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American Warriors
The Quiet Professional: Major Richard J. Meadows of the U.S. Army Special Forces
Major Richard J. "Dick" Meadows is renowned in military circles as a key figure in the development of the U.S. Army Special Operations. A highly decorated war veteran of the engagements in Korea and Vietnam, Meadows was instrumental in the founding of the U.S. Delta Force and hostage rescue force. Although he officially retired in 1977, Meadows could never leave the army behind, and he went undercover in the clandestine operations to free American hostages from Iran in 1980.
The Quiet Professional: Major Richard J. Meadows of the U.S. Army Special Forces is the only biography of this exemplary soldier's life. Military historian Alan Hoe offers unique insight into Meadows, having served alongside him in 1960. The Quiet Professional is an insider's account that gives a human face to U.S. military strategy during the cold war. Major Meadows often claimed that he never achieved anything significant; The Quiet Professional proves otherwise, showcasing one of the great military minds of twentieth-century America.
The Quiet Professional: Major Richard J. Meadows of the U.S. Army Special Forces is the only biography of this exemplary soldier's life. Military historian Alan Hoe offers unique insight into Meadows, having served alongside him in 1960. The Quiet Professional is an insider's account that gives a human face to U.S. military strategy during the cold war. Major Meadows often claimed that he never achieved anything significant; The Quiet Professional proves otherwise, showcasing one of the great military minds of twentieth-century America.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 18, 2016
A common nickname for the United States Army Special Forces is "The Quiet Professionals." They earned this moniker through being completely dedicated to the task at hand and completing their missions without expectations of fanfare. For the most part, despite the age of mass media and a time where special operations forces (especially Navy SEALs) enjoy fanfare due to their role at the forefront of the Global War on Terrorism, this nickname has continued to apply to the Special Forces.
Those who have studied the history of Army special operations, as I have, are familiar with the name Dick Meadows. His name arises at several key moments throughout the Cold War. In the book THE QUIET PROFESSIONAL, retired 22nd SAS Major Alan Hoe, a compatriot of Meadows's, details exactly how Meadows was molded as a man and a warrior, as well as the impact and legacy that he left in his wake.
Like so many who enter the special operations field, Meadows grew up a child of adversity, living in abject poverty and growing up functionally illiterate. At the age of 15, Meadows falsified his age to enlist in the United States Army. Five years later, he was the youngest Master Sergeant (E-8) in the history of the US Army. Three years after that, Meadows had become one of the first Special Forces soldiers, and wholly dedicated himself to his craft.
Meadows's list of accomplishments include:
-being one of the first two Americans to complete the famed 22nd SAS Selection and Training Course
-being one of the first to bring freefall parachuting to the special operations toolbox
-being the man responsible for providing evidence of North Vietnamese Army presence on the Ho Chi Minh Trail
-being the first man to earn a battlefield commission in the Vietnam War (from MSG directly to CPT)
-being one of the principal planners and team leaders for Operation: IVORY COAST (the Song Tay Raid)
-being one of the key trainers in the formation of the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (Delta Force)
-infiltrating Iran head of Delta Force, with little tradecraft training, to prep the battlespace, and exfiltrating the country in the wake of the mission's failure
-establishing a major and respectable security industry during a turbulent time in Peru
Through Meadows's own words, as well as the words of his friends and those who chewed the same dirt as he, Major Hoe not only paints the impact that Meadows had on the modern United States Army, but his impact on both American and British special operations and on the nation of Peru. We also see first-hand that Meadows is a man with immense love for his nation, for his comrades, and for his family, a man that led from the front at all times.
Major Hoe also does a remarkable job of refuting Meadows's regret that "I've not done anything significant." It would be enough to point out Meadows's history, or to highlight that he fought in two wars, or that he is a recipient of:
-Distinguished Service Cross
-two Silver Stars
-a Bronze Star with V Device
-the Legion of Merit
-Combat Infantryman Badge
-Ranger Tab
Major Hoe does not stop there. Both through his own words, and the words of those who had served alongside Major Meadows, Major Hoe display how an impoverished teenager grew to be one of the most charismatic and critical components of the Special Forces.
To recommend this book to students of special operations history is insufficient. Every red-blooded American looking to learn more about a national hero should read THE QUIET PROFESSIONAL. It is a profound read that will make anyone with a drop of patriotism in their blood take a step back in quiet reflection, express gratitude to have such men as Richard J. Meadows as predecessors in the defense of American freedom, and hope that those present and future can strive to walk in his footsteps.
Major Dick Meadows established the standard of quiet professionalism, and every word in THE QUIET PROFESSIONAL hammers that point home. It is a read worth every single minute.
