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Point Man Kindle Edition

by James Watson (Author), Kevin Dockery (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.4 1,007 ratings

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A founding member of the Navy SEALs recounts the formation of that elite fighting force in this “honest, no-holds-barred” memoir of the Vietnam War (Richard Marcinko, author of Rogue Warrior).

Chief Petty Officer James "Patches" Watson was there at the start. As a high-performing frogman with the famed Underwater Demolition Team 21, he was chosen to become a founding member—or a “plank owner”—of the U.S. Navy SEALs.

Through three tours in the jungle hell of Vietnam, he led the way as point man—the one in charge of navigating trip wires, booby traps and punji pits. In this vividly detailed memoir, he recounts guiding his squad of amphibious fighters on missions of rescue, reconnaissance, and demolition. Together with his brave comrades, Watson confronted a war's unique terrors head-on, unprotected . . . and unafraid.

This is the story of a hero told from the heart and from the gut—an authentic tour of duty with one of the most legendary commandoes of the Vietnam War.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Watson led a Navy SEAL unit through three harrowing Vietnam tours between 1967 and 1970, conducting raids, ambushes and prisoner-snatching missons. His memoir, written with freelancer Kevin Dockery, is packed with exciting behind-enemy-lines action sequences, and readers will find the pre-Vietnam material--dealing with the rigorous training the SEALs had to endure--engrossing as well. The narrative, however, is replete with seemingly exaggerated anecdotes glorifying the pluck of the enlisted man: "We'll be all right, Admiral. Just keep the three Bs coming." "And what might those be, son?" "Beer, bullets, and broads!" And Watson occasionally succumbs to delusions of grandeur: a lowly Navy Chief, he convinces himself that the entire State Department "wanted my head on a platter." Yet for all its macho hot air, this self-portrait of a sailor proud of his deadly accomplishments in the jungles and swamps of the Mekong Delta is highly entertaining. Photos.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

After reading this work, one understands why the U.S. Navy SEALS (Sea, Air, Land Commandos) are considered to be the best special forces in the world. The book tells the story of the formation of the SEALS and their baptism by fire in Vietnam as seen by chief petty officer Watson, who is a "plank owner," or founding member of the SEALS. The book's title comes from Watson's habit of taking the dangerous lead on patrols during his three tours of duty in Vietnam. His account is as exciting to read as any military thriller. For the lay reader, Watson does a good job of explaining military terms and slang used by the SEALS. This book would make a good companion to SEAL teammate Richard Marcinko's Rogue Warrior ( LJ 9/1/92) and E.J. Jernigan's Tin Can Man ( LJ 2/1/93), other histories of navy enlisted men during wartime. Recommended for most libraries and strongly recommended for libraries with military sciences collections.
- Terry Wirick, Erie Cty. Lib. System, Pa.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

A veteran's salty recollections of what it meant to be a member of the Navy SEALs. Following repeated requests, Watson (whose 1955 enlistment was prompted by a 1952 film, The Frogman) was finally picked for Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) training in 1959. Having survived an ultrademanding regimen that washes out approximately nine of every ten volunteers, the author (by then a senior petty officer) was assigned to the first SEAL (sea, air, land) unit. Watson went on to three combat tours in Vietnam, where he served under the hard-nosed Richard Marcinko (Rogue Warrior, 1992). Here, with an assist from Dockery (Seals in Action, a 1991 paperback), the shotgun-toting author (who invariably took the point on behind-the- lines missions even after he was promoted to chief) offers vivid accounts of his platoon's operations, which ranged from patrolling rivers through interdicting enemy supply lines, liberating POWs, and kidnapping Communist officials. With evident relish, the highly decorated Watson offers brutally candid commentary on the merits of #4 buckshot (which ``would knock down any gook I aimed at...''); indigenous allies (too many of whom, he says, ``were like their flag--what wasn't Red was yellow''); rear-echelon commanders; and a host of other still sore subjects. Nor has his postretirement position as curator of the UDT/SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida, mellowed Watson. Toward the end of his unsparing narrative, he asserts: ``The Americans and South Vietnamese may have lost the Vietnam War. But the SEALs won their part....'' An unreconstructedly bad dude's testament to the rewards and risks of going in harm's way. The text, which has about as much subtlety and sensitivity as a swift kick to the groin, includes 12 b&w photos--not seen. -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About the Author

David de Vries can be seen in a number of feature films, including The Founder, The Accountant, Captain America: Civil War, and Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk. On television, his credits include House of Cards, Nashville, Halt and Catch Fire, the National Geographic film Killing Reagan, and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks for HBO. As a veteran stage actor, David appeared as Lumiere in Disney's Beauty and the Beast on Broadway, as Dr. Dillamond in the Los Angeles and Chicago companies of Wicked, and in hundreds of shows in regional theaters throughout the country. He is an Audie and Odyssey Award-winning narrator for his performance in Pam Munoz Ryan's Echo and has voiced over 100 titles in every genre, including his Audie Award-nominated performance of the 2011 Caldecott winner A Sick Day for Amos McGee.

