First Force Recon Company: Sunrise at Midnight [Mass Market Paperback]

Bill Peters (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 30, 1999

In 1st Force Recon you performed at a very high level of proficiency. Or you died. . . .

In 1969, First Lieutenant Bill Peters and the Force Recon Marines had one of the most difficult, dangerous assignments in Vietnam. From the DMZ to the Central Highlands, their job was to provide strategic and operational intelligence to insure the security of American units as the withdrawal of the troops progressed.

Making perilous helicopter inserts deep in the Que Son Mountains, where the constant chatter of AK-47 rifle fire left no doubt who was in charge, Peters and the other men of 1st Force Recon Company risked their lives every day in six-man teams, never knowing whether they would live to see the sunset. Peters's accounts of silently watching huge movements of heavily armed NVA regulars, prisoner snatches, sudden-death ambushes, and extracts from fiercely fought firefights vividly capture the realities of Recon Marine warfare, and offer a gritty tribute to the courage, heroism, and sacrifice of the U. S. Marines. . . .

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

In 1st Force Recon you performed at a very high level of proficiency. Or you died. . . .

In 1969, First Lieutenant Bill Peters and the Force Recon Marines had one of the most difficult, dangerous assignments in Vietnam. From the DMZ to the Central Highlands, their job was to provide strategic and operational intelligence to insure the security of American units as the withdrawal of the troops progressed.

Making perilous helicopter inserts deep in the Que Son Mountains, where the constant chatter of AK-47 rifle fire left no doubt who was in charge, Peters and the other men of 1st Force Recon Company risked their lives every day in six-man teams, never knowing whether they would live to see the sunset. Peters's accounts of silently watching huge movements of heavily armed NVA regulars, prisoner snatches, sudden-death ambushes, and extracts from fiercely fought firefights vividly capture the realities of Recon Marine warfare, and offer a gritty tribute to the courage, heroism, and sacrifice of the U. S. Marines. . . .

About the Author

Dr. Bill Peters was born and raised forty miles east of San Francisco in the Livermore Valley. He attended San Francisco State University in the late sixties, where he was a star linebacker for their Far Western Conference championship football team. In 1967, Peters joined the San Francisco State football coaching staff and helped the nationally ranked team capture a postseason bowl game victory.

Bill Peters was commissioned in the Marines via Officer Candidate School. After completing the Basic School at Quantico, Virginia, in 1969, he was assigned to Vietnam as a Force Recon platoon commander, where he conducted twenty-three long-range patrols in enemy-controlled territory. His personal awards include a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, one with V (for valor), and a Purple Heart.

In addition to a B.A. degree from San Francisco State University, Dr. Peters has a California Life-Time Credential in Education, a Masters of Divinity, and a Ph.D. in psychology. He is currently producing a weekly television program devoted to stories of our national war heroes. Bill lives in Southern California with his wife, Barbara, and their two sons, Tony and Paul.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (January 30, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804118736
• ISBN-13: 978-0804118736
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.7 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #604,537 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > World > 20th Century
  • #63 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Military > Strategy
  • #64 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Americas > United States > 20th Century

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read This Book -- You'll Be Glad That You Did!, January 5, 2000

By 

Richard Kolman (San Diego, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: First Force Recon Company: Sunrise at Midnight (Mass Market Paperback)

For students of the Vietnam War, military history, or history generally, I highly recommend "First Force Recon Company: Sunrise at Midnight". This book transports the reader back in time, into the lives and the daring missions tasked to this elite Marine team. The author also provides insightful historical perspective by analyzing how the distant political and diplomatic actions had real, observable impact on the chances for survival of this team of Marines.

It's interesting that the only negative review of this book comes from the only person who failed to give their name - but claimed to be a "Force Recon Marine who was in Vietnam in 1969". I suggest two likely possibilities: (1) this person is not what he or she claimed to be, and / or (2) they have some serious personal problems or agenda that leads them to criticize what is a first hand account of some of the most courageous and skillful Marines in the history of the Vietnam War. If this person can refute the basic accuracy of Bill Peters' book, let's see their book with verifiable facts.

Was I there to verify the facts recounted in "Sunrise at Midnight"? No. But the Recon Marines covered in this book can do so. How do I know this? As a lawyer for one the nation's leading companies, I report to General Counsel Lynn Lowder, who is highlighted in this book and is a recipient of the Purple Heart, Silver Star and Bronze Star.

Lynn tells me that Bill Peters told it just the way it was. Given Lynn's integrity in the legal and corporate battlefield - I have no doubt that "Sunrise at Midnight" is a credible and accurate retelling of events.

The First Force Recon Marines described in this book have continued to achieve at high levels during the past 30 years. They don't seek egocentric praise for their contributions; quite the opposite. This fine book is clearly written with humility, as a tribute of remembrance to the team - collectively. Hopefully, as time continues to pass, posterity will take note of their extraordinary courage in the face of terrifying adversity, faithfully responding to their nation's call. This book helps us remember and remain grateful.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's the real deal!, September 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: First Force Recon Company: Sunrise at Midnight (Mass Market Paperback)

As a former Force Recon Marine, I am proud that somebody has finally told the story the way it was. I served with many of the people in this book and I have to say that it has certainly been a long time since I had the honor to have worked with such fine people. There hasn't been a day since I left the Company that I have not thought about many of our missions, both good and bad. We were young and all charged up, but it cannot be denied that we were working at our highest potential and we fought to win, when our politicians really didn't know anything about the missions we were undertaking and still don't. RECON is another way to spell TEAM, something many people should learn more about. RECON ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!! Nice job Lt. PETERS. Give me a shout when you have the time. Formerly Sgt. Jim McKee, 1st Force Recon Company, 68-69. MUSK OX 6, OUT!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars VERY TENSE - LOTS OF ACTION, March 5, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: First Force Recon Company: Sunrise at Midnight (Mass Market Paperback)

This book starts off on a college campus with a group of SDS students trying to drive the Marine recruiters away. It was so realistic and it brought back feelings I had long since forgotten. Lt. Peters goes to Nam and joins Force Recon. Contains many insertions deep inside NVA held territory and many close calls in the jungle. Some good firefights. Very difficult to put down in the middle of a mission because you just have to get the team safely back to An Hoa before you can put the book down. A good read. Made me proud I enlisted during the war.