In May 1959, the Alabama National Guard activated the 116th Special Forces Operational Detachment (FD) in Homewood, AL with 17 subordinate detachments located throughout Alabama
The 116th 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, 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.
116th SFOD (FD) CDR: COL Henry Cobbs
118th (FC) CDR: MAJ Lau Blankenship
119th (FC) CDR: MAJ Warren Hawkins
120th (FC) CDR: LTC John O'Neal
122nd (FB) CDR: MAJ Chester Mckinney
MG Henry H Cobbs
2nd Lt Henry Cobbs landed with 4th ID on Normandy, June 6, 1944. Lt Cobbs would fight all the way through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany until the German surrender in May 1945. COL Cobbs would be named to be the first commander of the 116th SFOD(FD) in 1959 and 20th SFG(A) Commander in 1961.
COL Warren G Hawkins
Lt Warren G. Hawkins served on General MacArthur’s staff in the Southwest Pacific during WW II. After the war, Lt Hawkins participated in investigation of war crimes of Japanese General Tomoyuki Yamashita, the so-called “Tiger of Malaya.” He served as DeKalb County circuit judge in Alabama.
116th SFOD(FD) Annual Training Ft Bragg, July 1959
July 1959 116th SFOD traveled to Ft Bragg to receive training from the 77th SFG(A) on Guerrilla Warfare.
120th SFOD(FC), Huntsville, AL at Ft Bragg for training, July 1959
Courtesy 20th Special Forces Society
132nd SFOD(FA), Decatur, AL at Ft Bragg for training, July 1959
Decatur Daily, 19 July 1959
116th SFOD(FD) Weekly Training
The 116th 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 Reserve Component 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.
116th SFOD(FD) Documents
116th Special Forces
Alexander, Alabama Phone Book 1959
Alabama National Guard Station Lists, Alabama
Official and Statistical Register, 1 Oct 1959
Alabama National Guard Special Forces Recruiting ads from local Newspapers,
1959-1960
On 8 July 1961, the 116th (FD) was deactivated and the 20th SFG(A) was activated.
The 20th 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). On 14 December 1960, four Groups (16th, 19th, 20th and 21st) were reallocated from AC to the Army National Guard
20th SFG(A) Commander COL Henry Cobbs
A Co CDR: MAJ Max L Milton
B Co CDR: MAJ Chester L McKinney
MAJ Max L Milton
From Prattville, NC CPL Milton was activated with the Alabama National Guard during the Korean War. LT Milton graduated from OCS and volunteered for duty in Korea. CPT Max Milton was one of the original officers in the 116th SFOD, when the unit was activated in 1959. Major Milton was A Company Commander in 20th SFG(A).
20th SFG(A)-Alabama
20th SFG(A) First Airborne Operation as a unit, 7 July 1961
Courtesy 20th Special Forces Society
SSG Joe Tierce, Jump Master Course
Ft Bragg 1960
Courtesy 20th Special Forces Society
SSG Joe Tierce, HALO Course
Ft Bragg 1961
Courtesy 20th Special Forces Society
20th SFG (A) Drop Zone Assembly Area
Courtesy 20th Special Forces Society
20th SFG(A) -The Civil Rights Movement, Alabama 1961
Through the summer of 1961, civil rights activists known as the Freedom Riders challenged the segregated interstate travel in the southern United States. With increasing attacks on the civil right activist; after riders were brutally beaten in Birmingham and Montgomery and a Greyhound bus was firebombed in Anniston, Alabama Governor John Patterson declared martial law. He deployed the Alabama National Guard to restore order. The Alabama National Guard troops escorted the activists safely to Jackson, Mississippi. The 20th SFG (A) was part of the Alabama NG troops activated by the Governor
20th SFG(A) troops provided security for the "Freedom Riders in the summer of 1961. LTC Lau Blakenship 20th SFG(A), shakes hands with Dr. John Maguire, Freedom Riders, the summer of 1961
COL Lau Blankenship
LT Blankenship served with the 11th ABN in the Pacific during WW2. MAJ Blankenship was one of the original officers, when COL Henry Cobb stood up the 116th SFOD (FD) in 1959.
