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SOG Medic: Stories from Vietnam and Over the Fence
In the years since the Vietnam War, the elite unit known as the Studies and Observations Group (SOG) has spawned many myths, legends, and war stories. Special Forces medic Joe Parnar served with SOG during 1968 in FOB2/CCC near the tri-border region that gave them access to the forbidden areas of Laos and Cambodia. Parnar recounts his time with the recon men of this highly classified unit, as his job involved a unique combination of soldiering and lifesaving. His stories capture the extraordinary commitment made by all the men of SOG and reveal the special dedication of the medics, who put their own lives at risk to save the lives of their teammates. Parnar also discusses his medical training with the Special Forces.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 2, 2020
Joe Parner answered President Kennedy's call to "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" by joining the Army in 1966 and going through Special Forces medic training. He spent a tour with MACV-SOG at the triple border of South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, supporting small reconnaissance teams on dangerous and illegal missions against the Ho Chi Minh trail.
First, the strengths. Parner has an astound memory for names and events. This is how it went down, with photos. One story, discussing a SOG operator who figured out how to use a 60mm mortar as a personal weapon, prompted a 'aw hell no', except there was a photo of the man firing this beast from the hip on the next page. Wow!
As a medic, Parner was adjacent to recon teams rather than on them. He spent a lot of time flying chase, waiting in the last helicopter of a mission in case someone had to be medevaced quickly. While he wasn't on many missions, aside from a few larger company-sized efforts, he showed immense bravery again and again, running towards the fire to bring out SOG operators and their Vietnamese and Montagnard allies.
The writing, with an assist from Dumont, is clear, without a lot of macho posturing. It's also somewhat characterless, closer to unit history than memoir, but still limited by Parner's point of view. And this is a shame, because a combat medic is a very rare role, and Parner hasn't quite fully unburdened him about it. A pretty good book about SOG and medics in the Vietnam War, but probably not the essential one.
First, the strengths. Parner has an astound memory for names and events. This is how it went down, with photos. One story, discussing a SOG operator who figured out how to use a 60mm mortar as a personal weapon, prompted a 'aw hell no', except there was a photo of the man firing this beast from the hip on the next page. Wow!
As a medic, Parner was adjacent to recon teams rather than on them. He spent a lot of time flying chase, waiting in the last helicopter of a mission in case someone had to be medevaced quickly. While he wasn't on many missions, aside from a few larger company-sized efforts, he showed immense bravery again and again, running towards the fire to bring out SOG operators and their Vietnamese and Montagnard allies.
The writing, with an assist from Dumont, is clear, without a lot of macho posturing. It's also somewhat characterless, closer to unit history than memoir, but still limited by Parner's point of view. And this is a shame, because a combat medic is a very rare role, and Parner hasn't quite fully unburdened him about it. A pretty good book about SOG and medics in the Vietnam War, but probably not the essential one.
May 19, 2019
Good writer
Sorry you have such good feeling about a war built on lies. I went through SF medic training a year before you. 15 out of 87 made it through without being recycled. Not one was one was a patriot, and we all made it back. 4 suicides, 7 broken marriages. 9 PTSDs, not one worth the fight except we made it back.
Sorry you have such good feeling about a war built on lies. I went through SF medic training a year before you. 15 out of 87 made it through without being recycled. Not one was one was a patriot, and we all made it back. 4 suicides, 7 broken marriages. 9 PTSDs, not one worth the fight except we made it back.
April 2, 2020
Overall, sloppy writing, appreciate his honesty and willingness to point out his flaws and mistakes. I would suggest if you're interested in learning about SOG, don't make this your first read.
March 26, 2024
Fantastic! Loved that it discussed some of the day to day activities of a SOG member, not just battle stories (which are also great).
January 23, 2022
After becoming interested in SOG-related topics, I also listened to this one. I must admit it was a complete let-down after such great books as "SOG: Secret Wars of America's Commandos in Vietnam"
by John L. Plaster, "Da Nang Diary: A Forward Air Controller's Gunsight View of Flying with SOG" by Tom Yarborough", and "Sherman Lead: Flying the F-4D Phantom II in Vietnam"
by Gaillard R. Peck Jr.
The main issue: I was expecting first-hand experience stories from a SOG medic, but instead the first 2/3 of the book deal with rather dull in-camp affairs and doesn't go into the operational details of saving SF soldiers. The expected stories only begin in the latter parts of the book, and even then appear occasionally.
by John L. Plaster, "Da Nang Diary: A Forward Air Controller's Gunsight View of Flying with SOG" by Tom Yarborough", and "Sherman Lead: Flying the F-4D Phantom II in Vietnam"
by Gaillard R. Peck Jr.
The main issue: I was expecting first-hand experience stories from a SOG medic, but instead the first 2/3 of the book deal with rather dull in-camp affairs and doesn't go into the operational details of saving SF soldiers. The expected stories only begin in the latter parts of the book, and even then appear occasionally.
April 24, 2025
This, like "In the Jungle" is more a biography than a retelling of SOG tales. It's well written and engaging, but it's not the kind of "war" book I think most readers like, and certainly not the type of SOG book that fans of those by John Plaster will like. Parnar does describe some harrowing scenes, helping wounded recon men and helicopter crews during a multi-day engagement in Laos, but there is more here on him becoming a green beret. "SOG Medic" is a book that will appeal to those interested in the Vietnam War, but perhaps not so much to a general audience, or even to those who enjoy military history.
April 2, 2020
Very interesting and well told stories of the ugly war. Those guys were very courageous, in spite of the fools that were in charge.
Interesting to read that one of the Walton sons of Wal-Mart fame was in the special forces as an enlisted man. His legacy should be much admired.
I was a "leg" in the medical corps from 1965 - 1967, working in the blood bank that supplied all of the whole blood for the war. I cannot count how many guys I unloaded from choppers to enter the hospital next to our lab.
Interesting to read that one of the Walton sons of Wal-Mart fame was in the special forces as an enlisted man. His legacy should be much admired.
I was a "leg" in the medical corps from 1965 - 1967, working in the blood bank that supplied all of the whole blood for the war. I cannot count how many guys I unloaded from choppers to enter the hospital next to our lab.
December 20, 2022
A so so book
I appreciate the writers service to our country, so I am giving him four stars. The book is amateurish. SOG was the most dangerous mission in VN and the the men who ran recon were professionals,, yet the writers year in VN reads like a walk in the park by a bunch goof offs. It may be that he focused on the fun rather than the trying times. Or his personal circumstances may have been a walk in the park, either way God bless him for his service.
I appreciate the writers service to our country, so I am giving him four stars. The book is amateurish. SOG was the most dangerous mission in VN and the the men who ran recon were professionals,, yet the writers year in VN reads like a walk in the park by a bunch goof offs. It may be that he focused on the fun rather than the trying times. Or his personal circumstances may have been a walk in the park, either way God bless him for his service.
June 23, 2019
This read like a dairy chronicling the authors activities, the missions he participated on, the amount of beer he consumed and a brief description of those soldiers who were wounded or killed. There is little, if any self-reflection, nor is there much in the way of background material explaining why U.S. forces in Vietnam were conducting missions in neighboring countries.
August 17, 2019
A real true life war story, not just macho bravado. Joe has done a great job of telling a year in Nam like it really was.
I really liked the way Joe told his story,truly and without all the macho bravado most war stories have. I was a SF medic too and I know some of the people mentioned in the book.
I really liked the way Joe told his story,truly and without all the macho bravado most war stories have. I was a SF medic too and I know some of the people mentioned in the book.
February 5, 2020
A great personal account from a special forces medic involved in SOG missions in Vietnam. Very informative and worth the read for those serving. Lessons within the pages are as valid today as they were so many years ago. Definitely for anyone interested in SOG missions, recon missions, and Vietnam, much less Special Forces.
October 19, 2020
One of the best books on SOG Special Forces Units
Joe did a lot of various jobs in Special Forces. It was very interesting. Yes he was a Medic and a good one with common sense. He learned a lot and became better after every mission. He was able to adjust and fill in where he was needed. He was a brave and productive soldier. I'm proud of his military service!
