"During the Vietnamese war, the United States sought to undermine Hanoi's subversion of the Saigon regime by sending Vietnamese operatives behind enemy line. A secret to most Americans, this covert operation was far from secret in Hanoi; all of the commandos were killed or captured, and many were turned by the Communitsts to report false information. [This book] traces the rise and demise of this secret operation started by the CIA in 1960 and expanded by the Pentagon beginning in 1964"--Jacket.

Includes maps of: North Vietnam; South Vietnam; Agent Insertions, 1961; Airborne Insertions, 1962-63; Airborne Insertions, 1964-65; Airborne Insertions, 1966-67; [Strata Target Areas].

Trojan Horses --Singletons -- Airborne Agents -- Second Wind -- Vulcan -- Bang and Burn -- Nasty Boats -- Sacred Sword Patriot's League -- Switchback -- New Management -- Sea Commandos -- Tonkin Gulf -- Maritime Options -- Frustration Syndrome -- Premonitions -- Suspicious Minds -- Strata -- Red Dragon -- Short-Term Targets -- Denouement -- Guerrillas in Their Midst -- Urgency -- Closing the Gate -- Backdoor -- Exceptions to the Rule -- The Quiet One -- Last Missions -- Defeat.