SOG Chronicles: Volume One

by John Stryker Meyer

From 1964 to 1972, far beyond the battlefields of Vietnam and the glare of media distortions, American Green Berets and their indigenous troops fought a deadly secret war in Laos, Cambodia and North Vietnam under the aegis of the top secret Military Assistance Command Vietnam — Studies and Observations Group, or simply SOG. The inaugural edition of 'SOG Chronicles Volume One' will be the first in a series of books focusing on the many untold stories from that eight-year secret war where Green Berets went deep behind enemy lines without conventional support from artillery, tanks, or ground support troops where communist forces massed 50,000-100,000 troops to combat them while keeping the Ho Chi Minh Trail supply lines open. The centerpiece of 'SOG Chronicles Volume One' is the 1970 story of Operation Tailwind, features a SOG element of 16 Green Berets and 120 indigenous soldiers that went deeper into Laos than any operation during the secret war. Every Green Beret received at least one Purple Heart, including the sole medic, Gary Mike Rose. He is slated to receive the Medal of Honor from President Donald J. Trump in October 2017 for his valor and medical skills tending to more than 60 wounded troops during that four-day mission. “John Meyer’s story about Operation Tailwind does justice to the valor and heroism of the men involved in the four-day battle. Meyer writes about this historic SOG mission with clarity and attention to detail that is long overdue in regards to this top secret mission. 'SOG Chronicles Volume One' is mandatory reading for anyone remotely interested in SOG history or simply in how the Green Berets operate deep behind enemy lines.” —Billy Waugh, SOG/CIA operative

Genres: War, Military Fiction, History, Military History, Nonfiction

212 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 2017

About the author

John Stryker Meyer is an American author and U.S. Army veteran, having served in covert reconnaissance with the Studies and Observations Group, also known as MACV-SOG. He has published two works of nonfiction related to his experiences in the Vietnam War.

Reviews

[CB Motsett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written.

An incredible story of 15 brave Green Berets and their indigenous Montaingard Warriors inserted deep inside Laos late in the Vietnam War. Fighting continuously, day and night, while on the move for four days thy successfully defeat much larger NVA units, uncover a Regimental HQ and capture volumes of valuable documents, maps and other materials including code books. Yet throughout this on-going battle they loose only 3 indig while virtually everyone is wounded multiple times they are all safely exfiltrated. This was without doubt the most successful SOG Hatchet Force operation of the entire 9 year secret war.

This should be a must read for anyone interested in MACVSOG, Vietnam, Special Operations, or Military History.

The supplemental stories on lost Recon Teams were a bit disappointing due to lack of detail and member information. The loss of these teams was always heart breaking as we knew at least one member, sometimes all 3, were last seen or heard from alive; meaning in most instances they were captured alive. To those of us who ran these missions this was our worst nightmare and we were prepared to do what ever was humanly possible to bring them, or their bodies, back. Some of this is covered, but in my opinion not nearly in enough detail.

Cork Motsett

[Scot Corr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting insight into Op. Tailwind and the deepest incursion into Laos. I liked the detailed accounts and the photos, but I prefered the stories from his other books where Meyer was there too to get his perspective. There was a good amount of pages dedicated to a very badly researched CNN article that falsely claimed SOG used sarin gas, I think the book could have done without it but understand why Meyer would feel so strongly about including it.

[a.t.m. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The real deal! Real Men fighting the NVA in Laos.

The author had a purpose and was focused on the his mission. He had a mandate and permission by Veterans, who participated in Operation Tailwind, to tell their stories. It is easy to forget their bravery and courage, which took place 50 years ago. This book insures that they will forever be immortalized. Every American should read this book, I highly recommend it!

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly an account of the SF SOG mission into Laos called Tailwind, told from the perspective of the operators, but also some other information about their equipment, supply system, and some questionable reporting by CNN.

Overall there was some good information, but the book was poorly edited and presented. Still, there aren’t a lot of other good books about SOG.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOG Chrincles: Volume One, is a really well written and inspiring book. I first heard about it on the Jocko Podcast and I loved reading the book and learning about the secret war and its heros. It is a great read and I would recommend it to a friend . To all the men who fought in SOG or in any other military groups, thank you for your service.

