Stingray

I found Stingray to be a well written description of what Marine Recon teams were doing during the course of the Vietnam War. The research that Major Norton has done helps novices, like me, who served in a different branch of service, understand this part of the Marine Corps' history in warfare. I would recommend this book to anyone interested, not only in Marine Corps history, but in understanding how military doctrine and tactics are developed. Now, I am intereseted in reading the other books this author has written. I would rate this work as a 5-star effort -- well done. PRJ

Stingray is the story of how a "Fighting-Tactic" was born and used to great advantage as a "force multiplier" against the NVA during the course of Vietnam War. Written by Maj. B. H. "Doc" Norton, USMC, a former recon team member, this history is complete and extremely well-written. As a student of military history, this is one book that is a welcomed addition to my library of military history books. Major Norton has taken the time to research the Stingray concept and introduces General Nickerson, Alex Lee, C. C. Cofman, and other Marines who designed and reformed the concept on the battlefield. I would hope that Marine small unit leaders would be wise enough to carry this book around with them and use it as a teaching aid for field Marines. This is, in my opinion, another very successful book by one of the Marine Corps' best authors.

Having been associated with the Marine Corps reconnaissance community for more than 25 years, I was very pleased to see that someone has finally recorded the history of the STINGRAY concept used with such success during the Vietnam War. Major Norton, to the best of my knowledge, has written more about this subject than any other Marine historian to date. STINGRAY is a significant contribution to the Corps histroy. Well-researched and extremely well-written, Norton has created a book that will be a "single-source" reference for Marine historians. With written contributions by LtGen Herman Nickerson - recognized as the "God-Father of Marine Reconnaissance" and from Col. 'Mick' Mickelson, Buck Coffman, and Alex Lee, the officers perspective is well done. With additional coontributions from Mike Mckenna, Charles T. Sexton and Norton, himself, the enlisted recon Marine's experience is even more captivating. The time and effort required to have properly researched this book makes Major Norton's work a significant project. This is a job well done and I'll look forward to more Marine Corps histroy from him. 5 Stars+

Stingray will be hailed as one of the better histories of Marine involvment during the Vietnam War. Having read all of Doc Norton's books on/and about Vietnam, he has done a masterful job of telling the story of how Marine recon teams used the "force-multiplier concept" known as STINGRAY to wage war against the North Vietnamese Army. Beginning in 1965 and taking the reader through the trails and tribulations of Marine recon teams operating deep in enemy-held country until 1971, Major Norton has accomplished a most difficult task. This book will be an essential part of my military library. Military historians will have a new yardstick to measure their work. A rate this book as a positive 5-STAR winner.

As a student of military history, I have read much on the subject of the Vietnam War. STINGRAY, by Marine Major B. H. 'Doc' Norton, is a great addition to that remarkable history. 'Doc' Norton, a former Force Recon team member, who served with distinction in both 3rd Force and 1st Force Reconnaissance Companies, has authored 5 books on and about Marines. He is the most published author on Marine reconnaissance history. STINGRAY is the detailed history of how the STINGRAY concept was created and implimented by Force Recon Marines during their 7 years of patrolling in and around the Republic of South Vietnam. Using classified documents, first-hand accounts, and the oral histories of those Marines and officers who participated in STINGRAY patrols, Norton has put togther a book that is ready for the history classroom, as an ideal text on the subject. Contributions from General Herman Nickerson, Colonels Mick Mickelson, 'Bucky' Coffman and Alex Lee, and others esatblish the authenticity of this well-researched text. STINGRAY is not written for only the military historian or the student of Marine Corps history. Anyone can read and quickly understand what the Corps was trying to do, and how well it was able to accomplish its goal. While the STINGRAY concept had some difficult beginnings, it eventually proved to be a "force-multiplier" that quickly leveled the playing field as 6 and 8-man Force Recon teams took on the North Vietnamese Army and destroyed large concentrations of enemy soldiers, at little or not lost to the Marines. This book, in my opinion, will be a welcomed addition to any class on the Vietnam War. Norton's talent to "walk the reader down jungle trails" has earned him the respect of thousands of his readers. A great book, well written. 5-STARS, AGAIN!