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).
The 5th SFG(A) was activated on 21 Sep 1961 at Ft Bragg.
The 5th 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.
5th SFG(A) and 7th SFG(A) would share the responsibility of training the volunteers for Special Forces at Ft Bragg
5th SFG(A) Commander: Colonel Leo H. Schweiter
A Co Commander:
B Co Commander:
From Wichita, Kansas CPT Leo H. Schweiter served with 101st ABN in Normandy, Holland and Bastogne. LTC Schweiter served with the 7th ID in the Korean War. COL Schweiter commanded the 5th SFG(A) in 1961. COL Schweiter served in the office of special assistant for counterinsurgency and special activities for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Brigadier General Schweiter took command of the 173rd ABN in Vietnam in 1967.
MG Leo H. Schweiter
5th SFG(A) Activation-1961
5th SFG(A), Ft Bragg, NC
5th SFG(A) Activated
Raleigh News and Observer 23 Sep 1961
5th SFG(A) Ft Bragg, NC
5th SFG(A) Exercises-1962
In the early 1960s, the US Army went through some major changes. In April 1961, an entirely new concept called ROAD (Reorganization Objective Army Divisions) was introduced, replacing the short-lived Pentomic system that had been integrated in 1957 for the atomic battlefield. The ROAD system offered greater flexibility and improved compatibility with NATO allies. The first ROAD units were organized in February 1962 under draft TOEs, this reorganization was required to be completed across both the Regular Army and reserve components by the end of June 1964. Additionally, on January 18, 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed National Security Action Memorandum (NSAM) 124. This directive mandated that the U.S. military elevate counterinsurgency training, organization, and doctrine to a level equal with conventional warfare.
As the US Army units conducted exercises for newly their reorganized units, the Special Forces Groups at Ft Bragg supported the counter-insurgency component, by providing the guerrilla force and counter-insurgency advisers, for the Active-Duty and Reserve Component unit exercises. In 1962, the 5th SFG(A) supported a number of these exercises.
Exercise SENECA SPEAR: In April a 5th SFG(A) detachment organized, trained, and led 150 guerrillas against conventional forces at Fort Stewart, Ga. The guerrillas raided and sabotaged the forces from the 2nd Infantry Division and supporting National Guard units.
Exercise GUERRILLA ROAD: In May, a 5th SFG(A) detachment given 25 soldiers from the 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) for the express purpose of transforming them into guerrillas. The team successfully trained and led their Guerrillas against the 2nd Brigade of the 5th Mech Division at Camp Drum, NY.
Exercise IRON DRAGOON: The 49th Infantry Division, Texas National Guard, mobilized for the Berlin Crisis, conducted counter-guerrilla operations during this exercise at Fort Polk, La. A 5th SFG(A) detachment organized and directed 65 guerrillas in UW activities.
Exercise SWIFT STRIKE II: Swift Strike II was a yearly joint exercise conducted in June by the Strategic Army Corps (STRAC), 82nd ABN, 101st ABN and 2nd ID, and the USAF to test rapid deployment and Combat readiness of the units. Guerrilla forces figured prominently in this huge exercise that stretched into both North and South Carolina. Two 5th SFG(A) detachments infiltrated by parachute and established guerrilla bases from which they organized and trained over 100 soldiers acting as indigenous personnel. The guerrillas made their weight felt as they continually hindered and delayed the conventional forces. The tactical situation closely resembled actual combat conditions. Teams from the 7th SFG(A) and the British 22nd SAS also participated in the exercise.
Exercise QUICK KILL: In the summer of 1962, 5th SFG(A) conducted an Unconventional Warfare exercise with a B-team and 4 A detachments from B Co, 5th SFG(A). These 5 detachments led over 150 guerrillas against the 504th PIR of the 82d Airborne Division, acting as the aggressor force.
