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Danger Forward: The Forgotten Wars of General Paul F. Gorman
Combat leadership in action. From Korea to Vietnam...from Panama to the Iron Curtain.
August 27, 1966: The men of 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry were standing strong in the face of enemy fire. For the past thirty-six hours, they had beaten back a relentless wave of enemy assaults. Two days earlier, the Viet Cong had attacked an American patrol along Highway 16 near Bong Trang. The ensuing firefight became so intense that three US infantry battalions were eventually drawn into the melee. History would call it the Battle of Bong Trang.
As the battle raged into its second day, Lieutenant Colonel Paul F. Gorman - the commander of 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry - continued to call for artillery strikes and close air support against the enemy's positions. Despite being badly burned by a misplaced Napalm strike, Gorman maintained his composure and continued calling for fire support until the enemy quit the field. For his audacious leadership and courage under fire, Gorman was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross - the nation's second highest award for valor.
A 1950 West Point graduate, Paul Gorman entered the officer ranks during the inaugural years of the Cold War. Like many of his classmates, Gorman served on the frontlines of Korea. Assigned to the 32d Infantry Regiment, he was decorated for valor in the numerous hilltop battles of 1952. Following the Korean Conflict, he commanded an infantry company in West Germany, where his daily duties revolved around defending NATO from the Red Menace.
Between his two combat tours in Vietnam, Gorman became the principal architect of The Pentagon Papers, and served on the US delegation to the Paris Peace Talks. During the darkest days of the post-Vietnam malaise, Gorman stood at the forefront of revitalizing the US Army's training methods as it transitioned to an all-volunteer force. In his last assignment, Paul Gorman served as Commander-in-Chief of US Southern Command - during the time of Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada and when the US was actively supporting the Contras in Nicaragua. He retired as a four-star General in 1985.
Based on hours of interviews and archival research by author Mike Guardia, this biography of Paul Gorman recounts the life and legacy of a true visionary and forgotten hero of the latter 20th Century.
August 27, 1966: The men of 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry were standing strong in the face of enemy fire. For the past thirty-six hours, they had beaten back a relentless wave of enemy assaults. Two days earlier, the Viet Cong had attacked an American patrol along Highway 16 near Bong Trang. The ensuing firefight became so intense that three US infantry battalions were eventually drawn into the melee. History would call it the Battle of Bong Trang.
As the battle raged into its second day, Lieutenant Colonel Paul F. Gorman - the commander of 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry - continued to call for artillery strikes and close air support against the enemy's positions. Despite being badly burned by a misplaced Napalm strike, Gorman maintained his composure and continued calling for fire support until the enemy quit the field. For his audacious leadership and courage under fire, Gorman was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross - the nation's second highest award for valor.
A 1950 West Point graduate, Paul Gorman entered the officer ranks during the inaugural years of the Cold War. Like many of his classmates, Gorman served on the frontlines of Korea. Assigned to the 32d Infantry Regiment, he was decorated for valor in the numerous hilltop battles of 1952. Following the Korean Conflict, he commanded an infantry company in West Germany, where his daily duties revolved around defending NATO from the Red Menace.
Between his two combat tours in Vietnam, Gorman became the principal architect of The Pentagon Papers, and served on the US delegation to the Paris Peace Talks. During the darkest days of the post-Vietnam malaise, Gorman stood at the forefront of revitalizing the US Army's training methods as it transitioned to an all-volunteer force. In his last assignment, Paul Gorman served as Commander-in-Chief of US Southern Command - during the time of Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada and when the US was actively supporting the Contras in Nicaragua. He retired as a four-star General in 1985.
Based on hours of interviews and archival research by author Mike Guardia, this biography of Paul Gorman recounts the life and legacy of a true visionary and forgotten hero of the latter 20th Century.
290 pages, Paperback
Published November 11, 2021
42 people are currently reading
1022 people want to read
About the author
Mike Guardia
31 books120 followersMike Guardia is an internationally recognized author and military historian. A veteran of the United States Army, he served six years on active duty as an Armor Officer. He is the author of the widely-acclaimed "Hal Moore: A Soldier Once...and Always," the first-ever biography chronicling the life of LTG Harold G. Moore, whose battlefield leadership was popularized by the film "We Were Soldiers," starring Mel Gibson.
He has twice been nominated for the Army Historical Foundation's Distinguished Book Award and is an active member of the Military Writers Society of America.
