IN THE COMPANY OF HEROES

Michael Durant became the focus for these events when his Black Hawk helicopter was shot down over the city of Mogadishu. He crash-landed in enemy ground, breaking his spine and both legs. His helicopter was quickly surrounded by merciless Somali troops. After a sustained gun battle in which his co-pilot and two passengers were killed, Durant was taken captive. His battered face appeared on the cover of magazines around the globe and the horrific torture he underwent was made all too clear in his coerced statements broadcast live to the world. This is his story, in his own words.

Michael J. Durant retired from the Army as a CW4 Blackhawk helicopter master aviator in the 160th SOAR (A), the Night Stalkers. He participated in combat operations Prime Chance, Just Cause, Desert Storm and Gothic Serpent. His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star with Valor Device, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, three Air Medals, POW/MIA ribbon and numerous others. He and his wife Lisa have five children. Steven Hartov is an Airborne veteran and author of the international thrillers The Heat of Ramadan, The Nylon Hand of God and The Devil's Shepherd. His non-fiction has appeared in Special Operations Quarterly, Counterstrike and The Journal of International Security. He has two sons.