Ledger Enquirer, 19 May 1962
The Times Picayune, 4 May 1962
5th SFG(A) Exercise DEVIL ARROW-1962
Exercise DEVIL ARROW conducted in August was the largest guerrilla—counterguerrilla exercise ever conducted in the United States and served as a training vehicle for approximately 2,000 Army troops. The maneuver area covered some 932 square miles of rugged mountains in western North Carolina. 5th SFG(A) played the major role in this exercise. ln addition to planning the exercise and operating the maneuver field control, 5th SFG(A), in conjunction with the British 22nd SAS Regiment, provided the guerrilla bands and leaders for the guerrilla organization. More men were committed to DEVIL ARROW (five and one-half "A” detachments) than in any other exercise in the 5th SFG(A)'s short history. Infiltrating the western North Carolina maneuver area by various means, four and one-half "A“ detachments acted as guerrillas while the final ”A" detachment entered as full-fledged unconventional warfare advisors and leaders. The Group's augmentation detachments provided advisers for both the guerrilla and the counterinsurgency force. Since the maneuver was an exercise that permitted the participants to contest freely for the allegiance of the local population, both sides relied heavily on the recommendations of the civil affairs, psychological warfare, and military intelligence advisors.
The 82nd Airborne Division and 18th Airborne Corps provided the aggressor force for the exercise.
The Alva Review Courier, 4 Nov 1962
Special Warfare Magazine 1963
US Army Special Forces Vietnam Provisional Vietnam - USASF (P)V-1962
In February 1962, a Special Warfare Branch in the J-3 Staff Section was established in U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (USMACV). As 1962 progressed, Combined Studies Divsion (CSD) representatives in Washington, heartened by the success at Buon Enao, decided to extend the Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) program to other tribes and to the border as well. In June 1962, 16 new detachments were requested to man 8 newly proposed border camps. With the rapid growth of the program, the DOD felt that control of the CIDG program should pass to USMACV, but the CSD - MACV joint organization recommended the continuation of the existing arrangement. It was argued that under military control, the uniquely fluid structure of the CIDG program would become rigid and submerged in the growing military involvement. The DOD proposed to place the program under Special Forces control, with a full colonel in command, and on 23 July 1962, the decision to switch the program to Army control was made.
On 14 - 15 September, 72 personnel, from 5th SFG(A), arrived in Vietnam and founded the basis of a C- team and 4 A-teams; US Army Special Forces (Provisional) Vietnam (USASF(P)V) Headquarters was activated. Colonel George Morton was designated as Commander of all USASF(P)V and all SF personnel in Vietnam. By October 1962, 2 B teams and 22 A detachments were operational.
5th SFG(A) Operation POLAR SIEGE in Alaska
From St Petersburg, FL CPT George Morton served with the 86th ID in Europe and the Philippines in WW2. MAJ Morton served as an adviser to the Royalist Greek against communist forces during the Civil war in 1946-1948. MAJ Morton served with 1st CAV in the Korean War.
5th SFG(A) Team photo
COL George Morton
5th SFG(A) Exercises-1963
Members of 5th SFG(A) played the roles of guerrillas and counterguerrillas in a number of major training exercises in the United States during 1963. This training prepared them for the present cold war counterinsurgency mission of Special Forces, as well as for the tentative hot war role of organizing, training, and assisting indigenous insurgent forces in enemy-held territory.
Exercises WATER MOCCASIN III and IV, members of the 5th SFG(A) participated as guerrillas to enable students of the Special Warfare School to perform their role as Special Forces "A” and "B" detachments, training guerrillas in an organized force.
Exercises HELPING HAND I and II. These were 5th Group planned and conducted training vehicles for members of the command preparing to deploy to Viet-Nam.
Exercises SWIFT STRIKE III Swift Strike III was a yearly joint exercise conducted in August by the Strategic Army Corps (STRAC), and the USAF to test rapid deployment and Combat readiness of the units. Guerrilla forces figured prominently in this huge exercise that stretched into both North and South Carolina. Detachments from 5th SFG(A) and D Co 20th SFG(A) Louisiana National Guard infiltrated by parachute and established guerrilla bases from which they organized and trained a guerilla force.
SWS FTX CHEROKEE TRAIL I Members of the 5th SFG(A) participated as guerrillas to enable students of the Special Warfare School to perform their role, training guerrillas in an organized force.