A Co, 20th SFG(A) Annual Training, Operation DEEP MUD, Utah-June 62
The 20th SFG(A), participated with 19th SFG(A) in Operation DEEP MUD conducted in mountains of central Utah, under the guidance of the 7th SFG(A).
Salt Lake Tribune, 11 June 1962
Salt Lake Tribune, 11 June 1962
Birmingham News, 17 June 1962
20th SFG(A) - The Civil Rights Movement, Alabama 1963
On 11 June 1963, then Governor George Wallace attemped to prevent two black students, James Hood and Vivian Malone, from entering the University of Alabama administration office. When Wallace failed to yield to President Kennedy's order to step aside. President Kennedy issued Executive Order 11111, federalizing the Alabama National Guard . Four hours later, Guard General Henry Graham commanded Wallace to step aside, under the orders of the President of the United States. Wallace then spoke further, but eventually moved, and Malone and Hood completed their registration.
BG Henry Graham, Alabama Adjutant General asks Governor Wallace to step aside from the doorway of the University of Alabama admissions office. A section of 20th SFG(A) troops, who were federalized by Presidential Executive Order, stood by to assist the Adjutant General, 11 June 1963
MG Henry Graham
AL NG Adjutant General, Major General Graham, appointed COL Cobbs to be the commander of the Special Forces in the AL NG. MG Graham attended jump school with some of the 1st volunteers from the 116th SFOD. "I couldn't ask men to volunteer for something; I wouldn't do myself". BG Graham graduated Airborne School, in Nov 1959, with 19 troops from the 116th SFOD (FD). On 11 June 1963, MG Graham asked then Gov Wallace to step aside at the university of Alabama registration office, in the "Stand in the Schoolhouse Door" incident
SSG Phillip Turner, who was one of the original soldiers to volunteer for the 116th SFOD (FD) in 1959.
SSG Turner was present when Assistant Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach read the Executive Order, advising them that they were under the direct command of President John F. Kennedy in the United States Army. There was a regulation stating that soldiers who served on extra hazard duty for 24 hours qualified for a reduction on the interest or down payment for a home loan. The duty performed that day at the University of Alabama qualified the troops for this benefit.
SSG Phillip Turner
A Co, 20th SFG(A) Exercise SWIFT STRIKE- Aug 1963
Exercise SWIFT STRIKE III was Joint Strike Command and USAF exercise conducted in North and South Carolina. With 7th SFG(A) began participating in May and continued operation until the end of August. The Group mission was to apply unconventional warfare tactics in support of conventional military operations. The 7th SFG(A) Commander, designated the Commander, Army Unconventional Warfare Forces, established and operated a Special Forces Operations Base at Laurinburg-Maxton Airfield, North Carolina. From this installation, two operational "B" detachments and seven operational "A" detachments, from 7th SFG(A), A Co (Alabama NG) and D Co (Louisiana NG) 20th SFG(A), were clandestinely infiltrated in a night parachute drop into the guerrilla warfare area.
Payson Chronical 12 Sep 1963
Charlotte Observer 27 July 1963
Note: Both soldiers are wearing the aggressor force insignia
A Co 20th SFG(A) Jungle Training, Panama Aug 65
A composite company, 220 Soldiers, from 20th SFG(A) deployed to Ft Gulick, Panama to attend Jungle Training
A Co, 20th SFG(A) attend Jungle School, Aug 1965
Courtesy 20th Special Forces Society
A Co, 20th SFG(A) attend Jungle School
Montgomery Advertiser, 1 Aug 1965
On 15 Feb 1963, C Co 20th SFG(A) was activated in Jacksonville, FL with B Detachments located in Tampa and Miami.
C Co 20th 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.
