|
Special Operations.Com
SOG Training
Overview: In mid 1965, MACSOG’s Ops
35's Shining Brass reconnaissance training program
was begun at Kham Duc "B-53" was the cover
name for the training program which was derived from
Detachment B-53, 5th SFGA who was responsible for
the camp, that took place during 1966. The first SOG
Reconnaissance mission was conducted on 15-18 October
1965 by SGM Charles Statst Petry and SFC William
Card of Detachment B-53.
Upon assignment in-country, in Dec
1969, SOG personnel were sent to Hon Tray Island for
Recondo Training acclimation to the jungle heat, afterwards
assigned to their various SOG units. From the SOG
unit, special selected individuals who were to run
operations were then sent to Long Thanh. The Kham
Duc SOG Reconnaissance training camp and school was
transferred to Long Thanh -- the Kham Duc camp and
school was abandoned due to it’s location and enemy
activity.
No one could run operations until
they completed this select reconnaissance training
program as Bert Moore, Senior Medic, B-53 (Jul 69
- Jul 70) stated; "Our training program includes
'real pop-up, shoot-back targets!"
In Continued Memory
Killed en route
or while in training with SOG Reconnaissance
Training Program as a direct result
of enemy action:
|
18 Oct
65 - Major Harley B. Piles, Crashed
in an 0-1 Birdog aircraft
with Captain Winfield W. Sisson,
USMC (?) Observer flying
support for the 1st Recon
mission.
|
|
18 Oct
65 - CPT Larry Alan Thome, FOB-l, Crashed
in the
first SOG Recon Mission into Laos along
with the Vietnamese
pilot, co-pilot, and door gunner.
|
|
10 Apr
68 - Killed In Action in an aircraft
carrying five FOB
4, Da Nang, SOG soldiers to the SOG’s One
Zero Reconnaissance
Training program at Kham Duc when it
was shot down by enemy fire.
Bryan, Aubrey
A. SFC E-7
Cardosa,
Crecencio, SFC E-7
Deverall,
George N. CPT 0-3
Padgett,
Samuel J. SFC E-7
Wilcox, Charles
E. SFC B-7
|
|
30 Jul
69 - Killed In Action while at the One-Zero
Reconnaissance Training
Program at Long Thanh:
Walthour,
Samuel W. Jr. SP/E4,
B-53
|
|
22 Jan
71 - Killed In Action while on a Recon
Training Mission during
the One-Zero Reconnaissance Training Program
at Long Thanh. These
individuals were engaged by an unexpected
enemy which overwhelmed
them by number.
Lovelace,
Kenneth, SSG E-6, B-53, Instructor
Celano Frank
A, SGT E-5 CCC, Kontum,
Student
Opperman,
Hugh D, SGT B -5, CCC. Kontum,
Student.
|
The photo below is a recon element
consisting of individuals from CCC; CCN; and CCS which
has just completed the training program and was to
be inserted into an area for operations at the juncture
of the Son Bay (sp?) River and Rang Rang Road. This
team was inserted directly on top of an underground
enemy Vietnamese Transportation unit's headquarters
and had to battle their way out in May 1970. Everyone
on that Recon team won their Combat Infantryman's
Badge during that SOG's Training Recon Mission. Note:
The above information was provided courtesy of Mr.
Robert Noe, pictured below on the front row, far right.
Back
|
Search the entire Special Operations.Com website for the specific information you are looking for.
Just type in your search terms in the white box provided below, then select "Search".
Having trouble isolating the information you seek? Then check out the
SOC Search
Tips .
List Subscribe
| Focus
Features | Updates
| Newsroom
| Contact Us
|
|
