On 31 Mar 1955, 3rd Army, USCONARC activated the 300th Special Forces Operational Detachment (FD) in North Carolina.
The 300th SFOD(FD) was the first Reserve Component Special Forces unit and the third Special Forces unit in the US Army.
The 300th SFOD(FD) considered themselves as part of the 77th SFG(A).
The 300th SFOD(FD) 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), dated August 1955.
The Team FD, led by a COL, had 24 men-6 Officers and 18 Enlisted.
COL William McArthur, a WW2 vet, would be named the Commander of this new unit.
COL William S McArthur
COL McArthur served in Europe during WW2 as an artillery officer. In Mar 1955 COL McArthur stood up the 300th SFOD
300th SFOD FD Gallery:
300th SFOD(FD) L-R MAJ West, COL McArthur, CPT Rutan, CPT Marshall
LTC Frank West
SGT Roger Goetsch
CPT Frank West served with the 11th ABN in the Pacific Theater of Operations during WW2. MAJ West served as the XO for the 300th SFOD and was the Commander of the 300th SFOD, when COL McArthur left the unit in 1959.
SGT Goetsch served with the 325 AIR, 82nd ABN, prior to being recruited by his neighbor CPT Jack Marshall.
300th SFOD(FD)Soldiers from Sanford, NC
Sanford Herald, 15 Nov 1957
300th SFOD FD Documentation:
300th SFOD (FD), activation orders
300th SFOD(FD) Recruiting ad
Southern Pines Pilot, 3 Dec 1954
300th SFOD FD Documentation:
304th SFOD (FC), activation orders
Inactivation Orders for 300th SFOD, 14 Dec 1960
19 July – 23 Aug 1958, the USAR Special Forces units conducted the first Group-level exercise on Ft Bragg, NC and Camp Mackall, NC
With the 300th SFOD (FD) in command the 301st (FC) Boise, ID the 302nd (FC) Chicago, IL and the 303rd (FC) Kearny, NJ all attended Annual Training at Ft Bragg. Over 600 reservists in 30 FA(ODAs) took part in training, under the supervision of the 77th SFG(A).
The Patterson Morning call
Patterson, NJ
7 Aug 1958
Times News
Twin Falls, ID
7 Aug 1958
Red Springs Citizen
Red Springs, NC
7 Aug 1958
300th SFOD(FD) Exercise
Chicago Tribune
Chicago, Ill
21 July 1958
COL Henry Wolfs
Henry Wolfs grew up in Belgium. LT Wolfs served with the OSS in WW2, where he jumped into Northern France on a joint OSS/Polish operation. In 1944, serving with Det 404, OSS CPT Wolfs jumped into Thailand.
On 1 June 1959, 3rd Army, USCONARC activated Special Forces unit, in Florida, the 322nd Special Forces Operational Detachment(FD).
The 322nd SFOD (FD) 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).
The Team FD, was led by a COL, 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 Henry Wolfs, a WW2 OSS vet, would be named the Commander of this new unit.
In Dec 1959, 3rd Army, CONARC reorganized the 322nd Special Forces Operational Detachment (FD) in Florida, with sub-detachments located 321st SFOD (FB) in Alabama and 323rd SFOD (FC) in Florida
The 322nd 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).
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.
322nd (FD) CDR: COL Henry Wolfs
321st (FB) CDR: MAJ LeRoy McEntire
323rd (FC) CDR: CPT Fred Murray
322nd SFOD FD Gallery
Orlando Star, 8 Feb 1960
322nd SFOD FD Documents:
323rd Recruiting Ad
Evening Indepenent, St Pete, FL 1 Apr 1960
322nd Recruiting Ad
Daytona Morning Beach Journal, 15 June 1959
On 1 Apr 1961, 3rd Army, USCONARC activated the 13th SFG(A) with HQ located in Florida, with sub-detachments found in Florida, North Carolina, and Alabama.
The 13th 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.
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). Even with continued presidential backing, it seemed clear the AC could not support that many Special Forces units. So, on 14 December 1960, 7 Groups (2nd, 9th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 17th, 24th) were reallocated from AC to USAR.
Commander: COL Henry Wolfs
A co CDR: MAJ John R Robinson
B co CDR: MAJ Fred B Deem
13th SFG(A)-Florida Gallery:
A Co, 13th SFG(A), Jacksonville, FL
Jacksonville Journal, 22 Apr 1961
A Co, 13th SFG(A) Exercise, Pasco Cp, FL
Tampa Bay Times, 21 Nov 1965
LTC John G Eckhardt
CPT Eckhardt served with A Co, 13th SFG(A) in Florida as Detachment commander to Det 8. CPT Eckhardt would help establish a detachment for 11th SFG(A) in Vermont. CPT Eckhardt would return to Active duty and serve in Laos, being seconded to the CIA
13th SFG(A)-Florida Gallery:
A Co, 13th SFG(A), Jacksonville, FL
Jacksonville Journal, 22 Apr 1961
A Co, 13th SFG(A), Jungle Training Panama
St Petersburgh Independent, 22 July 1965
CPT Carroll "Poke" Runyan
CPL "Poke" Runyun served as Demo SGT with 77th SFG(A). LT Runyon graduated OCS and served with USAR 322nd SFOD and later CPT Runyon was Commander for Det 5, A Co, 13th SFG(A) in St Petersburgh Florida. Poke Runyun was an author.
