37thguy Posted August 20, 2016 Share #1 Posted August 20, 2016 I've just recently started to collect VN SF Green Berets items. Since I was a little kid growing up in the 60s, I've always been fascinated by them. With my 37th Division collection large enough to have slowed down, I've decided now's the time to start looking for and collecting my 2d passion, Green Berets in Vietnam. I have a few questions I hope some of you will be able to either answer or point me in the right direction. 1) Id like to find a good 1960's TO&E on them 2) Rank structure from their beginning through the war. (seems to me I read one time that they were at least a Buck Sgt) 3) Organization of A-B-C teams, detachments, etc. 4) Any good books on them, either novels, 1st hand accounts, reference. 5) I need some good "go to guys" that can help me every so often when I have questions. I'm looking forward to learning this new era of collecting and chatting with you guys "in the know" Thanks -Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted August 20, 2016 Share #2 Posted August 20, 2016 I'm certainly no expert in this arena,but here is some info I hope will be helpful. Books by John Plaster(and a few others) are helpful to learn about SF activity in Nam from a first hand perspective.Do an Amazon search for "Special Forces" and more will pop up. This website offers books about the insignia used by SF members in Vietnam: http://www.specialforcesbooks.com/products.htm Last but certainly not least,post your stuff here on the Forum.The "experts" will step forth and offer guidance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37thguy Posted August 20, 2016 Author Share #3 Posted August 20, 2016 Thanks Pc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e19 Posted August 20, 2016 Share #4 Posted August 20, 2016 "Special Forces of the United States Army" by LTC Ian Sutherland has organizational charts for SF from 52 up. FM 31-21 Special Forces Operations (Various Dates) has the info... As far as rank goes, while the SF TO&E had E-5 as the lowest rank there were always lower ranking SF qualified soldiers in group. A private graduating the SFQC was awarded the SF MOS code with a SGTs skill level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37thguy Posted August 20, 2016 Author Share #5 Posted August 20, 2016 thanks e19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37thguy Posted August 20, 2016 Author Share #6 Posted August 20, 2016 What did the 20th SF do during Vietnam? I cant seem to find anything out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted August 20, 2016 Share #7 Posted August 20, 2016 Here's a link to some info about the 20th and Nam: http://www.socnet.com/showthread.php?t=73688 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e19 Posted August 20, 2016 Share #8 Posted August 20, 2016 Mid 60's A-Team: CO - CPT XO - 1LT Operations Sgt ("Team Daddy") - E-8. Intel Sgt - E-7 Heavy Weapons Leader - E-7 Light Weapons Leader - E-7 Medical Specialist - E-7 Asst Med Specialist - E-6 Radio Operator Supervisor - E-7 Chief Radio Operator - E-5 Demolitions Sgt - E-6 Combat Demolitions Specialist - E-5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37thguy Posted August 20, 2016 Author Share #9 Posted August 20, 2016 So it looks like E5s (Staff Sgts) were the lowest rank in SF? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e19 Posted August 20, 2016 Share #10 Posted August 20, 2016 The 20th was a USAR unit. No USAR or ARNG SF groups were activated during the Vietnam War. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37thguy Posted August 20, 2016 Author Share #11 Posted August 20, 2016 Great thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e19 Posted August 20, 2016 Share #12 Posted August 20, 2016 So it looks like E5s (Staff Sgts) were the lowest rank in SF? SSG was E-6; E-5 was Buck SGT. On paper E-5 was the lowest rank/pay grade, however many slots were filled by lower ranking personnel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37thguy Posted August 20, 2016 Author Share #13 Posted August 20, 2016 Thanks I knew Id screw that up. I have an a late Korea era OG107 metal button shirt and it has the Specialist rank on it. Maybe one rocker on it. Is that good? I'll see if I have a pic on the computer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37thguy Posted August 20, 2016 Author Share #14 Posted August 20, 2016 Found it. I bought this from a long time buddy that bought it right from the vet. No doubts about his story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e19 Posted August 20, 2016 Share #15 Posted August 20, 2016 Looks correct for between '55 & '58. One thing that you can't tell from it... is whether or not he was SF qualified. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37thguy Posted August 20, 2016 Author Share #16 Posted August 20, 2016 How would you tell? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e19 Posted August 20, 2016 Share #17 Posted August 20, 2016 You have to see his records. If he was SF qualified his Primary MOS would have a "3" at the end (5th digit). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37thguy Posted August 20, 2016 Author Share #18 Posted August 20, 2016 Ahhh gotchya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37thguy Posted August 21, 2016 Author Share #19 Posted August 21, 2016 Is there a data base for SF soldiers that served during the VN war? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e19 Posted August 21, 2016 Share #20 Posted August 21, 2016 You have to see his records. If he was SF qualified his Primary MOS would have a "3" at the end (5th digit).If he was serving in SF in '65 the MOS codes changed, with 5th character "S" the designation for SF qualified. IE: The Commo MOS changed from 05163 to 05B4S. To my knowledge there is no official database available. Steve Sherman of Radix Press has compiled lists based on info derived from copies of orders. http://www.specialforcesbooks.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e19 Posted August 26, 2016 Share #21 Posted August 26, 2016 While John Plaster's books are excellent, they are about MACVSOG, which while manned by many SF soldiers was not an SF unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e19 Posted August 26, 2016 Share #22 Posted August 26, 2016 Here's a very good source of info, and it's free! http://www.history.army.mil/books/vietnam/90-23/90-23c.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37thguy Posted August 26, 2016 Author Share #23 Posted August 26, 2016 Here's a very good source of info, and it's free! http://www.history.army.mil/books/vietnam/90-23/90-23c.htm Got one in the mail just this afternoon, thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37thguy Posted September 2, 2016 Author Share #24 Posted September 2, 2016 Just put this together. A work in progress. Using a BAR ammo belt instead of a pistol belt with the universal pouches. Tigers are repros by Tiger Stripe products as is the hat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37thguy Posted September 27, 2016 Author Share #25 Posted September 27, 2016 Here's my collection of Special Forces green berets....so far. I now have all the ones I want, so any bought from here on out will be just because I like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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