As a speaker, he hosts the lecture series "Hal Moore: Lessons in Leadership," which is available for presentation at schools, businesses, and civic organizations worldwide. Mike Guardia has given presentations at the US Special Operations Command and the International Spy Museum. His work has been reviewed in the Washington Times, Armchair General, ARMY Magazine, DefenceWeb South Africa, and Miniature Wargames UK.
He holds a BA and MA in American History from the University of Houston. He currently lives in Texas.
He has twice been nominated for the Army Historical Foundation's Distinguished Book Award and is an active member of the Military Writers Society of America.
As a speaker, he hosts the lecture series "Hal Moore: Lessons in Leadership," which is available for presentation at schools, businesses, and civic organizations worldwide. Mike Guardia has given presentations at the US Special Operations Command and the International Spy Museum. His work has been reviewed in the Washington Times, Armchair General, ARMY Magazine, DefenceWeb South Africa, and Miniature Wargames UK.
He holds a BA and MA in American History from the University of Houston. He currently lives in Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 7, 2025
Mike Guardia’s Danger Forward is an expertly researched biography that brings to life the remarkable career of General Paul F. Gorman, a true but often overlooked hero of 20th-century military history. Spanning pivotal moments from the Cold War to the Vietnam conflict, the book chronicles Gorman’s bravery, strategic genius, and lasting contributions to military innovation.
Guardia skillfully narrates key events, such as Gorman’s leadership during the Battle of Bong Trang, where his resilience under fire earned him the Distinguished Service Cross. The book also delves into his pivotal role in the Pentagon Papers and the Paris Peace Talks, showcasing his intellectual acumen alongside his battlefield valor.
Blending gripping combat scenes with deep insights into military strategy and diplomacy, Danger Forward not only celebrates Gorman’s legacy but also offers a comprehensive view of the challenges faced by the U.S. Army during transformative decades. A must-read for history and military enthusiasts.
Guardia skillfully narrates key events, such as Gorman’s leadership during the Battle of Bong Trang, where his resilience under fire earned him the Distinguished Service Cross. The book also delves into his pivotal role in the Pentagon Papers and the Paris Peace Talks, showcasing his intellectual acumen alongside his battlefield valor.
Blending gripping combat scenes with deep insights into military strategy and diplomacy, Danger Forward not only celebrates Gorman’s legacy but also offers a comprehensive view of the challenges faced by the U.S. Army during transformative decades. A must-read for history and military enthusiasts.
June 21, 2022
Thoughtful and insightful
Excellent book that outlines the unfortunate decisions which eventually led the US into the Vietnam War. Very interesting story of one man who thought outside the box, took the initiative and overcame the lethargy, old school thinking and competition between the services. Depicts General Gorman as a man that put service before self to make things better, save lives and always left units and commands stronger and more effective than when he arrived.
Excellent book that outlines the unfortunate decisions which eventually led the US into the Vietnam War. Very interesting story of one man who thought outside the box, took the initiative and overcame the lethargy, old school thinking and competition between the services. Depicts General Gorman as a man that put service before self to make things better, save lives and always left units and commands stronger and more effective than when he arrived.
November 27, 2021
Great leader
I read the biography on General Moore and I was fascinated by the accounts of General Gorman. Both men came up through Korea and Vietnam. This book about Gorman was a great addition to the history and story of that period. I think anyone who is enthusiastic about history will enjoy this book. The book is easy to read and flows nicely.
I read the biography on General Moore and I was fascinated by the accounts of General Gorman. Both men came up through Korea and Vietnam. This book about Gorman was a great addition to the history and story of that period. I think anyone who is enthusiastic about history will enjoy this book. The book is easy to read and flows nicely.
February 14, 2022
An Extraordinary General
General Paul Gorman was a brilliant leader who excelled at every posting during his magnificent 35-year career. This biography reads like an action packed novel worth reading.
General Paul Gorman was a brilliant leader who excelled at every posting during his magnificent 35-year career. This biography reads like an action packed novel worth reading.
April 17, 2022
Review
Great read . I enjoyed the book Mike. Sounds like Gorman was quite an officer. I was an infantry squad leader in 71 in II Corps. 1,st 22nd infantry 4th division. War was winding down for US. Thank you again
Great read . I enjoyed the book Mike. Sounds like Gorman was quite an officer. I was an infantry squad leader in 71 in II Corps. 1,st 22nd infantry 4th division. War was winding down for US. Thank you again
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews