SOG Kontum

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

Joe Parnar, Robert Dumont

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English

Casemate
01 October 2025

Vietnam War

A year with the men of MACV-SOG at Forward Operating Base Kontum.

""....[a] powerful sense of sacrifice permeates the book and makes it profound and unique-especially when one considers the void of secrecy in which SOG existed."" -Vietnam Magazine

The Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG) was a highly classified, multi-service United States Special Forces unit which conducted covert unconventional warfare operations prior to and during the Vietnam War. The unit conducted strategic reconnaissance missions in South Vietnam, North Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia; carried out the capture of enemy prisoners, rescued downed pilots, and conducted rescue operations to retrieve allied prisoners of war throughout Southeast Asia; and conducted clandestine agent team activities and psychological operations. This book tells the story of the Teams operating out of FOB2 Kontum, near the tri-border area, in 196869. From recon missions over the fence to the heroic, and sometimes fatal efforts undertaken to try and rescue missing SOG members, the events are told through the words of the men themselves, supported by previously unreleased official documents.

AUTHORS: Joe Parnar served in the U.S. Army Special Forces from August 1966 - April 1969. After military service he became involved in several veterans' organizations. He is a lifelong member of the American Legion and served as Commander of Gardner Post 129 in 1989 and 1990. He is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Special Forces and Special Operations associations. Robert Dumont was born in Oklahoma in 1947 and graduated from Tulsa University before moving to Brooklyn, NY. He worked in the General Research Division of The New York Public Library before retiring in 2010. He co-authored Bac Si: A Green Beret Medic's War in Vietnam (Casemate 2014) with Jerry Krizan and has also written two fiction collections, ""Borough of Churches"" and ""NYC Transit[s].""

By: Joe Parnar, Robert Dumont
Imprint: Casemate
Country of Publication: United States [Currently unable to ship to USA: see Shipping Info]
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm,
ISBN: 9781636245355
ISBN 10: 1636245358
Pages: 288
Publication Date: 01 October 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Unspecified

Road Mining Mission with Tony Love Kedenburg Loss Tony Love - Bob Barnes Duffield - RT Hawaii Hunt and Love - Wolfkeil Grommett - Tho wounded Bryant Bright Light Dennis Mack Ghost Helo SOG SLAM VII w/Jaeger comments Last Days SOG SLAM VII Russian Helo Scherdin-Jerson Loss- Huey Crash with RT-Vermont Insertion Attempt RT-Iowa HP Recon in Force Goulet-Cadenbach; Insert RT-NM Insert HP - Hill 1152 Attack on FOB - March 2 Loss of Ripanti Operation Nightcap Attack on 'Yard camp Operation Spindown

Joe Parnar served in the U.S. Army Special Forces from August 1966 - April 1969. After military service he became involved in several veterans' organizations. He is a lifelong member of the American Legion and served as Commander of Gardner Post 129 in 1989 and 1990. He is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Special Forces and Special Operations associations. Robert Dumont was born in Oklahoma in 1947 and graduated from Tulsa University before moving to Brooklyn, NY. He worked in the General Research Division of The New York Public Library before retiring in 2010. He co-authored Bac Si: A Green Beret Medic’s War in Vietnam (Casemate 2014) with Jerry Krizan and has also written two fiction collections, ""Borough of Churches"" and ""NYC Transit[s].""

Reviews for SOG Kontum: Top Secret Missions in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, 1968–1969

""The style of writing is straightforward, concise and yet powerful, capturing the essence of the events and the emotions that the men went through.""-- ""War History Network"" ""...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. ""-- ""Military Review"" Parnar and Dumont have written a compelling book that unfolds like an action novel, all while accomplishing their goal of honoring the sacrifices and commitment of American military personnel in this elite unit.-- ""Journal of Military History"" ""...an excellent oral history of the men of MACV-SOG CCC during a year that spans 1968 to 1969.""-- ""SOF News"" ""This book is a very moving tribute to the heroism of the top-secret unit based on research and oral histories gathered from SOG veterans themselves...[a] powerful sense of sacrifice permeates the book and makes it profound and unique--especially when one considers the void of secrecy in which SOG existed.""-- ""Vietnam Magazine"" ""The format of the book works well. The move from one eyewitness account to the next is seamless...a tribute to the SOG personnel and to the helicopter crews who risked their lives picking up endangered units""-- ""The VVA Veteran"" ""For those who want to learn about the conduct of combat operations in Vietnam SOG Kontum is highly recommended and a must read. ""-- ""The Vanguard: Journal of the Military Intelligence Corps Association"" ""SOG Kontum's strength lies in the personal stories told by the men who made SOG what it was. Much credit is due to Joe Parnar, who includes himself in the narratives without highlighting his presence. The book is selfless and truly achieves its goal of highlighting the efforts and sacrifices of the soldiers of SOG--their story.""-- ""The Saber and Scroll Journal"" ""This is an accurate and insightful book on SOG operations. SOG Kontum gives the fullest picture possible of each event.""--Virginia Morris, Author, explorer and academic researcher ""Every one of the personnel mentioned in SOG Kontum is a hero. The book also provides a list of medals/decorations awarded after some missions described, but the awards are only a footnote to the highly engaging narrative. The men of SOG-MACV fought for each other, not for the awards or glory.""-- ""On Point: The Journal of Army History"" ""...the typical reader of this book knows what they are getting into, so they won't be disappointed with SOG: Kontum.""-- ""The NYMAS Review""