Secrets of SOG: An Unheeded Warning (Pt. 2)

Secrets of SOG: An Unheeded Warning (Pt. 2)

Note: This is part two of a series. You can read part one here. Sometime after midnight, Aug. 23, south of FOB 4 in Da Nang, sitting atop the highest of the five peaks that make up Marble Mountain, the nine men of ST Rattler were enjoying a quiet night. Assistant Team Leader Larry “Gambler” Trimble […]

Facing the “Lone Survivor” Dilemma

Facing the “Lone Survivor” Dilemma

By now, most SOFREP readers, and indeed, most Americans, are familiar with the story of ‘Lone Survivor,’ subject of a bestselling book and popular Hollywood movie. For those who are not, it’s essentially about a four-man SEAL element in Afghanistan in 2005 whose mission was compromised, forcing them to evade a large Taliban force pursuing […]

Marines Doing FID: The CAP Platoons in Vietnam

Marines Doing FID: The CAP Platoons in Vietnam

Beginning in the summer of 1965, 3/4 (Third Bn, 4th Marines) were faced with an expanding tactical area of operational responsibility (TAOR) and shrinking numbers due to insufficient replacements coming in to fill combat losses. As a result, the Marines began working directly with the Popular Forces, local militias made up of old men and boys […]