James Watson is coauthor, with Kevin Dockery, of Point Man.

Kevin Dockery is the military historian and field curator for the UDT/SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida. He lives in Michigan.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0010XS6H0
Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins e-books; Reissue edition (October 13, 2009)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 13, 2009
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1278 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 363 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #298,856 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #118 in Biographies of the Vietnam War
- #207 in Vietnam War History (Kindle Store)
- #584 in Vietnam War History (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.4 1,007 ratings

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4.4 out of 5

1,007 global ratings

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Clyde R.

Great read!!!

Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2023

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Met Chief Watson back in 96 and was gifted his second book. Loved the read and recently thought of him. After finding out he passed in 2013 I decided to continue my journey with him. He was a very humble man and am fortunate to meet and spend time with him! I encourage everyone to do the same!

Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2021

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Interesting story on hoe the seals came to be and there exploits in Vietnam. Just a little to arrogant about his roll in the military.

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Scott Simmons

good read by one of the best there is

Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2022

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An excellent true tale about special ops and life during the Vietnam conflict. Thanks “Patches” for your service and that of all the Teams!

One person found this helpful

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Jim Mouzakis

Good read. Its about a plank owner of Seal Team Two.

Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2022

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Well written biography of one of the first Seals in one of the first Seal Teams. These guys came from the UDTs, trained up and deployed to Vietnam. They were very successful in Nam.

One person found this helpful

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ebsledge

but other than that I thoroughly enjoyed his book

Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2015

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I thought this was a well written, exciting book with lots of detail. I learned a lot about early SEAL training that I didn't know before. His battle experiences were also very detailed with one exception; when on his first mission to rescue POWs, his helicopter was shot down and that entire story was told in one sentence! Wish he had given more details on that mission, but other than that I thoroughly enjoyed his book. I hope to someday visit the SEAL museum and perhaps get to meet Mr. Watson. Thank you for your service, sir!

3 people found this helpful

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Scooter

Excellent book

Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2022

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Excellent book about the history of the Navy SEALS and their missions in vietnam. The author keep the readers attention through the whole book

One person found this helpful

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Stephen O.

Justy Okay

Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2015

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It was an okay book. It was really an "I did this I did that book". Seems as though he took some literary license here and there. For example; there were no MASH hospitals in Vietnam and nurses didn't wear white uniforms other than early on in the 3 Field hospital in Saigon, and I knew "Bright Light" missions as more than rescuing POW's. His writing style was not to my preference. But all in all not to bad of a read.

Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2022

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How one man could accomplish so much and take care of his men so well is beyond belief. It just is.

One person found this helpful

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Brady L.

Five Stars

Reviewed in Canada on May 25, 2018

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Exactly as advertised, thanks and very informative

Ms B Moore

Fantastic

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 8, 2019

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As i continue my book odyssey through the eyes of a US soldier, this book particularly enraptured me. Highly recommend.

Kopikiel

Respeckt

Reviewed in Germany on September 3, 2016

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Ein Buch das einem nicht los lässt. Als ich noch in California zu Schule ging, war Patches schon im aktiven Dienst. Der Vietnamkrieg, kein Thema. Wir hatten den Strand und die Musik. Jetzt, Jahre später bewundere ich die Ersten und bedauere die als Verräter beschimpften Heimkehrer.

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Clay

Point Man

Reviewed in Germany on December 24, 2014

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A very interesting story. However, i did not enjoy this book quite as much as its counterparts by other vietnam veterans. It did lack imho that last bit of finesse that makes a book a true must-read.

Barry E. Sheridan

Excellent memoir of former SEAL

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 27, 2013

Verified Purchase

This book charts the personal involvement of James Watson in the evolution of US special forces known as SEAL's, from genesis to early active deployment in Vietnam. The authors part in this story is told in a positive tone that contrasts with many other Vietnam era memories. Well worth reading, especially as it counters the negativity that surrounds so many other accounts from this conflict.

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