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Document created: 20 November 02
Air & Space Power Journal - Winter 2002

Fortune Favors the Brave: The Story of First Force Recon by Bruce F. Meyers. Naval Institute Press (http://www.usni.org), 291 Wood Road, Annapolis, Maryland 21402, 2000, 256 pages, $32.95.

In Fortune Favors the Brave, Col Bruce Meyers, USMC, retired, the first commanding officer of Force Recon and leader of Test Unit One, describes the developments and innovations in Marine Corps reconnaissance that he witnessed during his long career as a Marine officer. After acknowledging the underpinnings of Force Recon- the amphibious reconnaissance of World War II- he describes the genesis of such techniques as parachuting from jet aircraft, deploying and redeploying recon marines from submarines, and developing aerial-extraction methods; he also examines their employment in Southeast Asia. The author’s accessible narrative style makes for easy reading, and, for the most part, the concepts he discusses are easily comprehended. However, the book lacks a diagram showing the relationship of reconnaissance elements to the rest of the corps- something that would be especially helpful to readers not well versed in Marine Corps organization. Despite that omission, Fortune Favors the Brave offers much insight into innovation and reconnaissance as practiced by the USMC.

Capt Rich Bellshot, USAF
McGuire AFB, New Jersey

Disclaimer

The conclusions and opinions expressed in this document are those of the author cultivated in the freedom of expression, academic environment of Air University. They do not reflect the official position of the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, the United States Air Force or the Air University.