We Few

Nick Brokhausen's "We Few: U.S. Special Forces in Vietnam" offers readers an unvarnished account of special operations during one of America's most controversial conflicts. Drawing from his personal experiences as a member of the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group, commonly known as MACV-SOG, Brokhausen delivers a memoir that stands apart from conventional Vietnam War narratives through its focus on the clandestine missions and elite soldiers who operated beyond conventional boundaries.

The book centers on Brokhausen's time with SOG, a joint service high command unconventional warfare task force engaged in highly classified operations throughout Southeast Asia. These missions included cross-border operations into Laos, Cambodia, and North Vietnam, areas officially off-limits to American ground forces. The author's firsthand perspective provides detailed accounts of reconnaissance missions, prisoner snatches, and combat operations conducted by small teams deep in enemy territory, often with little hope of immediate extraction if compromised.

Brokhausen's narrative style reflects the dark humor and camaraderie that characterized SOG teams. The book captures the gallows humor employed by these operators as a coping mechanism for the extreme danger they faced daily. This approach gives the memoir an authentic voice that resonates with military readers while remaining accessible to civilian audiences interested in understanding the psychological dynamics of special operations personnel. The author does not romanticize the experience but presents it with the matter-of-fact acceptance of professional soldiers who understood the risks inherent in their work.

The strength of this memoir lies in its tactical-level detail. Brokhausen describes the planning, execution, and aftermath of specific missions with precision, explaining the techniques and procedures employed by recon teams operating in hostile territory. Readers gain insight into the challenges of moving silently through jungle terrain, maintaining operational security, calling in air support, and executing rapid extractions under fire. These accounts provide valuable documentation of special operations tradecraft during the Vietnam era.

The book also examines the unique composition of SOG teams, which typically consisted of a small number of American special forces soldiers working alongside indigenous personnel, primarily Vietnamese, Montagnard, and other ethnic minorities. Brokhausen addresses the relationships between American and indigenous team members, highlighting both the trust that developed through shared danger and the cultural challenges that arose in high-stress environments. These observations add depth to understanding the complexities of unconventional warfare operations.

Brokhausen does not shy away from the brutal realities of combat. The narrative includes frank descriptions of casualties, both American and enemy, and the psychological toll of operating in an environment where death was a constant companion. However, the author maintains a respectful tone when discussing fallen comrades, honoring their service without descending into sentimentality. This balance between honesty and respect strengthens the book's credibility.

The memoir provides context for the strategic purpose of SOG operations, explaining how reconnaissance missions gathered intelligence on North Vietnamese Army movements along the Ho Chi Minh Trail and how direct action missions sought to disrupt enemy logistics. Brokhausen helps readers understand why these classified operations remained hidden from public view for decades and how their secrecy affected the men who conducted them, who returned home unable to discuss their wartime experiences even with family members.

One notable aspect of the book is its contribution to the historical record. For years after the war, SOG operations remained classified, leaving a gap in the documented history of American involvement in Southeast Asia. Memoirs like Brokhausen's, written after declassification, help fill this gap by providing firsthand accounts that complement official records. The specific missions and timeframes described offer researchers and historians concrete examples of special operations doctrine and practice during the Vietnam era.

The narrative maintains momentum throughout, with Brokhausen's storytelling ability keeping readers engaged even during descriptions of routine activities between missions. The author effectively conveys the rhythm of special operations life, alternating between intense combat action and the downtime at forward operating bases where soldiers processed their experiences and prepared for the next mission.

"We Few" serves as both a historical document and a tribute to the soldiers of MACV-SOG. Brokhausen has created a work that honors the service and sacrifice of his fellow operators while providing readers with an educational look into a little-known aspect of the Vietnam War. The book stands as a significant contribution to the literature on special operations and offers valuable insights for anyone seeking to understand the human experience of unconventional warfare.