pentagon Wars" ---- clearly with a skilled crew, the Bradleys were devastatingly effective and lethal in the Mid East.
As America's involvement in Iraq progressed, so also did Sergeant Johnson's change from conventional combat to one of occupation, peacekeeping, and counter-insurgency. That's also a fascinating story that I'm glad he's told in this book.
In the end, Johnson sums up his opinion of some of the small arms he used during his combat. I was gratified to see that he shared the same low opinion of the Beretta M9 handgun that I held of it when I was in the U.S. Coast Guard --- subject to jamming too easily -- in my opinion, inferior to the Colt .45 it replaced.
In the background, Johnson also relates the story of his family and what they went through during his time in the Army --- one of his sons was handicapped with cerebral palsy with all of the strain this entails upon a family. Having also a son with cerebral palsy and having had to deal with his condition during my Coast Guard career, it's a tough road to go while in the military --- all I can say is that the Coast Guard did a better job with a lot less resources in taking care of my family in that situation than did the Army with respect to Johnson I'm saddened to say ---- a piss poor way to treat a soldier in my opinion. Nevertheless, Johnson served on and did so courageously ---- and his wife is a hero as well for making it possible for her husband to serve as well as he did!
An outstanding book on a story that needs to be told. I highly recommend "Carnivore" for anyone desiring to know about the experience of those who were the boots on the ground during America's Mid East wars.
March 27, 2018
This memoir gives a glimpse of what it was like invading Iraq from the perspective of a Bradley fighting vehicle. Of note, the cover of the book gives credit to the writer of personally killing a great many people (several thousand). These numbers were disputed as soon as this was released and the author pointed out the numbers do not reflect anything he wrote in the book but were the work of the publisher hyping the story. There are a few other criticisms out there of some of the content. It is not clear how much of the book was written by the co-writer (usually someone tells their story to a professional writer over the course of multiple interviews and they put in book format) so some of these errors could reflect the work of the co-writer rather than the subject.
July 25, 2013
I wasn't the "hearts and minds" guy. because I realized early on that the only way we'd be able to do our mission and survive was for us to be brutal right back. so I was brutal.
June 27, 2015
Very good story. Loved reading it. I was disappointed to find out that most of the book is being disputed by others who served with Dilliard. From what I gather it is better suited for the fiction section. That being said it is still a good read.
March 9, 2017
Unbelievable story. After fact checking i think this book i mostly fiction... disappointing
September 13, 2014
I almost always enjoy first hand accounts of war experiences, but this guy was arrogant to the point of unlikeable towards the end. The stories were fascinating, but I am unfamiliar enough with the Army artillery and lingo that I got lost and distracted easily.
September 9, 2014
It seemed a bit fantastical, that one man might have done all that he claims.
It was an easy read, I blew through it quickly.
It was an easy read, I blew through it quickly.
June 15, 2025
Carnivore – ★★☆☆☆½
By Dillard Johnson and James Tarr
Carnivore is the memoir of Sergeant Dillard “C.J.” Johnson, a U.S. Army soldier reportedly responsible for over 2,600 enemy kills during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Commanding the Bradley Fighting Vehicle “Carnivore,” Johnson recounts deadly firefights, sniper missions (with 121 claimed confirmed kills), and a personal battle with cancer—allegedly caused by exposure to depleted uranium from his vehicle's munitions.
While the story promises intensity and insight, the book struggles with credibility and tone. Johnson often comes across as arrogant and dismissive, with little reflection on the wider human cost of war. One disturbing moment recounts him laughing as an Iraqi soldier is trampled by a bull—a comment that exemplifies the book’s lack of empathy. The writing is scattered and filled with military jargon that makes large chunks difficult to follow, especially for civilian readers.
There’s also the issue of believability. Many of Johnson’s claims—including his kill count—have been widely disputed, even by those who served with him. His recounting of being “unofficially” told by doctors that his cancer was caused by the Bradley vehicle feels speculative at best. The memoir lacks personal depth, glossing over key parts of his life such as his marriage or the emotional impact of combat.
Ultimately, Carnivore feels more like a work of exaggerated bravado than a thoughtful war memoir. Unlike books like American Sniper, which blend technical detail with emotional weight, this one leans heavily into myth-making. A few entertaining moments aside, it’s a frustrating and unreliable read.
By Dillard Johnson and James Tarr
Carnivore is the memoir of Sergeant Dillard “C.J.” Johnson, a U.S. Army soldier reportedly responsible for over 2,600 enemy kills during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Commanding the Bradley Fighting Vehicle “Carnivore,” Johnson recounts deadly firefights, sniper missions (with 121 claimed confirmed kills), and a personal battle with cancer—allegedly caused by exposure to depleted uranium from his vehicle's munitions.
