Reflections on a MACV-SOG Mission I Walked with Heroes

 

The book I Walked with Heroes written by Jerry Guzzetta is an outstanding trip down the history lane that covers the dark, harsh realities of conflicts and pays a tribute to soldiers who laid their lives for the sake of their country. This book, delves deep into the actual events that happened during the infamous Vietnam War, and uncovers the reality of the situation and condition of the U.S military.

In this segment of the book, the author takes us through a specific operation that was conducted in the conflict. The operation was led by Staff Sergeant Boronski.

The Mission Begins

Ramsey was a part of the RT Pennsylvania, a squad that was led by Staff Sergeant Boronski. The objective of the squad was crystal clear, which was to interrupt the telephone lines that were suspected to be utilized by the enemy forces for regular communication. The area in which the mission was to be conducted was a ten-thousand-square-meter long hilly area, known as Tango-7. The two conducted an early inspection of the area through a bird-dog aircraft that help them in conduction of the operation successfully.

The team’s journey was filled with numerous complications. They boarded helicopters with Vietnamese pilots and Cobra gunship escorts, only to be dropped in the wrong location. Instead of a planned pullout point north of their objective, they landed west of it, forcing them to pass through unfamiliar territory for two days. This diversion here highlights the unpredictability of secret missions, where every detail is crucial, and can potentially decide the result of the conflict, or the skirmish.

The Trap

When the reached the trial, Ramsey was struck by its well-used condition. When the interruptions were set up by the Sergeant Boronski, the environment was intensified as the enemy was now approaching towards the, the author then speaks about the moment when the team suddenly shifted to combat ode, ready to take on the enemy.

Using a Claymore mine as part of their attacking strategy, Ramsey initiated the attack just as the NVA point man stepped nearby. The explosion was chaotic, marking the beginning of a fierce firefight. With small arms fire erupting around them, the team's planned withdrawal quickly evolved into a desperate drive for safety.

The Chaos

Amidst a chaos of retreat, Ramsey took on the responsibility of covering his team’s escape. He unleashed fire on the advancing enemy, but as he prepared to flee, he heard the chilling sound of an RPG. The blast threw him off balance, but he continued running despite the fact that he was unconscious. Upon reuniting with his team, he quickly assessed his condition, but he soon realized he had lost crucial equipment during the chaos.

 

His pack contained not only valuable items, such as counterfeit North Vietnamese money and booby-trapped grenades, but also his food supply for the next several days. This moment served as a stark reminder of the stakes involved in such operations and the importance of remaining vigilant and prepared, even in the heat of battle.

The book I Walked with Heroes written by Jerry Guzzetta takes us deep into the journey of these individuals, and highlights the ultimate risks a person takes once he wears the camouflaged uniform. Delve deeper into the narrative by getting your copies instantly on Amazon!