Captain David Taft was awarded the Navy Cross in 1967 for valor. The citation read, in part:
“For extraordinary heroism on 27 August 1967 while serving as a surgeon with the 1st Medical Battalion, 1st Marine Division, FMF near Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam, in direct support of combat operations against communist insurgent (Viet Cong) forces. When a seriously wounded casualty with an “armed” 2.75-inch rocket imbedded in his left leg was brought by helicopter to the 1st Medical Battalion, Lieutenant Commander Taft carefully diagnosed the case, concluding that surgical amputation was imperative and time was of the essence. Anticipating that the rocket might detonate at any moment, he immediately supervised the patient’s emergency treatment and transfer to the operating room, setting an outstanding example of calmness and courage. He assisted with the administration of spinal anesthesia which necessitated manipulating and positioning the victim several times. Lieutenant Commander Taft cleared the operating room of all personnel with the exception of the patient, himself and a Navy Hospital Corpsman, and then, with complete disregard for his own safety, coolly and competently performed the necessary surgery…”
About the Author
Paul McKellips is the author of the first book in the series, UNCAGED, has written, directed and produced three motion pictures, served as a media advisor in Diyala Province, Iraq during “the surge” 2006-07 and again in Paktya Province, Afghanistan in 2011.
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PAUL McKELLIPS
In a thrill a minute read, author Paul McKellips poses a frightening “what if” scenario that will leave the human race on the brink of certain disaster. When a series of attacks on animal researchers leave several people dead, the government—including the President—issues an immediate ban on animal testing. And that’s when the real trouble begins…
At the heart of the action are two government agents, the dashing Commander “Camp” Campbell, a man as decorated for his bravery in Iraq as for his own self-professed charm. Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Raines is the more practical of the two, a woman defined by her dedication to rules. Camp has returned to the States, newly reassigned to a government-funded test site. When the ban on animals comes down, Camp pulls a restless act by making off with two hundred rats… and winds up in deep trouble. He is immediately banished for a year, his superiors hoping the ramifications of his stunt will have worn off by then. Raines, uncharacteristically covering for him, finds herself joining him. But where they are headed only increases the risk—both to themselves, to the scientist whose very existence is threatened… and the future of the human race.
Who is really behind the ban on animal testing? And why? Could a deadly, dangerous fanatical group be behind the threat of a new vein of plague sweeping across the country… or worse, could it be someone people have come to trust?
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. FBR Press is a registered trademark of the Foundation for Biomedical Research.
FIRST EDITION: July 2012
Copyright © Paul McKellips, 2012
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.
Published by FBR Press
Foundation for Biomedical Research
818 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20006
Manufactured in the United States of America
ISBN: 978-0-9853322-0-4
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data are on file.
0987654321
Cover design by Patrick King, ImagineDesign
Author photo by Liz Hodge
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