Elite Souls: Portraits of Valor in Iraq and Afghanistan

by James Raymond

Overview

The great nineteenth century French military thinker Ardant du Picq, argued that selfless courage is rooted in a higher moral purpose, and is found among “Elite Souls.” This is a book about five such “Elite Souls,” all highly decorated young West Point graduates and recipients of the USMA‘s Ninninger Medal. Elite Souls outlines the importance of building and developing moral character in military leaders, while arguing that a rigorous academic education is also essential in creating young officers capable of the kind of creative and critical thinking necessary in the complicated wars of the twenty-first century. Dr. Raymond suggests that West Point‘s servant-leader model is critical in fostering the kind of intense selflessness ideally seen between junior officers, their NCOs, and soldiers. Finally, Elite Souls makes the case that inspirational commanding officers are also key. In this book, Dr. Ray Raymond argues that each of the recipients of the Ninninger Award entered West Point primarily for moral reasons and that the Academy's rigorous academic, military, and developmental methods strengthened those values. West Point produced young military leaders who were exceptionally well-educated and trained to deal with the complex challenges of war in Iraq and Afghanistan in the early twenty first century.“

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781682477137
Publisher:	Naval Institute Press
Publication date:	10/15/2022
Series:	Association of the United States Army
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	1,115,246
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dr. Raymond James Raymond is a former British diplomat. He is an adjunct professor in the department of social sciences, United States Military Academy, adjunct fellow of the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy, Newport, Rhode Island, and professor emeritus of government and history at the State University of New York campus at Stone Ridge.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

A Note on Methodology xi

Introduction 7

Part 1 Early Life

1 Nick Eslinger 13

2 Tony Fuscellaro 22

3 Ross Pixler 32

4 Bobby Sickler 42

5 Stephen Tangen 49

Part 2 The U.S. Military Academy

6 West Point 61

7 Nick Eslinger 91

8 Tony Fuscellaro 100

9 Ross Pixler 108

10 Bobby Sickler 117

11 Stephen Tangen 126

Part 3 Preparation

Infantry

12 Ranger School 139

13 Nick Eslinger 143

14 Ross Pixler 149

15 Stephen Tangen 157

Aviation

16 Fort Rucker 166

17 Tony Fuscellaro 168

18 Bobby Sickler 172

Part 4 Into Battle

19 Nick Eslinger: Iraq, 2008-2009 177

20 Tony Fuscellaro: Afghanistan, 2009-2010 192

21 Ross Pixler: Iraq, 2007-2008 222

22 Bobby Sickler: Iraq, 2007-2008 262

23 Stephen Tangen: Afghanistan, 2010 290

Part 5 Epilogue

24 Nick Eslinger 321

25 Tony Fuscellaro 326

26 Ross Pixler 333

27 Bobby Sickler 339

28 Stephen Tangen 343

Conclusion 348

Notes 353

Selected Bibliography 363

Index 365

Editorial Reviews

Elite Souls is a compelling and gripping story of battlefield heroism and selfless service. Author Ray Raymond—a professional historian, diplomat, and scholar—spotlights five extraordinary West Point graduates who received the Academy’s Nininger Award for demonstrating valorous leadership during the campaigns of Iraq and Afghanistan. The book focuses on the sources of pre-combat nurturing which contributed to the success of these warriors: their families, their rigorous character development at West Point, and their Army leaders on deployment. Raymond writes with a riveting narrative style which captures the danger and setbacks of each of these warriors in a way that reveals not only their personal courage and triumphs but also the complexity of servant leadership for soldiers in the wars of the 21st century.” — Lt. Gen. David H. Huntoon, Jr., USA (Ret.), Former superintendent of the United States Military Academy
 
“Elite Souls is a great book and an easy read. The book captures the stories of the development of some of our best young military officers. It is a true guide as to what it takes to develop leaders of character.” — Lt. Gen. William J. Lennox, Jr., USA (Ret.), Former superintendent of the United States Military Academy
 
“Elite Souls captures the story of five American soldiers who decided to serve their country by first going to the United States Military Academy at West Point, and then deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan. When facing life and death in traumatic situations, they chose to put their own lives on the line for their fellow soldiers, never willing to let them down. As a result, each was selected by a special group at West Point for the prestigious Nininger Award. Their stories will not only amaze you, but will also inspire you to live a life worthy of their incredible sacrifice.” — Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen, USA (Ret.), 57th superintendent of the United States Military Academy
 
“In his detailed descriptions of five Nininger Award recipients, author Ray Raymond brings each one to life and shows how they responded to extraordinary circumstances. The reader actually feels as if he knows them personally. Elite Souls is a great read–gripping and insightful.” —Lt. Gen. Franklin L. Hagenbeck, USA (Ret.), 57th Superintendent of the United States Military Academy

"This book tells the story of five officers, all grad­uates of West Point, from their childhood to their education, military training and service overseas. All had unique experiences, but each was flavored with the themes of their service common to all soldiers. The author captures those themes and relays them effectively to the reader. The book is an interesting look at the lives of young officers in the U.S. Army." — Military Heritage 

“Elite Souls is two books in one, a biographical account of five West Point graduates and the author’s views on how West Point provided these young men with the leadership skills they needed to effectively command troops in frontline combat. The book can be read either as military history or as a guide on how to develop leadership skills.” —Journal of America’s Past

"These are inspirational stories, proving that West Point and other military academies are doing it right - training young Americans to be elite souls." — Military Officer

 
 

From the Publisher