Alone at Dawn by Dan Schilling
This is the story of how John Chapman earned his Medal of Honor (actually qualifying for two) during Operation Anaconda in the early days of the war in Afghanistan. The video below provides the incredible details, as this is the first time such heroism was caught on video.
Books like this are tough to read. Almost without exception, I have the same range of emotions. Pride in the men and women who train to be elite and who willingly put themselves in harm's way. Sadness for the family and friends they leave behind. Anger because politicians (actual or senior military leaders who behave like politicians) who choose their ego over the advice of people doing the actual fighting. Here the brass rushed to put additional troops into the meat grinder for no good reason. Seven of the best died so the rear echelon could get some reflected glory.
This is the story of how John Chapman earned his Medal of Honor (actually qualifying for two) during Operation Anaconda in the early days of the war in Afghanistan. The video below provides the incredible details, as this is the first time such heroism was caught on video.
Books like this are tough to read. Almost without exception, I have the same range of emotions. Pride in the men and women who train to be elite and who willingly put themselves in harm's way. Sadness for the family and friends they leave behind. Anger because politicians (actual or senior military leaders who behave like politicians) who choose their ego over the advice of people doing the actual fighting. Here the brass rushed to put additional troops into the meat grinder for no good reason. Seven of the best died so the rear echelon could get some reflected glory.
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