13th SFG(A)-NC Gallery:
B Co, 13th SFG(A) CDR MAJ Fred Deem and
Active-Duty Adviser LT Robert Disney
Army Reservist, Nov 1963
7th SFG(A) and 13th SFG(A) Demoilition mission of Beatties Bridge
CPT Doug Horne, B Co 13thSFG(A)
The Charlotte Observer, 4 June 1962
13th SFG(A)-NC Gallery:
B Co, 13th SFG(A) CDR MAJ Fred Deem, briefs team leaders
SGM William "Rebel" Haynes
Winston Salem Journal 28 Aug 1963
SGT Haynes served with D Co 3rd Bn 505th , 82nd ABN. SGT Haynes had 4 Combat jumps in WW2 (Sicily, Italy, Normandy, Holland). SGM William Haynes was assigned to B co 13th SFG(A). William Haynes was a farmer in the Winston Salem area.
B Co 13th SFG(A) trains with 7th SFG(A) on Bren LMG
Army Reservist, Nov 1963
13th SFG(A)-Alabama Gallery:
321st SFOD (FC), Decatur, AL
Veteran's Day Parade
A Co, 13th SFG(A), Decatur, AL
Small Boat Operations
A Co, 13th SFG(A), Decatur, Alabama
Mountaineering
13th SFG(A) Volunteers for Active-Duty:
During the Vietnam War, according to one unofficial source, hundreds of ARNG/USAR Special Forces Soldiers volunteered for Active-Duty and served in Vietnam.
The CPT Horne, while serving in 13th SFG(A), he volunteered to return to Active-Duty. In 1963, CPT Horne was given command of Detachment A-21, 5th SFG. CPT Horne and his team would deploy Vietnam in 1963 serving at Hiep Hoa Special Forces Camp.
A veteran of the Korean War, LT Oglesby joined the USAR Special Forces in Florida and was assigned to 322nd SFOD, 1959-1961. LT Ogllesby volunteered for active-duty, while hw was serving with 13th SFG(A). CPT Oglesby served as an Adviser to the ARVN and later with 23rd/Americal Div in Vietnam
George Buck was born in Manilla Philippines, his father was a teacher there. LT Buck served in B Co 13th SFG(A) in Winston Salem, NC. CPT Buck volunteered for active duty in 1961. CPT George Buck served in Laos in 1962 during White Star.
COL Douglas Horne
COL Virgil Oglesby
CPT George Buck
In early 1966 the 11th SFG(A) and 12th SFG(A) absorbed the units from USAR Special Forces Groups that were deactivated under United States Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara's plan for reorganizing the US military Reserve Components.
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 13th SF(A) was designated to be deactivated.
All the 13th SFG(A) units were realigned with the 11th SFG(A), Headquartered in Staten Island, New York.
11th SFG(A) CDR: COL Joseph McCrane
E Co CDR:
F Co CDR:
The following people, contributed to, the 13th SFG(A) project:
COL William S. MacArthur Jr. , US Army Pilot, Astronaut, son of COL William S MacArthur Commander for 300th SFOD(FD)
SGT Roger Goetsch, 82nd ABN, 300th SFOD(FD)
Jerry Goetsch, son of SGT Roger Goetsch
Cydney Horne, Daughter of COL Doug Horne, who served in the 301st SFOD(FC), 300th SFOD(FD), 13th SFG(A), 5th SFG(A), and 46th Special Forces Co(A)
Kym Horne, Daughter of COL Doug Horne, who served in the 301st SFOD(FC), 300th SFOD(FD), 13th SFG(A), 5th SFG(A), and 46th Special Forces Co(A)
CPT Carrol “Poke” Runyon, 77th SFG(A) and 13th SFG(A)
SFC Mike Strand, 11th SFG(A) and 19th SFG(A), the son of SFC Ellis Strand, 13th SFG(A) and 11th SFG(A)
Project Notes:
1. This is phase 1, of a 2-phase plan, that will cover activation in 1959 to deactivation in 1966
a. Phase 1: Beginning until 1962, with launch date - end of May 2026
b. Phase 2: Major reorg of USAR/ARNG SF 1966ish (down to 4 groups) until 1970-TBD
2. I am looking for the following from 300th, 321st, 322nd, and, 323rd SFODs and 13th SFG(A):
a. Photos-preferably with story-dates
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
i. 300th SFOD(FD)
a). Confirm 304th SFOD (AA) in Lumberton, NC
ii. 322nd SFOD(FD)
iii.323rd SFOD(FD)
vi. 321st SFOD(FB)
v. 13th SFG(A)