Red Platoon: A True Story of American Valor - The Bestselling Book by Clinton Romesha in PDF EPUB MOBI FB2
Red Platoon: A True Story of American Valor - A Book Review
Red Platoon is a gripping and inspiring account of one of the most intense and deadly battles in the war in Afghanistan. Written by Clinton Romesha, a former US Army staff sergeant and a Medal of Honor recipient, the book tells the story of how a small group of American soldiers fought against overwhelming odds to defend their outpost from a massive Taliban attack. Based on Romesha's firsthand experience, interviews with survivors, official reports, and other sources, the book offers a vivid and realistic portrayal of the courage, sacrifice, and camaraderie of the men who fought at the Battle of Keating.
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The Battle of Keating
Background
The Battle of Keating took place on October 3, 2009, at Command Outpost (COP) Keating, a remote and isolated base in Nuristan province, near the border with Pakistan. The base was built by the US military in 2006 as part of a counterinsurgency strategy to prevent Taliban insurgents from moving freely across the border. However, the base was also extremely vulnerable to attack, as it was surrounded by steep mountains on all sides, giving the enemy a tactical advantage. Moreover, the base was understaffed, underresourced, and under constant threat from rocket-propelled grenades, sniper fire, and mortar rounds. By 2009, the US military had decided to close down COP Keating, as it was deemed too costly and risky to maintain. However, before the base could be dismantled, it had to endure one final assault from hundreds of Taliban fighters.
The Attack
The attack began at around 6 a.m., when hundreds of Taliban fighters launched a coordinated and well-planned assault on COP Keating from multiple directions. They used heavy weapons, such as machine guns, rocket launchers, mortars, and recoilless rifles, to target the base's buildings, vehicles, generators, fuel tanks, and ammunition supply. They also infiltrated the perimeter wire and engaged in close-quarters combat with the US soldiers. The attack was so intense that it overwhelmed the base's defenses and communications systems, making it difficult for the soldiers to coordinate their response or call for reinforcements. The attack lasted for more than 14 hours, during which time COP Keating was effectively cut off from the outside world.
The Defense
The defense of COP Keating was led by Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha, who was in charge of Red Platoon, one of the three platoons stationed at the base. Romesha displayed extraordinary leadership, courage, and initiative throughout the battle. He organized his men into teams to repel the enemy attacks, secure key positions, rescue wounded comrades, recover fallen soldiers, restore communications, and coordinate air support. He also exposed himself to enemy fire multiple times to direct fire, rally his troops, and engage the enemy. He personally killed at least 10 Taliban fighters and wounded several more. He also led a counterattack that drove back the enemy from inside the base and reclaimed the American flag that had been taken down by the Taliban. Romesha's actions were instrumental in preventing COP Keating from being overrun and in saving the lives of many of his fellow soldiers.
The Aftermath
The Battle of Keating was one of the deadliest and most heroic battles in the war in Afghanistan. It resulted in eight American soldiers killed and 27 wounded, as well as an estimated 150 Taliban fighters killed. It also resulted in the destruction of most of the base's infrastructure and equipment, as well as the loss of several vehicles and helicopters. The battle also exposed the flaws and failures of the US military's strategy and tactics in Afghanistan, as well as the challenges and risks faced by the soldiers on the ground. The battle also highlighted the bravery and resilience of the US soldiers who fought at COP Keating, as well as the bonds and brotherhood that they formed with each other.
The Author's Perspective
Experience
Clinton Romesha was born in 1981 in Lake City, California. He joined the US Army in 1999 and served for 12 years, including four deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, based at Fort Carson, Colorado. He was a section leader and a vehicle commander at COP Keating. He was awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military honor, for his actions during the Battle of Keating. He was also awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and several other medals and commendations. He left the army in 2011 and currently lives in Minot, North Dakota, with his wife and three children. He works as a field safety specialist for an oil company.
Motivation
Romesha wrote Red Platoon to honor and remember his fallen comrades, as well as to share his personal story and insights with the public. He wanted to provide a comprehensive and accurate account of what happened at COP Keating, as well as to convey the emotions and experiences of the soldiers who fought there. He also wanted to raise awareness and appreciation for the sacrifices and contributions of the US military personnel and their families. He hoped that his book would inspire and educate readers about the realities and complexities of war, as well as the values and virtues of service, duty, honor, and courage.
Recognition
Romesha's book received widespread acclaim and recognition from critics, readers, and fellow veterans. The book was a New York Times bestseller and a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award for Biography. It was praised for its vivid and compelling narrative, its authentic and honest voice, its rich and detailed descriptions, its balanced and nuanced perspective, its emotional and inspirational tone, and its powerful and profound message. The book was also adapted into a Netflix documentary series called Medal of Honor, which featured Romesha's story along with other Medal of Honor recipients.
