Holton Chuck - American Heroes in Special Operations

2010 by Oliver L. North and FOX News Channel

All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America

ISBN: 978-08054-4712-5

Published by Fidelis Books,

a division of B&H Publishing Group

Nashville, Tennessee

Dewey Decimal Classification: 355.3

Subject Heading: TERRORISM \ MILITARY PERSONNEL

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB, and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. Other Bibles quoted are the King James Version (KJV) and the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV), copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.

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For Betsy

The best shadow warrior of all

Staff Sgt Aaron Holleyman, Green Beret medic and recipient of the Silver Star. Killed in Iraq on 30 August 2004.

The Special Forces Creed

I am an American Special Forces Soldier!

I will do all that my nation requires of me.

I am a volunteer, knowing well the hazards of my profession.

I serve with the memory of those who have gone before me.

I pledge to uphold the honor and integrity of their legacy in all that I amin all that I do.

I am a warrior.

I will teach and fight whenever and wherever my nation requires.

I will strive always to excel in every art and artifice of war.

I know that I will be called upon to perform tasks in isolation, far from familiar faces and voices.

With the help and guidance of my faith, I will conquer my fears and succeed.

I will keep my mind and body clean, alert and strong.

I will maintain my arms and equipment in an immaculate state befitting a Special Forces Soldier, for this is my debt to those who depend upon me.

I will not fail those with whom I serve.

I will not bring shame upon myself or Special Forces.

I will never leave a fallen comrade.

I will never surrender though I am the last.

If I am taken, I pray that I have the strength to defy my enemy.

I am a member of my Nation's chosen soldiery,

I serve quietly, not seeking recognition or accolades.

My goal is to succeed in my missionand live to succeed again.

De Oppresso Liber

CONTENTS

"At the office" in Afghanistan

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

CAMP LEATHERNECK

HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

Keeping company with heroes is a precious privilege. Over the last nine years of this long war against radical Islamic terror, it has been my great blessing to cover and report on tens of thousands of young Americans who volunteered to serve our nation in harm's way. Those with whom I served in a long-ago, far away war called "Vietnam," inspired me then. So do the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Guardsmen, and Marinesand their CIA and DEA counterpartsin this book. They should inspire you as well.

There are no greater American Heroes than those who serve in Special Operations. War is an inherently dangerous undertaking. It is especially so for those who conduct small unit actions deep in hostile territory, far from the nearest "friendlies." Such operations are usually highly classified, even after they are completed. Therefore, the participants rarely receive the recognition they deserve for the risks they take, the skills they employ, or the sacrifices they make.

This book and companion reporting by our FOX News "War Stories" unit are aimed at letting the American people have an inside look at who these remarkable young men and women are and what they dowithout divulging to our enemies, things they don't need to know. The stories here are by no means exhaustivebut they are certainly representative.

It is important for readers to know that before accompanying or interviewing any of the Special Operations units or personnel identified in this book, we agreed not to reveal the names and faces of under-cover operatives or describe tactics, techniques, or equipment that would benefit America's adversaries. Therefore, some of the images in this book have been blurred to protect identities and some names and places have been changed. I am most indebted to all who gave us permission to accompany them on missions and trusted us with interviews. Some of their names and pictures are in this book. Most are not. They truly are American heroes. For the opportunity they gave us to let them tell their stories, I am eternally grateful.

It would not have been possible to document these extraordinary young Americans but for the vision of FOX News president, Roger Ailes and Brad Waggoner, president of B&H Publishing Group/Fidelis Books. Their collaboration made possible this salute to America's "Shadow Warriors."

Gary Terashita, my friend and Executive Editor at Fidelis Books, somehow managed to pull all this work together. Former Army Ranger Chuck Holton is not only a talented writer, editor, and friendhe put himself in harm's way more often than I can count to "shoot" many of the images in this book and our companion FOX News reports from the field of battle.

A work of this kind is the task of many: War Stories Senior Executive Producer, Pamela Browne; field producers and cameramen Mal James, Chris Jackson, Rich Harlow, Griff Jenkins, Greg Johnson, Ayse Wieting, Andy Stenner, and Martin Hinton all helped make it possible for me to show you the special operators in this book.

My friend and counsel, Bob Barnett and his counterpart, Dianne Brandi at FOX News made this book a reality. And Bill Shine, my boss at FOX News, gave me the latitude (and travel authorizations!) to "deploy when necessary" with our "Shadow Warriors."

And as they have for more than two decades, Marsha Fishbaugh, my incomparable executive assistant and Duane Ward at Premiere had to make all my travel fit with what needed to get done to complete this chronicle of courage.

At Fidelis Books, Executive Editor Gary Terashita, Marketing Vice President John Thompson, and Sales Vice President Craig Featherstone kept this project moving forward when I was "hard down" with treatment for cancer. But in the end, it was Art Director Diana Lawrence and Managing Editor Kim Stanford who saved the day and ensured that the eyewitness accounts and images in this work went to print in time to be preserved for posterity.

And, as she has for four decades, Betsy, my wife and best friend, patiently waited and prayed for my safety while I kept company with America's heroes in faraway places. Without her love, support and encouragementand that of our children, their mates, and our twelve grandchildren, this work would not have been possible.

Semper Fidelis,

Oliver North