On 6 Feb 1959, the West Virginia National Guard activated the 101st Special Forces Operational Detachment(FC) and 102nd SFOD(FB) with 10 FA detachments. This would be the first US Army Special Forces unit in the ARNG.
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The 101st and 102nd SFODs were organized under TO&E 33-510R, dated 26 April 1955. The TO&E was based off the WW2 experience of the OSS in Europe and Asia the and FM 31-20 US Army Special Forces Group (Airborne).Â
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The Team FC, was led by a LTC had 24 men- 6 Officers and 18 Enlisted.
The Team FB, was led by a MAJ had 24 men- 6 Officers and 18 Enlisted.
The Team FA, was led by a CPT, had 15 men-2 Officers and 13 Enlisted.
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101st SFOD(FC) Commander: MAJ William Watts
102nd SFOD(FB) Commander: MAJ Charles Muth
LTC William Watts
LT William Watts was a Platoon leader with 23rd-Americal Division and 11th ABN in the Pacific Theater of Operations 1944-1945. CPT Watts would later be assigned as an Adviser to the 289th Div, National Chinese Army 1946-1947. MAJ Watts was the first Commander for the 101st SFOD(FD) and 16th SFG(A).
On 12 Oct 1959, the West Virginia National Guard activated the 170th SFOD(FD) as the HQs element for the 101st SFOD(FC) and 102nd SFOD(FB) and their subordinate FA detachments.
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The Team FD, was led by a COL, had 24 men- 6 Officers and 18 Enlisted.
The Team FC, was led by a LTC, had 24 men- 6 Officers and 18 Enlisted.
The Team FB, was led by a MAJ, had 24 men- 6 Officers and 18 Enlisted.
The Team FA, was led by a CPT, had 15 men-2 Officers and 13 Enlisted.
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170th SFOD(FD) Commander: LTC William Watts
101st SFOD(FC) Commander: MAJ Dale Leavitt
102nd SFOD(FB) Commander: MAJ Paul Baker
101st SFOD (FC) (West Virginia) Weekly Training
The 101st SFOD soldiers, as well other ARNG soldiers, were required to attend weekly training meetings.Â
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It was quite common for Special Forces units to conduct, "unpaid" drills, where they would meet on weekends for additional unit training.
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By 1966, all USAR and ARNG units were required to attend weekend drill each month versus "weekly" drill.Â
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The ARNG Special Forces units had a weekend drill ever quarter (3 months) to conduct a parachute jump as required by US Army regulations for jump Pay.Â
West Virginia National Guard Special Forces Pay-1959
In 1959 the pay for a Special Forces NCO SGT/E-5 for drill was around $32 a month, with an additional $55 for Jump Pay*. Special Forces Officer Captain/O-3 for a drill, pay was around $55 a month, with an additional $110 for Jump Pay*.
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West Virginia in 1959 the average wage per month was $136 with annual pay around $1633. The cost of a house was between $5500-$7000 with a monthly house payment of $40-60. A brand new car was $2200, with payment of $67-98 a month over 2-3 year period.
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* The difference in jump pay between enlisted and officers ended in 1987, with all ranks receiving $110 a month.Â
101st SFOD (FC) (West Virginia) Annual Training-Ft Bragg, NC-1960
LTC Watts led the 107th SFOD(FD) during the training at Ft Bragg, NC 15 -30 June. The first week of training included training on communications, demolitions, weapons, first aid, tactics, survival skills and guerrilla warfare. The second week consisted of a parachute jump into a field training exercise. The training was conducted under the guidance of FC-2, 77th SFG(A). Â
101st SFOD (FC) waiting weather decision for parachute jump at Ft Bragg, NC
Post Herald and Register, 20 Dec 1959
101st SFOD (FC) Gallery (West Virginia)​
101st / 170th SFOD Documentation​
West Virginia Blue Book, 1959
West Virginia Blue Book, 1960
170th SFOD (FD) Activation Orders, 12 Oct 1959
101st SFOD (FC) Activation Orders, 6 Feb 1959
101st / 170th SFOD Documentation​
On 20 Mar 1959, the North Carolina National Guard activated the 111th Special Forces Operational Detachment (FC), with two FA Detachments in Wilmington, NC. North Carolina would be the 2nd state to activate a Special Forces unit.