Those who have studied the history of Army special operations, as I have, are familiar with the name Dick Meadows. His name arises at several key moments throughout the Cold War. In the book THE QUIET PROFESSIONAL, retired 22nd SAS Major Alan Hoe, a compatriot of Meadows's, details exactly how Meadows was molded as a man and a warrior, as well as the impact and legacy that he left in his wake.
Like so many who enter the special operations field, Meadows grew up a child of adversity, living in abject poverty and growing up functionally illiterate. At the age of 15, Meadows falsified his age to enlist in the United States Army. Five years later, he was the youngest Master Sergeant (E-8) in the history of the US Army. Three years after that, Meadows had become one of the first Special Forces soldiers, and wholly dedicated himself to his craft.
Meadows's list of accomplishments include:
-being one of the first two Americans to complete the famed 22nd SAS Selection and Training Course
-being one of the first to bring freefall parachuting to the special operations toolbox
-being the man responsible for providing evidence of North Vietnamese Army presence on the Ho Chi Minh Trail
-being the first man to earn a battlefield commission in the Vietnam War (from MSG directly to CPT)
-being one of the principal planners and team leaders for Operation: IVORY COAST (the Song Tay Raid)
-being one of the key trainers in the formation of the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (Delta Force)
-infiltrating Iran head of Delta Force, with little tradecraft training, to prep the battlespace, and exfiltrating the country in the wake of the mission's failure
-establishing a major and respectable security industry during a turbulent time in Peru
Through Meadows's own words, as well as the words of his friends and those who chewed the same dirt as he, Major Hoe not only paints the impact that Meadows had on the modern United States Army, but his impact on both American and British special operations and on the nation of Peru. We also see first-hand that Meadows is a man with immense love for his nation, for his comrades, and for his family, a man that led from the front at all times.
Major Hoe also does a remarkable job of refuting Meadows's regret that "I've not done anything significant." It would be enough to point out Meadows's history, or to highlight that he fought in two wars, or that he is a recipient of:
-Distinguished Service Cross
-two Silver Stars
-a Bronze Star with V Device
-the Legion of Merit
-Combat Infantryman Badge
-Ranger Tab
Major Hoe does not stop there. Both through his own words, and the words of those who had served alongside Major Meadows, Major Hoe display how an impoverished teenager grew to be one of the most charismatic and critical components of the Special Forces.
To recommend this book to students of special operations history is insufficient. Every red-blooded American looking to learn more about a national hero should read THE QUIET PROFESSIONAL. It is a profound read that will make anyone with a drop of patriotism in their blood take a step back in quiet reflection, express gratitude to have such men as Richard J. Meadows as predecessors in the defense of American freedom, and hope that those present and future can strive to walk in his footsteps.
Major Dick Meadows established the standard of quiet professionalism, and every word in THE QUIET PROFESSIONAL hammers that point home. It is a read worth every single minute.
August 3, 2025
What a life. An uncritical biography but still pretty amazing. Dick Meadows was a cut above and it is amazing what he accomplished and what he did for his country.
88% Major
88% Major
February 2, 2013
A must read especially if you are worn out / just plain tired of all the "I love me and I'm truly a bada**" books recently out from the SEAL community. Anyone who's read anything about the Green Berets has heard the name Dick Meadows, a quite prolific and interesting character.
Alan Hoe has written a brief, workmanlike, and satisfactory biography of this man and strips away much of the legendary aura around him. This is the only biography of this exemplary soldier's life. Military historian Alan Hoe offers unique insight into Meadows, having served alongside him in 1960. The Quiet Professional is an insider's account that gives a human face to U.S. military strategy during the cold war. Major Meadows often claimed that he never achieved anything significant; "The Quiet Professional" proves otherwise, showcasing one of the great military minds of twentieth-century America.
One could almost tell the entire story of the development of America's special-operations forces through Meadows's life. Alan Hoe, a former British commando and close friend of Meadows, unfortunately misses this opportunity. He prefers relating stories of Meadows's exploits to examining his place in military history. He lets his sources fill page after page with unedited testimony. Describing the development of free-fall parachuting, for example, he simply reproduces a six-page first-person account written by a contemporary of Meadows.
"The Quiet Professional" includes a lot of detail on specific missions but few insights into how special-operations forces are employed strategically. The book shows how remarkable a man Meadows was—and how he popped up, Zelig-like, at every critical junction in the development of special-operations forces—but not what purpose such men serve in modern warfare. Peter Schoomaker, who rose from special-forces officer to Chief of Staff of the Army, called Meadows "the bravest man I have ever known." But bravery is not the reason Dick Meadows deserves a biography. There is a larger story to be written.
