Code Name: Johnny Walker: The Extraordinary Story of the Iraqi Who Risked Everything to Fight with the U.S. Navy SEALs

by Johnny Walker, Jim DeFelice, Ryadh A. Khalaf Alahmady

This is the unforgettable story of how an ordinary Iraqi became a hero to America's elite warriors—and how that debt was repaid with the gift of freedom.

He was the seals' most trusted interpreter . . . and more

Night after night, while his homeland was being destroyed around him, he guided the U.S. Navy SEALs through Iraq's most dangerous regions. Operating under the code name "Johnny Walker," he risked his life on more than a thousand missions and became a legend in the U.S. special-ops community, many of whose members credit him with saving their lives. But in the eyes of Iraq's terrorists and insurgents, he and his family were marked for death because he worked with the Americans. . . . Then the SEALs stood up to protect the man who had watched their backs through the entire war.

Over the course of eight years, the Iraqi native traveled around the country with nearly every SEAL and special-operations unit deployed there. Using his wits to outthink the insurgency, Johnny Walker unmasked countless terrorists and helped foil an untold number of plots against Americans and their allies. He went on hundreds of missions, saved dozens of American lives—both SEAL and civilian—and risked his own life daily. He and his family lived in constant jeopardy, surviving multiple assassination attempts and a host of threats in Mosul, until a desperate escape through the desert late in the war took them to the relative safety of Baghdad.

Fearing for Johnny's long-term safety after the war, the SEALs—now as close as brothers to Johnny—took it upon themselves to bring him to the United States, where today he and his family live their version of the American Dream. He remains in the fight by helping train the next generation of American special-operations warriors.

For the first time ever, a "terp" tells what it was like in Iraq during the American invasion and the brutal insurgency that followed. With inside details on SEAL operations and a humane understanding of the tragic price paid by ordinary Iraqis, Code Name: Johnny Walker reveals a side of the war that has never been told before.

Genres: Nonfiction, Military Fiction, History, Biography, War, Middle East, Military History

Audiobook

First published February 11, 2014

About the author

There is more than one author with this name

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so good. I love this book especially from an Iraqi point of view on the war in his home country. Big thanks for your service Johnny.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was very well written. As a non-fiction book, it was able to maintain a decent pace and wasn't bogged down with a bunch of minutia. It was also a quick read.

It was told from the point of view of an Iraqi, who worked with Navy SEALS. He shed a little understanding on the war in Iraq leading up to the downfall of Saddam and the aftermath. He included how his family was affected by all of this.

As it first started, I thought 'Oh no. I hope this isn't a story about this guy tooting his own horn.' And I am glad to say it wasn't, even though he did at times. When I lived in Europe for a time, I worked with a lot of immigrants, and so much of this guy's personality brought back many memories of that time in my life. They were seeking a better life as was the author of this book.

The thing that rang out the most to me anyhow, is how different people of the same faith can be. Some use the word 'religion' to justify awful things, while others use the word 'religion' as a genuine guideline in their lives, striving to be better and to do better.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I've seen videos of U.S. troops interviewing local residents in Iraq or Afghanistan, they're usually aided by an interpreter. And so I've wondered... what is the interpreter's perspective? Code Name: Johnny Walker answers that question from the perspective of an Iraqi man who accompanied U.S. Seal teams as they searched for targets. His role was part negotiator, part investigator, and part diplomat. I came away from this book with a deep respect for "Johnny Walker" (the author's pseudonym), his skills, and his commitment to keeping his U.S. military colleagues and Iraqi residents safe. He's clearly a very intelligent man and based on mission details recounted in the book, his contribution to these U.S. military missions was invaluable. He also shares his perspective on the possibility of emigrating from Iraq to the U.S., which I found very interesting and touching.

Peter Ganim's narration was excellent -- this audiobook felt completely enveloping. It's one of those audiobooks where the story is paired with pitch perfect narration, and it feels more like a friend recounting an interesting story than someone simply narrating a book. I found this audiobook fascinating and recommend it.

[Deacon Tom F. (Recovering from a big heart attack) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. The first person narrative of the Irag was made this book incredibly unique.

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rate this book right up there w/"Three cups of Tea", "Lone Survivor",
"Kite Runner," "Service," & "Sunrise Over Fallujah" just to name a few.
WOW!
What a great look at Iraq by a native and one who worked w/the Americans to help rebuild his nation.
I cannot imagine what Johnny Walker and his family went through before coming to America.
Also great way of looking at What is Good About America and Why people come to America.
I liked what he had to say about the average Iraqi person and how things were before Saddam and then after.
Also how he looked at his religion or any other religion and What God means to us all.
Alot of lessons here to be learned and applied.
Must read to me for those who still go over there or those who are going into another Nation.

