SOG Codename Dynamite: A MACV-SOG 1-0's Personal Journal

All I can say is WOW! This guy (and SOG in general) are amazing. I can't imagine having a job where you and 5 buddies go out and take on hundreds or even thousands of NVA soldiers, return to base, and go back out within a few days. Thankfully, the author took copious notes on his operations, training, after action reports, etc. so he could recall events for the late 1960s. This is by far the best book I've read in decades.

I thought I had read everything there was on SOG in Vietnam, thought I was tough and had served with tough guys. Compared to Henry Thompson, I couldn’t even stand in his shadow. These books take you on a tour of duty in Vietnam through almost every mission deep in the jungle with the world’s most elite Soldiers and most dangerous missions. You feel the oppressive heat of the jungle, the sweat and smell that only fear can bring and the euphoria of life post mission, as well as the sorrow of loss when losing those you serve with when reading this journal. What is different about this book is that Thompson provides notes at the end of each chapter, and each chapter is a mission. He conducts an After-Action Review (AAR) and provides the reader with lessons learned. These lessons learned are a gift to the reader that are as relevant today as they were then. I spent thirty years in the Army in every kind of infantry unit there. I think Thompson would be proud to know that many of his lessons learned permeated throughout the Army in my tenure and we trained on many of his hard-earned lessons, especially when I was Team Leader in a Long-Range Surveillance Unit. These books are a gift to the modern-day warrior and could / should guide training at the tactical individual level to stay alive. I know what I am gifting to my son (an active-duty NCO in the US Army) on his birthday this year! I encourage all to pick this book up and give it a try, you won’t be able to put it down! Henry Thomson is a man among men. Thanks for sharing your incredible story, your service and sacrifice.

Loved it. Flowed perfectly and extremely educational. Gives insight to the true Valor and heroism of the quiet professionals and warriors.

Enjoyed every page of this book and the previous book by Col. Thompson. Made me feel like I was there experiencing what he was. I am thankful that warriors like him and all those that gave their all for America.

My interest in MACV SOG started in the 1990s when I worked with two of these heroes, one of whom was featured in the 60 Minutes episode profiling MACV SOG. An interesting moment was introducing them to each other, since both had told me how they had met posers who claimed to have gone “across the fence.” They sized each other up, asked two or three questions of each other that were meaningless to me, then their conversation took off as they started comparing dates, places, names etc. Ever since meeting them I’ve been reading books about the war they experienced, and excellent books are still being written. (Note that they remain guarded in what they say about their personal experiences since they bring up painful memories best left buried and because to many people the stories are so incredible as to defy belief, resulting in them being accused of making it up.) Henry Thompson’s two volumes are as good as any autobiography you’ll find about MACV SOG. He states up front that he did not experience PTSD or lasting emotional trauma from serving, and that is a huge plus for the telling of his story. You get a sense of the organization structure, continuous training, intense combat and more, but with an ability to give an assessment of the overall experience not often found. Each encounter in the books feature an after-action report which summarizes the action, and a brief section on what was learned which lets the reader trace Thompson’s growing experience and how he incorporated that into his missions. The account in book #2 of RT Dynamite, a one-man rescue operation, is alone worth the price of book. As with so many SOG operations, it deserved being nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor given the risks taken and success of the mission. Other vivid accounts from book #2 are how a six man team caused the destruction of a 10,000 NVA batallion, and the same team in another mission observing NVA "school" where enemy soldiers were being taught how to track and kill SOG teams.

Buy both of Thompson's books as they are both really good. He goes into a lot of detail, includes his after action reports and evaluations - ways to improve, etc. He put a lot into these books and it shows. If you only read a couple books about MACV-SOG (I've read many), these are really good. PS these guys were NUTS!

A truly extraordinary book! I quite literally could not put it down. I strongly recommend this book to everyone!

Quite an amazing story of one brave Lt who led many TS and dangerous missions including many across the border into Laos and North Vietnam. Amazing that he survived.

10/10

this book is a page turner i could not put it down. i highly recommend this book

This book and the first book is an awsome read. If you are interested in SOG then this book is a must!

This almost borders on unbelievable. How one (well-trained indeed) man can endure going through all these 'externals' and survive in the face of a fierce enemy is beyond me. Luck or was God on his side? Both, I think.

Beyond excellent -- so impressive. was in vietnam in 1970 medical corp. the writer has a very tall reputation . BRAVO Mr. THOMPSON .