Frank Camper

Franklin J. Camper (born 1946) is an American veteran, known mercenary, educator, and writer. He has written both non-fiction and fiction books about his service in Vietnam with the 4th Infantry Division's Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP), and also books related to military tactics and how to survive as a mercenary.[1] Prior to becoming a writer, Camper worked for nearly two decades as a mercenary. He trained mercenaries at a school he established in Dolomite, Alabama, near Birmingham.

Background

Several newspapers and radio stations reported that Camper was involved in the Air India bombings in the 1980s, noting that he had trained one of the Sikh bombers at his mercenary school. The commando training school was located in unincorporated Jefferson County, Alabama, about 20 miles west of Dolomite.[2][3][4][5][6] Camper said that he was not aware of the Sikh's plans.

On May 21, 1986 Camper was arrested on suspicion of conspiring with two California women: Charlotte Wychoff and Elizabeth Leta Hamilton, to set two car bombs to kill Robyn Richoff and Harriet Russo. The attempt failed. The intended victims were disgruntled employees of Hamilton and Wychoff.[7] Camper was sentenced to 14 years in prison for his part in the bombings.[8]

The FBI has acknowledged that Camper was personally responsible in 1985 for saving the life of Rajiv Gandhi, India's Prime Minister. Prime Minister Gandhi was in the US on a diplomatic mission when the incident occurred.[2]

Camper's life story was allegedly optioned for a feature film, however to date it hasn't yet been released.[9] He is retired and lives in Birmingham, Alabama with his wife.

Camper's books

  • The Mission (1979, by Manor Books)
  • Sandcastles (1980, by Manor Books)
  • Mercenary Operations Manuel (1986, by Desert Publishing)
  • L.R.R.P. The Professional (1988, by Dell Publishing)
  • Merc: Professional (1989, by Dell Publishing)
  • Long Range Recon Patrol (1990, by Namiki Shobo, Japan)
  • Covert Operations (1991, by Ashai Sonarama, Japan)
  • Special Operations (1991, by Ashai Sonarama, Japan)
  • Shamal (1992 by Ashai Sonarama, Japan)
  • High Seas Security (1993, by Loompanics, Inc)
  • Live To Spend It: A Mercenary Guide for the 90s (1994, by Delta Press)
  • The MK/Ultra Secret (1997, by Christopher Scott Publishing)
  • Mindbenders (1999, by Zinn Communication)[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Books About Us". Vietnam's First Rangers 2nd Brigade Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
  2. 1 2 "Frank Camper's Commando Training School". CBC Digital Archives. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  3. ↑ "The Sikh Terror Plot Part One". Penthouse Magazine. April 1986.
  4. ↑ "The Sikh Terror Plot Part Two". Penthouse Magazine. May 1986.
  5. ↑ "Sikh Suspect Took Explosives Course". The New York Times. 1985-06-27. Retrieved 2010-05-02.
  6. ↑ Chomsky, Noam (1989). Necessary Illusions. South End Press. p. 271. ISBN 978-0-89608-366-0.
  7. ↑ "AROUND THE NATION; Mercenary Camp Head Accused of Conspiracy". New York Times Associated Press. 1986-05-21. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
  8. ↑ Applegate, Jane (1987-06-09). "Ex-Teacher Is Given 2 Years in Bombings". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-05-02.
  9. ↑ "The Real Thing". Dell Publishing. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  10. ↑ "Frank Camper Booklist". Fair Publishing. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
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