Mogadishu!: Heroism and Tragedy [Hardcover]

Kent DeLong (Author), Steven Tuckey (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0275949257 | ISBN-13: 978-0275949259 | Publication Date: November 30, 1994 | Edition: First Edition

Among America's clearest memories of ongoing conflict in Somalia will certainly be the swollen, bloodied face of helicopter pilot Michael Durant, displayed on the international television news reports after his capture in Mogadishu on October 3, 1993. While the failed mission leading to Durant's imprisonment captured the rage and anguish of the world, few Americans truly understood how many U.S. Army Ranger compatriots shared Durant's fortitude and courage there. Indeed, Durant was only one member of the elite Task Force Ranger Regiment deployed to apprehend Mohammed Farrah Aidid, Somailia's most powerful warlord on the fateful October day. Here is the little-known story of the 15 fierce, deadly hours of fighting that followed the Americans tightly calibrated attempt to target Aidid. Moment by moment, Mogahishu! recounts how this mission, intended to deflate the heart of Somali resistance, became instead a tragic showcase for the heroism and breathtaking self-sacrifice of the American servicement--and the catalyst of U.S. withdrawal of peacekeeping troops. Mogadishu! reveals while the operation produced on the most decorated military units in American history, it cost 18 of America's best-trained servicemen their lives. Using rare testimony from other military personnel, Kent DeLong offers the first complete account of how these Americans died, not for glory but for each other, far from their loved ones in a God-forsaken place called Mogadishu.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The plan was to capture the top lieutenants of Somali warlord Muhammad Aidid, whose gunmen had been killing soldiers of the U.N. peacekeeping force. But the mission started unraveling when two U.S. Army helicopters crashed in the streets of Mogadishu. DeLong (War Heroes) and California journalist Tuckey's hair-raising narrative focuses on the ad hoc formation of successive rescue missions that were in turn ambushed by Aidid's followers and menaced by crowds that turned into howling mobs. Before it was over, 18 GIs had been killed. This detailed account of the action of Oct. 3-4, 1993, shows that practically everything that could go wrong did, despite outstanding leadership and troop performance. The authors deliver a stinging rebuke to former Defense Secretary Les Aspin for denying field commanders' requests for armored equipment. Recommended for readers who enjoy suspenseful accounts of close combat. Illustrations.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Recommended for readers who enjoy suspenseful accounts of close combat.”–Publishers Weekly

“"Most Americans remember . . . the two troubling televised images that followed [the operation] . . . But there is much more about that day that is told in this book and that should be known by Americans."”–The Wall Street Journal

“His dissection of the operation's disappointing results, and his suggestions about how American efforts might have been more effective, should stimulate pointed discussion at a time when the Congress is shying away from humanitarian and military commitments overseas.”–The Stars and Stripes

“...the authors make each man a real human being and each loss its own tragedy. They also demonstrate what every soldier and marine knows, combat is very personal....This little action in Somalia is like so many others that go unnoticed in the great wars of our time. It was fierce and confused and painful. This is the value of this account.”–Military and Naval History Forum Proceedings

“Every American should read this book in order to gain a clear insight about military combat and war.”–from the foreword by Ross Perot

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Praeger Publishers; First Edition edition (November 30, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0275949257
• ISBN-13: 978-0275949259
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,389,041 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #92 in Books > History > Africa > Somalia

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars LTC Robert E. Biller, February 14, 2002

By 

robert biller (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mogadishu!: Heroism and Tragedy (Hardcover)

This book has many glaring mistakes and does little to explain why the QRF took a 25 mile long detour to the airfield, deployed out of the same site as the Ranger Convoy, or why the QRF ended up going the wrong way and got into an extraneous fire fight near the Digfer Hospital/Old Russian Embassy. I will address just one glaring inaccuracy. It credits 1SG Dooty of Company C, 2-14th Infantry with rescuing SGT Carroll who was injured in the Quick Reaction Forces initial attempt at rescuing TF Ranger. 1SG Dooty was not there and SGT Carroll was a Specialist that afternoon. 1SG Dooty was about 150 meters up the road with his Company Commander CPT Whetstone. Those who did go out and bring SPC Carroll back were SFC Eddie Ricord (a Special Forces Medic attached to the 2-14th as part of a Civil Affairs Team), 1LT Flaugherty (sp?) (the Battalion Physician's Assistant) and PFC Jackson (a Medic from 2-14th). They applied initial treatment to SPC Carroll and moved him back to the Civil Affairs HUMVEE for transportation. When I read this book I passed tthe copy along to SFC Ricord who of course was incensed that someone else was taking credit for other's work (particulary since 1LT Flaugherty was quoted on the previous page). The authors did little to double check claims of action and took at face value that one interview. This type of investigation tends to lead to unsubstantiated claims and inaccuracies.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Should have been a novel - historically, very inaccurate., November 28, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Mogadishu!: Heroism and Tragedy (Hardcover)

What is most disappointing is that Kent had accurate and detailed information from those of us involved in the operation. The errors are so significant, this book is worthless as a factual reference.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You should have been there, August 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Mogadishu!: Heroism and Tragedy (Hardcover)

To truly be able to review a book about an actual event being there is the best way to know if the events described are fact or fiction. The description of what happened with the QRF is not entirely true. If it would have been possible for us to reach the downed choppers any quicker then we would have. The events described do not denote that fact at all, but to say the book is entirely fictional is untrue.

It has been said the QRF was not on time because we were not trained for the mission. This could have all been alleviated by placing the QRF at the airport when the mission went out. To answer the waiting question of why these young men died and gave their lives on that day is simple: because of the pride of those who thought we need no help. We are the elite. A simple back up plan could have saved some; maybe not all, but to guys like CPL. Smith it would have made all the difference in the world.