On 27 Mar 1959, USAPAC activated the 329th Special Forces Operational Detachment(FD) in Honolulu, HI
The 329th 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.
CPT MAJ Herbert Avedon, would be named the Commander of this new unit.
Lt Avedon served in the 1st Ranger BN in the Italian campaign 1943-1944. 1944 he joined the OSS and served with Det 101 in Burma. CPT Avedon was recalled to active duty during the Korean War and served with the USAR 306th Broadcast and Leaflet Group (Psyops). 1958 MAJ Avedon was assigned to command the 329th SFOD (Provisional) in Hawaii
LTC Herbert Avedon
On 1961, USAPAC activated the 24th SFG(A) in Honolulu, HI
The 24th 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. On 14 December 1960, 7 Groups (2nd, 9th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 17th, 24th) were reallocated from AC to USAR were reallocated from AC to USAR
24th SFG(A) Commander: MAJ Robert Kimura
LTC Robert Kimura
Lt Kimura served in the PTO 1943-1945. CPT Kimura was recalled to active
duty during the Korean War. MAJ Kimura was the first commander of the
24th SFG(A)
2nd SFG(A) Gallery:
Army Magazine
24th Special Forces
Honolulu Star, 5 July 1962
24th SFG(A) Volunteers for Active Duty
During the Vietnam war, according to an unofficial source, several hundred ARNG and USAR Special Forces soldiers volunteered to serve in Vietnam.
COL William Olds
SGT William Olds, served with the 24th SFG(A). In 1965, then LT Olds served in Vietnam with the 173rd. He played in the movie “The Green Berets” as an NVA officer.
The following people, contributed to, the 24th SFG(A) project:
LTC Hank Kramer, son of CPT Harry Kramer , 77th SFG(A), 14th SFOD(FD) and 1st SFG(A)
Project Notes:
This is phase 1, of a 3- phase plan, that will cover activation in 1959 to deactivation in 1974 and beyond.
a. Phase 1: Beginning until 1959 - end of May 2026
b. Phase 2: Major reorg of USAR/ARNG SF 1966 (down to 4 groups) until 1971-TBD
c. Phase 3 : Deactivation -TBD
2. I am looking for the following from the 329th SFOD,24th SFG(A) and 40th SF Det:
a. Photos-preferably with story-dates
b. Stories-that need to be told/remembered
c. Documents, orders, recruiting flyers/posters...etc.
d. Names-stories of Volunteers for Vietnam
e. Detachment numbers and locations
i. 329th SFOD(FD)
ii. 24th SFG(A)
iii. 40th SF Det