C Co 20th SFG(A) Commander MAJ Frank J. Mulholland
MAJ Frank J. Mulholland
After graduating the US Naval Academy, LT Mulholland served in the USMC. CPT Mulhuland left the USMC in 1950 and joined the FL National Guard. He worked as an engineer with General telephone.
C Co, 20th SFG(A) Annual Training, Ft Stewart, GA- August,1964
C Co 20th SFG(A), conducted their annual training at FT Stewart, GA
Tampa Tribune, 17 Aug 1964
Tampa Tribune, 17 Aug 1964
C Co, 20th SFG(A) Annual Training, Camp Blanding, FL-June,1965
20th SFG(A), conducted their annual training at Camp Blanding, FL
On 1 May 1963, the 21st SFG(A) LA NG was deactivated, then unit was reorganized as D Co, 20th SFG(A).
The D Co 20th 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.
LTC John H Boh was the first commander of D Co 20th SFG(A)
CPL John Boh was assigned to the 156th Infantry LANG in 1938. LT John Boh served with OSS, Special Operations branch in Italy, he was part of the "Carpet Bagger" missions-dropping supplies/weapons to the resistance forces. Later in the war, then CPT John Boh served with the OSS/Southeast Asia Command (SEAC) in the PTO. MAJ Boh would command the 178th SFOD(FC) and later as an LTC, he would command A Co 21st SFG(A) and later D Co 20th SFG(A).
LTC John H Boh
D Co, 20th SFG(A) Exercise SWIFT STRIKE- Aug 1963
Exercise SWIFT STRIKE III was Joint Strike Command and USAF exercise conducted in North and South Carolina. With 7th SFG(A) began participating in May and continued operation until the end of August. The Group mission was to apply unconventional warfare tactics in support of conventional military operations. The 7th SFG(A) Commander, designated the Commander, Army Unconventional Warfare Forces, established and operated a Special Forces Operations Base at Laurinburg-Maxton Airfield, North Carolina. From this installation, two operational "B" detachments and seven operational "A" detachments, from 7th SFG(A), D Co (Louisiana NG) and A Co (Alabama NG) 20th SFG(A), were clandestinely infiltrated in a night parachute drop into the guerrilla warfare area.
D Co, 20th SFG soldiers CPT Lee Wilbur and CPT Arthur Gautreaux place charges on bridge
Source: US Army Photo
D Co 20th SFG(A) Gallery-Louisiana
D. Company, 20th SFG(A) , Rapelling Training
Courtesy of LTC Thomas Adkins
D. Co, 20th SFG(A)
Courtesy LTC Thomas Adkins
D. Company, 20th SFG(A) , Rigging for an Airborne Operation
Courtesy of LTC Thomas Adkins
D. Co, 20th SFG(A), running PT, from L to R: CPL Russ Coping, CPL Engle Heylinger, CPT Fred Lake, CPT Jay Woodbeck, SGM Ed Peret, LT Tom Adkins, CPL Ralph Peterson and SGT Charles Bladock
Courtesy LTC Thomas Adkins
B GEN Guy Rogers
SGM Bryan F McKnight
On 22 Sep 1963, E Co 20th SFG(A) was activated in Jackson, Misssissippi
The 20th 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.
E Co Commander: LTC Guy N Rogers
T/5 Guy Rogers served with the 69th Inf Div in Europe. He fought from the "Battle of the Bulge" to the final push into Germany. Guy Rogers was the Assistant Attorney General for Mississippi.
Served with the 2nd Ranger BN, Bryan McKnight assaulted Pointe-Du Hac during the Normandy invasion on June 6, 1944. SGM McKnight was Sergeant Major for E Co 20th SFG(A) and C Co 2nd Bn, 20th SFG(A).
E Co, 20th SFG(A) Annual Training- 1964
E Co 20th SFG(A), participated in Annual Training at Ft McClellan, AL
LTC Bert D. Locke
LTC Charles Aycock
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) .
