Sons of the Arghandab

“Joseph’s words don’t just tell our story; they honor it. He gives voice to our struggles and the bonds that made those struggles bearable. This book is essential for anyone who wants to understand the reality of war, not the Hollywood version, but the kind that stays with you long after the shooting stops. And for those of us who were there, it is a testament to what we lived through and the men and women we fought beside. This is more than a book. It’s a piece of our history. And I am grateful to see it preserved honestly and respectfully.”–Captain Zak Pantaleo, US Army (Ret.), Former Bastard 16, HHC 1-502 FSO Regulator 95, and Talon 40A“This perspective is invaluable for veterans to fully reintegrate with an American society still reconciling its role in the Global War on Terror. The Top Guns from this tour of duty are emblematic of a generation that redefined counterinsurgency while in contact. As they close in on their twilight years, Fontenot eloquently maps out what it took and continues to take to live. Sons of the Arghandab presents what seems like a divine source of the purpose, an echoing reminder of the reason why–a brother’s eternal love is worth treasuring.”–Tarpon S. Wiseman, Colonel, US Army (Ret.), Former 1-320th FAR Executive Officer and Commander (Top Gun 5 and 6), Distinguished and Honorary Member of the 502nd Infantry Regiment“Sons of the Arghandab by Joseph J. Fontenot is a must read. This compelling work is written from the perspective of young leaders with the wisdom and maturity of more senior and seasoned combat Veterans. The narrative vividly portrays the experiences of front-line soldiers from a field artillery battalion who were trained and transformed into a dismounted infantry unit, facing the formidable challenges of a harsh environment against a relentless and determined enemy.”–Scott C. Schroeder, 2/101st Strike CSM 2007-10, 101st Airborne Division CSM 2010-12“For 10 months, I traversed the Arghandab River Valley, where I came face-to-face with evil on multiple occasions, watching as nearly half of my platoon was either killed or injured. When our time (82nd Airborne) came to an end, it was the men of the 101st who were next in line. We knew they weren’t ready. No amount of training could ever prepare anyone for the hell that lurked in what we had come to call the ‘Devil’s Playground.’ To make matters worse, they were an artillery unit tasked with an infantry mission, thrust into hostile terrain that demanded more than just firepower–it required relentless will and unyielding courage. We did our best to impart every lesson we had learned, warning them of the brutal realities ahead, hoping to spare them the hardships we had endured. But in the end, they faced similar fates, forced to navigate the same dangers we had confronted. Even with the odds stacked against them, they pushed forward, carrying on the mission we had started. With unparalleled determination, they took the foothold we had seized and completed the task of securing the entire Arghandab River Valley. Their grit, their tenacity, and their sacrifice showcase the unbreakable spirit of the American soldier. This is their story.–Dale J. Knollinger, 2-C-2, 508th PIR, 82nd ABN, 2007-11“The bitter losses and hard-fought victories are beautifully woven together with the crises of courage and frustrating leadership challenges that so many Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) veterans can readily relate to. The perseverance, tenacity, and adaptability of the men and leaders is as inspiring as it is astounding. Sons of the Arghandab is an exceptional testament to those who fought there; both those that made the ultimate sacrifice and those who will bear their wounds, seen and unseen, for the rest of their days.”–SSG (Ret.) Dan Baker, Tracer Burnout Podcast co-host“The skill, adaptability, initiative, courage, and sheer determination of the Top Guns enabled them to prevail in the densely vegetated, enemy-infested Arghandab, to hold the terrain once it had been cleared, and to return to the United States as one of the most decorated units in the history of the war in Afghanistan. It was a true privilege to observe (and decorate) them then and it is truly inspirational to read about them now 15 years after they commenced their extraordinary operations. Sons of the Arghandab is a great read!”–General David Petraeus, US Army, (Ret.), former Commander of the Surge in Iraq, US Central Command, and NATO/US Forces in Afghanistan; former Director of the CIA; co-author of the international best-selling book, “Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Gaza”

Joseph “Fonty” Fontenot is a combat veteran who served 20 years in the US Army and retired as a first sergeant, with combat deployments to Abu Ghraib, Iraq, and the Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan. Before enlisting in the Army, he was a successful musician who gave up his career to serve during the Global War on Terror. After his year in Afghanistan, he won Soldier of the Year in 2015. He subsequently suffered multiple career-ending injuries and, despite several years in the Warrior Transition Unit, chose to return to the 101st. Fontenot has earned a bachelor’s degree in forensic psychology and does guest speaking and helps veterans’ organizations.