[Rick Barcenas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good biography. Kudos to Johnny Walker for having the guts to join the U.S. team and fight to make his country better.

Sadly the rest of his countrymen did not follow suit.

I got to meet Jim Deflice recently, great authors like this are able to take a warriors thoughts and tell the tale even if they cant. Kudos to Jim for giving Johnny a voice, a story like his needs to be told.

[Pramodya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since this was a memoir, I wasn't expecting much. It was neither very good or bad, but mostly average. I think it was the writing style that put me off a bit. But except that, I learnt a lot about the Iraq war, its people, its culture and most excitingly about the navy SEALS.

I wouldn't say it gave me a full picture or detailed explanation about the above mentioned facts/areas, But I got a glimpse into the much controversial american role in the Iraq war and the lives of the civilians in this war ridden country, especially those who helped and associated with the americans.

The main narrator is an Iraqi man who worked with the SEALS in countless operations as an interpreter. He was one who stood out among the rest of the interpreters as he was one who joined in the action himself, most of the times saving his 'fellow brothers in arms' - the navy SEALS. Therefore he was a much beloved person among the navy SEALS who worked with him.

It was a good book to read if you are interested in the subjects mentioned above. Even though it wasn't the best book I've read, this being a memoir told by the man himself, it feels more real and heartfelt.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved listening to this! Fantastic true story about an amazing man. Wish our politicians would listen to this.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come...very interesting book!

[Paul · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was fine for what it was, but what it was was a memoir (which I usually find very suspect) and specifically about war (which I find doubles down on the self-aggrandizement factor). I don't think that anything about this wowed me, and I didn't find any of the insights in this book particularly interesting.

I also found that Johnny's apparent black/white "good guys" vs "bad guys" view of the world, and use of dubious interrogation tactics and trickery to be less than admirable. Not that I think tricking someone into giving up secrets is somehow inherently bad, but a lot of what Johnny was saying sounded like the sort of non-scientific thinking that is prone to all sorts of cognitive biases and inaccurate heuristics making it not an ideal way to permanently label someone a "bad guy" / "terrorist" forever. I also prefer a viewpoint with a lot more empathy than labeling the other people "bad guys" and trading bumper sticker quips about why your side is the best. Not saying I'm on the side of the insurgents, but obviously they don't view themselves as evil monsters, and I'm not particularly interested in the viewpoint of someone who has established a "them vs. us" dichotomy (for reasons of group coherence, self-rationalization or whatever).

1.5 of 5 stars

[John Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy books about Army Rangers, Navy SEALS, Special Forces soldiers, etc. Almost all of them are written from the point of view of the operators. But I just found and enjoyed one, not about the operators, but about a guy who helped them in Iraq.

The book is called Code Name: Johnny Walker and was written by the guy the SEALs called Johnny Walker with the help of Jim DeFelice.

Who is Johnny Walker?

He was a resident of Mosul and was what they called a “terp”, an interpreter who went with the SEALs on their missions. He went on hundreds and hundreds of missions with them. And he offers a fascinating glimpse into what life was like in Iraq during the Iraq War for those Iraqis who helped the coalition forces.

The SEALs appreciated his service. I know this because a host of them have blurbed his book. Furthermore, they helped him eventually immigrate to America. That’s how grateful they were for his service.

If you like these types of books and would enjoy new insights, I think you’ll really enjoy the book. Johnny Walker does swear a bit. But I tend to take people as they are. And it was well worth time I spent listening to him.

[Laura Housley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great personal story. I think I could have gleaned as much if it had been a long-ish magazine article. I know more about the region and the history for sure.

[John Thresher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting insight into the conflict in Iraq,
worth a read

[Kate August · Rating 2 out of 5]

The basic story was certainly interesting, but the book kept getting bogged down in Iraqi history and sidetracked with boring and repetitive details. I truly admire what he did, first to save his family, and then because of his brotherhood with the SEALs. In reading the Author's notes, he stated he tried to write in Johnny's voice, and he may have, but it was a fail. It made the book very slow in places, and I kept losing interest. A interesting story, worthy of telling, but some how it lost it's way in the book.

[Chris Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely a MUST read book!!! It's simultaneously heart wrenching and heart warming. Johnny's story is a tribute to the human spirit and a gift to everyone who has the pleasure to read it. I'm so grateful that our soldiers and SEALS had someone like Johnny Walker to help them navigate Iraq during the war. I'm glad that his "brothers" were able to get him and his family to safety here in America. If I'm ever so fortunate to cross paths with you Mr. Walker, I would love to buy you a drink and thank you for your service to our country.

