Captain Rick Lencioni talks about his time during the Vietnam war and serving with the smallest soldier, Green Beret Capt. Flaherty. "The Giant Killer" book about Capt. Flaherty's incredible life is available now.
Richard J. Flaherty, due to medical complications at his birth was diagnosed with dwarfism and only grew to 4' 9" 97lbs, but he had big dreams and wanted to fight for his country. All the military branches turned him down but that didn't deter Flaherty. He spent the next three years writing letters until the Army finally allowed him in but no one ever believed he would make it through basic training.
His uniforms didn't fit, the equipment was too big, and he was required to carry a pack that was almost the same weight as he was. Because of his leg length marching in step with the rest of his company on long marches was incredibly difficult. When he jumped out of planes they would have to strap extra weight onto his body to help his descent.
All the obstacle courses were built for average size men and for Flaherty they were mountains but he conquered them all. No rules were changed for Flaherty in basic training either he would sink or swim.
Flaherty exceeded all expectations by graduating and then becoming an officer. But Flaherty still had more to give and would never let any barriers stand in his way. He then went on and did the impossible by becoming a Special Forces Green Beret Captain and war hero - Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars, & 2 Purple Hearts. 101st Airborne & 3rd Group 46th SF Company.
To learn more about Richard J. Flaherty please check out the book, "The Giant Killer" available on Amazon, Barnes & Nobles & Walmart as a Paperback, eBook, & Audiobook. Audiobook also available at Amazon, iTunes, Chirp, Kobo, and Audiobooksnow.