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The 111th SFOD(FC)Â was organized under TO&E 33-510R, dated 26 April 1955. The TO&E was based off the WW2 experience of the OSS in Europe and Asia the and FM 31-20 US Army Special Forces Group (Airborne).Â
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The Team FC, had 24 men, led by a LTC with 6 Officers and 18 Enlisted.
The Team FA, had 15 men, led by a CPT with 2 Officers and 13 Enlisted.
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111th SFOD(FC) Commander: LTC William Eason
112th SFOD(FA) Commander: LT Lee Harris
113th SFOD(FA) Commander: LT Ted McNeill
COL Eason served with the 252nd Coastal Artillery 1940. Graduated OCS in 1942. LT William Eason served in European Theater of Operations, until the end of the war. LTC Eason organized and commanded the 111th SFOD(C) in Wilmington NC, in Mar 1959.
From Wilmington, NC Lee G Harris joined the NC National Guard and served with the 119th Infantry. LT Lee Harris graduated OCS in 1956. LT Lee was one of the orginal officers of the 111th SFOD(FC), where he commanded the 112th SFOD(FA) CPT Lee continued to be a Detachment Commander with C Company 16th SFG(A) and would be the Commander for B Company, 20th SFG 1965-1967
COL William Eason
COL Lee G. Harris
111th SFOD (FC) (North Carolina) Annual Training- July, 1959
LTC William Eason and 34 men from the 111th SFOD attended training at Ft Bragg, NC 5 -19 July. The first week of training included training on communications, demolitions, weapons, medical subjects, tactics, survival skills and guerrilla warfare. The second week consisted of a field training exercise. The training was under the supervision of FC-2, 77th SFG(A).Â
LTC William Eason'a After Action Report (ARR) for 1959 Annual Training, 1960 North Carolina Adjutant General Report
111th SFOD (FC) (North Carolina) Annual Training- July, 1960
LTC William Eason and 39 troops from the 111th SFOD(FC) attended training at Ft Bragg, NC 17-31 June. The first week of training included training on Medical Subjects, Communications, Demolitions, and Intelligence Operations The second week consisted of a field training exercise. The training was under the supervision of A Company, 7th SFG(A).Â
LTC William Eason'a After Action Report (ARR) for 1959 Annual Training, 1960 North Carolina Adjutant General Report
Wilmington Star 23 June 1959
111th SFOD (FC) training at Ft Bragg, 1959
Photo Courtesy of Vickie Dice, Daugther of MAJ Lee Harrison
111th SFOD (FC) Gallery Wilmington, NC​
From Hanover, William Northrop joined the North Carolina National Guard right out of High School. LT Northrop graduated from OCS in June 1959, where he was serving with the 111th SFOD. Tragically less than a year later he was killed by a work-place accident in 4 May 1960. His wife Helen would be the first recepient of National Guard Association Life insurance in North Carolina.Â
LTC William S. Northrop
111th SFOD (FC) Activation orders, page 11, 23 Mar 1959
111th SFOD (FC) Activation orders, page 1, 23 Mar 1959
111th SFOD (FC) -NC Documentation​
111th SFOD(FC) list in Phone book
Wilmington City, Directory, 1961
111th SFOD (FC) Documentation Wilmington, NC​
On 1 May 1961, 170th SFOD and 111th SFOD were reorganized into the 16th SFG(A). 16th SFG(A) HQ would be in Charleston, WV., with the 3 Company HQs in Charleston, WV. Parkersburg, WV and Wilmington, NC.Â
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This would be the first time a state’s NG unit would fall under the HQ’s unit of another state’s NG.