[Victor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about how a threp {Iraqi interpreter} helped US forces since 2003 and later become an US citizen. Even though he has a lot mission under his belt , he was always kept in dark about missions details and so this book lacks details in that area and the guy was active for eight years and worked with the elite warriors of the US so the guy has some good stories to tell yet i was bored cause the book was not written well .

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this story definitely needed to be told. I have much respect and thankfulness to this man. It was interesting to hear his thoughts on his religion and how Islam is being so terribly abused in the world to day and probably always has been.

After all of the above, however, I must give the book a low rating due to it lack of keeping the reader interested (of course for security reasons much could not be revealed) too much of the same over and over.

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book form. I appreciate how much my eyes were opened to the realities and personal lives of Iraqi citizens. The author was a hero who only wanted his country to return the to peace and beauty and strength that was taken away by Saddam. I'm so glad that our government was able to see beyond its love of bureaucratic red tape to offer this man and his family safety in this country. This is an important read.

[Mary E Trimble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Code Name: Johnny Walker, The Extraordinary Story of the Iraqi Who Risked Everything to Fight with the U.S. Navy SEALs by “Johnny Walker” with Jim DeFelice is an amazing story of an Iraqi who, for his and his family’s protection, was given the nickname of “Johnny Walker” by U.S. Navy SEALs he worked with.

As Saddam Hussein steadily brought terror and destruction to Iraq in the early 2000s, unemployment became a disturbing reality. Johnny Walker applied to become a translator for the U.S. Army, but was turned down. Johnny was on the verge of despair–how would he support his wife and children? One night he interceded in a dispute between some Iraqi women and American MPs. Impressed, the MPs arranged to hire him as their interpreter, or “terp.” His success and courage under fire became well known and it wasn’t long before the elite SEALs hired him as their interpreter. Johnny Walker completed more than one thousand missions, saving countless lives, and fighting for a better Iraq.

Seeing his country in rubbles, being separated from his wife and children, and often fearing for his own life, Johnny Walker continued to help his countrymen, working with SEALs as they encountered and decimated al-Qaeda cells responsible for training and equipping suicide bombers. Johnny Walker had the capability to work and unite with Shias, Sunnis and Kurds, understanding and explaining the differences to the SEALs so they could more efficiently accomplish their goals.

Johnny Walker’s abhorrence of those who would use women and children as shields was contrasted to a warrior who risks his life to protect the innocent. He emphasis the difference between the different Islamic beliefs–those who fight for human rights and peace as opposed to insurgents who fight for revenge and dominance.

The disruption of war is far-reaching and long-lasting. What was once a beautiful country became a place of fear and destruction. Johnny witnessed his beloved homeland being destroyed, his neighborhood unsafe for his family. Perhaps in America his family would again find peace. But that was easier said than done.

Code Name: Johnny Walker is an interesting, entertaining read, and a heart-felt story of hope.

[Alesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't really want to read this book. The cover made it look like some war book written for guys, with lots of gore and action. However, a neighbor lent it to me, convinced that I'd want to read anything about Iraq. So I gave it a try, and by a few pages was utterly hooked.

The author (he also had an American co-author) was an interpreter for the US during the second Gulf War, who eventually worked with the SEALS in Iraq for several years. He is a Sunni Arab (not Kurdish). His book details what SEALS really do, and what an important role the "terp" often has on the team. In fact, he brags an awful lot about the times he was able to outsmart bad guys when noone else on the team could figure out what to do.

This is a pretty rah-rah book: pro SEAL, pro America. But it will give you a good idea of what it was like for civilians after the fall of Saddam, and how awful the aftermath of the war was for ordinary Iraqis of all stripes. The writing style is friendly and easy to follow. It doesn't gross you out with gory details. And the writer is a real character. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

P.S. Purely coincidence that I finished the book and wrote this review on the 20th anniversary of 9/11!

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good human interest story. I was very impressed with how the co-author was able to write as if he were inside the "author's" head. Reading this book allowed me to better understand some of these wack-o's in the middle east; to wit "You don't understand. No, no, no. This is a conspiracy from multiple countries to destroy our country and religion. When we fail, we blame conspiracies, I told him. But it is our failure. He kept insisting that I didn't understand. The world was out to get Iraq and to destroy Islam. We spoke for awhile. It was a typically frustrating conversation. The man was not well educated and fell back on a very simple formula. He started with what he considered a basic truth: the world is conspiring against Iraq and Islam. Because of that, he said, we must destroy our enemies. That was his entire argument, and I suppose the whole scope of his worldview. He could reason from A to B, but not get to C or D, let alone examine the premise of A. And no amount of logic could convince him he was wrong."

