Here are some of the most courageous missions executed by six-man teams on their own deep behind enemy lines. Ranging from the Central Highlands to the Mekong Delta to excursions— authorized and unauthorized—into Cambodia, these gripping accounts begin when the call first went out for covert U.S. long-range reconnaissance patrols in late 1965, continue through the battles of Tet, and go all the way up to the final, tortured pullout.

These are LRRP, LRP, and Ranger units at their finest, under the most desperate circumstances: one team surrounded by the enemy with no choice but to break out of the trap—or die, another caught in an ambush of horrific proportions. When recon missions suddenly became contact missions, when grenades started flying and AK-47s were smoking, each man’s life was instantly on the line—and only his skills and the grit of his teammates could prevent certain death.

These highly trained warriors were among the best America had to offer, and they gave their best, no matter how high the price. . . .