Customer Reviews

15 Months in SOG: A Warrior's Tour

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

As a member of CCN (Jul-Dec '70) I do know some- thing about life as a "sogger". Col. Nicholson's account is, for the most part, accurate. However, discrepances exist; e.g. there are no leopards in either South Vietnam or Laos, and an indigenous soldier, whether Nung or "yard" was never assigned to carry the team radio. Remembering things 30 years after the fact is very difficult and probably accounts for these errors. Still, a book well worth the time.

The author of this book served in MACVSOG in a support role. His account of having served with the recon troops has many inaccuracies -- and he has acknowledged some exaggeration to those of us who led MACVSOG recon teams. This is an enjoyable work of fiction, but John Plaster and Richard Shultz have written excellent historical accounts of MACVSOG.

The book is entertaining, but as an historical work is disappointing. I was a NCO on a recon team during the period referenced in the book, but sorry, I just don't remember this guy. I know from other sources he was there, but there are many factual discrepancies that cast doubt on the rest of his recollections. Anyone who remembers the C-Team being "south" of the CCN compound, or Marble Mtn. being to the "north" must be related to the director of the John Wayne movie "The Green Berets" in which John Wayne watches the sun set in the South China Sea. (For those of you who are geographically challenged, get a map. Col. Nicholson, get a clue.) Nevertheless, the book did evoke some memories, and for that, I'm thankful.

Although Nicholson served in MACSOG during 1970-71, this is not a memoir. The dates, personnel, and locations have been altered and some of the events are fictionalized. Have been researching SOG activities and history for the past twenty years, so I know whereof I speak. If you want accurate, and realistic depictions of recon team activities in SEA, see James Acre's PROJECT OMEGA: EYE OF THE BEAST (Hellgate Press, 1999) or John Plaster's SECRET COMMANDOS (Simon & Schuster, 2004).

Caputo's book, Rumours of War, still is my all time favorite book about what it was like for the individual in Vietnam. But in the same way, the author has me identifying with his feelings and I had a sense of sorrow that I finished the book. I wanted to read and know more about the main character. That's the horrifying part of these first person Vietnam accounts...that someone actually lived it and must still be dealing with it's horrors. This author seemed honest and forthright...an ordinary man who found himself in a awful situation.

The source; 15 MONTHS IN SOG, A WARRIOR'S TOUR, by Cpt Thom Nicholson written as non-fiction, but appears to be fiction, has many wrong dates, wrong assignments, various individuals involved in missions that were killed, events, and descriptions, etc., that do not match actual, verifiable data. The only individuals mentioned in this book who were killed and their names verified was Paul Potter, KIA 23 Aug 68; Maj Samuel Toomey killed 30 Nov 68; and 1Lt Peter McMurray died 27 Aug 69 instead of 22 Jun 69 as reported in the book. All other individuals recorded as killed by Cpt Nicholson appears to be fictitious.

15 Months in SOG is fiction packaged as fact. Having read many books about special operations forces in Vietnam (Special Forces, LRRPs/Rangers, SEALs/UDTs, Marine Recon, etc.), I eagerly picked up a copy of 15 Months in SOG. It became apparent soon after I started reading that something about the author's "combat memoir" just didn't seem quite right. The more I read, the more this feeling grew. Several of the tales he recounts (first-hand) smacked of fiction (the "Pie Plate" incident, for example). The photos included in the book were fairly generic. None were taken in the field. I did some online research and found a couple of websites dedicated to chronicling SOG history and debunking false claims made by bogus special operators. It turns out that Mr. Nicholson was indeed in Special Forces and that he was posted to SOG for part of the 15 months he claimed in the title of his book. However, it appears that he served mostly in a staff capacity and that many of the combat exploits described in his book were conducted by others. For whatever reasons (only he knows), Mr. Nicholson inserted himself into these stories as the protagonist, passing off the experiences of others as his own. This is plagiarism, pure and simple. What is all the more baffling is that the author admits to conducting several extramarital affairs during his tour in Vietnam. Why lie about combat experiences that he did not have and then publically confess infidelity for all the world (including his wife and children) to read?

If you want to learn more about the fascinating history of SOG, look elsewhere. There are several real histories and authentic memoirs out there. If you don't mind fabrications and tall tales, then you might enjoy 15 Months in SOG.

A book for the family. My wife and I both read and enjoyed this book. The author takes you right into the stink and sweat and fear of his tour in South Vietnam during the height if the conflict. We felt like we could hear the writer talking to us personally as he described the impressions he experienced during his tour with the SOG Operation in Vietnam. We went along as he and his brave comrades crossed a line on the map to confront the enemy in his own back yard. As a non Vietnam veteran, the book helped to explain the thoughts, attitudes, stresses, and remembrances of someone who was there. When my wife annd I both enjoy someone's writing, you know it's good

An outstanding read. Col Nicholson presents his Viet Nam experiences in such a way that you feel you are part of the story. His self depricating style takes you through a whole range of emotions from laughter to sorrow. A must read for anyone interested in military literature in general and the Viet Nam experience in particular.

Having served time in the Military, I understand pretty much everything that the author is talking about. It is exciting as you turn each page, you can actually see the author grow as as the story progresses. It isn't difficult to finish this book in one sitting. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves this type of adventure/Military Story. Belive me, It's just a fun book to read!