Rating: 
Summary: Read Plaster's book first
Review: I couldn't agree more with reviewer from Salt Lake. This book is more about Acre's exploits while back at the base rather than actual missions ran in Vietnam. If someone wants a real look at the missions run by SOG during the Vietnam conflict read John Plaster's book.
Rating: 
Summary: Project Omega: Eye of the Beast
Review: I enjoyed the book and it was great reading about some of my old friends at CCS. Ernie has told it like it was,the stand downs from missions, and the missions themselves. Each of us had are own way of handling things between missions, to his credit Ernie has openly shared his. Only three things counted in those days, did the man pull his missions, was he any good in the woods, and would you go to the bush with him. These standards, once meet, formed a bond among us that will last a life time. Ernie met these standards long ago in Cambodia. Ernie has expressed himself well, has given credit to those he served with and has share his personal emotions and actions with the readers. Honesty is the truth, this man has shared it with the world. Not everyone will agree with all he has written, he has however earn the right to tell his story. I respect him for it, its too his credit that he made no effort to make himself out to be anything but a SOG Recon Team member. He proved himself years ago, I am proud of him for sharing his experiences so openly with his readers, I am not sure I have that kind of courage. Great Job my Friend RT Plane CCS
Rating:
Summary: AS IT WAS
Review: I had the privilage to serve with Ernie at CCS 69/70, as a medic. The book he has written is honest and sincere, as well as accurate, while time blurs some memories, and erases names from ones memory, Ernie has done a respectable job. His depiction is based at the ground level and is what Viet Nam was to him running recon not just deep in enemy territory, but in their back yard. While Ernie had frogetten my name, he did me the honor of devoting almost one whole chapter to an action the we were both involved in. I was the medic that went in to recover the crew of the downed gunship, and the body of the dead door gunner. As I stated this book is accurate. The reason his recon team was not able to reach the downed bird, was there were just to many NVA in the base camp he had located. Based on my perception the camp was battalion size or larger. The only error that I found is that I did not carry the dead door gunner up a rope ladder, I was not quite that strong. It should also be fully understood that it seems as each individual fought in a some what different war. Those of us that served in Viet Nam in special operations fought a far different war that those who served in conventional line units, just as flying as a chase medic was far different than being on the ground as a team member. Yet each produced its own set of bone chilling terrors and nightmares. If you chose to read this book you will see a very real depiction of some of what it was like to run recon in Cambodia, and understand that when the FAC, the slicks and gunships, and me a chase medic went home for a beer, (not to denigrate the FAC's air crews, they kept us alive). The recon teams in CCS were on there own, and the next morning too many very brave friends never were heard from again. If there are any errors in this book the cause is time, misunderstanding, of events at the time of particular events. The officers and men of CCS did the jobs they were called upon to do at the time. If you want to read a book about cross border recon, written by a man that has not written a war story, then you should read this book, Ernie did not sugar coat the rough edges, or add to the events to make for a better WAR STORY.
Rating:
Summary: Project Omega: Eye of the Beast, by James E. Acre
Review: I have just finished reading Ernie's book and found it fascinating. I flew "Green Hornet" slick, right gun and inserted and extracted teams in 67-68 from FOB II (CCC) and Ban Me Thuot (CCS). Jerry Shriver led one of the teams I supported, and I had many exciting and terrifying times extracting him and his team. While I was there before Ernie, his descriptions of his experiences run parallel to the experiences of teams I supported. Through the words in his book, I could again feel the experiences I had while supporting men like Ernie. I have always had the utmost respect for the SOG teams and the unbelievable missions they undertook. In this war, these teams were the ultimate definition of the word "Warriors". There is a saying between the men who have been there, which is-"would you go to the woods with this man". I would go to the woods with Ernie!
Rating:
Summary: Literary and Surreal
Review: I read 1-2 titles a week and this one is one of the best, military or otherwise, that I have ever read. Through a collection of short stories, which may initially seem disconnected but which quickly paint a coherent picture, the author delivers an image of the war that is frightfull, awe-inspiring, humorous, tragic, surreal, and, at times, beautiful. Where did Mr. Acre learn to write like this? While the author took tremendous risks during his time, he clearly subsequently lead a much richer life because of it. And my life is just a little richer, too, having read this. I read many books to find one like this. Other favorites: Forgotten Soldier (Sayer), and Lost Crusade (Scott)
Rating:
Summary: Mr. Acre: You will always be my hero!
Review: I thought John L. Plaster's SOG was good, however I find your book to be the "best" easiest to read and understand of all military works Ive read on Vietnam! I find eash sentence forever keeping me in suspense! And you describe things so well! I wish that I could have served at your side, so gallantly as you did for our country! You are my "true" hero Mr. Acre; and if I would have the chance, Id do the same for you sir! Much respect, and write more books on war! Thanks for helping to preserve freedom and democracy for us all! God Bless you all, and all of SOG, as well!
Rating: 
Summary: A good read, but could've been better
Review: I was greatly disappointed with this book. My father served with Project Delta (one of Project Omega's sister units) and I was hoping Project Omega: The Eye of the Beast would give me a greater insight into the types of missions my father ran. Unfortunately, Mr. Acre spends far too much time recounting his exploits in garrison, which gave him VD five times, and almost had him court martialed for marijuana use. More attention needed to be paid on what it was like to run long-range, covert ops with one of the Army's most elite units. Anyone interested in this fascinating chapter of America's involvement in Vietnam would be better off reading John L. Plaster's Sog : The Secret Wars of America's Commandos in Vietnam.
Rating:
Summary: Project Omega - Eye of the Beast by James E. Acre
Review: In his book, Ernie has let us all in on the everyday lives, fears, thoughts and views of the Viet Nam era soldier. Without glorifying the actions, motives, or outcomes of himself, his peers or his leaders, he has told a story AS HE REMEMBERS IT. This, after all, is what TRUTH is all about. I, for one, thank him for letting us into the inner sanctum of the combat veteran who does not need or choose to change, clean up, play down, build up, or in any way justify what and who he was, when he was NEEDED to be who and what he was. I thank Ernie, my brother, and ALL the veterans who have done whatever was needed, so that I might read this book and write this review in safety and peace of mind. Lowell D. Brown
Rating:
Summary: Project Omega - Eye of the Beast by James E. Acre
Review: In his book, Ernie has let us all in on the everyday lives, fears, thoughts and views of the Viet Nam era soldier. Without glorifying the actions, motives, or outcomes of himself, his peers or his leaders, he has told a story AS HE REMEMBERS IT. This, after all, is what TRUTH is all about. I, for one, thank him for letting us into the inner sanctum of the combat veteran who does not need or choose to change, clean up, play down, build up, or in any way justify what and who he was, when he was NEEDED to be who and what he was. I thank Ernie, my brother, and ALL the veterans who have done whatever was needed, so that I might read this book and write this review in safety and peace of mind. Lowell D. Brown
Rating:
Summary: Your My Personal Hero Mr. Acre
Review: Mr Acre: I hope you see this. This is my 2nd review since last summer! After twice reading your book, you are and will always be my hero. I was between 10 and 12 at the time you were in SE ASIA. I cant tell you how proud and honored I am to know that there were "once" real men like you that so cared about giving of yourself for America. And the sacrifices endured by all SOG men. I wish I could be half the man you are. This book is tops with John Plasters Sog books! a must read many times over! Please write more books Mr Acre.I wish the men I know and work with were "true men", men that always worked together as a team"SOG" and cared so much so that I may be here and well today in a free and democratic society.Your my hero always! MR. ACRE. You, and all the brave warriors of SOG Sincerely, Tony Pache, Jr.
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