4 minute read
War Widow of Green Beret
When four Green Berets were killed in an ambush in Niger in 2017, media and the American public largely focused on President Trump’s ham-fisted condolence call to one widow. But for Michelle Black, whose husband Bryan was one of the men killed in the attack, this shattering ordeal was made indescribably worse by vague and conflicting reports from the Army about what happened that day along the Niger-Mali border. A widow struggling to raise two sons alone, Black was determined to discover the facts about how and why her husband and his comrades died.
In SACRIFICE: The Green Berets, A Fateful Ambush, and A Gold Star Widow’s Fight for the Truth (G.P. Putnam’s
Sons; May 10, 2022), Michelle Black gives readers a meticulously researched and uncompromising account of the circumstances behind Bryan’s and his fellow soldiers’ deaths.
We sat down with Michelle to discuss her book about the incident.
Homeland
This is the story of a flawed mission that senior military leaders never fully took responsibility for. Explain to us what this mission was.
Michelle
The Niger Ambush was the largest loss of American life on the continent of Africa since the battle of Mogadishu, also known as Black Hawk Down. My husband’s team, ODA 3212, (a Special Forces A-Team) were sent out on a routine one-day patrol. While headed back from a successful patrol higher headquarters contacted them ordering the team to turn around and go on another mission. Despite a major lack of assets, they were forced ahead to the dangerous Mali border alone. Upon their return trip the following morning, they were set upon by ISIS militants outside the remote village of Tongo Tongo. The hours long firefight left four Americans and five Nigeriens dead and all but two of the survivors wounded.
Homeland
When did you first decide to write SACRIFICE, and to investigate the circumstances of the ambush in Niger?
Michelle
In April 2018 I was stunned to find I had more questions than answers as I left my family brief. I felt I’d been lied to by the investigators of the ambush who’d made it clear that those lowest down the chain of command were being blamed and would be punished, while the officers who ordered the mission and forced the team ahead would not be held to account. A week later the commander of Africom held a press briefing and stated that my husband’s team was not indicative of special operators. This statement dishonored all who had fought and died alongside my husband and was the tipping point for me.
Homeland
How did you go about your research?
Michelle
I interviewed the Green Berets that survived the ambush one at a time. I also spoke with the commander of a heliborne unit involved in the mission, men who were running communications at the AOB (Advanced Operating Base) during the ambush, the AOB commander, and a former SocAfrica Commander.
Homeland
After talking with the surviving members of Bryan’s team, what was the most shocking thing you discovered?
Michelle
Multiple events leading up to and during the ambush were twisted by investigators to purposely make the Team Captain, Mike Perozeni, look bad so they could pin the majority of the blame on him. One surprising discovery I made was that a collision had occurred when two Nigerien trucks backed into the lead American truck causing the convoy to come to a halt. Investigators claimed the team had slowly come to a halt because Captain Perozeni wanted to conduct a bold flanking maneuver.
Homeland
Following the death of your husband and the lies officials told what are your feelings towards the US military?
Michelle
I grew up as far from the military as one could and didn’t know anyone who’d served until I met Bryan’s dad who was a marine. As you can imagine my feelings toward the military have significantly changed over time. Ironically, my experiences with the military have not soured my view but rather drawn me in. I love the military and what it stands for. I love the community of special operators that my husband and I were a part of. I love the ideals of serving, sacrifice, honor, and respect for everyone that can be found throughout our military community. Ideals that are what make America such a great nation.
My dislike is not for the military but rather injustice and this book was born out of the injustice that a few individuals are responsible for.
Homeland
What do you hope readers will take away from your story?
Michelle
I hope that readers will leave with a sense of how important it is for leaders of our armed forces to lead with integrity. I hope they will understand that the men on the team were truly heroic despite the false accusations and blame they had to endure in the aftermath.
www.warwicks.com/black-2022-reserved-seat www.MichelleBlackSacrifice.com
MichelleBlack
BookTourJune2022 June2 -SanDiego,CA
