{"product_id":"2940170460755","title":"Blackhorse Riders: A Desperate Last Stand, an Extraordinary Rescue Mission, and the Vietnam Battle America Forgot","description":"\u003cp\u003eDeep in the jungles of Vietnam, Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th \u003cbr\u003eArmored Cavalry, the famed Blackhorse Regiment, was a specialized \u003cbr\u003ecavalry outfit equipped with tanks and armored assault vehicles. On the \u003cbr\u003emorning of March 26, 1970, they began hearing radio calls from an \u003cbr\u003einfantry unit four kilometers away that had stumbled into a hidden North\u003cbr\u003e Vietnamese Army stronghold. Outnumbered at least six to one, the \u003cbr\u003eninety-man American company was quickly surrounded, pinned down, and \u003cbr\u003efighting for its existence. Helicopters could not penetrate the dense \u003cbr\u003ejungle, and artillery and air support could not be targeted effectively.\u003cbr\u003e The company was fated to be worn down and eventually all killed or \u003cbr\u003ecaptured.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOverhearing the calls for help on his radio, Captain \u003cbr\u003eJohn Poindexter, Alpha Troop's twenty-five-year-old commander, realized \u003cbr\u003ethat his outfit was the only hope for the trapped company. It just might\u003cbr\u003e be possible that they could \"bust\" enough jungle by nightfall to reach \u003cbr\u003ethem. Not making the attempt was deemed unacceptable, so he ordered his \u003cbr\u003emen to \"saddle up.\" With the courage and determination that makes \u003cbr\u003elegends out of ordinary men, they effected a daring rescue and fought a \u003cbr\u003epitched battle-at considerable cost. Many brave deeds were done that day\u003cbr\u003e and Captain Poindexter tried to make sure his men were recognized for \u003cbr\u003etheir actions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThirty years later Poindexter was made aware that \u003cbr\u003ehis award recommendations and even the records of the battle had somehow\u003cbr\u003e gone missing. Thus began the second phase of this remarkable story: a \u003cbr\u003e\"battle\" to ensure that his brave men's accomplishments would never be \u003cbr\u003eforgotten again.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe full circle was completed when President \u003cbr\u003eObama stepped to the podium on October 20, 2009, to award the Alpha \u003cbr\u003eTroop with the Presidential Unit Citation: the highest combat award that\u003cbr\u003e can be given to a military unit.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tantor Audio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47115457626352,"sku":"2940170460755","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940170460755_p0.jpg?v=1763804108","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940170460755","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}