LT Aycock was XO for SF Det A-23, C Co, 20th SFG(A), North Carolina Army National Guard, in 1966. LT Aycock volunteered for active duty in 1968, served an 18-month tour in the Republic of Vietnam. Staying on Active duty, CPT Aycock helped develop the Military Free Fall program, served in 1st SFG(A) and 7th SFG(A). LTC Aycock transitioned back to the Reserve Component, where he served multiple roles with 11th SFG(A).
2 Feb 1966, C Co 16th SFG(A) was deactivated and reorganized as B Co 20th SFG(A) in Wilmington and Charlotte, NC
B Co Commander was LTC Bert D Locke
B Co D-4 Commander was MAJ Charles Bulter
B Co, 20th SFG(A) Annual Training- 1966
B Co 20th SFG(A), participated in training at Camp Blanding, FL and Englin Air Force base.
By Feb 1966, the 20th SFG(A) had expanded to 4 other states; Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and North Carolina
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 19th SFG(A) and 20th SFG(A) would be the only 2 National Guard Groups.
20th SFG(A) Commander: COL Henry Watts
A Co Commander: LTC Virgil Bishop
B Co Commander: LTC Bert D Locke
C Co Commander: LTC Fred Lewellen
D Co Commander: LTC Louis B Reuther
E Co Commander: LTC Guy Rogers
LTC Virgil M Bishop
Sgt Virgil Bishop served as an Infantryman with the 80th ID in Europe from Aug 1944 to the Surrender of Germany in May 1945. He was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Field Artillery in 1950. CPT Bishop joined the 116th SFOD in June 1960. Virgil Bishop was a High School Teacher.
LTC Fred Lewellen
CPL Lewellen served with the 113th Cav as part of the XIX Corps in Europe from June 1944 to May 1945. Lt Lewellan served with Infantry in the FL National Guard after WW2. Fred Lewellan worked as a civilian at the U.S. Navy Mine Countermeasures Station in Panama City.
LTC Louis B Reuther
Louis B Reuther served in the US Navy during WW2. Sgt Reuther joined the Lousiana National Guard after the war. In 1950 Lt Reuther graduated OCS and worked on BG Hufft's staff.
20th SFG(A) Annual Training- July, 1967
20th SFG(A) HQ, COL Henry Cobb, deployed four B-teams and 10 ODAs into Ft McClellan, Alabama, Ft Polk, Louisiana, Englin AFB, FL and Camp Shelby Mississippi in multi-state Unconventional Warfare exercise.
20th SFG(A) Annual Training- July, 1968
All the companies from 20th SFG(A) were part of an Unconventional Warfare exercise on Ft McClellan.
20th SFG(A) Annual Training- July, 1969
In July 1969, the 20th SFG(A), participated in Annual Training at Camp Blanding, FL, Camp Williams, Utah and Ft McClellan Alabama.
The 30-man class at Camp Blanding was a 2 -week underwater training course conducted on Lake Kinsley. The training in Utah was mountain climbing and desert survival, conducted with 19th SFG(A). The 20th SFG(A) HQ ran a Unconventional Warfare exercise on Ft McClellan.
Birmingham New 10 July 1969
20th SFG(A) Volunteers for Vietnam
During the Vietnam war, according to an unofficial source, several hundred Special Forces soldiers from the ARNG and USAR volunteered to serve in Vietnam.
LTC Charles Aycock
LT Aycock's first duty assignment was as the Executive Officer of an SF Det A-23, B Co, 20th SFG(A), North Carolina Army National Guard. LT Aycock volunteered for active duty in 1968, In Vietnam LT Aycock served with MACVSOG-CCC and later served with MACV-CSD-PRU.
LTC Marcus N Powell
SSG Marcus Powell served in C co, 20th SFG, Orlando Florida. SSG Powell volunteered for Vietnam and served with the 2/503rd 173rd in 1967-1968.
PFC Billy Wayne Fuller
PFC Fuller served in A Co, 20th SFG in 1966-1967. Volunteered for VN in 1967 and served with the 101st ABN. He was on orders to leave Vietnam, when the Tet Offensive started. PFC Fuller was with C Co 1/502nd, 101st Airborne when they landed on the US Embassy roof on 21 Jan 1968, he was carrying his orders for going home in his cargo pocket.
