More Than a War Story—A Missing Chapter in U.S. Military History
Before the 2003 Iraq invasion, a highly classified special operation unfolded in the shadows. A small group of Special Forces and CIA operatives must establish a second front to tie down the Iraqi Army in the north to support the pending U.S. led invasion in the south. This is the story of that operation, told by someone who lived it.
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Bonus Resources & Maps
If you’ve listened to the audiobook—or just want a deeper understanding of the operation—I’m sharing maps, photos, and the annexes I used to outline some of the lessons.
Maps from the Book
Pictures from the Book
Why We Were Successful
Perspectives on Unconventional Warfare
Book Reviews From Readers
History is replete with stories of soldiers doing the seemingly impossible in the face of overwhelming odds. Mark has created a riveting account of this critical piece of US Army and special operations history, finally providing some long overdue context and perspective.
— Dr. Dennis Walters, Director
U.S. Department of Defense, Irregular Warfare Center
Mark Grdovic is one of the greatest warrior-thinkers of his generation and the intellectual engine behind the plan to conduct unconventional warfare in Northern Iraq in 2003. Reminiscent of the Operational Groups of the Office of Strategic Services in World War II, Those Who Face Death is a must-read for anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of Special Forces and unconventional warfare.
— Christopher Miller
Former Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense
Those Who Face Death is the incredible story of how 10th Special Forces Group transformed the Kurdish militias into a “fifth column” in support of the U.S.-led invasion. Mark is without question one of the leading subject matter experts on unconventional warfare. He makes the reader feel like they are a part of the operation while weaving in critical lessons.
— Stu Bradin
President/CEO, Global SOF Foundation
Those Who Face Death is a gripping, first-hand account of one of the most consequential but overlooked campaigns of the Iraq War by one of America’s true experts in unconventional warfare. More than a war story, this book is filled with history that cannot be read anywhere else, dramatic and humorous anecdotes, and lessons that have timeless relevance. This is a must-read for any military professional. It should be mandatory for every Special Forces student in the qualification course.
— COL (Ret) David Maxwell
Vice President, Center for Asia Pacific Strategy
Senior Fellow, Global Peace Foundation
Editor, Small Wars Journal
Why I Wrote The Book
Some Stories Deserve to Be Told
"This isn’t a memoir. It’s a mission. I’m not the hero of this story—just the one tasked with telling it."
I wrote this book to fulfill a professional and personal responsibility. As the operations officer, I was the one who saw it all unfold. I planned it. I watched it come together—and I witnessed the bravery, the tension, the setbacks, and the breakthroughs that defined it.
This book isn't about elevating myself. It's about elevating the operation—about bringing to light a historic, high-risk mission that nearly went undocumented. I owe it to the men I served alongside, and I owe it to the next generation of Special Forces and national security professionals who can learn from what we lived through.
Their actions deserve to be remembered. The lessons deserve to be studied. And the truth deserves to be told.
