The Most Terrifying Man of the Vietnam War

Vietnam, late 1960s. Hostile North Vietnamese troops pin down a Hatchet Force of elite American MACV-SOG operators. They have the numbers and the high ground.

Nevertheless, the Americans and their loyal indigenous Montagnards do not back down. Staff Sergeant Jerry M. Shriver, also known as Mad Dog, dashes from cover to cover, pummeling the enemy with his unconventional arsenal of several pistols, revolvers, and a lethal sawed-off shotgun.

Some men are wounded and are slowly hoisted up through the thick jungle canopy to a chopper. The enemy presses on, but Mad Dog does not flinch. He retaliates with all the ammunition at his disposal.

The friendlies are lifted one by one until Mad Dog is left alone. He calls in for Close Air Support several times. The enemy fire intensified to the point the radio offered Mad Dog Shriver assistance with a fresh unit of ground troops.

He rejects the offers and replies: [QUOTE] “No, no…I’ve got them right where I want them: surrounded from the inside.”

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As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Docs sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect. I do my best to keep it as visually accurate as possible. All content on Dark Docs is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas. -

[jacobbrannon]

They asked if he wanted help and he basically said, "I'm not trapped in the jungle with them, they're trapped in here with me" what a fucking legend

[robertcombs]

I knew Jerry Shriver; I served with the 20th Special Operations Squadron Green Hornets; he was the most vicious; Brutal man I ever met; he was the Greatest Special Forces troop I ever met...who ever lived; he bought me a Beer once; God Bless you Jerry..

[tvaneaton]

My step mother-in-law was Mad Dog's sister and my Father-in-law was a friend and fellow SOG member Harvey "Hippy" Saal. Harvey told me he was on the clean up team to recover Mad Dog's body. He told me that he believed that found the location where Mad Dog had fought to the death and his body was captured as a trophy, but as stated no proof was ever provided by the North. Mad Dog is a true hero.

[caveman]

Man! ... ..They should do a movie about this dude! Real tough guys are NOT mean ... just deliberate. A real hero! Thanks for uploading this.

[SB-qmwg]

Any time a story starts with a guy named "Mad Dog" you know it's gonna be good.

[NCG_EatMyPlasma]

This is my dad's cousin. His own Co was afraid of his boldness. I grew up with stories of his exploits and still have the article declaring his death after being listed as MIA for years. He asked his chopper pilot to take care of the dog and his bounty was actually $25, 000. Highest bounty on an American soldier at the time. I'm proud that this hero is part of our family's history. We have a great line of military men and women in our family history.

[johnfritz]

"Got 'em right where I want em, surrounded from the inside", is one of the most OG things I've EVER heard. R.I.P. Mad Dog

[ogajim]

My uncle was a Green Beret in Vietnam. He lived in Cambodia for a couple of years, and there he met his first wife while living in the mountains with their people. He never really talked about anything, I don't blame him. He has his good and bad days, but he is a great man. We have many reasons to be thankful for our war veterans. I salute you all.

[chrisb-rxwk]

I recognized the photo right away. Thats cool you made a video on mad dog. The stories of macvsog are absolutely insane and very worth the listen. Great choice. A true warrior.

[clint-tc]

My Dad served 2 tours in Vietnam, he was also in the 101st airborne, he was very proud to have been a screaming eagle, he served 20 years, retired and became a police officer for 18 more, very proud of my dad

[TheBarrett]

Dad served with him, spoke of him often. Was amazing to hear and see stories of the man, myth, and legend. Thank you for making this.

[PatriotCoinRings]

*From a retired Marine, I thank all of you who ever served.*
*God Bless you all and Semper fi*

[jonpopelka]

Not so much the killing, but the kindness and charity he showed to his mountain allies is what makes him a true hero.

[superblue]

My boss was in Vietnam and told me about a guy nicknamed “Crazy Chuck” who was on his 4th tour and in the field even the LT listened to him. He used an AK-47 because that’s what the “bad guys” used and didn’t want to be tracked down. He would go out on his own scouting and come back days later. Scariest man he said he even knew.

[stevefranklin]

“…surrounded from the inside!” What a heroic statement!!

[Tazameir]

My grandfather worked with the Montagnard's when he was in Vietnam. He didn't have alot of stories aside from he had mad respect for them and how good people they were. He went back and revisited them in the late 80's. He passed away in 2003.

[winter]

My best friend was in the Special Forces in Viet Nam in 1966. He told me a lot of stories of what happened there. As he got older, he blocked out many of those memories because they were so gruesome and painful for him. He died 4 years ago. I was 11 years old when we met, and we had been friends for 62 years when he died. I got drafted in 1967, and I served as well, but I didn't have to go to Nam. It's possible that my friend knew Jerry since there were not that many men in that elite group of soldiers. RIP to all of the brave men who have fought in our wars.

[xjrx]

The best part, he was only 27 yrs old. What a beast! RIP Mad Dog

[WickedScott]

Men like that don't die of old age

[WilliamDupree-qlpp]

My Father was in force recon Marines 1968. He told me stories that would blow a person's mind. I appreciate his service.