Legend

A Harrowing Story from the Vietnam War of One Green Beret's Heroic Mission to Rescue a Special Forces Team Caught Behind Enemy Lines

By: Eric Blehm

Narrated by: Fred Sanders

Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

The unforgettable account and courageous actions of the US Army's 240th Assault Helicopter Company and Green Beret Staff Sergeant Roy Benavidez, who risked everything to rescue a Special Forces team trapped behind enemy lines.

In Legend, acclaimed best-selling author Eric Blehm takes as his canvas the Vietnam War as seen through a single mission that occurred on May 2, 1968. A 12-man Special Forces team had been covertly inserted into a small clearing in the jungles of neutral Cambodia - where US forces were forbidden to operate. Their objective, just miles over the Vietnam border, was to collect evidence that proved the North Vietnamese Army was using the Cambodian sanctuary as a major conduit for supplying troops and materiel to the south via the Ho Chi Minh Trail. What the team didn't know was that they had infiltrated a section of jungle that concealed a major enemy base. Soon they found themselves surrounded by hundreds of NVA, under attack, low on ammunition, stacking the bodies of the dead as cover in a desperate attempt to survive the onslaught.

When Special Forces Staff Sergeant Roy Benavidez heard the distress call, he jumped aboard the next helicopter bound for the combat zone without hesitation. Orphaned at the age of seven, Benavidez had picked cotton alongside his family as a child and dropped out of school as a teen before joining the army. Although he was grievously wounded during his first tour of duty in Vietnam and told he would never walk again, Benavidez fought his way back - ultimately earning his green beret.

What followed would become legend in the Special Operations community. Flown into the foray of battle by the courageous pilots and crew of the 240th Assault Helicopter Company, Benavidez jumped from the hovering aircraft and ran nearly 100 yards through withering enemy fire. Despite being immediately and severely wounded, Benavidez reached the perimeter of the decimated team, provided medical care, and proceeded to organize an extraordinary defense and rescue. During the hours-long battle, he was bayoneted, shot, and hit by grenade shrapnel more than thirty times, yet he refused to abandon his efforts until every survivor was out of harm's way.

Written with extensive access to family members, surviving members of the 240th Assault Helicopter Company, on-the-ground eyewitness accounts never before published, as well as recently discovered archival and declassified military records, Blehm has created a riveting narrative both of Roy Benavidez's life and career and of the inspiring, almost unbelievable events that defined the brotherhood of the air and ground warriors in an unpopular war halfway around the world. Legend recounts the courage and commitment of those who fought in Vietnam in service of their country and the story of one of the many unsung heroes of the war, whose actions would be scrutinized for more than a decade in a battle for a long overdue and what many believe was an unjustly denied Medal of Honor.

The case was reopened 13 years later, in 1980, when a long-lost - and believed dead - Green Beret eyewitness whom Benavidez had rescued that day came forth and wrote a statement that revealed, once and for all, what happened on that fateful day in May of 1968.

©2015 Random House Audio (P)2015 Eric Blehm

Critic reviews

"Roy Benavidez is a real badass, a modern day Spartan, the heart of what every warrior prays for when everything goes wrong." (Marcus Luttrell, retired Navy SEAL and author of the number-one New York Times best seller Lone Survivor)

"I fought beside and led US Special Operations soldiers, sailors, and airmen during three wars - World War II, Korea, and Vietnam - including the men [of SOG] depicted in Legend. Never have I read a more powerfully honest, realistic, or moving account of the war in Southeast Asia. Eric Blehm masterfully encapsulates the hearts of the men, their impossible mission, and the quagmire of politics of the era and wraps it up in a single bloody battle that portrays the American fighting man at his best." (Major General John K. [Jack] Singlaub, US Army [Ret.])

" Legend may be the most important book ever written about the men of Special Operations. It brings to life in touching and brutal detail one of Special Operations Force's first true heroes as well as the other heroic men who fought and died with him in the jungles of Cambodia. Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez represented the best of the quiet professionals whose incredible actions were long overlooked and lost to history only to be rediscovered through Blehm's painstaking research and magnificent writing." (Lieutenant Colonel Jason Amerine, US Army Special Forces)

A Testament to the Humble Heroes of Vietnam

Truly inspiring! Eric Blehm reinvigorates the history of another hero of the US Armed Forces. He shares with us not only the prowess of the soldier but his life struggle as a kid and young man as well as his ethos and core values. In addition Fred Sanders does a fantastic job telling this story.

In a time where young people embraces pop culture icons we have here a true example of life. Tango Mike Mike.

Another 5 star for Eric

Another 5 star for Eric he truly is a great story teller. This story needed to be told

Please read this book

This book was both entertaining and insightful to my limited knowledge of the Vietnam War. I think Blehm has done a real justice to the veterans of this difficult and tragic war.

Remember service to country regardless of politics

This story demonstrates the army’s intransigence when it comes to recognizing heroism. Yet in the civilian arena, Tiger Woods and Rush Limbaugh are recognized for ‘service’ to country. The service rendered by Roy Benavidez outshines that of any recognition awarded as a result of political ambition or motive. But, that’s America. It takes years of reflection to separate the wheat from the chaff.

Wonderful book

There wasn’t a moment I didn’t want to finish listening to this book. What a amazing story of our heroes.

Great book, Real Hero

The story of Green Beret Sergeant Roy Benavidez is an incredible story of bravery and heroism. Everyone should hear about his life and everything he overcame to be the man he was.

Great Book, Author & Narrator!!!

Eric Blehm has done it again with Legend and has become one of today's finest authors. This is a story that needed to be told and as the song goes, nobody does it better!!! Also, Fred Sanders' narration was such that it was very hard to shut down Audible at bedtime. If ratings went up to ten stars, this one would get a 12 from me. I highly recommend it!!!

wow!

I was eager to get to the end. It was great. I wanted to hear how it ended but I didn't want the book to end.

True Hero!

Great man. Great story. Thoroughly enjoyed listening. I will listen to this audio version again.

Everyone must know this story

This is one of the most amazing stories i have ever heard, narrated wonderfully and written exceptionally. It is so intricate you will be on the verge of tears if not full on sobs during multiple portions of this performance. To say this is inspiring is an understatement. Why the world doesnt know about this man is beyond me. If you are the last of a dying breed or if you want to be privy to this code of honor and valor... READ THIS. My children willl be required. I recommend this version and a hard copy for one's personal library. You will not regret!