While the story promises intensity and insight, the book struggles with credibility and tone. Johnson often comes across as arrogant and dismissive, with little reflection on the wider human cost of war. One disturbing moment recounts him laughing as an Iraqi soldier is trampled by a bull—a comment that exemplifies the book’s lack of empathy. The writing is scattered and filled with military jargon that makes large chunks difficult to follow, especially for civilian readers.
There’s also the issue of believability. Many of Johnson’s claims—including his kill count—have been widely disputed, even by those who served with him. His recounting of being “unofficially” told by doctors that his cancer was caused by the Bradley vehicle feels speculative at best. The memoir lacks personal depth, glossing over key parts of his life such as his marriage or the emotional impact of combat.
Ultimately, Carnivore feels more like a work of exaggerated bravado than a thoughtful war memoir. Unlike books like American Sniper, which blend technical detail with emotional weight, this one leans heavily into myth-making. A few entertaining moments aside, it’s a frustrating and unreliable read.
June 21, 2023
SFC Dillard Johnson was a member of the Third Infantry Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He commanded a Bradley vehicle where, along with his crew, he was in heavy contact with enemy forces. After ending that tour of duty, he received a cancer diagnosis which he then had to fight. After recovering from his cancer diagnosis, he went back for another tour in Baghdad. He wound up earning a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, four Purple Hearts, a Presidential Unit Citation, a Meritorious Service Medal, a Joint Service Commendation Medal, six Army Commendation Medals, seven Army Achievement Medals, and numerous other awards.
His story is tense, emotional, and inspiring. I typically refrain from reading anything about the Iraq and Afghanistan situations for personal reasons that I am not going to get into here, but I found this book at the library and was drawn to it. This is a great book for anyone who is interested in the Third Infantry Division, Iraq/Afghanistan Wars, etc.
His story is tense, emotional, and inspiring. I typically refrain from reading anything about the Iraq and Afghanistan situations for personal reasons that I am not going to get into here, but I found this book at the library and was drawn to it. This is a great book for anyone who is interested in the Third Infantry Division, Iraq/Afghanistan Wars, etc.
December 5, 2022
It's a story, it goes over like an easy campfire read. I disliked the guys personality but damn he knows how to write a book
October 28, 2013
This was a hard book to rate. It kept me reading--I finished it in just over a day, but it didn't really captivate me, if that makes sense.
"Carnivore" is a good example of why not every war hero needs to write their memoirs for a worldwide audience. Unlike Chris Kyle's memoir, which this seemed to be attempting to replicate, "Carnivore" is bogged down with military parlance, slang, and technical descriptions to the point that nearly a third of the book was indecipherable to me. I got the gist of a lot, but just had to give up and move on with some sentences. The authors both write for Soldier of Fortune magazine, and my guess is that readers with military experience will understand it all, but for the uninitiated like myself, the technical obstructed the narrative.
"Carnivore" is a good example of why not every war hero needs to write their memoirs for a worldwide audience. Unlike Chris Kyle's memoir, which this seemed to be attempting to replicate, "Carnivore" is bogged down with military parlance, slang, and technical descriptions to the point that nearly a third of the book was indecipherable to me. I got the gist of a lot, but just had to give up and move on with some sentences. The authors both write for Soldier of Fortune magazine, and my guess is that readers with military experience will understand it all, but for the uninitiated like myself, the technical obstructed the narrative.
August 5, 2013
I bought and listened to this before reading any reviews and thoroughly enjoyed it. Some parts did stretch belief a bit; an armoured vehicle crewman operating in an almost infantry role and racking up a high count of marksman/sniper kills seemed unlikely. Reading others' comments afterwards I learned that he was not well liked by colleagues and considered to be a liar, but this doesn't diminish the fact that I found his story to be greatly entertaining. You'll have to decide for yourself whether the fact that the story is quite fictionalised puts you off or not.
John Pruden's narration is fantastic as always; this being the third book I've listened to that he has narrated, American Sniper and Viper Pilot being the others.
John Pruden's narration is fantastic as always; this being the third book I've listened to that he has narrated, American Sniper and Viper Pilot being the others.
September 30, 2013
I tried my best to read this book and had to put it down. Claiming 2000 plus kills goes beyond exaggeration and into outright lies. I am not one to question someone's experience in combat unless it is obvious that they are being untruthful. Any veteran with the slightest amount of combat experience knows that the claim the author is making is outrageous and designed to dupe unwitting readers out of their money. If you wish to read about combat, spend your money elsewhere. There are other books on Iraq and Afghanistan that are honest and well written.
March 31, 2015
One of the worst books I've ever read. I contemplated throwing this book in the garbage many times while reading it. This book seemed to be a fiction novel rather than a first hand account of the war. Hard to believe any of the "facts" in this book. He was all over the place with the stories as nothing went in order. Fluffed up confirmed kills and stories made me mad while reading them. THIS BOOK SHOULD BE PULLED FROM ALL SHELVES AND BURNED IN A HUGE BONFIRE ON THE FRONT LAWN OF THE AUTHOR'S HOUSE!
