19th SFG(A)

Last Update: 14 Oct 2026

1959-1969

MG Maxwell Rich

COL Jack Minnoch

On 1 July 1959, the Utah National Guard activated 32 Special Forces Operational
Detachments (SFOD), throughout the state. The SFODs were supplied and given administrative support by local units, yet they were under Operational Control of the 133rd SFOD(FD).

The detachments 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).

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.

COL Jack Minnoch was named as new Commander for the 133rd SFOD(FD)

Lt Maxwell Rich, served with the 75th ID in WW2 Fought in Belgium and Germany. MG Rich served as the Utah Adjutant general and was the driving force to include Special Forces in the Utah National Guard. After his retirement he would go onto lead the National Rifle Association.

Sgt Jack Minnoch was in the 222nd Field Artillery Utah NG prior to the start of WW2. LT Minnoch graduated OCS in 1942 and served with 222nd FA, attached to the 40th ID in the Pacific Theater of Operations. COL Minnoch was the 1st CDR for the 133rd SFOD(FD) in 1959 and for the 19th SFG(A) in 1961.

On 29 Dec 1959, the Utah National Guard reorganized the 32 Special Forces Operational Detachments, throughout the state. The 133rd SFOD(FD) was designated as the HQs and 134th-140th SFODs were subordinated to the 133rd (FD) and the other SFODs were deleted, with team types and numbered assigned to the commands. This reorganization put all SFODs under, supply, administrative, and Command of the 133rd SFOD(FD).

The Detachments were organized under TO&E 33-510R w/C2 Dated April 1955

133rd SFOD (FD) CDR: LTC Jack Minnock

134th SFOD (FC) CDR: LTC Morgan Higham

135th SFOD (FC) CDR: LTC Dana F Peck

136th SFOD (FC) CDR: LTC Ben Van de Graff

137th SFOD (FC) CDR: LTC Gordon L Barney

138th SFOD (FC) CDR: MAJ John S Cannon

139th SFOD (FB) CDR: MAJ Wendell Motter

140th SFOD (FB) CDR: MAJ William Pierce

161sth AA Det CDR: WO Kenneth Alder

133rd SFOD (FD) Activation-July 1959

Desert News 2 July 1959

Detachment Commanders for newly activated SF units

Lehi Free Press, 21 April 1960

133rd SFOD Jump School Graduates

COL Morgan G. Brigham

From Bountiful, UT LT Morgan G. Brigham flew B-24s in Europe during WW2. LTC Brigham was one of the original officers in the 133rd SFOD, he commanded the 134th SFOD(FC). COL Brigham was long time member and Commander of the Utah National Guard Rifle team, competing at Camp Perry, Ohio.

COL Dana F Peck

From Elizabeth, NJ LT Dana Peck flew B-29s in from Saipan during WW2. MAJ Brigham was one of the original officers in the 133rd SFOD, he commanded the 135th SFOD(FC). LTC Peck commanded B Co, 19th SFG(A). COL Peck would be the 19th SFG(A) Commander.

133rd SFOD (FD) Weekly Training

The 133rd SFOD soldiers, as well other ARNG soldiers, were required to attend weekly training meetings.

It was quite common for Special Forces units to conduct, "unpaid" drills, where they would meet on weekends for additional unit training.

By 1966, all USAR and ARNG units were required to attend weekend drill each month versus "weekly" drill.

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.

Commo Training-Morse Code

The Big Picture-Silent Warriors

133rd SFOD (FD) Annual Training Ft Bragg, NC- July, 1959

3 Units from UT NG, 134th SFOD(FC), 135th SFOD(FC) and 161st (AA), went to Ft Bragg for annual training 5-19 July 1959. The 40 men from these units helped organize and train the other 29 activated detachments. LTC Morgan Higham commanded the 134th SFOD(FC). MAJ Dana Peck commanded the 135th SFOD(FC) and WO Ken Alder commanded the 161st Admin Det.

133rd SFOD (FD) Exercise BRIGHAM YOUNG, Jan -April 1960

77th SFG(A) trained at Camp WIlliams from Dec 1959 to April 1960 and helped train the Utah National Guard Special Forces units. the 77th SFG(A) had conducted the basic, ski, snow shoe and cold weather indoctrination training in Alaska and Colorado years previously. The Utah National Guard Special Forces units received training fron the 77th SFG(A) on weekends.

77th SFG(A) and 133rd SFOD, conducting training in Utah, winter 1960

Veritas Magazine, Vol.5, No.1, 2009

77th SFG(A) and 133rd SFOD rig for parachute jump

Odgen Standard 4 Feb 1960

133rd SFOD (FD) Annual Training, June 1960

The 133rd trained at Camp Williams for one week and and then conducted a Guerrilla Warfare FTX in the Manti-La Sal National Forest of central Utah. The training was supported by cadre from the 77th SFG(A).

133rd SFOD (FD) Documents

139th SFOD(FB) Newspaper Recruiting Ad

Washington County News, 3 Dec 1959

133rd SFOD Reorganization Order, Dec 1959

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On 1 May 1961, the 19th SFG(A) under the Utah National Guard, 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.

The 133rd SFOD FD and subordinate units were deleted 17 April 1961

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). On 14 December 1960, four Groups (16th, 19th, 20th and 21st) were reallocated from AC to the National Guard.