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15 April 1960, the entire SF establishment was formally brought under the Army’s new Combat Arms Regimental System (CARS). This paper scheme initially provided for a maximum of 24 SF Groups, initially all in the Active Component (AC). 14 December 1960, four Groups (16th, 19th, 20th and 21st) were reallocated from AC to the National Guard
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The 16th SFG(A) was organized under TO&E 33-105D, dated 21 Mar 60. This new TO&E brought the Special Forces units in line with the US Army unit organizations and terminology.Â
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16th SFG(A) CDR:Â COL William WattsÂ
A Co (WV) CDR: LTC Oli Casali
B Co (WV) CDR: Major Charles Muth
C Co (NC) CDR: LTC William Eason
LT Odi Casali served as an Infantry officer with the 38th Inf Div in the Pacific Theater of Operations, serving in New Guinea and the invasion of the Phillippines. Â
LTC Odi Casali
16th SFG(A) Annual Training (West Virginia)- July-Aug 1961​
16th SFG(A) conducted their Annual Training at Camp Dawson, last week of July and 1st week of Aug 1961. The training included a parachute jump and FTX. 7th SFG(A) provided the trainers
16th SFG(A) soldiers in field exercise
Photo Courtesy of Goldseal Magazine, Spring 2022
16th SFG(A) Marching in Parade, 1962
Photo Courtesy of Goldseal Magazine, Spring 2022
A and B Companies, 16th SFG(A) Gallery (West Virginia)​
16th SFG(A), Activation Orders, 17 Apr 1961
A and B Companies, 16th SFG(A) Gallery (West Virginia)​
C Co, 16th SFG(A) Annual Training Ft Bragg. NC- June-July 1961​
LTC Eason and C Co, 16th SFG(A), both the Wilmington and Charlotte units, conducted their Annual Training at Ft Bragg and Uwharrie National Forest, the last week of June and 1st week of July 1961. The training included a parachute jump and FTX. 7th SFG(A) provided the cadre for the exercise.
LTC Bert Locke rigs CPT John Greer
The Charlotte News, 20 July 1965
Cpt Lee Harris, C Co 16th SFG(A) Team Leader
Photo Courtesy of Vickie Dice, Daugther of MAJ Lee Harrison
C Co 16th SFG(A) Gallery (North Carolina-Wilmington)​
C co 16th SFG(A) with AD Advisers after field exercise
Photo Courtesy of Obie Osbourne
C Co 16th SFG(A) marching in NC Governor Terry Sanford Inauguration in Raleigh, NCÂ Parade 6 Jan 1961
Photo Courtesy of Obie Osbourne
C Company, 16th SFG(A) Gallery (North Carolina-Charlotte)​
C Co 16th SFG(A) redesignated as C Co 20th SFG(A), 2 Feb 1966
111th SFOD (FC) redesignated as C Co 16th SFG(A), 27 April, 1961
 C Co 16th SFG(A)-NC Documentation​
On 1 May 1962, D Co, 16th SFG(A) was activated in the Rhode Island National Guard in Pawtucket. Rhode Island.
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D Co 16th SFG(A) was organized under TO&E 33-107D, dated 21 Mar 60. Â
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Major Everett C. Paice would be the first Commander of D co, 16th SFG(A).
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On 1 March 1963, B Co, 16th SFG(A) was activated in the Maryland National Guard in Towson Maryland.
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B Co 16th SFG(A) was organized under TO&E 33-105D, dated 21 Mar 60. Â
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LTC Eric Berquist would be the first commander for B Co, 16th SFG(A)
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LTC Eric Berquist
LT Berquist served with the 1st CAV in the Pacific Theater of Operations. LTC Berquist was the first Commander for B Co 16th SFG(A), Maryland NG.
B co, 16th SFG(A), Maryland ARNG
The Evening Sun, 26 Sep 1965
B Co, 16th SFG(A), waiting to jump from a HU-16 Albatross of the MD NG 315th Air Commando Group, 1962
16th SFG(A) Gallery (Maryland)​
On 1 May 1963, E Co, 16th SFG(A) was activated in the New York National Guard in Riverhead, Long Island. With Detachments located in White Plains and Schenectady, NY
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E Co 16th SFG(A) was organized under TO&E 33-105D, dated 21 Mar 60. Â
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LTC Jerome Haggerty would be the first commander for E Co, 16th SFG(A)
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LTC Jerome J. Haggerty
LTC Jerome Hggerty served in WW2 and the Korean war.Â
LTC James Harrington
LT James Harrington arrived in the Phillippines for the invasion of Japan. After the Atomic bombs were dropped in Aug 1945, LT Harrington helped demobilize the Philippine Guerrillas. In 1948 he served with the 11th ABN in occupation duty in Japan. CPT Harrison was one of the original members of the USAR 303rd SFOD (FC), in Kearny, NJ.
LTC Bert D. Locke
Lt Locke served with the 457th Parachute Field Artillery BN, 11th ABN WW2. MAJ Locke would be the Executive Officer (XO) for the 111th SFOD (FC) and would later be the C Co 16th SFG(A) Commander.
By 1965 the 16th SFG(A) had expanded to 5 companies from from North Carolina to Central New York. The 16th SFG(A) HQ would be in Charleston, WV.
