Description

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As leader of the unit dubbed "The Majestic Twelve," the author led his team on what some might call the most dangerous duty in the Iraq War--convoy escort. Lynch tells how he formed and commanded his all-volunteer unit, consisting of wildly varying personalities who nevertheless shared an unshakeable com mit - ment to each other and their missions. This action-packed narra tive, taking place between February and August 2004: - Describes how the Twelve performed 230 missions while never once losing a member of his team or escorts - Provides a poignant look at brave soldiers who pay for gun sights and body armor out of their own pockets - Offers a fascinating look at military life and camaraderie - Reveals how the Twelve were even criticized among their own ranks for doing their jobs--i.e., following the Rules of Engagements and engaging the enemy when called for This gripping military narrative shows how Lynch and his team fought the war one way: to "win."

About the Author

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JACK W. LYNCH II, MSGT, USMC (Ret.) is a highly decorated former U.S. Marine Master Sergeant. He was awarded the Bronze Star for valor, the Joint Service Commendation Medal for valor, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Commendation Medal and the Achievement Medal. He is currently Senior Tactical Advisor for Strategic Analysis Incorporated. RICK LYNCH served in the Marine Corps and saw action in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1983. He is a writer living in Virginia.

Praise For…

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"Tells a poignant story...Lynch draws the reader away from the politics of war and introduces the people fighting and enduring it. He gives a name, face, and a story to the misunderstood tribe of the American warrior...this is where Lynch's work shines.  He reminds us that a familyis a cohesive group of individuals with different personalities...This is a beautiful phenomenon of the warrior culture that many will never understand but one well articulated in The Majestic Twelve."--Proceedings "One unexpected aspect of the Iraq war was how quickly it developed into a struggle for control of the roads against an enemy increasingly expert in every kind of ambush technique, from remote-controlled improvised explosive devices to civilian-screened ambushes. Not for a century had U.S. forces' responses been so correspondingly ad hoc. Lynch, a retired master sergeant, is a marine of the old school who brought 23 years' experience as an infantryman to the problem. His solution was to create a convoy security force, the Majestic Twelve (which borrowed its name from the purported committee of scientists formed to investigate UFO activity). They were volunteers, individualists impatient with the routines of straight duty and bonded by a mission. The team made over 200 escort runs, never lost a man, and had a set of dramatic combat experiences and run-ins with higher authorities. Lynch, however, controls his narrative by blunt honesty about even his sexual urges after a fight. This is a useful addition to a growing body of Iraq War combat literature. 10 b&w photos. (Jan.)"--Publishers Weekly

“WOW! The Majestic Twelve is a front seat ride into combat at its most dangerous point. A must read.”--Jack Coughlin, USMC, New York Times bestselling author of Shooter: The Autobiography of a Top-Ranked Marine Sniper

"The Majestic Twelve is the story of the team that invented successful urban convoy security tactics, and they did it the hard way--on the road to Baghdad International Airport. Master Sergeant Lynch brings all the military virtues of the Marine Corps to this mission--a brash attitude toward authority, a commitment to mission success, an ability to forge an effective small combat unit, and the ability to skillfully engage enemy forces in close-quarter combat."--Hans Halberstadt, author of Trigger Men