Book Talk "Damn Fine Soldiers: The Epic Story of Task Force 2-7" by Scott Rutter and Matthew Paul
Thursday, October 15, 2026, 7 p.m. (ET) - Virtual
"Damn Fine Soldiers" is a vivid history of the U.S. Army’s 21-day campaign to Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, told through the experiences of the soldiers who fought it. The book focuses on the campaign from the perspective of commanders, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers on the ground, blending personal narrative with operational history. Drawing on firsthand accounts, official records, and two decades of reflection, it preserves the experiences of those who participated in what remains the Army’s last large-scale combined arms ground campaign.
Scott Rutter served over 20 years in the U.S. Army, culminating as a battalion commander during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He is a former Fox News military analyst and currently works in the medical and defense industries. He is the president of Valor Network Inc.
Matthew C. Paul is an Army officer with a combined 27 years of service in infantry and acquisition assignments, including multiple combat tours in the Middle East. His career as a former infantry commander and current acquisition project manager spans leadership in ground combat and modernization efforts across the Army.
