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The Giant Killer: American hero, mercenary, spy ... The incredible true story of the smallest man to serve in the U.S. Military-Green Beret Captain Ri
Paperback
Biographies GeneralMilitary BiographiesVietnam War
ISBN13: 9781950659470
Publisher: Mission Point Press
Published: Mar 30 2020
Pages: 318
Weight: 0.76
Height: 0.71 Width: 5.00 Depth: 8.00
Language: English
At just 4'9 tall, Richard J. Flaherty required a congressional waiver to enlist in the Army, as he did not meet the height or weight requirements. Bullied and ridiculed during boot camp, Flaherty nonetheless rose to a stature few could ever achieve. He became a 101st Airborne Screaming Eagle and a Green Beret Captain earning the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts. Once in Vietnam, his leadership skills were put to the test almost immediately during the Tet Offensive.
His unexpected and devastating decommission during the 1971 Reduction in Force sent Flaherty into the murky world of mercenary work. However, his keen intelligence caught the attention of the CIA, which recruited him to supply the Contras in Central America. This launched him into a dangerous world of guns, cash, cocaine, and HALO jumps into the Florida Everglades. Flaherty later worked with other agencies and uncovered a weapons smuggling ring operating from the heart of Fort Bragg.
In 1999, author and police officer David Yuzuk befriended Flaherty, who was then living homeless on the streets of Aventura, Florida. Flaherty warned Yuzuk that asking too many questions could be bad for his career-and dangerous for his own safety. Sure enough, just eight hours after Yuzuk made a call to confirm Flaherty's identity, Flaherty was killed in a hit-and-run.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Doug Stanton- You are holding in your hands an amazing journey into a world of puzzles, intrigue, and mystery. Giant Killers are among us-- author David Yuzuk walked with one and returned with this tale.If Richard Flaherty was only the shortest man to ever be in the U.S. Army and a Green Beret, that would certainly be a unique story in itself. Flaherty was much more, though. He was a bonafide war hero and beloved leader of the men he commanded. A small stature with a oversized shadow. Yet, he was cut from the Army that was his life after two tours in Vietnam. This story documents as much as can be known about a man whose post army life was spent in a variety of jobs freelancing, alternating between classified missions conducted by the CIA and Federal agencies.... What an interesting man and totally unique story. -John Werner, VINE VOICE
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