Being there . . . . alongside legendary Special Forces medic Joe Parnar who served with the most
secret elite unit carrying out extremely dangerous operations during the Vietnam War. Formed
in 1964, the Studies and Observations Group (SOG) generated a mixture of enough spicy myths,
endearing life-saving legends, cogent and lengthy war stories to fill volumes of anthologies.
Medic Joe Parnar was at the core of many of them, so super-secret they remain classified to
this day. To accompany him in 1968 with FOB2/CCC near the tri-border area allowing them
access to the forbidden areas of Laos and Cambodia will be remembered life-long. Parnar takes
you along with the recon men of his highly classified unit where the two of you will not only
save the lives of our young fighting men, but also soldier in various terrains with them, too.
Being with Joe allows you to observe and join-in, first-hand, with the remarkable, nay,
extraordinary, outside the common commitment order, special dedication of America’s best
combat medics. For you, blessed reader, place your own life at risk, via the brilliant narrative
skill of co-writer Robert Dumont, who assisted Jerry Krizan author his, “BAC SI: A Green Beret
Medic’s War in Vietnam”. Military enthusiast, this is the real stuff, up-close and very, very
personal, on its way, perhaps, to becoming one of the 10 best medic accounts of America in
battle since 1945. A must-read, a must-have addition for your fledgling, but growing library.
ARMY MAGAZINE complements “SOG MEDIC” best, “Parnar’s recollections of his Army
enlistment are replete with self-examination and lessons he learned. He made mistakes and
was smart enough to recognize them when they happened, taking corrective action to ensure
they didn’t happen again. He recognized good leadership when he saw it and emulated it when
he could. That’s reason enough to read this book.” Agreed, totally agreed!
MEDICALLY, RELIVE THE BLOODY, MERCILESS VIETNAM WAR WITH THE ELITE SPECIAL
FORCES UNIT, SOG, A STUDIES AND OBSERVATION GROUP, SPAWNER OF LEGENDS,
MYTHS, AND WAR STORIES, MANY REVEALED HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME
“SOG MEDIC – – Stories from Vietnam and Over the Fence”, by Joe Parnar and Robert Dumont.
CASEMATE PUBLISHERS, Military History/ Vietnam War: recently republished from the first
CASENATE publication date of 2018, although originally published by Paladin Press in 2007; 258
pages, 6” x 9”, softcover; $24.95. Visit, www.casematepublishers.com.
Reviewed and Highly Recommended by Don DeNevi
During his tour with SOG, Parnar served as a dispensary medic, chase medic, Hatchet Force
medic, and as a recon team member. This potpourri of positions and roles provided him
experience not only in combat but in dealing with and treating the civilians and indigenous
peoples of that area. Parnar recounts his experiences in missions where he had to triage and
treat numerous casualties while under fire or surrounded by the enemy. His account is a timely
reminder of the enormous responsibility and burden that a medic carries. Alive and well, Joe 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. He and Robert wrote,
“SOG Kontum”.