19th SFG(A) CDR: COL Jack Minnoch

A Co CDR: LTC Gordon Barney

B Co CDR: LTC Ben Van De Graff, COL Dana F Peck

C Co CDR: MAJ R.L. Dwight

D Co CDR: MAJ William M Pierce

19th SFG(A) Annual Training - June 1961

19th SFG(A) conducted training at Ft Douglas for a week and then jumped into the Manti-La Sal National Forest for week long FTX

19th SFG(A) Annual Training, Operation DEEP MUD-June1962

Nearly 500 soldiers from the 19th SFG(A), and A Co 20th SFG(A), Alabama NG, conducted Operation DEEP MUD, a Guerrilla Warfare exercise in mountains of central Utah. The exercise was under the guidance of the 7th SFG(A).

Salt Lake Tribune 11 June 1962

19th SFG(A) Annual Training, Coronado, CA- June 1962

100 soldiers from the 19th SFG(A) spent 2 weeks conducting Amphibious training in Coronado, CA, with the USMC Landing Training Unit. The training included combat swimming, small boat operations, beach landings and working with landing craft and submarines. The training culminated with an Amphibious assault with US Navy and USMC forces. The reserve USMC, 45th Rifle Company, from Ogden, Utah also participated in the training.

Salt Lake Tribune 22 June 1962

19th SFG(A) Annual Training - June 1963

19th SFG(A) conducted Annual Training at Ft Douglas.

19th SFG(A) Annual Training operation BOOT STRAP- June 1964

Companies A and B, 19th SFG(A) and C Company 16th SFG(A), North Carolina, 2 weeks of training around in Wasatch mountains near Heber Utah.

19th SFG(A) Annual Training - June 1965

19th SFG(A) conducted Annual Training at Ft Douglas.

19th SFG(A) Gallery

US Army Video-The Big Picture Silent Warriors - 19th SFG(A)

1961

19th SFG(A) Training

Salt Lake Tribune 26 Mar 1962

19th SFG(A) Training

Ogden Standard Examiner 13 Oct 1962

The Ogden Standard-Examiner, Sep 30, 1963

A Co 19th SFG(A) Mountaineering Training

A Co, 19th SFG(A) Winter Warfare Training

Ogden Standard Examiner, 14 Jan 1965

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19th SFG(A) Winter Warfare Training in Alaska

The Ogden Standard-Examiner, Aug 29, 1965

19th SFG(A) Documents-Activation

19th SFG(A) Activation order, April 1961

19th SFG(A) Reorganization Order, Oct 1964

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By Feb 1966, 19th SFG(A) had grown to seven companies in 6 states.

Starting in 1964, Sec Def McNamara wanted to reorganize the US Army Reserve Component (RC), eliminating obsolete, under- strength and redundant units. The surplus funds reallocated to support the modernization and increase the capabilites of the RC units.

The Department of Defense in September 1965, created the Selected Reserve Force (SRF). The SRF was a 150,000-man priority readiness pool of National Guard and Reserve units-that were maintained at a high readiness level.

The SRF units allowed the deployment of Active-duty units to Vietnam, where the SRF was be used for any contigency events.

The 16th SFG(A) was deactivated and the units were realigned with the 2 remaining NG Special Forces Groups, the 19th SFG(A) and 20th SFG(A).

19th SFG(A) CDR: COL Jack Minnoch

A Co CDR: MAJ Dan Thomas Jr

B Co CDR: LTC Eric D. Berquist

C Co CDR: MAJ William T Riggert

D Co CDR: LTC Everett Paice

E Co CDR: LTC James Harrington

F Co CDR: LTC Oli Casali

G Co CDR: MAJ William M Pierce

LTC James Harrington

LT James Harrington arrived in the Phillippines for the invasion of Japan in July 1945.. 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 Team Leaders in the USAR 303rd SFOD (FC), in Kearny, NJ. LTC Harrington was the E Co, 16th SFG(A) Commander, when the unit was deactivated.

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19th SFG(A) Annual Training Operation BUILD UP- June 1966

The companies from Utah, Maryland, Montana and West Virgina of the 19th SFG(A) conducted Annual Training at Ft Douglas, UT in June 1966.

19th SFG(A) Annual Training - 1967

C Co 19th SFG(A) conducted their annual training with 3rd SFG(A) in exercise WESTWORD HO in March 1967.

The companies from Utah, Maryland, Montana and West Virgina of the 19th SFG(A) conducted Annual Training at Ft Douglas, UT in July 1967

19th SFG(A) Annual Training Operation WILD CAT- July 1968

The companies from Utah, Maryland, Montana, New York, Colorado and West Virgina of the 19th SFG(A) conducted Annual Training at Ft Douglas, UT in July 1968

19th SFG(A) Annual Training - June 1969

C Co 19th SFG(A) conducted their annual training with 3rd SFG(A) in exercise July 1969

The companies from New York, Maryland and West Virgina of the 19th SFG(A) conducted Annual Training at Camp Dawson, WV in July.

The Companies from Colorado and Utah trained in Utah in July.

19th SFG(A) Volunteers for Vietnam

During the Vietnam war, according to an unofficial source, hundreds of Special Forces soldiers from the ARNG and USAR volunteered to serve in Vietnam.

LTC Jerold Jensen

From Salt Lake City, UT CPT Jensen volunteered for active duty in 1968, and served on detachment A-105, 5th SFG(A), Non Song VN. CPT Jensen went to flight school in 1970 and did a 2nd tour in VN with the 165th Aviation Group, in 1971. LTC Jenson was a Company Commander in 5th SFG(A) in 1974.

LTC Niles Pierce

From American Fork, SGT Niles Pierce, served with 140th SFOD(FB). LT Pierce graduated OCS and served in B Co 19th SFG(A). In 1966 CPT Pierce volunteered for active duty, served in 3rd SFG(A) and then 2 tours in VN, one as an A Det CO in 1966 with 5th SFG(A). MAJ Pierce would deploy to Vietnam again in 1968, as a B Det XO with 5th SFG(A).

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19th SFG (A) -The Legacy