Throughout the year, 5th SFG(A) provided support to Reserve and National Guard Special Forces units involved in their active-duty for training, detachments of the 5th Group went to many Army posts throughout the United States. The assitance provided those part-time Special Forces Soldiers, was designed to enhance their training in preparation for active duty in any national emergency
Stanly News and Press, 11 Oct 1963
5th SFG(A) Battle for Hiep Hoa, 24 Nov 63
A-21 Det of B Company 5th SFG(A), on a 6-month TDY, had been stationed at this camp since July. The local population was hostile and even the near-by friendly units did not provide support when the VC attacked early in the morning. Post battle investigations revealed heavy VC inflitration and treachery from several levels. On Nov 23rd, part of the strike force, the SF, including CPT Horne, and ARVN Luc Luong Dac Biet (LLDB) leadership departed on patrol. A force of 4 Special Forces troops, Lt. John Colby, SFC Isaac “Ike” Camacho, SFC Kenneth M. “Ken” Roraback, SSG Claude D. McClure, and SSG George E. “Smitty” Smith, 9 LLDB soldiers, and 206 strikers were in the camp. On the night of 24 Nov, around 1100 hours, the camp came under heavy mortar fire and was assaulted by over 500 VC. After a heavy night of fighting, the loss of personnel was high; the CIDG had 41 KIA and 120 WIA, the LLDB had 4 MIAs and the strikers had 28 MIAs. Only the detachment XO, 1LT Colby and a few strike force soldiers were able to escape. During the battle, Comacho, Roraback, Smith and McClure were captured.
Rorabach was executed during captivity
Camacho escaped on or around 07/13/65.
Smith and McClure were released on or around 11/28/65
1. Mortar Pit
2. SF Team House
3. Trucks demolished in attack
4. Observation tower
5. LLBD quarters
Camp Hiep Hoa
Source: Special Forces at War, Shelby Stanton
Detachment A-21
CPT Horne, Douglas E S DET CO
1LT Colby, John R DET XO
MSG O'Neal, Jimmie W TM SGT
SFC Jasper, Clarence INTEL
SFC Camacho, Issac 'IKE' HVY WPNS
SSG Weber, Norbert F LT WPNS
SFC Roraback, Kenneth M RAD OP
SSG Shannon, James D DEMO
SSG Morley, Peter G MEDIC
SP5 McClure, Claude D DEMO
SGT Smith, George E MEDIC
PFC Potter, Charles A III RAD OP
SFC Ike Comacho escape from POW camp 13 Jul 1965
MSG Kenneth Roraback
From Brooklyn NY, SFC Roraback was serving as the Commo SGT on Detachment A-21 at at Hiep Hoa. On the night of 22 Nov 1963, Hiep Hoa came under attack by an estimated reinforced battalion of Viet Cong. During heavy night of fighting, SSG Roraback was captured along with 3 other US troops. SSG Rorabeck was reported killed in captivity 28 Sep 1965. SSG Rorabeck was married and had 4 children.
CPT Issac Comacho
Born in Faben Texas, SFC Camacho was on his 2nd tour in Vietnam serving as the HVY WPNS SGT on Detachment A-21 at at Hiep Hoa. On the night of 22 Nov 1963, Hiep Hoa came under attack by an estimated reinforced battalion of Viet Cong. During heavy fighting SFC Camacho was knocked out and captured. During the night of July 9, 1965, using the cover of a monsoon rain, SFC Camacho made his escape, being the first US Soldier to escape during the Vietnam War.
5th SFG(A) Project Notes
1 This is phase 1, of a 5-phase plan, that will cover from activation in 1961 to today.
a. Phase 1: Beginning until 64
b. Phase 2: 1964-1972
c. Phase 3: 1970-1980s
d. 1990s-2000:
e. GWOT-today
2. I am looking for the following from the 5th SFG(A):
a. Photos-preferably with story-dates
b. Stories-that need to be told/remembered
c. Documents
i. Orders, recruiting flyers / posters, unit rosters...etc.
d. FA / ODA Detachment numbers and location
i. Ft Bragg
ii. Ft Campbell