MWSA Book Review

Black Chinook – An Army Ranger’s Story

Authors: David Combs

Publisher:  Booklocker Books

Reviewer: Bill McDonald – President of the MWSA

A Ranger’s Memoir

Major (Ret) David Combs has chronicled his military life in an extraordinary book called “Black Chinook: An Army Ranger’s Story.”  He takes the reader through basic, AIT, Jump School, various Ranger Training Classes and OCS in great detail. The hardships both physical and mental become evident to the reader as he shares what it was like going through everything to become not only an Airborne Ranger but also an officer.

The author shares his part in The Panama Invasion, which although brief, still had many potentially dangerous possibilities. He also tells us about Ranger operations in Haiti and other locations. But there is a moving chapter in the book about going to Normandy and being with the original Rangers who fought on those D-day beaches. The book is full of details about ranger training and the creeds that they follow. It should be required reading for anyone one thinking of this as a military career path or who have an interest in ranger history or who have a family member in the Rangers. This book will give you a better understanding of what they have gone through.

I found myself admiring these men and the sacrifices they make for their country and their fellow ranger team members. Of course, the personal price he pays is a divorce. It is not an easy career path to follow. Combs does not let you learn much about his inner life but shares much about what he has be able to accomplish in the Army. One gets the feeling that there is much emotional energy left undiscovered in this story. So we do not really get to fully know the author accept as a military man doing his job. We do know this much – David Combs is one tough Ranger and a patriot.

I personally recommend this book for your personal military library. It is an informative and entertaining read.