UNSUNG: Quiet Voices of the US Navy's EOD Warriors and Their Families

by Joseph E. Shaffer III, Dr. Paula Kapp Greene

UNSUNG reveals in-depth stories by members of the US Navy's Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) community of special forces and their families. The Hurt Locker , an Academy Award-winning film, portrayed one limited but dramatic narrative of the US Army's EOD warriors in Iraq. But the stories of the Navy EOD community, the self-described "quiet professionals," have not been told--until now. These are special operators and technicians who undertake some of the most lethal work performed by members of the American military. Two years of interviews recount the grit, devotion, camaraderie, and pathos of these highly trained specialists. Heartfelt interviews with the families of these brave and dedicated sailors describe their stresses, pride, successes, and sadly, their grief.

Fifty-percent of net profit from sales of this book will be donated to EOD Warrior Foundation and Navy Special Operations Foundation, both of which are 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.

387 pages, Paperback

Published October 15, 2022

Reviews

[Jordan Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the United States military, there stands an elite fraternity of courageous, highly skilled, and equipped men and women who are sworn to protect life and property from one of the most insidious weapons on the modern battlefield: Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Introducing, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians. Attached to all branches of the military: Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, they have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Experts in rendering safe and disposing of conventional (Unexploded Ordnance), and unconventional explosive hazards, i.e. IEDs and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs). Of the more than five thousand bomb technicians in the world today, serving in both military and public safety agencies, less than two thousand comprise the military’s small but valiant band of brothers and sisters who wear “The Crab,” the universal badge of the EOD technician symbolizing a combination: World War II bomb (explosive hazards), surrounded by Lightning bolts (destructive power of explosive devices, and skills of those who render them safe), Shield (the mission to protect life and property from explosive devices) and Wreath (in honor of those who have given their lives defusing bombs). Since World War II, 344 U.S. military EOD technicians across all branches of the Armed Forces have lost their lives in the line of duty. Mounted on top of the crab is a Wreath and Star, this is the insignia of a “Master Blaster” or “Master EOD Technician.” Anyone privileged to wear a Master Blaster Crab is trained and equipped to handle the safe disposal of all Conventional and Unconventional explosive threats, on and off the battlefield. Master Blasters or Master EOD techs are the “Best of the Best,” comprised of less than 1% of all military EOD technicians.

Amongst all branches of the military, the most elite and versatile EOD techs belong to the United States Navy. U.S. Navy EOD technicians are the only bomb techs qualified to jump out of airplanes, swim, dive, and operate with Navy Seals and Special Operations units in some of the most demanding and deadly environments on earth. They are the Olympians of bomb disposal. Yet, very few people in the civilian world or the Navy know about their existence. According to one veteran Navy EOD tech, “EOD was always on the back of the base.” A rarely utilized and acknowledged support asset during maritime, amphibious, or land-based operations prior to the War on Terror. A few books have been written such as former Navy EOD tech Stephen Phillips’ acclaimed novel, “Proximity: a novel of the Navy’s elite Bomb Squad,” and Hollywood has capitalized on their heroics with Elvis Presley’s “Easy Come, Easy Go” (1967), Charlie Sheen’s “Navy Seals” (1990), and the CBS/Paramount+ series, “Seal Team” (2017-2024).

Now, an insightful, honest, and emotionally-raw true-life account of a United States Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician is told through the eyes of those who serve and live the life of Navy EOD. Enter, “Unsung: Quiet Voices of the U.S. Navy’s EOD Warriors and Their Families.” Written by Vietnam veteran Joseph E. Shaffer III and co-authored by Dr. Paula Kapp Greene, who’s the proud mother of a U.S. Navy EOD operator. The reader is taken into the reclusive and private world of Navy EOD with in-depth interviews of Active Duty and former EOD techs as well as deeply poignant stories from their families who’ve lived on military bases as Navy Brats and spouses, across America and abroad. The world’s a very different place when you live and breathe a life of service to your country as an EOD warrior or concerned spouse raising kids and keeping things in check on the home front. What may seem like quick international crises on the news to ordinary people, is a dramatic and profoundly personal reality for Navy EOD operators and their families.

Through hundreds of gripping interviews in person, online, and on the phone, Shaffer and Greene weave a beautiful tapestry of courage, sacrifice, humility, humor, and patriotism as told by front line combatants in a never-ending war against terrorism. If you’re a fan of Stephen Phillips’ novel “Proximity,” then “Unsung: Quiet Voices of the U.S. Navy’s EOD Warriors and Their Families” is a must-read.

[Deborah Hagaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book.
I read non-fiction military accounts almost exclusively.
I had thought myself fairly well versed. "Unsung" however opened my eyes to an area of operation that I and I suspect lots of others are aware of but haven't been given the full details of their story until now. The title is appropriate .
An added and welcome bonus is that the family's stories are included as well. I have not seen that done before and it truly enhances the overall effect.
These families are every bit as much warriors as their spouses etc. and their stories are just as poignant and full of sacrifice. They too are "Unsung".
The EOD operators tell their story start to finish in their own words and they do it well. You get the benefit of experience and viewpoints of multiple authors.

I also learned that half of sale profits goes to two foundations supporting this community's veterans so it's kind of a win/win: read a good book and help the guys.

It's a hard book to put down once you start. You are taken on a tour through the metamorphosis of young men to highly skilled combat volunteers serving all of us and finally home again. It's a huge story and there are lots of folks who have volunteered their innermost self to share with us.
We are fortunate they have done so.
I recommend it.
Phil Hagaman
USMC

[Lucinda Brouwer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read. Engrossing stories of courage and service. Well written, engaging, and informative. My learning curve was sky high. An honor to spend time with these EOD operators and their families.

[JOSEPH SHAFFER III · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is our non-fiction, interview-based book, so this is not a fair "review" so much as it is a recommendation--if you have an interest in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan or the US Navy, the stories related within our book are an important part of the history of those wars, from the perspective both of the Navy EOD warfighters who had multiple combat deployments and also from the perspective of their family members who provided the support at home.

Please note that it was our intent from the outset to donate 50% of our net profit from sales to the Navy Special Operations Foundation and the EOD Warrior Foundation, both of which are 501(c)3 non-profit organizations that provide support to these warfighters and their families. We encourage you to visit their respective websites for information about who they are and what they do.