Outlaw Platoon: Heroes, Renegades, Infidels, and the Brotherhood of War in Afghanistan

By: Sean Parnell

Published February 28th 2012 by Harper Collins (first published January 1st 2012)

Category: Biography

Pages: 374 pages

ISBN: 9780062066398

Description:
Former Army officer Parnell and collaborator Bruning (Shadow of the Sword) reprise ParnellÕs 16 months as an infantry platoon leader in Afghanistan in this heartfelt memoir. In 2006, Parnell and his 10th Mountain Division platoon, the self-styled Outlaws, arrived in AfghanistanÕs Bermel Valley, which borders Pakistan. Their mission was Òto stanch the flow of enemy troops and supplies into Afghanistan.Ó Besides their 32 Purple Hearts, the platoonÑwhich Òusually patrolled with about 30 men... loaded into six HumveesÓÑearned seven Bronze Stars and 12 Army Commendations for Valor, making it one of the most decorated units in the Afghan war. Parnell vividly captures the sounds, sights, and smells of combat, and proves most eloquent when describing the bondÑÒselflessness was our secret weaponÓÑthat developed among his men. Studiously nonpartisan, Parnell still raises important questions about Afghan president Hamid KarzaiÕs integrity, the competence of the Afghan police, and the sincerity of our Pakistani Òallies.Ó Parnell balances sentimentality with sincerity and crisp prose to produce one of the Afghan warÕs most moving combat narratives.