FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (This press release may be reprinted in part or entirety)
It goes without saying we owe our service men and women a debt of gratitude. In that spirit, please allow me to send you a copy of Shadow Commander in consideration of an interview, feature or review. In this biography of Donald D. Blackburn, author Mike Guardia gives us a fascinating account of an underdog fighting to stay alive.
A veteran himself, Mike makes a charming and interesting guest. Please look at the following press release and let me know if you’d like to schedule an interview with him, or send me your mailing address so I can forward a review copy of the book. If you would like to run this story, I’d be happy to send you .jpgs of the author and the book cover. Thank you.
Trish Stevens
Ascot Media Group
Post Office Box 2394
Friendswood, TX 77549
281.333.3507 Phone
832-569-5539 Fax [email protected]
www.ascotmedia.com
Shadow Commander: Remembering The Covert Commander Responsible For The Largest POW Rescue Mission In History
Houston, TX – In Shadow Commander: The Epic Story of Donald D. Blackburn (Casemate Publishers), author Mike Guardia presents his readers with a memorable story of an underdog whose career was a testament to dogged determination and the will to stay alive.
On the evening of April 9, 1942, the fires on Bataan burned with a primitive fury, illuminating white flags of surrender against the dark sky. Outnumbered and outgunned, remnants of the American-Philippine army surrendered to the forces of the Rising Sun. Yet US Army Captain Donald D. Blackburn refused to lay down his arms. With future Special Forces legend Russell Volckmann, Blackburn escaped to the jungles of North Luzon, raising a private army of 22,000 men against the Japanese. His organization of native tribes into guerrilla fighters would lead to the destruction of the enemy’s naval base at Aparri.
But Blackburn’s remarkable accomplishments didn’t end with the victory in the Pacific. He played a key role in initiating Army Special Forces operations in Southeast Asia, became commander of the 77th Special Forces Group and later took command of the highly classified Studies and Observations Group (SOG), charged with performing secret missions. Blackburn also revitalized the Special Operations campaign in South Vietnam, conducting full-scale operations against the NVA and Viet Cong in Laos and Cambodia. Following his return to the US, Blackburn was the architect of the infamous Son Tay Prison Raid, the largest prisoner-of-war rescue mission—and, indeed, the largest Army Special Forces operation—of the Vietnam War.
During a period when US troops in Southeast Asia faced guerrilla armies on every side, America had a superb covert commander of its own. This book follows Blackburn through both his youthful days of desperate combat and his time as a commander, imparting his lessons to the new ranks of Army Special Forces.
An internationally-recognized author and military historian, Mike Guardia is also a veteran of the United States Army. He served six years on active duty as an Armor Officer. He is the author of the widely-acclaimed Hal Moore: A Soldier Once…and Always, the first-ever biography chronicling the life of Lieutenant General Harold G. Moore, whose leadership was popularized in the film We Were Soldiers starring Mel Gibson. As a lecturer, Mike Guardia has given presentations at the US Special Operations Command and the George Bush (41) Presidential Library. He holds a BA and MA in American History from the University of Houston and currently resides in Texas.
For more information, please visit: https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Commander-Donald-Blackburn-Guerrilla-Special-ebook/dp/B0169GGSFY/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Shadow Commander: The Epic Story of Donald D. Blackburn
Casemate Publishers
Available online at Amazon and at all fine book sellers
ISBN-13: 978-1612000657
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (This press release may be reprinted in part or entirety)
With Veterans Day approaching, please allow me to send you a copy of Shadow Commander in consideration of an interview, feature or review. In this biography of Donald D. Blackburn, author Mike Guardia gives us a fascinating account of an underdog fighting to stay alive.
A veteran himself, Mike makes a charming and interesting guest. Please look at the following press release and let me know if you’d like to schedule an interview with him, or send me your mailing address so I can forward a review copy of the book. If you would like to run this story, I’d be happy to send you .jpgs of the author and the book cover. Thank you.
Trish Stevens Ascot Media Group Post Office Box 2394 Friendswood, TX 77549 281.333.3507 Phone 832-569-5539 Fax [email protected] www.ascotmedia.com
Shadow Commander: Celebrate Veterans Day By Remembering The Covert Commander Responsible For The Largest POW Rescue Mission In History
Houston, TX – In Shadow Commander: The Epic Story of Donald D. Blackburn (Casemate Publishers), author Mike Guardia presents his readers with a memorable story of an underdog whose career was a testament to dogged determination and the will to stay alive.
On the evening of April 9, 1942, the fires on Bataan burned with a primitive fury, illuminating white flags of surrender against the dark sky. Outnumbered and outgunned, remnants of the American-Philippine army surrendered to the forces of the Rising Sun. Yet US Army Captain Donald D. Blackburn refused to lay down his arms. With future Special Forces legend Russell Volckmann, Blackburn escaped to the jungles of North Luzon, raising a private army of 22,000 men against the Japanese. His organization of native tribes into guerrilla fighters would lead to the destruction of the enemy’s naval base at Aparri.
But Blackburn’s remarkable accomplishments didn’t end with the victory in the Pacific. He played a key role in initiating Army Special Forces operations in Southeast Asia, became commander of the 77th Special Forces Group and later took command of the highly classified Studies and Observations Group (SOG), charged with performing secret missions. Blackburn also revitalized the Special Operations campaign in South Vietnam, conducting full-scale operations against the NVA and Viet Cong in Laos and Cambodia. Following his return to the US, Blackburn was the architect of the infamous Son Tay Prison Raid, the largest prisoner-of-war rescue mission—and, indeed, the largest Army Special Forces operation—of the Vietnam War.
During a period when US troops in Southeast Asia faced guerrilla armies on every side, America had a superb covert commander of its own. This book follows Blackburn through both his youthful days of desperate combat and his time as a commander, imparting his lessons to the new ranks of Army Special Forces.
An internationally-recognized author and military historian, Mike Guardia is also a veteran of the United States Army. He served six years on active duty as an Armor Officer. He is the author of the widely-acclaimed Hal Moore: A Soldier Once…and Always, the first-ever biography chronicling the life of Lieutenant General Harold G. Moore, whose leadership was popularized in the film We Were Soldiers starring Mel Gibson. As a lecturer, Mike Guardia has given presentations at the US Special Operations Command and the George Bush (41) Presidential Library. He holds a BA and MA in American History from the University of Houston and currently resides in Texas.
For more information, please visit: https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Commander-Donald-Blackburn-Guerrilla-Special-ebook/dp/B0169GGSFY/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Shadow Commander: The Epic Story of Donald D. Blackburn Casemate Publishers Available online at Amazon and at all fine book sellers ISBN-13: 978-1612000657
Russell Tate Ascot Media Group Post Office Box 2394 Friendswood, TX 77549 281.333.3507 Phone 832.569.5539 Fax [email protected] www.ascotmedia.com
(This press release may be reprinted in part or entirety) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hal Moore: A Soldier Once…And Always; The Story Of One Of America’s Greatest Heroes
Houston, TX — This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Ia Drang and the start of the Vietnam War. Hal Moore captured our attention when his exploits in the Ia Drang battle were recounted in his memoir We Were Soldiers Once…and Young, and commanded our respect in the memorable Mel Gibson movie, “We Were Soldiers.” Now, his life is covered in full by celebrated author Mike Guardia in Hal Moore: A Soldier Once…and Always (Casemate Publishers).
Drastically outnumbered and nearly overrun, Hal Moore led his men to a surprising victory that claimed the lives of more than 1,200 enemy soldiers. The Battle of Ia Drang pioneered the use of “air mobile infantry”—delivering troops into battle via helicopter—which became a staple of U.S. operations for the remainder of the war.
One of the greatest battlefield commanders of the 20th century, little has been known about Hal Moore’s life and career beyond the Ia Drang battle…until now. In this book, readers will learn of his service in Occupied Japan, his life-and-death struggles in the hilltop battles of the Korean War, and how he helped rebuild the post-Vietnam Army.
