Why did the U.S. Army send its largest Special Forces contingent to Panama after the Cuban revolution?

After Fidel Castro shocked the world by proclaiming Cuba a communist state and aligning himself with the Soviet Union, the Cold War battle lines were moved to a mere ninety miles from American shores. The United States countered by forming the 8th Special Forces Group in the Panama Canal Zone. The Group’s mission was to assist Latin American countries in their efforts to prevent insurgencies from toppling legitimate governments. The specially-trained “Green Berets” responded to all requests from their host countries, whether by holding formal training in classrooms, directing construction of facilities such as clinics, propaganda offices and jump schools, or transforming conventional soldiers into counter-guerrilla fighters in steamy jungles. At all times, gaining the hearts and minds of the people was paramount. The missions were on sites away from home and often lasted for many months. Their remoteness prevented regular communications with home base, creating an environment where sound judgement, initiative and leadership were compulsory. Not only did these Special Forces soldiers serve throughout Latin America, but also their families had to manage a new life in the Zone. Few Americans are aware of the undertakings by the 8th Special Forces, much less of their achievements. The sometimes clandestine nature of the work and the intense spotlight on the evolving Vietnam conflict at the time, kept the Group in the shadows. There are thousands of untold stories in that darkness.

This book contains a few events as experienced or witnessed by the author. The story is told in the following chapters:

Jump Status

The Canal Zone

Jungle Survival

Living in the Economy

Living in the Zone

A Gift from Heaven

A Rocky Peace

Let the Games Begin

White Magic, Black Magic

The A Team

Christmas Party

On Top of the World

The Calm Before the Storm

Revolution

Guerrilla Warfare

The Rebel Che Guevara

Chasing Che

The Regular Army

War Games

TIME IN THE ZONE, a story of the Green Berets in the Panama Canal Zone, is a work of historical fiction although its fictional substance is minor. Unusual missions, exotic surroundings, primitive conditions, superstitious beliefs, dangerous travel, and unexpected encounters are portrayed as they were.

In addition to Outskirts Press, the book is available at www.barnesandnoble.com (book and Nook), www.amazon.com (book and Kindle), and other book stores.

The author was an officer with the 8th Special Forces Group in the Canal Zone when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. He served a total of five years in the military followed by a 30-year career with IBM. Today, he is retired and resides with his wife, Elaine, in North Carolina near their children and grandchildren.