The Book's Impact
Readers
The book received positive reviews and feedback from readers who found it engaging, informative, moving, and enlightening. Many readers expressed their admiration and gratitude for Romesha and his fellow soldiers, as well as their sympathy and respect for their losses and struggles. Many readers also said that they learned a lot from the book about the war in Afghanistan, the US military, and the human aspects of war. Some readers also said that they were inspired by the book to reflect on their own lives and values, as well as to take action to support veterans and their causes.
Critics
The book received favorable analysis and evaluation from experts who found it credible, relevant, significant, and original. Many critics praised Romesha for his skillful storytelling, his clear and concise writing style, his candid and humble tone, his thorough and meticulous research, his objective and respectful approach, his personal and professional insight, his moral and ethical vision, and his artistic and literary merit. Some critics also compared Romesha's book to other classic works of war literature, such as Black Hawk Down by Mark Bowden, Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell, We Were Soldiers Once...and Young by Harold G. Moore and Joseph L. Galloway.
Society
The book had a positive impact on society by raising awareness and understanding of the war in Afghanistan, the US military, and the veterans community. The book also contributed to the public discourse and debate on issues such as war strategy, military policy, national security, foreign relations, human rights, and cultural diversity. The book also fostered a sense of appreciation and respect for the service and sacrifice of the US military personnel # Article with HTML formatting (continued) Benefits of Reading War Books
Personal Growth
Reading war books can help us grow personally by expanding our knowledge, perspective, empathy, and critical thinking skills. War books can teach us about historical events, political issues, cultural differences, human rights, and moral dilemmas that we may not encounter in our daily lives. They can also challenge us to see the world from different points of view, to understand the motives and emotions of people who are different from us, and to appreciate the diversity and complexity of human experience. Reading war books can also sharpen our analytical and evaluative abilities, as we learn to question the sources, evidence, arguments, and biases of the authors and the characters. Reading war books can help us become more informed, open-minded, compassionate, and reflective citizens of the world.
Emotional Relief
Reading war books can also help us cope with our own emotions and stress by providing us with a form of escape, entertainment, catharsis, and inspiration. War books can transport us to another time and place, where we can immerse ourselves in a thrilling and engaging story that distracts us from our worries and problems. They can also make us laugh, cry, gasp, or cheer, as we experience a range of emotions through the characters and their situations. Reading war books can also help us release our pent-up feelings and emotions, as we identify with the characters and their struggles, and vicariously experience their joys and sorrows. Reading war books can also inspire us to overcome our own challenges and difficulties, as we learn from the examples of courage, resilience, and perseverance of the characters.
Social Connection
Reading war books can also help us connect with others by creating a sense of community, belonging, and conversation. War books can introduce us to people who share our interests, passions, values, and experiences, whether they are authors, characters, or fellow readers. They can also help us find common ground with people who are different from us, by exposing us to their perspectives, cultures, histories, and stories. Reading war books can also spark meaningful discussions and debates with others, as we exchange our opinions, insights, questions, and recommendations about the books we read. Reading war books can help us build relationships, friendships, and networks with other book lovers.
Conclusion
Red Platoon is a remarkable book that tells a true story of American valor in the face of overwhelming adversity. It is a book that not only recounts the events of the Battle of Keating in Afghanistan, but also reveals the personal story and insights of Clinton Romesha, the author and the hero of the battle. It is a book that has received widespread acclaim and recognition from critics, readers, and veterans alike. It is a book that has a positive impact on society by raising awareness and understanding of the war in Afghanistan, the US military, and the veterans community.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in history, war, military, or human stories. It is a book that will educate, entertain, move, and enlighten you. It is a book that will make you proud of the American soldier.
If you want to read more about Red Platoon or Clinton Romesha, you can visit his website at https://clintonromesha.com/ or follow him on Twitter at @RomeshaClint. You can also watch his Netflix documentary series Medal of Honor on https://www.netflix.com/title/80169786.
FAQs
Q: How many soldiers were stationed at COP Keating?
A: According to Romesha's book, there were about 53 US soldiers at COP Keating on the day of the battle.
Q: How many Taliban fighters attacked COP Keating?
A: According to Romesha's book, there were an estimated 300 to 400 Taliban fighters who attacked COP Keating from multiple directions.
Q: How many US soldiers died in the Battle of Keating?
A: According to Romesha's book, eight US soldiers were killed in the Battle of Keating. They were: Staff Sergeant Justin T. Gallegos, Specialist Christopher T. Griffin, Sergeant Joshua M. Hardt, Sergeant Joshua J. Kirk, Specialist Stephan L. Mace, Staff Sergeant Vernon W. Martin, Sergeant Michael P. Scusa, and Private First Class Kevin C. Thomson.
Q: How many US soldiers were wounded in the Battle of Keating?
A: According to Romesha's book, 27 US soldiers were wounded in the Battle of Keating. Some of them suffered severe injuries, such as amputations, burns, shrapnel wounds, and traumatic brain injuries.
Q: How many Taliban fighters were killed in the Battle of Keating?
A: According to Romesha's book, an estimated 150 Taliban fighters were killed in the Battle of Keating, based on the reports from the Afghan National Army and the local villagers.
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