Jakovenko: From the Steppes of Ukraine to the US Army Ranger Hall of Fame

"Born under the terror of Stalin, becoming a US citizen, and dedicating 30 years serving America as a Green Beret in unimaginable combat situations. He is a stud, a legend. At last, we have a book about his incredible life." -John Stryker Meyer, MACV-SOG, author, podcast host.

"This book is about the warrior class. Every American should read it. I see no better way to explain this magnificent, underappreciated class of people, than to tell the life story of Jake Jakovenko." -Drew Dix, Medal of Honor

In Airborne School, Ranger School, and as a Special Forces SCUBA Team Combat Diver, Jake thrives as a leader of warriors in the worst gunfights. For decades, Jake has enthralled audiences with his combat stories from the Dominican Republic, two combat tours in Vietnam, the Son Tay Raid, and the secret counter-terrorism program Blue Light (predecessor to Delta Force). (...and be careful not to drop your cigar or whiskey laughing as he tosses in stories of his street fights and bar fights along the way.)

Jakovenko was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Special Forces Distinguished Member of the Regiment in 2024. His name is engraved on the Ranger Memorial at Fort Benning, the site used for Fox News' special America's Top Ranger which follows the Army's Best Ranger Competition.

Born in the Donbas region of Ukraine under the Soviet terror of Josef Stalin, his family escaped from the Soviets and then from the Nazis to arrive at Ellis Island. He enlisted at 17, and his 30-year career encompassed Rangers, Special Forces, land combat, underwater operations, HALO infiltration, Long-Range Reconnaissance Patrols, the Blue Light counterterrorism unit, the Son Tay Raid...tell you what, you'll hear some of the stories tonight at the NCO club.