The Ghosts of the Highlands

I would just like to Thank You, Kregg, for telling our little part of the war, which was now so long ago, and so far away. We improvised, adapted and overcame and did what we could with what we had. He, who on this field, this daySheds his blood with meWill be my brother

& #65279;This is a book I'd recommend to anyone interested in the Vietnam War. The role of "LRRPs" (or Rangers) is one of unique danger and bravery. The group featured in the fictional WW2 movie "Saving Private Ryan" were early Rangers, tho the mission that evolved in Vietnam was quite different. The author (who also served in this unit) states from the beginning that his book is based on the collective personal accounts of the men who served with the initial unit, although he points out in the beginning that his effort is not intended to be an official history, but rather an unvarnished account from those he was able to interview. The unit was formed in 1966 to compliment the First Cavalry Division's primary reconnaissance squadron, the famous helicopter-borne 1/9th Cavalry. The first 10 of 30 short chapters detail the history of how, who, when and why the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) element of the Division was formed. Jorgenson also succinctly conveys the tactics and equipment used. The remaining chapters detail some of the missions, good and bad times, and some personal profiles, all of which compose compelling reading - without sensationalism. Jorgenson generously pays tribute to other similar organizations that preceded the 1st Cav's LRRPs by detailing how their first unit leader, Capt. James, initially visited and learned from the experiences of the 101st Airborne's LRRPs, as well as those of the 173rd ("The Herd"), the 5th Special Forces, and the famous Australian SAS - who first developed the "Australian Peel". With those lessons, a successful "blueprint" was developed to make sure that the Cav's new unit would initiate operations with the benefit of others' experiences. Only then was the first team carefully hand-picked. After more training, they began operations as two 6-man teams, working out of An Khe in the Central Highlands beginning in 1966. These men were quickly referred to by their Viet Cong adversaries as "ghosts". Their success soon led to expansion to a company-sized unit, H Company, 75th Rangers - the highest decorated Ranger unit in American history.

Kregg, as normal, did a super job on this book. I have met some of the people who Kregg talks about and was told this was the way it was. I have no doubts, as I was a LRRP with the 1/101st Airborne and know the ups and downs of the job and the mission. I am very disheartened though with the mean spirited people who claim to have been LRRP's ,with the Cav, who shoot the book down because they were not mentioned. Hey, if you don't like what this author has to say get off your rear end and write your own book, your way. I am the author of Fortune Favors The Bold....take it from me, you cannot mentioned everyone. Great book Kregg. Thank you from the ole "Limey"

I could not put this book down once i started it.I was in the same area at the same time but i was not a lrrp.However in reading it felt as though i was one.It was well written and it had a quick pace to it.I highly recommend this book,weather you were there or not.I have ordered another one of Mr Jorgenson books-Acceptable Loss-today.

This is a well written account of a select group of men whose unselfish sacrifice saved the lives of many (probably my own). I was serving in Delta Company of the 1/8th Cav in the Bong Son plains during this same time and can relate to a lot of the conditions, etc. An excellent book!