May 19, 2014
Although entertaining, the high body counts in the book and its publicity have been disavowed by the author. The writing of the book is disjointed and hard to follow, just like combat. He may have been in the thick of fighting in Iraq, but he (and his coauthor) did not do a good job of explaining what happened.
July 23, 2018
Carnivore is a unique memoir. It focuses on the role of armor in the Iraq War and the perspectives that Dillard Johnson saw while commanding a Bradley 2003-2005. His stories are riveting and often humor-filled. This is an excellent memoir, but recognize that it does start to have a political tinge toward the end. I didn’t mind that, but it might put off some.
November 26, 2015
There's no other book like it, Carnivore places the reader right beside the man it is centered around. The book keeps you interested from start until finish and fully allows the reader to comprehend the struggles and stress active members of the military are put under on a daily basis.
September 6, 2017
This was an amazing and fast paced read, I couldn't put it down. Thank God we have men like Johnson on our frontlines. This is a no hold barred look at what American service personnel face on a daily basis in Iraq.
December 21, 2016
is it's not my job to question the true accuracy of the body count but as part of the story you are glad that you're not the one who's there even if only half the body count were true. how many times can you come that close to death and then to be confronted with cancer, it is certainly a story worth reading remarkably there's not as much blood and guts as one would expect considering This Is War it is a book that is recommended to anyone wanting a better insight of what a combat Soldier actually have to deal with especially all of the BS that goes along with being a soldier
January 21, 2018
overall this book was just okay. The author does a lot to go really in-depth with the action parts of his deployment. But he really glosses over a lot of other parts of his life. He basically doesn't talk about his marriage. And he basically doesn't talk about the impact his actions had on others. It's a good read and it really makes you appreciate what people that did deal with in Iraq. But overall not the best book. Read it once and be done. And if you skip it you're not missing anything special
July 13, 2023
I will say, the book took me a minute to get into, but once I got through to the end I actually enjoyed it. I enjoyed it because it was interesting to see a piece of history and how it happened through CJ’s perspective.
November 3, 2023
I've read several books about campaigns in both Afghanistan and Iraq. This is the first I've read from the perspective of the commander of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle. A fast paced glimpse into the life of a soldier in Iraq. Johnson has been labeled as the deadliest soldier in US military history, but as he will be the first to tell you, he didn't achieve this title without the help of his crew and the other soldiers he served with. His accounts appeared in 'Soldier of Fortune', and the book 'On Point' a collection of soldiers accounts collected in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Johnson served one tour in Bosnia, then three tours in Iraq. His account of the battle of As Samawah is one of the most amazing stories in the book. During Johnson's second deployment in Iraq, he transitioned from not only being a Bradley commander, but a sharpshooter based on his marksmanship skills. Although not formally trained as a sniper, his kill count is second just behind the late Chris Kyle's record. Despite having developed lymphoma after his first Iraq tour (most likely as a result of firing so many depleted uranium shells from his Bradley), Johnson's cancer went into remission after lengthy chemo treatments and he re-deployed. After retiring from the army after twenty years of service, Johnson went on to work as a private security contractor for five years. Among Johnson's honors are a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and four Purple Hearts.
Yes, some of the stories are a little crude--some of the practical jokes he relates are a little immature, but overall this is an informative and entertaining read for anyone interested in our battles in the Middle East.
Johnson served one tour in Bosnia, then three tours in Iraq. His account of the battle of As Samawah is one of the most amazing stories in the book. During Johnson's second deployment in Iraq, he transitioned from not only being a Bradley commander, but a sharpshooter based on his marksmanship skills. Although not formally trained as a sniper, his kill count is second just behind the late Chris Kyle's record. Despite having developed lymphoma after his first Iraq tour (most likely as a result of firing so many depleted uranium shells from his Bradley), Johnson's cancer went into remission after lengthy chemo treatments and he re-deployed. After retiring from the army after twenty years of service, Johnson went on to work as a private security contractor for five years. Among Johnson's honors are a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and four Purple Hearts.
Yes, some of the stories are a little crude--some of the practical jokes he relates are a little immature, but overall this is an informative and entertaining read for anyone interested in our battles in the Middle East.
October 26, 2024
The most detailed account of killing in modern warfare I've come across, and I've read and listened to a lot of military history books. Very little fluff and almost no boring personal history vignettes. Highly recommended for everyone interested in what modern military combat is like.
November 18, 2017
Good war story...not sure how much of it is true though.
August 30, 2018
Pretty good biography I got in Dollar Tree.
October 26, 2019
There is some debate (online at least) as to if some of the things detailed in this book are fully accurate or not. Notwithstanding that, it is interesting, and easy to read
December 11, 2020
Eye opening! War is a hellish place
December 29, 2022
Nice book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2025
3 stars not as good as “one bullet away.”
July 27, 2025
Very well written.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews