THICK LUCK: The Search for POWs & MIAs [Paperback]

David A. Combs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 14, 2006

The riveting account of a US Army Ranger's odyssey to lead a team of investigative experts on a quest to bring home America'’s POWs and MIAs still missing from the secret war in Laos and Cambodia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Booklocker.com, Inc. (July 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601450176
• ISBN-13: 978-1601450173
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,129,876 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful Look at Our Government's Quest to Recover Missing Warriors, September 14, 2006

By 

W. H. McDonald Jr. "The American Author Assoc... (Elk Grove, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: THICK LUCK: The Search for POWs & MIAs (Paperback)

David Combs writes a journal of his work with the Joint Task Force Full Accounting (JTF-FA), Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) and Central Identification Laboratory - Hawaii (CILHI) in finding and retrieving the bodies of men who have been lost in the jungles and mountains of Cambodia and Laos. His book "Thick Luck: The Search for America's POWs & MIAs" chronicles some hazardous and tedious work done by a small by hardy group of people trying to bring our missing veterans back home again. The book mainly focuses on efforts to locate crash sites and find the remains.

The author who takes great risks to his own physical being including a piece of bamboo that lodged in his eye and countless slips, trips and falls, paints for us what it is like to be a part of his team. You will find yourself riveted to his story as he takes us on fourteen expeditions into Southeast Asia as they travel and search for whatever evidence they can find. It entails having to deal with lots of politics and red tape, lots of time and much personal sacrifice. Combs presents his book like a journey and the reader has little trouble following along as part of his team.

This book is a must read for anyone involved in MIA/POW issues or who wants to learn about these recovery teams. The author certainly enriches us with lots of facts but I particularly enjoyed his information on recovery of "Earthquake McGoon" James B. McGovern who was lost in Laos in 1954 while helping the French.

The book shows the great amount of work that goes into this recovery effort and the dedication of those who have taken on this task. These are honorable men and women and the author gives us that insider view of what really goes on these teams. The book is both educational and entertaining as well. Add this book to your list of must buy and read books!

The MWSA gives this book its top rating of FIVE STARS!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bringing our soldiers home, August 16, 2006

By 

Sharon R. Burman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: THICK LUCK: The Search for POWs & MIAs (Paperback)

Thick Luck is a fascinating true adventure of the quest to find our missing soldiers lost in the Vietnam War in Laos and Cambodia. The US government has made a tremendous commitment to find them and this is the story of the men and women who risk their lives in hostile environment to do it. A rare view into the culture of the Laotian people. Heartening accounts of the families responses when given news of their loved ones.Excellent.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grateful sister of an MIA in Vietnam, June 2, 2007

By 

Mary E. Benton "Mary E. Benton" (Indio, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: THICK LUCK: The Search for POWs & MIAs (Paperback)

After attending annual meetings in Washington, D.C. every June to meet with JPAC officials like David Combs I was so gratified to read his book of the true accounts concerning recovery efforts. I am a 100% disabled veteran and sister of a marine missing for 38 years in the jungles of Vietnam and this book has answered so many questions. David has allowed me to go with him on these field activities and witness exactly what goes into finding our missing loved ones and I am so grateful. Those of us who still wait for answers had no idea of the dangers and sacrifice that goes into the search for our loved ones. I couldn't be more proud of all of these brave men and women. My thanks to all of them.