19th SFG(A)

Last Update: 2 June 2026

1959-1966

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).

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) Gallery

Lehi Free Press, 21 April 1960

133rd SFOD Jump School Graduates

Salt Lake Tribune 26 Mar 1961

19th SFG(A) Training Exercise

133rd SFOD (FD) Gallery

Exercise Brigham Young, 77th SFG(A) and 19th SFG(A), conducting training in Utah, winter 1960

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

77th SFG(A) arrives in Utah for training

Salt Lake Tribune 5 Jan 1960

133rd SFOD (FD) Documents

133rd SFOD Reorganization Order, Dec 1959

19th SFG(A) Activation order, April 1961

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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) 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

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. 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) 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

LTC Niles Pierce

Volunteered as a CPT for active duty in 1968, served on detachment A-105, 5th SFG(A), Non Song VN. Went to flight school in 1970 and did a 2nd tour in VN with the 165th Aviation Group, in 1971.

SGT Niles Pierce, served with 140th SFOD(FB). LT Pierce graduated OCS and served in B Co 19th SFG(A). In 1966 volunteered for active duty, served in 3rd SFG(A) and then 2 tours in VN, one as an A Det CO in 1966 and in 1968 a B Det XO.

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19th SFG (A) -The Legacy