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• October 2023 Reviews

SOG Kontum

Top Secret Missions in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, 1968–1969

Joe Parnar and Robert Dumont

Casemate, Philadelphia, 2022, 304 pages

Book Review published on: October 6, 2023

In the book SOG Kontum: Top Secret Missions in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, 1968–1969, Joe Parnar and Robert Dumont provide the reader with a glimpse into the top-secret missions carried out by Military Assistance Command Vietnam-Studies and Observation Group. The title of the book, SOG Kontum, highlights Forward Operating Base 2/Command and Control Central Kontum. Special Forces (SF) actions were closely examined at this remote outpost in 1968, near the tri-border region of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.

Parnar’s experience as an SF medic and SOG operator provides an authenticity and very personal style to the prose. The book is an intimate view of the U.S. operators and their indigenous forces. The reader is introduced to team leaders, assistant team leaders, radio operators, and the pilots who supported them. The story looks at the harrowing missions they conducted into remote and enemy controlled areas. Missions included reinforcement, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, personnel recovery, and direct action.

The authors’ description of the numerous missions is well documented. Extensive photos, topographical maps, and attention to mission details is an immersive experience. Readers start to feel like they are members of each of these teams. They become acquainted with the personalities and eccentricities of the unit members. They sense the stress of the missions and challenges of operating with limited support in very dangerous locals. Readers also sense the emotion when units return from the bush and reintegrate into camp life. The resupply, the preparation for the next operation, and grabbing a meal or drink at the club provides a sense of normalcy in the combat zone.

The story is well written and interesting. The book is very heavy on tactics, techniques, and procedures. It focuses solely below the company level of command with most emphasis on squad-sized elements. There is ample discussion on weapons used, how bivouac sites were selected, use of listening posts, call for fire missions, and close combat with the enemy. This makes sense as the book focuses on a year of SOG SF missions at one outpost of the war. There was no discussion on the operational level of war and how the various SF battalions and SOG units were contributing to the larger objectives of the campaign or war.

The book was very enjoyable with numerous operations to keep the reader engaged. The story would resonate with anyone who works or has interest in light infantry, special operations, or the Vietnam conflict. Although it is a history book, it reads like an action novel with missions often leading to close combat with numerically superior enemy forces. The bravery of the ground forces along with their supporting aviators is well documented in the various missions and it leaves one with a sense of respect for the sacrifices made by these soldiers. I enjoyed the work and found it a good companion piece for infantry tactics in irregular warfare. SOG Kontum is an examination of America’s SF in the Vietnam War; I highly recommend it.