Secret Commandos

John L. Plaster's "Secret Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines with the Elite Warriors of SOG" offers readers an intensive examination of one of the Vietnam War's most classified military operations. The book focuses on the Studies and Observations Group, commonly known as SOG, a joint-service unconventional warfare task force that conducted highly sensitive cross-border missions into Laos, Cambodia, and North Vietnam during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Plaster, himself a former SOG member who served three tours with the organization, brings firsthand knowledge and extensive research to this comprehensive account of covert operations that remained classified for decades after the war's conclusion.

The narrative centers on the extraordinary missions undertaken by small reconnaissance teams operating deep within enemy-controlled territory. These teams, typically composed of two or three American special forces soldiers and four to nine indigenous personnel, conducted surveillance, gathered intelligence, captured prisoners, and performed direct action missions against North Vietnamese Army units and supply lines along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The book details the selection process for SOG personnel, the rigorous training they underwent, and the unique tactics developed for operations where conventional military doctrine simply did not apply.

Plaster's account excels in conveying the extreme danger faced by SOG teams on virtually every mission. The units operated in areas where enemy forces often outnumbered them by hundreds to one, with limited options for extraction if compromised. The author describes numerous harrowing engagements where small teams fought against overwhelming odds while waiting for helicopter support, often in terrain so hostile that even rescue attempts proved perilous. These firsthand accounts, drawn from interviews with veterans and official after-action reports, provide concrete details about the operational realities of unconventional warfare in Southeast Asia.

The technical aspects of SOG operations receive thorough attention throughout the book. Plaster explains the specialized equipment used by recon teams, including modified weapons, communications gear, and survival equipment tailored for extended operations in jungle environments. The coordination required between ground teams, helicopter crews, and fixed-wing aircraft for insertions, extractions, and tactical air support is examined in detail. The book also addresses the unique command structure that placed SOG under the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Studies and Observations Group, operating outside normal military channels due to the politically sensitive nature of cross-border operations.

One of the book's strengths lies in its documentation of the courage displayed by both American and indigenous personnel serving in SOG. Plaster recounts specific actions that resulted in Medals of Honor and other valor decorations, providing context for the extraordinary circumstances under which these awards were earned. The contributions of Montagnard and other local force members receive appropriate recognition, acknowledging their critical role in mission success and their loyalty under extremely hazardous conditions.

The historical context provided helps readers understand why SOG operations remained classified for so long after the Vietnam War ended. The cross-border nature of these missions into ostensibly neutral countries created diplomatic complications that made public acknowledgment impossible during the war years. Even decades later, the full scope of SOG activities was only gradually declassified, allowing veterans to finally discuss their experiences and allowing historians to assess the organization's impact on the broader war effort.

Plaster's writing maintains a factual, documentary style that avoids embellishment while still conveying the intensity of combat experiences. The book includes sufficient tactical detail to satisfy readers interested in military operations while remaining accessible to general audiences seeking to understand this lesser-known aspect of the Vietnam War. The author's military background enables him to explain technical and tactical matters clearly without oversimplifying complex operational concepts.

The book serves as both a historical record and a tribute to the men who served in one of America's most elite and dangerous military units. By documenting specific operations, casualties, and outcomes, Plaster creates a comprehensive picture of SOG's activities and their significance within the larger context of the Vietnam conflict. The extensive research underlying the narrative, combined with the author's personal experience, results in an authoritative account that has become a standard reference on the subject.

"Secret Commandos" stands as an important contribution to Vietnam War literature and the broader history of special operations. The book provides detailed information about missions that fundamentally differed from conventional military operations, offering insights into the capabilities and limitations of small-unit actions in hostile territory. For readers interested in military history, special operations, or the Vietnam War, this work delivers a thorough and credible examination of an organization whose exploits remained hidden for far too long.