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16th SFG(A) CDR:Â LTC William E. MillerÂ
A Co (WV) CDR: LTC Oli Casali
B Co (MD) CDR: LTC Eric BerquistÂ
C Co (NC) CDR: LTC Bert D. Locke
D Co (RI) CDR: LTC Everett C Paice
E Co (NY) CDR: LTC James HarringtonÂ
In Feb 1966 the 16th SFG(A) was deactivated under United States Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara's plan for reorganizing the US military Reserve Components. Â
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Starting in 1964, Sec Def McNamara wanted to reduce the Defense budget by, eliminating obsolete, under- strength and redundant units in the Reserve Component (RC).Â
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All the 16th SFG(A) units were realigned with the 2 remaining NG Special Forces Groups, the 19th SFG(A) and 20th SFG(A).
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16th SFG(A) Deactivation Orders, 2 Feb 1966
16th SFG(A) Documentation​
LTC Kenneth Taylor
CPT Ken Taylor served with MD NG Co B (Towson), 16th SFG(A). In 1967 CPT Taylor Volunteered for Vietnam. He served with 5th SFG(A) and 46th Company.
LT Jones served with NC NG Co C (Wilmington) 16th SFG(A). LT Jones volunteered for service in Vietnam in 1968. CPT LD Jones served with Military Assistance Command Vietnam Team 60 located in Vinh Long-Sa Dec.
MAJ LD Jones
LT Griffith served with 16th SFG(A), NC NG Co C (Wilmington), Served with 5th SFG Mike Force
LTC John Griffith
CPT McCarley served 12 Years with 16th SFG(A), NC NG Co C (Wilmington). CPT McCarleyVolunteered for active duty in Vietnam and served with MAVCSOG 1968.Â
LTC Gene McCarley
CPT Palmer, served in C Co, 16th SFG(A). Volunteered for activeduty and served 2 Tours in Vietnam, 173rd and 5th SFG(A).
COL Nick Palmer
MSG Roderick G Patterson
CPL Patterson, served in the 187th in Korea, prior to coming to C Co, 16th SFG(A). SSG Patterson volunteered for Active duty and served with 5th SFG, MACVSOG, 1st SFG(A).
16th SFG(A) Volunteers for Active-Duty during the Vietnam War​
According to an unofficial source over 200 soldiers from the USAR and ARNG Special Forces volunteered for active-duty during the Vietnam War. ​
"West Virginia Special Forces" A history of the Special Forces Units in the West Virginia National Guard, by W. Craig Broadwater
"Free State Green Berets" A history of the SF Units in the Maryland National Guard,
by Merle T Cole
"Trained and Ready"Â A history of the Charlotte SF Detachments, by Det CDR Osborne Oakley
16th SFG(A)-Legacy​
The following people, contributed to, the 16th SFG(A) project:
Merle T. Cole, Author/ Historian​
Osborne Oakley, Det Commander 20th SFG(A)​
CSM William Eddings, 111th SFOD, 16th SFG(A), 20th SFG(A)​
Vickie Dice, Daughter of MAJ Lee Harris, Det Commander for 112th SFOD(FA) and Company Commander for C co 16th SFG(A)
Project Notes:
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This is phase 1, of a 2-phase plan, that will cover activation in 1959 to deactivation in 1966 and beyond.​
    a. Phase 1: Beginning until 1964-launch date -complete
    b. Phase 2 - Major reorg of USAR/ARNG SF 1967 (down to 4 groups)-Complete
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2. I am looking for unit history from the 101st/170th and 111th and 16th SFG(A):​
- West Virginia
- North Carolina
- Maryland
- Rhode Island
- New York
a. Photos-preferably with story-dates​................... I really need more photos !!!!
 i. Better version of the newspaper photos
b. Stories-that need to be told/remembered​
c. Documents, unit newsletters, orders, rosters...etc.​
d. Names-stories of Volunteers for Vietnam​
e. Detachment numbers and locations ​       
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3. Some specific items I am looking for
a. Photo of LTC John Griffth - C Co 16th SFG(A), 5th SFG(A)
b. Photo and Bio of LTC Everett Paice - D Co 16th SFG(A), Rhode Island, NG
c. Photo and bio of LTC Jerome Haggerty- E Co, 16th SFG (A), New York, NG