[John M Lambert]

Liked the photographs

Have read too many books on SOG. The research of secondary (names of support air pilots) made the reading tenuous. O skipped the information on equipment carried and such. That important mission and a single chapter on the improper CNN report would have been sufficient. I never served in SOG, but my 18 months experience in Special Forces gives me some credibility. Those men who did served in SOG where special, very special. The ones who I drank with often made cryptic references to their missions, which are clear to me now. Most of the references were about having to leave dead SF or indigenous members of their teams behind. Many put in 1040's to go back because of their guilt. These SOG men where true warriors, those who could not handle it quit and only had to answer to themselves. That was how Special Forces worked. 87 smart men started my training, (medical, 52 weeks) after jump school, 15 finish without being recycled. I would be interested in book that refers the betrayal of indigenous soldiers, it happened.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and informative read for anyone interested in SOG and the Vietnam War. Good insights into one of SOG’s most famous missions. I appreciate Tilt making it readable for those not accustomed to military jargon, and his pledge to give special emphasis to lost recon teams. Looking forward to reading future volumes!

[Scott Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was certainly very informative and well researched. Found this account of the SOG missions covered fascinating and engaging. However the book does repeat itself continuely, writing could have been better. That being said will read future editions, as the subject matter is what matters most

[Keith J. Messinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

All True

I was in SOG at CCN. Great book. Don’t know how he remembers all the names. I don’t remember a lot about those times except we lost a lot of good men. I remember all of them.

[Linda Withem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for clues on original AF documents

The book answered many questions. It makes me sad that people working in VA positions do not recognize any of the vocabulary ,codes, or acronyms used in the Vietnam war. Thanks for writing the book.

[Scott Meyerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Great account of history of the SOG teams and missions. Also excellent historical facts about weapons and their creators
Thank you to Mr Myer for his service and to all his fellow comrades that served. Truly a special group.

[Russell Cornwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOG Chronicles #1

Outstanding book full of photos and links to more SOG info. Operation Tailwind is featured and tells the stories about the most incredible operation into Laos and deeper and farther than any others. Meyer nailed it with this book. +++++

[steven souder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brave men ---

Reading this book brings pride and American feelings to the surface. Most young men today are not patriotic because the media has fed them anti American garbage for years. I lost a brother in law to Vietnam . Hats off to any of today's volunteer military. scs

[Steven WARNI · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Tilt does an amazing job. When reading his books I am able to visualize myself right there with him. He does an amazing job not only writing, but honoring his sacrifices and the all the sacrifices of those who were a part of MACV-SOG!

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love hearing the accounts of these brave men who did the impossible. Absolutely fearless men in the face of the most dangerous work they could do at the time. I wish more Americans could read books like this to learn what real heroes are.

[Butch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

More than anything I received from the book was to reinforce how CNN and Time publish fake news, also known as LIES.

[Shannon Pritchard · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slow read

This book is not so much a history of SOG as it is a history of operation Tailwind. It reads more like a Tailwind participant pep rally than a non partisan history.

[Phil Teves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, can’t wait for the next volume.

[Ryan Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great

A little deeper into the morass the was the secret war in Laos. The most infuriating part was the cnn/time debacle.

[Esequiel Contreras Jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you

Dear SOG and support teams,

Thank you for valiantly leading the way. Your sacrifice is or will not be forgotten.

Zeke
March 2020

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the other two books by John Meyer that I've read but I still enjoyed the stories of the American Warriors.

[Connor O’Reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOG Chronicles
- March 1st pages 1-66
- March 2nd pages 66-120
- March 3rd pages 120-192(end)

Definitely my least favorite out of the three. It repeats a lot but it’s still a great book

[Tom Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

More good background on SOG in Vietnam true heros that gave everything
David Maurer was one of the Green berets in Vietnam different unit he's written two books

[Lonnie Heidtke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good review of an operation that was wrongly reported by mainstream media. Tailwind was a prime example of the capabilities of the SOG men in Vietnam and correctly reported what happened. Everyday they did the impossible, with very few even knowing that they even existed. As a Huey helicopter crew member I had knowledge of some of the things they could do, but it was just the end results or the beginning of new missions.

[DMurt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally finished the three books John Stryker Meyer published. This was an easy two day read. His book(s) detail the secret war in Vietnam. His books provides insane and heroic stories of the men in MACV-SOG. John does had some humor that keeps it interesting.

This book is Volume 1 of the SOG chronicles. I look forward to his future books.

[Pat Appel · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best I've read about SOG

I've read a LOT of books about Recon, SOU and LRRP in Vietnam this book really held my interest. Great book