Special Forces History

In War Dogs, Rebecca Frankel offers a riveting mix of on-the-ground reporting, her own hands-on experiences in the military working dog world, and a look at the science of dogs' special abilities - from their amazing noses and powerful jaws to their enormous sensitivity to the emotions of their human companions. The history of dogs in the U.S. military is long and rich, from the spirit-lifting mascots of the Civil War to the dogs who lead patrols hunting for IEDs today.

James Robert "Bob" Kalsu was an esteemed member of the United States military. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he made the ultimate sacrifice of giving his life for his country. While most used their celebrity status and wealth to avoid going to war, Kalsu, an offensive lineman in the National Football League, chose to commit to active duty. A Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, he served from 1969-1970. Tragically, only eight months after joining the fight, Kalsu was killed in A-Shau Valley, Vietnam.

Milton Olive III is one of our American war heroes. He began his military career in the mid-1960s and after completing basic training, became part of an infantry battalion in Vietnam. In the midst of battle, Olive sacrificed his own life for those of his comrades. He covered a grenade with his body, thus minimizing injury and saving the lives of the four others in his squad. As a result, Olive lost his life in battle and was later bestowed the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest military recognition one can receive in war.

"I never thought it would be a foregone conclusion that I would be seeing a fight when I entered the Teams. I thought that perhaps I would get the chance to answer that call, but I never knew for sure until today. I hope that I never get in a rough situation, but if I do, I hope I will have the courage to see it through." Less than four years later, on June 28, 2005, Matthew Gene Axelson answered his own question.

Lovingly called “Freddy” by close friends and relatives, Alfredo Cantu Gonzalez was a member of the United States Marine Corp. A war hero, he served in Vietnam from January of 1966 to February of 1967 when he returned home to serve stateside. On his second tour, which he voluntarily signed up for after many from his former platoon were killed, he arrived in Vietnam in July of 1967 and was there until his death on the battlefield in January of 1968.

A look at two of the United States military's most elite and successful snipers of all time: Chuck Mawhinney and Adelbert Waldron. In 1991, Chuck Mawhinney was reluctantly dragged out of anonymity when it was revealed that he held the record among United States Marine Corps snipers with over 103 confirmed kills. Before there was "American sniper" Chris Kyle, there was Adelbert "Bert" Waldron. Waldron had over 109 confirmed kills in the Vietnam War.

Arguably the greatest sniper in modern warfare, Simo Hayha accumulated over 800 confirmed kills during the course of his war service.

In 1991, Chuck Mawhinney was reluctantly dragged out of anonymity when it was revealed that he held the record among United States Marine Corps snipers with over 103 confirmed kills.

In researching the competition for who had the longest distance kill in military history, the majority of laymen would expect to see a Navy SEAL or a Marine heading the top of the list. A little research, however, shows the top three long-shot kills are Craig Harrison (United Kingdom), Rob Furlong (Canada), and Arron Perry (Canada). The late Chris Kyle, of American Sniper fame, is eighth on the list. There is a South African Special Forces sniper that is sixth on the list whose name is withheld as is a Norwegian Army sniper.

Staff Sergeant Melvin Morris is an honored veteran of the Vietnam War. He served almost 30 years in the United States Army and was even part of a Special Forces Group. Brave and excelling at his career in the military, Morris would do two tours of duty in Vietnam before retiring in 1985.

If you are a fan of video games or action movies, you would probably marvel about snipers and think they possess an unreal ability. What makes your thoughts toward snipers more amazing is that there have been snipers who have done extraordinary things in service of their nation. If you have done your research on the Vietnam War, you may be familiar with the individual that is about to be looked at.

World War II was by far one of the most significant wars of all time. Ripples of the splash this war made on history are still being felt today. Even more so than its predecessor, this was the most comprehensive global war. The focal point is the European battle front but there was just as much, if not more in Asia and even in Africa and the Americas.