Following his tour in Vietnam, he assumed command of the 7th Infantry Division, forward-stationed in South Korea, and in 1971 he took command of the Army Training Center at Fort Ord, California. In this capacity, he oversaw the US Army’s transition from a conscript-based to an all-volunteer force. He retired as a Lieutenant General in 1977.
At this writing, Hal Moore is 93 years-old and living quietly in Auburn, Alabama. He graciously allowed the author to conduct several interviews and granted full access to his collection of letters, documents, and never-before-published photographs.
Mike Guardia is a Captain in the US Army Reserve. He served six years on active duty as an Armor Officer. He holds a BA and MA in American History from the University of Houston. As an author, his previous works include Shadow Commander and American Guerrilla. He currently lives and works in Houston, TX. A portion of the book’s proceeds will go to benefit the USO.
For more, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/Hal-Moore-The-Biography-1406627382912279/timeline/
Hal Moore: A Soldier Once…and Always Casemate Publishers Available at: http://www.casematepublishers.com/index.php/hal-moore-hb.html#.ViUu-h2zZ9A and at Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, and Amazon.com Available in all major digital tablet platforms $32.95 Hardcover ISBN-13: 978-1612002071
Peter J. Ryder Ascot Media Group Post Office Box 133032 The Woodlands, TX 77393 Office: (281) 333-3507 [email protected] www.ascotmedia.com
Young Author Pays Tribute To A True American Hero In Hal Moore: A Soldier Once…and Always
El Paso, TX – Receiving a prestigious award is always a reason to be proud, but to receive the Gold Medal Book Award from the Military Writers Society of America at age 30 when you have only been writing for six years is extraordinary! Mike Guardia earned this award for his latest book, Hal Moore: A Soldier Once…and Always – a fully illustrated biography of one of our nation’s most respected combat leaders of the 20th century.
Guardia does a superb job of capturing the life and career of this remarkable man who truly was “the real deal!” The exploits of Hal Moore captured the world’s attention in his memoir, We Were Soldiers Once…and Young, and Mel Gibson brought him to life in the box office smash hit, ‘We Were Soldiers.’
With this year marking the 50th anniversary of the Battle of la Drang, the first full-blown battle to take place between U.S. soldiers and the North Vietnamese, we are reminded of the extraordinary combat skills of a man who, while ridiculously outnumbered and nearly overrun, lead his men to victory. It comes as no surprise that this gracious and humble man would astound the world with a compelling display of forgiveness when he returned to Vietnam years later and openly embraced his one-time enemy counterpart.
Until recently, little was known about this American icon beyond the la Drang battle. Mike Guardia impressively changed that in his latest book, Hal Moore: A Soldier Once…and Always. Readers learn of Moore’s heroic battles in the Korean War, his valued service in Occupied Japan, and even his efforts to help rebuild the post-Vietnam Army. Through Guardia’s eloquent words, readers gain insight into not only the heroic deeds of one of the greatest battlefield commanders of our time, but the workings of a man, without bravado or ego, who got the job done with the safety of his men uppermost in his mind.
Today, at age 93, Hal Moore lives a quiet life in Auburn, Alabama. He graciously allowed the author several interviews and granted him full access to his collection of letters, documents, and never-before-published photographs.
Mike Guardia is a Captain in the United States Army Reserve. He served six years on active duty in a variety of leadership and staff positions. He holds a BA and MA in American History from the University of Houston. As an author, his previous works include Shadow Commander and American Guerrilla. He currently lives in Texas. Mike donates a portion of the book sales to one of his favorite charities – the USO.
For more, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hal-Moore-A-Soldier-Once-and-Always/1406627382912279
Hal Moore: A Soldier Once…and Always Casemate Publishers Available at http://www.casematepublishing.com/title.php?isbn=9781612002071 and at Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, and Amazon.com Available in all major digital tablet platforms $32.95 Hardcover ISBN-13: 978-1612002071
![Shadow Commander: The Epic Story of Donald D. Blackburn-Guerrilla Leader and Special Forces Hero by [Guardia, Mike]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Wp4HpvHYL.jpg)
