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My Brother in Arms: The Exceptional Life of Mark Andrew Forester, United States Air Force Combat Controller
On September 29, 2010 Mark Forester was killed in action while fighting terrorists in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. His heroic legacy of being shot down while preparing to rescue a fallen teammate began long before this tragic day.
An Apache aviator said of Mark's final battle: ..."I have never witnessed such an act of heroism in my three years of fighting in combat. I have over 2,700 hours total time with 1,500 hours of combat time in both Iraq and Afghanistan...JAG 28 continued to advance on the enemy while taking intense enemy fire, and continuously fired his weapon in an attempt to get to his fallen teammate and destroy the enemy."
Mark chose to enlist in the Air Force as a Special Operations Combat Controller after he received his Bachelor's degree from The University of Alabama. Because of his above average grades and near-photographic memory, his Business Finance degree would have done him well. But, he felt a higher calling; one that put him between us and the enemies bent on our destruction.
Even though he had pledged that freedom must be preserved, his greatest desire was to marry the right girl and have a family-Mark never got that chance. Instead he selflessly gave his life for the country he loved.
Since Mark's death, his family's eyes and hearts have been opened to multiple examples of selflessness and patriotism by meeting his teammates and leaders in the military. The family has witnessed first-hand the ability for them to turn off their stern, professional personae and turn on compassion, love, support and acceptance. The author feels a strong desire to Honor our Heroes. This book highlights one hero, SrA Mark A. Forester, and also helps recognize many other men and women who volunteer to fight for our freedom.
My Brother in Arms is not a memorial in print, but a biography for continuing Mark's legacy of perseverance, determination and accomplishing our missions on earth. We each have different missions, but what's important is for us to recognize ours and work to accomplish it. In the end, don't we all want to go out while moving forward?
An Apache aviator said of Mark's final battle: ..."I have never witnessed such an act of heroism in my three years of fighting in combat. I have over 2,700 hours total time with 1,500 hours of combat time in both Iraq and Afghanistan...JAG 28 continued to advance on the enemy while taking intense enemy fire, and continuously fired his weapon in an attempt to get to his fallen teammate and destroy the enemy."
Mark chose to enlist in the Air Force as a Special Operations Combat Controller after he received his Bachelor's degree from The University of Alabama. Because of his above average grades and near-photographic memory, his Business Finance degree would have done him well. But, he felt a higher calling; one that put him between us and the enemies bent on our destruction.
Even though he had pledged that freedom must be preserved, his greatest desire was to marry the right girl and have a family-Mark never got that chance. Instead he selflessly gave his life for the country he loved.
Since Mark's death, his family's eyes and hearts have been opened to multiple examples of selflessness and patriotism by meeting his teammates and leaders in the military. The family has witnessed first-hand the ability for them to turn off their stern, professional personae and turn on compassion, love, support and acceptance. The author feels a strong desire to Honor our Heroes. This book highlights one hero, SrA Mark A. Forester, and also helps recognize many other men and women who volunteer to fight for our freedom.
My Brother in Arms is not a memorial in print, but a biography for continuing Mark's legacy of perseverance, determination and accomplishing our missions on earth. We each have different missions, but what's important is for us to recognize ours and work to accomplish it. In the end, don't we all want to go out while moving forward?
272 pages, Paperback
First published September 22, 2013
79 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
Thad Forester
2 books5 followersThad Forester was born and raised in Haleyville, AL. He has 3 brothers and 1 sister.
Thad chose to write "My Brother in Arms" after his little brother Mark was KIA Afghanistan in 2010. Within a few days, he knew he had to write about Mark's life and why men like him give up everything to serve and protect those they don't even know. It was important for people to know that Mark was a full-time missionary for two years, then got a Bachelor's degree in Business Finance and could have pursued the much-safer life with a 'normal' job. This would have allowed him a better opportunity to find his wife and have a family. Instead, he chose the path of special operations as a combat controller. The world needs to know about heroes like Mark. He was a warrior for God and country.
"My Brother in Arms: The Exceptional Life of Mark Andrew Forester, United States Air Force Combat Controller" was an Amazon #1 Best Seller for free books in October 2013. His desire is to share his brother's example with the world.
Thad graduated from The University of Alabama with a BS degree in Production and Operations Management. He is married with three sons. His greatest desire is to have plenty of land for them to roam and explore.
Thad chose to write "My Brother in Arms" after his little brother Mark was KIA Afghanistan in 2010. Within a few days, he knew he had to write about Mark's life and why men like him give up everything to serve and protect those they don't even know. It was important for people to know that Mark was a full-time missionary for two years, then got a Bachelor's degree in Business Finance and could have pursued the much-safer life with a 'normal' job. This would have allowed him a better opportunity to find his wife and have a family. Instead, he chose the path of special operations as a combat controller. The world needs to know about heroes like Mark. He was a warrior for God and country.
