Call Sign Rustic: Call Sign Rustic

Unlike one of the other reviewers, I *have* read the book and found it to be interesting and informative. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the facts but would offer this: Colonel Wood was there in SEA and participated in the events he wrote about. Not that I care much for the Smithsonian Institute's politics (I think their efforts to make the Enola Gay display politically correct a little off-putting), I would assume that both Colonel Wood and the institute would strive for accuracy inasmuch as possible. All of this, of course, does not speak to the incredible bravery of the men in this and other FAC units. The concept of dragging yourself slowly across the sky, begging for NVA gunners to shoot you down strikes me as not a very pleasant way to earn a living. That Colonel Wood and the Rustics carried out their missions despite the constantly changing ROE's, the politicians' micro-management of the war is astounding. The book is written in a concise, matter-of-fact style and makes for an excellent introduction to this secret part of our involvement in SEA. It is fairly dispassionate and objective and does not have some of the more colorful adventures in it that other works on the same subject would. That, however, makes excellent counterpoint to such books as "Naked in Da Nang" and "Da Nang Diary".. ..all three are fascinating and worth reading. This book has an excellent bibliography and is a good jumping-off point should one want to study the era a little more intensely.