Stephen Perry (3)

Bright Light by Stephen Perry is an eye-opening, first person account of the secret war fought in Vietnam by men considered to be the best of the best. The public and most of the military were unaware of these special forays into Laos, Cambodia and North Vietnam, small groups of six men moving stealthily through thick mountainous jungles amidst thousands of enemy soldiers. Yet, our politicians vowed that the United States was not crossing the borders of Vietnam in pursuit of the enemy and show more the soldiers themselves were sworn to secrecy.

These small Spike teams comprised of three American Green Berets and three indigenous SOG personnel (Nungs, Vietnamese, Montagnard and Cambodian), spied on enemy movement, caches, called in air strikes and attempted prisoner snatches when possible. Missions werre usually scheduled for five days, but usually end after only a couple because the team is compromised and requests an emergency extraction. Imagine yourself on this team, operating fifty miles from the nearest friendly forces, without artillery support or the benefit of nearby units that can back you up when trouble erupts. Once discovered and engaged by the enemy, the small group can request helicopter gunships and fighter jets to keep enemy heads down while awaiting extraction, but the odds are usually 200 - 1 against them with more enemy reinforcements en-route. Time is of essence! Surviving requires stamina, tenacity, trust and faith with a little luck sprinkled in the mix. Most team extractions are made by dropping four - 120 ft. ropes into the jungle from a chopper hovering above the triple canopy, however, their withdrawal up through the foliage leaves them most vulnerable and easy targets for the enemy soldiers; they return to Vietnam, flying the fifty miles suspended from these special harnesses. At times, teams are ambushed immediately upon rappelling into an area and it becomes necessary to escape and evade to a place where they can be extracted. The enemy is usually moving about with only weapons and ammunition while the SOG teams carry almost 100 lbs. on their backs, yet their training allows them to stay ahead of their pursuers. Their missions are frightful and keep you on the edge of your seat - you are relieved when they survive and saddened when certain team members don't make it back.

Bright Light is a term used when a special team is inserted to rescue downed pilots or locate missing Spike teams that have disappeared or lost communications. The enemy is aware of our credo to not leave any man behind and know that others will soon arrive to seek out their lost comrades, all they have to do is wait for rescuers, who they know will soon arrive. This is the most dangerous of missions.

The entire story is not filled with gloom and doom, team members are also mischievous when they experience downtime at the FOB. Mr. Perry shares several anecdotes of their experiences which made me laugh out loud: mace, rat patrol and stealing a brand new jeep that belongs to the colonel in charge of C.I.D as well as others. The author also shares a story about camaraderie within the group when a Patton tank throws a track on the road outside of the FOB. A couple of the indigenous SOG members happened by and were immediately threatened and berated by the tank team who thought them to be enemy soldiers because of their unique uniforms. Armed fellow soldiers quickly came to their aid, the tank crew, thinking they are being attacked, turn the turret and take aim upon the small camp. You'll have to read the story to see how this ends.

Mr. Perry and another friend had to visit the morgue to identify a former room mate who was killed during one of these missions into Laos. The enemy used anti-aircraft guns and killed the wounded soldiers as they were being evacuated by ropes during the battle. The author states that he counted over thirty two-inch round holes in the body - some providing a clear view through the body to the chrome finish of the gurney he is lying upon. This is a vision that is difficult to put aside.

Bright Light is a short book that gives us a peek at these special units and clandestine missions. These operations were classified until recently allowing for stories such as this one to be published. We learn what it takes to wear the Green Beret and why soldiers like this are needed. Once you start - it will be difficult to put away. I read it in a day and then read it a second time a couple days later. Highly recommended to all!

John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel show less

It was good but it wasn't THAT good