Testimonials

I was privileged to receive and listen to this 2-disc set of the stories of the Studies & Observation Group’s Medal of Honor recipients as excellently narrated by former One-Zero of Recon Team Cobra, Keith L. McKim.

It is an excellent and concise history of the unit, by the incredible numbers, as well as an individual detailing of the actions of the men of SOG who were recognized by the award of our nation’s highest military medal for valor. Keith begins his narration with a description of SOG, the unit and its mission, then does a masterful job of demonstrating why this unit, among all that served in Vietnam, was so highly decorated (even though decorations were uncommon because of the secret nature of the missions) and so vehemently hated by our enemy. That such a small unit could cause an entire enemy army to devote such large numbers of men to search out and destroy (or attempt to destroy) the teams, was unheard of and the likes of which will never be seen again. Keith gives the listener the facts – and the facts begin to show just “why” SOG was so very special.

After his first chapter history of the unit, he begins the stories of these men with the incredible story of Tango-Mike-Mike, Roy P. Benavidez. He devotes the balance of the CD-ROM to the stories of the other recipients, each narrated with decorum and excellent voice inflection. It is obvious that Keith has put his own experiences in the inflection of his voice and the emotions that come with listening (and reflecting, for those who have experienced close combat) to these men’s histories - all which constitute the history of this exemplary unit of the bravest of the brave.

Readers of books may have read of some of these men and their medal missions, but to listen to these same events as narrated by Keith causes the “pause” button on your CD player to be used more than once (at least I had to use mine). It has an emotional impact that is lacking on the written page.

I highly recommend this CD and can tell you that with the forces of historical “reinvention” working overtime, we all need to make sure that these stories are not only remembered, but told and re-told to our young so that these men and SOG will never be forgotten.

Keith McKim is an amazing man who inspires me every day. In honor of him and all the men and women who have served our country I feel I should give high praise to his new audio book about the SOG members who received the Medal of Honor in the Viet Nam war. In his 60s he began to do what he truly loved and after hard work and many set backs, he is achieving what he set out to do. This is just one aspect of his vast set of talents. He is a writer, a public speaker, an honored veteran, an entrepreneur, a sitting tap dancer, an auctioneer, a warrior, an activist, and the list goes on.

This audio book is a detailed and moving piece that truly captures these honorable men's stories of heroism. He captures this not only with his words but also in the way he speaks, because we know that he was a fellow Green Beret SOG member and he conveys, with a powerful voice, the chaos, heartache, bravery, and honor in being in MACVSOG. "Vietnam Green Berets SOG" not only will tell you how and why these 13 men received the medal of honor, it will give you a glimpse into their life, it will explain Special Forces Culture, it will show you that any one of us can become a hero, it will move you deeply. I have heard Keith speak for years and heard many of his stories. This is one of his finest works and I recommend you share this with your fathers, your children, your friends, our veterans, and everyone who takes pride in what our service men and women do for us and our country.

The first time I listened to Keith McKim’s inspirational work I was in my vehicle. When I reached my destination I sat in the parking lot, mesmerized by the story, unwilling to quit listening. Such is the nature of this tribute to the SOG Medal of Honor recipients. Once you start listening, you’re hooked. An award citation gives a glimpse of the action that merited the award, but Keith takes us much deeper and tells us about the men themselves. Combine this with incredibly vivid battle sequences, and these stories of courage, honor, loyalty, and patriotism will leave you too sitting in a parking lot listening.

Colonel Lee Van Arsdale (LAVA), Special Forces, Delta Force