Alan Hoe has written a brief, workmanlike, and satisfactory biography of this man and strips away much of the legendary aura around him. This is the only biography of this exemplary soldier's life. Military historian Alan Hoe offers unique insight into Meadows, having served alongside him in 1960. The Quiet Professional is an insider's account that gives a human face to U.S. military strategy during the cold war. Major Meadows often claimed that he never achieved anything significant; "The Quiet Professional" proves otherwise, showcasing one of the great military minds of twentieth-century America.
One could almost tell the entire story of the development of America's special-operations forces through Meadows's life. Alan Hoe, a former British commando and close friend of Meadows, unfortunately misses this opportunity. He prefers relating stories of Meadows's exploits to examining his place in military history. He lets his sources fill page after page with unedited testimony. Describing the development of free-fall parachuting, for example, he simply reproduces a six-page first-person account written by a contemporary of Meadows.
"The Quiet Professional" includes a lot of detail on specific missions but few insights into how special-operations forces are employed strategically. The book shows how remarkable a man Meadows was—and how he popped up, Zelig-like, at every critical junction in the development of special-operations forces—but not what purpose such men serve in modern warfare. Peter Schoomaker, who rose from special-forces officer to Chief of Staff of the Army, called Meadows "the bravest man I have ever known." But bravery is not the reason Dick Meadows deserves a biography. There is a larger story to be written.
July 7, 2020
This guy was like Forrest Gump; he was everywhere! Korea, Vietnam, NORTH Vietnam, Laos, Son Tay RAID, Iran, Central America. You name it, he was there. This is a poignant account of a boy from a poor Appalachian family who finds a home in the Army. Despite his lack of education, he rose rapidly through the ranks and was instrumental in the creation of many special operations organizations and methods. Many special operators would be proud to have participated in just one of Maj. Meadows many exploits. A great read for anyone who is a proud American.
August 12, 2020
Amazing Read
Reading this book I had to remind myself that I was not reading a work of fiction but the exploits of a man that served his country with everything he had.
It was also refreshing the account of his home life and how he relinquished control over to his wife. Having served it seems like that is the biggest hurdle for couples on returning from deployments
Reading this book I had to remind myself that I was not reading a work of fiction but the exploits of a man that served his country with everything he had.
It was also refreshing the account of his home life and how he relinquished control over to his wife. Having served it seems like that is the biggest hurdle for couples on returning from deployments
October 19, 2019
Major Meadows was a absolutely incredible man. A true patriot and selfless man that dedicated his life to service to his Country. This man is a unsung hero in American History and a man that would make a great role model for ANY generation.
June 28, 2020
I had heard of Dick Meadows from other SoF books I’d read, but didn’t know much about him. Alan Hoe has done a brilliant job capturing the essence of the man, just as he did with another SF legend, David Stirling.
Highly recommended. I look forward to reading Alan Hoe’s other books.
Highly recommended. I look forward to reading Alan Hoe’s other books.
November 5, 2020
Fairly interesting although lacking a bit of action.
August 11, 2022
A good read for a glimpse of special forces in Vietnam and the evolution towards today's Delta Force.
January 28, 2025
A remarkable account of an American Hero and Exceptional Leader.
April 17, 2020
This book was an easy read. His name was popping up through other books I read about MACV-SOG.
Two things I wish of the book: more time spent in Korea and Vietnam.
Sadly this is the only book written about Dick Meadows and at the time he was dying. Still a decent book, super easy to read. It mostly cover highlights of his experiences and doesn’t cover enough experiences.
Two things I wish of the book: more time spent in Korea and Vietnam.
Sadly this is the only book written about Dick Meadows and at the time he was dying. Still a decent book, super easy to read. It mostly cover highlights of his experiences and doesn’t cover enough experiences.
October 28, 2025
Very good read.
June 17, 2012
There is no doubt, Dick Meadows was an exceptional soldier. But what makes this book special is the author. These stories about MAJ Meadows are like listening to your favorite uncle tell you about a friend of his. This may not be a historian's biography, but the stories are warm and personal. Well done Mr. Hoe!
April 18, 2014
A pretty good overview of the life and accomplishments of one of the greatest soldiers I had never heard of. Meadows story is almost like F. Gump in that it is shocking how much of the key moments in SF history he had a hand, boot, or brain in. I am hoping to find some more detailed tellings of some of Meadow's missions.
December 8, 2014
An amazing story on one of the legends of special operations. A man who came from humble and challenging beginnings to achieve so much. I’m saddened by his loss, but take heart in the fact that there are others who are stepping in to try and fill his shoes.
Read
October 24, 2011Spencer
January 24, 2012
A great biography about a great man who embodies everything US Army Special Forces is all about.
November 18, 2013
very good biography of one of Americas first special ops leaders. helped provide a better insight into delta force and green beret training methods.
December 6, 2025
Inspiring and occasionally emotionally moving, especially the ending.
March 9, 2017
Excellent story. Worth a read for those that enjoy biographies of American military legends
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews