Men in Green Faces: A Novel of U.S. Navy SEALs

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy saw a vision of the future. Believing that wars would be waged asymmetrically, President Kennedy made what was then a radical proposal: establish an elite special warfare unit capable of operating in all conflict zones. Enter the U.S. Navy Seals, the world’s most elite and versatile warriors trained to operate at sea, in the air, and on land. The motto of a U.S. Navy Seal, “Ready to Lead, Ready to Follow… Never Quit.” Since their inception more than half a Century ago, Navy Seals have seen action in virtually every major conflict, from Korea, Desert Storm, Mogadishu Somalia, to today’s global War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan.However, Seals would earn their stripes in the summer of 1969 in the jungles and rice paddies of Vietnam bringing terror to a nefarious and cunning enemy, the menacingly brutal Viet Cong. In his breakthrough novel, Vietnam veteran and former U.S. Navy Seal, Gene Wentz delivers an unbiased and unflinching glimpse into the life, mentality, camaraderie, heart and soul of an elite warrior. Co-authored with Betty Abell Jurus, “Men in Green Faces: A Novel of U.S. Navy Seals” tells the fictional story of Navy Seal Team Leader Gene Michaels and his boisterous band of brothers attached to “Sea Float” a premiere Seal detachment tasked with some of the most dangerous and deadly missions downrange.Based on the real-life exploits of Gene Wentz, “Men in Green Faces: A Novel of U.S. Navy Seals” is an honest work of faction that immerses the audience into a harrowing tour of duty in the No Man’s Land of 1960’s Vietnam. In a war that would sear its place in history with more than 58 thousand American deaths, the elite Navy Seals are the United States military’s secret weapon to turn the tide in what can only be described as “Hell on Earth.” Here, Gene Michaels and his squad are given a daring assignment; capture or kill a rogue South Vietnamese Navy Seal who has turned the tables on an already stretched and demoralized U.S. military force. To stop his reign of terror, the impossible mission falls on the shoulders of Team Leader Gene Michaels and the Frogmen of Sea Float to close a dark, deadly chapter of the Vietnam War, never to be revealed on the evening news. Negotiating miles of thick jungle forest and rice paddies intercepting violent factions of NVA, VC and booby traps, for America’s Silent Warriors the hunt is on proving “The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday.”After listening to this book on Audible, I was very impressed with Gene Wentz’s storytelling of a politically hot-button topic and sad chapter in American military history. I couldn’t help but notice some striking similarities with Oliver Stone’s 1986 Oscar “Platoon” and Francis Ford Coppola’s 1979 war drama “Apocalypse Now.” While a work of faction, “Men in Green Faces: A Novel of U.S. Navy Seals” does not make a political statement but rather paints a visceral, human portrait of life in combat through the eyes of a venerable U.S. Navy Seal. Well-worth the time to read or listen!

This book has been mentioned in many a SEAL biography I've read over the past few years. Figured it was about time I gave it my own read. Firefights galore, emotions all across the spectrum, and an intense focus on just what it takes to survive in the jungles of Vietnam's Mekong Delta. Yep, I can see how this would inspire a generation of future special operators.

The good the bad and the ugly! It told it straight. I spent 1969 there in the Navy. Launching amphibious assaults in I Corp.

Over the years I read numerous U.S. NAVY SEAL books both non-fiction and fiction. This fantastic book (Men in Green Faces: A novel of U.S. Navy SEALS BY Gene Wentz and B. Abell Jurus) is the first fiction novel I have read on the SEAL combat operations in Vietnam.This is not a novel for the meek. The brutality of the Vietnam War is told with hard and realistic scenes in this book. The role the U.S. Navy SEALS played in that war is exposed in this book even though it is a novel. It was written by someone who has “been there and done that” and pulls no punches in this realistic depiction of the operations the SEALS were involved in Vietnam.The personalities of each of the characters was well developed and the inner thoughts of these amazing warriors came out in this book, showing the tremendous pressure these SEALs were under completing so many missions on the dangerous waterways in Vietnam.This short review cannot do this book justice. It is sad at times, but these brave and unique warriors loyalty to each other and the U.S. Navy SEAL traditions is fully told in this action packed wonderful novel.If you are interested the true American Navy SEAL’s role and operations in the Vietnam War this book is a must read.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Predator Hunter: A warrior’s memoir)

Only slightly but still a little unrealistic. And I prefer less interaction and more action. But not a bad read. RVN 68-69 First Cav 8th Engineers Tay Ning & Phouc Vinh

I read a variety of books. This one ranks in the top 10. Rated 4F, I was unable to serve. Reading this, I am happy I didn't. This book is the end all to be all about war and the SEALS. For those who served and returned, thank you.

This book is definitely a read worth your time. I strongly recommend to anyone interested in joining special forces, or if you have a strong interest I stories of combat.

Very good book , very intense and inspiring

Livro muito bom!

a page turner

Bellissimo libri che racconta dei Seals. Libro in inglese

Front page and back cover torn slightly. Otherwise ok

uno de los mejores libros de esta temática, lastima que en España no traduzcan mas libros de este estilo, se nota que seguimos atrasados