MAJ Boots C.(Buddy) Blanks
LT Blanks served as an Infantry officer in the Korean War and later served in E co, 20th SFG Jackson, MS., from 1963 to 1968. CPT Blanks volunteered for active duty in 1968, where he served with the 23rd ID/Americal. CPT Boots was severely wounded on 12 May 1969 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross after his actions that day.
20th SFG(A) Volunteers for Vietnam
Who paid the Ultimate price
Served 3 years with the 82nd prior to joining Special Forces, he was assigned as a Commo Sgt on 126th SFOD (FA). SGT Speaks graduated from OCS in 1961. CPT Mac Wayne Speaks was with A Co, 20th SFG (AL ARNG), when he volunteered for duty in Vietnam War. CPT Speaks began his tour on 20 October 1967, as the Commander for Detachment A-102, Company C, 5th SFG(A). CPT Speaks was killed in Action on 27 Mar 1968, for his actions that day he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.
CPT Mac Wayne Speaks
Cpt Anthony Lavite III
Tony Lavite joined the 20th Special Forces group after getting his jump wings. While serving with D Co, 20th SFG(A), CPT Lavite volunteered for active duty in Vietnam. On October 8, 1968, Tony commenced his tour in Vietnam and because of his Special Forces training, he was a prime candidate for being an advisor, hence why he was assigned to Mobile Advisory Team IV-92, Advisory Team 56, MACV HQ which operated in the Phong Dinh province of Vietnam. While on a combat operation on April 17, 1969, tragically Captain Anthony Lavite III was killed.
Marvin J. "Buddy" Roberts joined D co 20th SFG(A) in 1961. In 1965 he volunteered for active duty in Vietnam and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division as a platoon leader. Lt Roberts was awarded the Silver Star for heroism under fire on June 20, 1966. After a promotion to Captain, he volunteered to return to Vietnam in 1969. On March 27, 1969, he led his unit against a well-entrenched enemy force near Cam Lo and was mortally wounded. CPT Roberts was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, from his actions that day.
Cpt Marvin "Buddy" Roberts
20th SFG(A)-The Legacy
20th Special Forces Society
Website
Very informative website run by former unit member, LTC Darry Eggleston.
Free State Green Berets
Merle T Cole
A history of the Special Forces in the Maryland NG from 1963 to 1988, written by the late Merle T Cole.
Fiftieth Anniversary
Special Forces in Maryland
A history of the Special Forces in the Maryland NG from 1963 to the GWOT
Diary of a Redneck Veterinarian
Philip Davis
Colonel (Dr.) Philip Davis's story as Veterinarian in Alabama. Early chapters discuss young Lieutenant Davis serving in the early days of the 116th Special Forces in the Alabama National Guard.
Trained and Ready
Osborne Oakley
A history of the NC ARNG Special Forces unit in Charlotte, NC from 1959 to 1966, written by former Detachment Commander CPT Osborne Oakley
E Co / 2nd BN, 20th SFG(A)
Marker
The marker is located on the grounds of the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby. MS
Cajun Warrior Monument
D Co 20th SFG(A)
Located in the town square of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana
The following people, contributed to, the 20th SFG(A) project:
SGM Dan Mateyka, 11th SFG(A), 20th SFG(A)
MSG Chris O., 20th SFG(A)
LTC Darry Eggleston, 3rd SFG(A), 6th SFG(A), 20th SFG(A)
LTC Collins Wynn, 20th SFG(A), his father was in 120th SFOD(FC)
LTC Larry Norred, 20th SFG(A), his father was in 116th SFOD(FD), 20th SFG(A)
SFC Dave Barton, 3rd SFG(A), 20th SFG(A)
COL Dave May, 20th SFG(A)
LTC Thomas Adkins, 177th SFOD, 21st SFG(A), D Co 20th SFG(A)