Killer Kane: A Marine Long-Range Recon Team Leader in Vietnam, 1967-1968

Loved this book. It describes what life is like for a recon marine in south Vietnam. This is a must read.

Killer Kane is an extremely frank and openly honest memoir of a young man's transition from a self-doubting recent graduate of the Naval Academy into an experienced and highly effective Force Reconnaissance Platoon Commander. Andy digs deep and lays out his very personal feelings to include initially questioning his own confidence and ability to lead Marines in combat. Andy is recognized as one of the most effective Marine reconnaissance leaders of the Vietnam War while patrolling some of most dangerous areas of the war.Killer Kane/Swift Scout Force Recon Team many accomplishments under Andy's leadership are also well documented within the military community by many of the other Vietnam War history books. Andy retired as a very well respected Marine Colonel and military intellect. Andy is a personal friend since our days as Naval Academy classmates.Some of us in the recon community would question Andy's methods and tactics he describes within the book but not the results, his sincerity, his personal bravery, and his leadership. Andy indicates and documents that he made mistakes in judgment and in tactics (just as we all did). If one of the purposes of Killer Kane is to be used by young officers as a reference in small unit leadership and tactics then the reader must recognize these errors and realize that Andy and Killer Kane were very lucky.Killer Kane's many patrols and experiences are legendary and the team was successful in the collecting of significant intelligence and in killing a large number of the enemy. They did so remarkably without the loss of a Marine or Corpsman during ten months of patrolling. The team was very professionally lead and professional in execution. However, as every combat leader acknowledges succeeding and surviving in combat requires more than a little LUCK.Killer Kane and Andy reminds me of another Vietnam Force Recon Team - 3rd Force's Boxscore and 2ndLt Terry Graves (posthumous MOH winner). Andy & Terry are similar in several ways. Both were baseball athletes in college. Both reported to Vietnam directly from Basic School. Both were immediately assigned to a Force Reconnaissance unit in a leadership billet. Both were aggressive and wanted to do well. Both were on their way to a successful Marine Corps career; however Terry and Boxscore were not so lucky.Killer Kane is well written, readable, and documented with maps and photos. It gives an authentic and accurate feel of what it is like to be on a long range recon patrol as a leader. It well documents the thoughts that go through a young inexperienced officer responsible for the accomplishment of his mission while taking responsibility for the Marines and Corpsman under his command. It honestly addresses the doubts we all have in combat and in our leadership.This book should be required reading by those interested in Vietnam War history, those interested in combat leadership, those who are interested in long range recon patrol tactics, and those who want to read a good book by a successful combat leader who is not afraid to be brutally self-critical. This book also is one of the best in describing the many areas that that 1st Force Recon patrolled around the 1st Marine Division/Danang TAOR.Bravo Zulu Andy.Lest we forget - Semper Fi!Guy Pete

"Killer Kane" is essential reading for the entire range of people interested in learning the truth about the history of the Vietnam War. While it reads like an action thriller--it is--Andy Finlayson's combat memoir is so much more than a recounting of personal war stories. Having known the author for nearly 40 years, he is the single best example, a near unique blend, of warrior/scholar in my own experience. A world-class intellect, he is likewise a legend in the Marine Corps reconnaissance community, and by his peers considered as a real 'gunfighter.'Finlayson's recapping of the numerous patrols conducted by the intrepid group of young Marines he led was so compelling; it actually made me nervous as I read. While the story and narrative flows exceptionally well, he has likewise woven in many of the critical combat leadership issues and challenges he and others routinely faced. "Killer Kane" is a work that will be of benefit to leaders at every level, but is especially valuable as a primer for company grade officers, SNCOs and NCOs with direct authority over troops in combat-related specialties. For these warriors "Killer Kane" is a work that should be referred to again and again, and widely shared. Perhaps the most important takeaway for why Finlayson's team was so successful in their reconnaissance efforts was the incredible focus they placed on training and preparation.It is amazing for most regular people without military experience to consider the life and death authority given over to young leaders during time of war. Reading this book as an old man I marvel at the maturity exhibited in the author's decision-making processes. I was repeatedly asking myself..."Would I have had the physical or mental courage to do that?" The sheer aggressiveness of Team Killer Kane in some of their operations is mind numbing and difficult to fathom. And yet, there is very little bravado in this book. Unlike so many memoirs where there is feigned humility, a very mature and comfortable-in-his-skin Andy Finlayson confesses, like the good Catholic he is, his failings, shortcomings and earlier insecurities.The social and political commentary and the musings of a young, idealistic Marine officer returning to America after having fought so hard are insightful and add a timeless perspective to the story. In addition to all he went through as a Force Recon platoon commander, his range of experiences; from interacting with members of a hostile press while serving in Vietnam, dealing with the 1968 riots and their attendant politics in Washington DC upon returning, and the all-too common breakup of a serious personal relationship, give the reader a bird's eye view of the critical and personal issues that impacted our nation in mostly negative ways in the 1960s.The narrative is enhanced by the inclusion of many photos; mostly black and white, which give texture and meaning to the events and people described. There are images of just about every locale, event and person mentioned in the book.Along with superb historical context and storytelling, pithy social and political observation, "Killer Kane" is testament to a small group of very uncommon young men who willfully, and sometimes near crazily, went into the lion's den so many times as to seem almost common.

Great book.You get to feel what is like in the jungle and be 110% alert or you might get killed.A true hero.I also read his following book rice paddy recon which is also 5stars.I would have liked if Andrew wrote a 3rd book about his rest of his time in the marines and after.

This is a book by a veteran of the Vietnam War who saw action at the the sharp end of the conflict.Seen through his eyes starting as a raw recruit it is a well written and compelling account of Andrew Finlayson's experience in a complex War.Highly recommended.

The true value of this book is,that the author tries to be sincere and self-critical,which enables the reader to read between the lines!There certain questions arise,as several things are unaccountable and there are certain mistakes!(no regular helicopter ever carried a .50 cal. machinegun for the door-gunner)One must be perfectly aware,that this book was written by: "a career soldier","an officer" and "a marine"!There is a little criticism,but never to much,certain topics carefully avoided! I don't think this is a mere coincidence!I'm certain,the men of his unit valued him,but often cursed him;at the end they most probably were most glad to get rid of him,as sooner or later his luck would have run out and he would get them killed all!Would be interesting,how "Killer Kane" fared afterwards!Yet i am looking very much forward towards the authors next book, describing his second tour in vietnam!

Bravest Men on the planet!!!

grossartig spannend von anfang bis zum schlüss .what a men!