Jim Shorten:
MACV-SOG Vietnam War Veteran
MACV-SOG Vietnam War Veteran
Jim “Wild Carrot” Shorten was one of the most unique warriors to ever serve with MACV-SOG, the ultra-secret special operations unit that ran missions across the fence in Laos, Cambodia, and North Vietnam.
After stints in the Navy and Air Force, he found his true calling in Army Special Forces and quickly rose to become the One-Zero (team leader) of Recon Team Delaware.
Watch the short film
Watch the short film
Jim “wild carrot” shorten
With his fluency in Vietnamese and his ironclad resolve, Shorten led men into the most hostile terrain on earth—missions so dangerous they remained classified for decades.
Among his most harrowing assignments was a Bright Light mission, the code name for efforts to rescue downed airmen or recover the bodies of the fallen. These were the riskiest operations imaginable: small teams infiltrating deep behind enemy lines, often facing overwhelming enemy forces, all to bring a fellow warrior home. Shorten’s Bright Light run became legendary, a testament to his refusal to leave a brother behind no matter the cost. His story embodies the grit, sacrifice, and uncompromising loyalty that defined MACV-SOG’s shadow warriors.
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