[Carl Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Johnny Walker” served as an Iraqi interpreter assisting US forces, primarily SEALs. He relates his story in a simple, likable manner, plain-spoken and humble. Reading about his upbringing in Saddam Hussein’s regime was educational. Once the war in Iraq began, he served nearly continuously until he and his family came to the US in 2009. His recounting of mission after mission is alternately intriguing, amusing, tense, and sad. I found his professionalism and deeply abiding love of his country and simple human goodness to be inspiring. My favorite part of his memoir is how he ferreted our the truth from insurgents, using simple conversation, a knowledge of Iraqi culture, and the occasional clever ploy. The SEALs he had served worked hard to move the bureaucratic red tape required to bring him safely to the US. His final chapter is a refreshing look at America through the eyes of an immigrant from a country torn by despotism, war, and corruption, which serves as a reminder of how fortunate we are to live here.

[Cactuskid · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting viewpoint from an Iraqi who worked as an interpreter for the Navy SEALS for about 8 years. Some repetition but you also get the idea of what our guys went through while over there. He brings in facts about the culture of that country and what has happened over time. The Sunni and Shia used to live together peacefully but things have drastically changed. He loved his country and wanted to stay there with the hope that it would be a good place again but since he worked for the Americans (and they came to trust him) it became not safe for him or his family so after 3 years of working on the paperwork, the SEALS finally got him and his family to the US. He's a proud citizen and appreciates all the freedoms that he has in America. Something a lot more of us ought to be thankful for. Well worth reading, easy and quick.

[Bennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable true story about an Iraqi man who helped the Navy Seals and other military members as an interpreter during the Iraqi war. In my opinion, Johnny began helping as a means of supporting his family when things got bad and their everyday lives were turned upside down. However, he earned the respect and friendship of the Seals when they realized there was something special about him and they knew they could trust him. Through the years, Johnny became a valued member of each unit he worked with. A unique perspective told from his point of view, giving a different insight into the many things we have to be thankful for. Toward the end as he described the things he wanted to do in America - I want to see the corn fields and go hunting - I got a warm feeling for his passion to make a new life for his family and himself in the land of freedom.

[Patty Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is important because of the information about the Iraqi culture and traditions. Ignorance about Iraq is a big reason why it is so impossible to change the tribal hatreds and government corruption all the way down to the local level.

Johnny Walker is a very brave Iraqi who worked with the Navy SEALs to root out some of the worst terrorists. He put himself and his family and friends in jeopardy while doing his work. A family man and one who loves his very ungovernable country made his life a series of emotional conflicts.

He never dreamed of leaving his country and coming to America, but he gradually came to the conclusion that there was no other way to live a decent life and protect his wife and children. They now call California home and their four children are becoming more American every day.

I highly recommend this very readable and informative book.

[Steve Bouthillette · Rating 5 out of 5]

No real names were used in this book, with the exception of some references to the late Chris Kyle.

I found this to be a little strange as I read the book, but beyond that it was a very interesting account of how things were in Iraq, and continue to be, from the perspective of a actual citizen.

A little hard to believe that an Iraqi could become a part of a U.S. military group like the SEALS(who actually trusted him with weapons), but as he chronicles here in this book, he seems to prove his worth and has the statements and actions of the SEALS themselves to back him up.

I found this to be a very interesting read and my first chance to get a perspective on the war in Iraq. Well worth my time.

[Teresa Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most educational book I’ve read about the reality of what Americans know about Saddam Hussein’s legacy and the honest Iraqi citizens left behind in the corruption and religious fighting that came next. I was deeply saddened about the main character’s grief and disappointment about what was happening to his home ancestral country. It taught me that there were many of his type who just wanted to rebuild the governments and institutions without the endemic corruption that sought to destroy everything in the name of God. But to have this dream put a target on your back. Highly recommend to those who think America shouldn’t have gone in to help put together democratic elections.. I don’t think any culture as old as Iraq should be wiped out “for God’s sake.”

[Martin Choo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better then expected

It’s an interesting story. Be prepared for the writing to mature as it goes on. Early on the writing is very rough and almost made me want to put the book down. It’s accented by moments of almost comic book style heroic actions difficult to paint as reality. It however matured into one more grounded in sacrifice, loss and a fresh start, less about heroic duties and more about the reality of the war.

[D.W.Jefferson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an important book, detailing the experience of an Iraqi who worked with the US, primarily Navy Seals, in his country. His is a point of view we hardly ever get in this country. We're all lucky he survived to tell it. His personal bravery jumps out at you, as does his incredible common sense attitude toward an extremely difficult situation. Thank you Johnny Walker for telling your story, and that of the brave men you worked with.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this memoir. Loved Johnny! So enlightening to know what really happens "there" while we are living our lives "here." The war in Iraq is made very real to me - but the premise probably happens in many wars over all time. Super writing - dialogue - setting - character. Glad there are people who fight for good - no matter what side they are on - and what risks they face. Thank you, Johnny, for helping the USA.