"My Brother in Arms: The Exceptional Life of Mark Andrew Forester, United States Air Force Combat Controller" was an Amazon #1 Best Seller for free books in October 2013. His desire is to share his brother's example with the world.
Thad graduated from The University of Alabama with a BS degree in Production and Operations Management. He is married with three sons. His greatest desire is to have plenty of land for them to roam and explore.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 18, 2013
This was an inspiring, touching, heart-breaking tribute to an incredible man, soldier and younger brother. I was crying by page 2, smiling throughout a lot of it, captivated by the stories, and motivated to be a better person. This book made me wish I could have met Mark Forester. By the end, I felt like I almost knew him. A courageous & respected Patriot. An outstanding guy.
July 12, 2016
Mark Forester was killed in action in Afghanistan on September 29, 2010 while attempting to rescue a fallen member of his unit. This is a riveting biography describing the character of Forester throughout his life.
December 5, 2014
I thought that it was a good book that highlighted the life of an amazing airman who gave his life for the country that he loved.
November 24, 2018
A Brother's tribute
Mark Forester was no doubt a strong and moral man, and a skilled combat controller. He died a noble death fighting in Afghanistan, in an attempt to reach a wounded buddy while in the midst of heavy action. Reading this book helped me to understand the complicated and demanding role of a combat controller. I can see that this account would be priceless to anyone who knew Mark Forester, but it did go on a little too long for the average reader. You can only read so many eulogies of a person you did not know. My gratitude, however, to Mark and his family for paying the ultimate sacrifice.
Mark Forester was no doubt a strong and moral man, and a skilled combat controller. He died a noble death fighting in Afghanistan, in an attempt to reach a wounded buddy while in the midst of heavy action. Reading this book helped me to understand the complicated and demanding role of a combat controller. I can see that this account would be priceless to anyone who knew Mark Forester, but it did go on a little too long for the average reader. You can only read so many eulogies of a person you did not know. My gratitude, however, to Mark and his family for paying the ultimate sacrifice.
December 30, 2017
Mark Forester was a patriot to the core. Called by God to be that sheepdog America needs, he left the comforts of home and dedicated himself to rigorous training and truly dangerous ground. His brother, Thad, wrote this book with brotherly love and a fondness for the simple things that only family and friends notice. It’s chock full of personal stories from those Mark served with and also shows what a Gold Star family endures during those dark days. I recommend everyone absorb this book and understand the cost of our freedoms and remember Mark Forester.
October 2, 2019
A TF. Biography: (MBIA) (TELOMAF) (USAFCC)
TF. has penned a biography of the life of his brother after he became a Combat Controller. MAF. spent two years in training before going to his first combat assignment. The timeline is excellent from his time into the USAF until his demise in Afghanistan. The context of the interviews stated that MAF. was an exceptional young man who lived as he died. A hero. This is can excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
TF. has penned a biography of the life of his brother after he became a Combat Controller. MAF. spent two years in training before going to his first combat assignment. The timeline is excellent from his time into the USAF until his demise in Afghanistan. The context of the interviews stated that MAF. was an exceptional young man who lived as he died. A hero. This is can excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
September 27, 2021
Amazing
October 19, 2025
Basically an extended eulogy of an airman who died in combat. Only Chapters 11 and 12 were interesting as there was some information about his deployment to Afghanistan.
May 29, 2014
This was an inspiring book about one brave soldier and his life before he went to war, during his deployment and events that took place after his death. I think he was a truly gifted individual who worked very hard but I can't help but think that there was a bit of eulogizing that went on in this book. I enjoyed the book well enough, but it was slow at parts. I'm sure glad I didn't read this book while my husband was deployed bc I probably couldn't have dealt with all the details of war if he were. It's definitely written by amateurs though and it wasn't very well written as it's composed of writings by his brother as well as many memories from other people who knew him. Good read but I'm not sure it hits high on my favorites list.
October 30, 2013
A touching tribute to a brother.
I knew this one would hurt because you know at the start Mark has passed. His story is told by his older brother with all the devotion you would expect.
It is a great story of heroism.
I knew this one would hurt because you know at the start Mark has passed. His story is told by his older brother with all the devotion you would expect.
It is a great story of heroism.
January 4, 2016
This book was an emotional roller coaster. I started reading it because the jacket grabbed me, but before I knew it, it was morning. I laughed, I cried, I got angry; at the end I felt like I knew Mark and his family. He lived his life true to his upbringing.
January 27, 2015
interesting book but definitely told from perspective of someone who loved him
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews