THE YOUNGEST GREEN BERET: Real people, real combat, espionage, and conflict in the Mekong Delta 1969

by Terry McIntosh

ABOUT THE YOUNGEST GREEN TERRY MCINTOSH. DOB 01.16.1950..Department of Defense Records confirm that Terry McIntosh was only 17 years old when he joined the army and was assigned to an elite long range Airborne patrol unit in Germany. He impressed the Special Forces with his skills and physical fitness, and they recruited him for a permanent assignment. He was issued a full flash Green Beret in 1968, at age 18, making him one of the youngest SF soldiers ever. He did not volunteer for this assignment, but he accepted it.Most Green Beret soldiers were 30 to 35 years old during the Vietnam war, but SF lowered the age requirement to 18 for some critical positions. Terry met all the criteria and more. He was trained in three military skills, qualified as a paratrooper in two countries, and satisfied the SF mental and physical requirements. He later earned the Vietnamese jump wings which made him qualified in three countries.Terry was entrusted with top secret intelligence missions and worked with Project Gamma, a covert operation that ran secret ops into Cambodia with a double agent who betrayed his team and was executed by his superiors. This incident sparked a national scandal in 1969 known as the "Green Beret Affair." Terry participated in 22 combat missions, including air assault and river boat operations. He commanded dozens of ambush patrols. He was evacuated from the Nui Coto Mountain range near the Ho Chi Minh Trail due to a severe illness, but he returned to his team after he recovered.Terry became the youngest soldier to serve on an operational A-team and earn the Combat Badge for engaging the enemy in ground combat when he was just barely 19 years old. He filled a team slot that was meant for an experienced E-7, and he was promoted to Sergeant. SF praised him for his extraordinary service and asked him to extend his assignment, but he chose to go back to his former LRP unit, which was stateside and reforged as Co. A, 75th Rangers.Terry McIntosh was a remarkable soldier who served with Special Forces at a very young age. After the war, the average age of a Green Beret soldier went back up to thirty, because it was hard to find someone as mature as Terry among younger candidates.This is his true story about real people, espionage, and combat in the Mekong Delta 1968-69. Terry wrestles with his own doubts and fears while protecting the rights of others to live free. His border camp was surrounded by a thousand enemy troops and his team conducted clandestine operations to observe and engage an even larger growing number of Viet Cong armed forces 15 miles into Cambodia. This is his story about the transition from boy to man in the jungles of Vietnam where he met himself for the first time with a sense of shame and honor.

Genres: Nonfiction

205 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 30, 2019

Reviews

[Heather D]

Unique and interesting

Terry McIntosh's Youngest Green Beret gave me a very real and honest perspective about what it was like to be a soldier during the Vietnam War. In particular, McIntosh gives us his unique perspective as a Green Beret, stationed right on the border of Cambodia.

McIntosh had the opportunity for unique communication and special ops training, so we are able to appreciate his story from one that, as he notes, was largely unrecorded and unreported.

The author does not have any bitterness or resentment; instead he shares with his pride in his and his fellow soldier's service. He tells us about his fear, his zealousness, and his very brief questioning of what war means--although he tells the reader that is not the thought process he wants to take during the war.

McIntosh's story gives us a brief but detailed recollection of his service. The people he interacts with come and go--some are transferred, injured, or die, some are traitors (double agents)--so we do not get to know many of his comrades in depth, but such is war, and how his story happened. McIntosh is respectful of all the men he served with, even including photos, and getting permission to use names in his book (I especially appreciated the photos of the names on the Vietnam Memorial).

I would recommend this book, not only out of respect for the veterans of the Vietnam War, but also because of the unique perspective his story gives us as to what Vietnam was like for McIntosh and his fellow soldiers where he was stationed. It was an interesting story, and a very easy and enjoyable read.

[Steve Kabel]

Terry has shared a thorough recollection of events at the 5th Special Forces Camp, Detachment A-414, in the Mekong Delta. I was assigned to A-414 as it’s demo sergent in 1969-1970, shortly after Terry was reassigned and left the base camp. The emotions Terry has shared during his combat experience are a good reminder of how Special Forces soldiers deal with trust, perseverance, fear and a resolve to protect innocent indigenous people who are innocently caught in the middle of conflict. This book is well written, and you will find it easy to imagine yourself in Terry’s place in the many situations he found himself.

[Janet]

Excellent

Sgt. Terry McIntosh has written with so much detail of his experiences during his time in Vietnam that made the book interesting to read. He describes his thoughts, feelings, fears, good times, friendships and etc. that it was like having a conversation with him in person. An incredible look into the past through a soldiers' heart. Thank you Sgt McIntosh for your service and Welcome Home.

[Patti Merz]

Uncommon Heroes

Every book I read I gain more respect for anyone who serves in our military but those who go to foreign lands and fight in battles that makeup a wars well they truely deserve our thanks, gratitude and respect. The common man leaves and comes back changed forever. Thank You!!!!

[Sam Carpenter]

Interesting reading

Those of us that were in the military at the time, the story brings back vivid memories. A past time when many young Americans gave their lives for what? A war we couldn't win in a country we couldn't protect. And why, why is it America thinks we need to save the world. Who decides, not me. Let them fight their own battles.
Rock on

[Scott Andrews]

This book was ok, enjoyed learning of Terry's story. The narrative just lacked something, Could have done with being alot more descriptive to draw me in. Its very 'to the point', lacks tension or suspense. Of course I appreciate, its sticks to events as they happened and its a first person Account.

[jim bowen]

Good read per infantry life.

This soldier was lucky in everything he did while in the Army and got to see action and experience combat with a leisurely way of doing business vs being a grunt living in the crud 24/7. The book got tedious at time though...

[Ray York]

A 19 year old Green Beret

An amazing story of a capable young man who enters military service at 17 and worked his way through the system and into Vietnam as a Green Beret. A very good read.

[Francis W Clark]

This book holds your attention right from the beginning to the end.

I was interested in how the author of this book described the places where he served. It shows how an individual solider coped with every day issues.

[Charles Schmid]

The youngest Green Beret. By Terry McIntosh

Good reading. Would congratulate Terry for accomplishing the many things he did in the USA Army. He should stand tall. Wish you well. Airborne Always.

[Nicolas Dougall]

Interesting and factual.

Concise read about operating Gamma a covert op. Good photos and background on double agent down. Google that it's a YouTube movie

[kevin berry]

Very factual

A very interesting recorded account. The read was more a documentary account,than emotional. Thank you for your service! Go Army!

[Carlie Fox]

Great read

This book was hard to put down. I felt like I was in the story myself. And you want four more words to post my rating and opinion of book. There you go.

[Jeff Church]

Fantastic reading!

A no nonsense book about Vietnam that made you feel like you were there, experiencing what Terry did.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Vietnam

[kim Reichenbach]

Told like he’s there now

Another good read as told only like someone who was there. Informative and representative of what it was like for many.

[JD]

Excellent read. Terry puts a lot of feeling into what he was going through at the time and provides a perpective of Special Forces life.

[EJ_V]

Had hoped on some more information about Project Gamma, but I can understand why it isn't included.