Joe did a lot of various jobs in Special Forces. It was very interesting. Yes he was a Medic and a good one with common sense. He learned a lot and became better after every mission. He was able to adjust and fill in where he was needed. He was a brave and productive soldier. I'm proud of his military service!
December 22, 2020
I love reading books by heroes like this. It definitely helps me keep life in perspective. Joe Parnar details his experience as a SOG medic during the most harrowing and crazy ops. With a casualty rate of over 120%, SOG was a mysterious and legendary group, fighting the secret wars during the Vietnam era.
May 20, 2024
Interesting perspective of DOG from a trunk medicq
Very different experiences of a Green Beret medic. Interesting story of a Special Forces i individual who does not seem to consider himself as a hero even though we owe men like him a deep debt of gratitude. We actually need about a million like him today
Very different experiences of a Green Beret medic. Interesting story of a Special Forces i individual who does not seem to consider himself as a hero even though we owe men like him a deep debt of gratitude. We actually need about a million like him today
April 11, 2020
It takes it takes special people to work in SOG,
I did my time 2 years in Vietnam 66 68 and had a few Associates that were with the Special Forces. They were both Warriors and Saviers. I will never forget them. This book says it all
I did my time 2 years in Vietnam 66 68 and had a few Associates that were with the Special Forces. They were both Warriors and Saviers. I will never forget them. This book says it all
June 17, 2020
SOG Medic
This is an insightful look into the war in Laos and Cambodia that most people didn’t know was going on. I just feel like it was glossed over a bit. As a SOG Medic I expected more stories from across the fence.
This is an insightful look into the war in Laos and Cambodia that most people didn’t know was going on. I just feel like it was glossed over a bit. As a SOG Medic I expected more stories from across the fence.
June 27, 2020
Simple,short but interesting nonetheless
It was a simple story telling, no bravado. But quite interesting since there very few documentation of the war with the doc on the driver seat.
It was a simple story telling, no bravado. But quite interesting since there very few documentation of the war with the doc on the driver seat.
October 22, 2020
VN SF Aidmen Memories
Thank you Joe for the vivid, heroic journey of your SF 91B4S service . As a former SF Aidman 1966-67 in VN I relived some of my own memories with those of yours.
Thank you Joe for the vivid, heroic journey of your SF 91B4S service . As a former SF Aidman 1966-67 in VN I relived some of my own memories with those of yours.
February 21, 2024
nice reading an honest RVN story
This SF troop held up the motto Quiet Professional to a T. An honest account of a Vietnam War tour without the I’m a hero lines. Enjoyed reading about his RVN tour.
This SF troop held up the motto Quiet Professional to a T. An honest account of a Vietnam War tour without the I’m a hero lines. Enjoyed reading about his RVN tour.
February 9, 2025
SOG Medics
Great book. Special Forces men did some remarkable things in Vietnam and other places. They cannot talk about them due them being highly classified. They were highly trained and did great work taking care of their teammates and the "little people" they worked with.
Great book. Special Forces men did some remarkable things in Vietnam and other places. They cannot talk about them due them being highly classified. They were highly trained and did great work taking care of their teammates and the "little people" they worked with.
July 15, 2020
An unvarnished view of what it was like without self-aggrandizement. Thoroughly appreciated the first person appraisement of his fellow soldiers, warts and all. True patriots.
October 17, 2021
This book is about a very courageous SOG medic during the Vietnam War.
February 3, 2023
Pretty good memoir from a Studies and Observations Group special forces medic as engages in recon through the jungles of Vietnam.
July 25, 2025
Good Read
What they had to go through? Where are we now?
I am glad.that we had men like that to watch are back.
What they had to go through? Where are we now?
I am glad.that we had men like that to watch are back.
Read
February 8, 2019This is an excellent book. The main character, Joe Parner is from my home town Gardner, MA. REading the most personal details of Joe's time in Vietnam were numbing and humbling. Like myself, Joe is an American Lithaunian, but most of all, Joe is an American hero.
January 23, 2013
A great book that brought together a lot of personal history to the author's experience trying to go to Vietnam.
February 4, 2023
Light on action; heavy on experiences that haunt… for a lifetime
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews