14th SFOD-FD (Area) - 8251st Army Unit
The 77th SFG(A) activated the 14th SFOD-FD (Area) on 2 Apr 1956 at Ft Bragg, NC to provide an Unconventional Warfare unit for the Asian-Pacific region.
The 14th SFOD-FD was the Command and Control detachment for Special Forces units operating in the Asian-Pacific area.
The 14th 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; captured in FMs 31-21 Organization And Conduct Of Guerilla Warfare, 1951 and 31-20 US Army Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1955.
The 14th SFOD-FD deployed to Ft Shafter, Hawaii, in June 1956, there the unit would be designated as the 8251st AU.
LTC Albert Madding was the commander of 14th SFOD-FD, with Major Donald O'Rourke as his XO and MSG Robert Voss as his Operations SGT.
During WW2, LT Madding served in Burma with the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), better known as Merrill’s Marauders. During the Korean War, MAJ Madding was “seconded” to the Central Intelligence Agency, where he trained guerrilla forces. In 1955, Lt. Col. Madding completed the Special Forces Qualification Course, and took command of the Detachment FC-2, 77th SFG(A). LTC Madding commanded the 14th SFOD and in 1957 was the first Commander for 1st SFG(A).
COL Albert Madding
CPT Harry Cramer
LT Cramer served as a platoon leader with the 25th ID during the Korean War. CPT Cramer served as detachment commander with the 77th SFG(A) at Fort Bragg in 1955-56 and deployed with 14th SFOD, as the G-3 to Hawaii. Tragically on 21 Oct 1957, while on a MTT, training the South Vietnamese Special Forces; CPT Cramer was killed during a training accident.
8231st Army Unit
LTC Jack T. "Black Jack"Shannon
Also in April 1956, the 77th SFG(A) activated, the 16th SFOD-FB (District A) and it's 2 subordinate detachments, the 12th SFOD-FA(Regiment), and 13th SFOD-FA(Regiment).
These detachments would deployed to Camp Drake, Japan and the detachments were designated the 8231st AU.
LTC Jack Shannon would command the 8231st AU
In early 1944, LT Shannon was recruited into the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) as part of the Jedburgh project. He jumped into France on 27 June 1944 as part of the Inter-Allied Mission BERGAMOTTE. After service in Europe, he served in Burma with Detachment 101. LTC Shannon was 1st Commander of 77th SFG(A).
1st SFG(A)
In Spring 1957, the 16th SFOD, 12th SFOD and the 13th SFOD deployed to Ft Buckner, Okinawa.
The 1st SFG(A) was activated on 24 June 1957 at Camp Drake, Japan. The 1st SFG(A) was organized under TO&E 33-510R, dated 26 April 1955 and FM 31-20 US Army Special Forces Group (Airborne), August 1955.
On 5 July the 14th SFOD re-deployed to Okinawa, joining the 16th, 12th and 13th SFODs.
On 14 July, 1st SFG(A) HQs arrived from Camp Drake and took command of all the Special Forces units.
LTC Albert Madding was the commander of the 1st SFG(A)
On 24 June 1958, the 15th SFOD-FA was activated, bringing the 1st SFG(A) to it's full strength of 115 men, 16 Officers and 99 Enlisted.
Project notes:
1 This is phase 1, of a 5-phase plan, that will cover from activation in 1952 to today.
a. Phase 1: Beginning until 61
b. Phase 2: 1961-1974
c. Phase 3: 1980s
d. Phase 4: 1990s-2000:
e. Phase 5: GWOT-today
2. I am looking for the following from the 14th SFOD, 8231st AU, 8251st AU and 1st 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. Okinawa
3. I need you help with some specific items related to this section
a. Copy of the Kini Pop show with LTC Madding and CPT Cramer
b. Photos of the former USAF AISS "Crash" boat that 1st SFG had 1957-1960
c. Photos of the LCVP that 1st SFG had 1957-1960
d. Photos of the 8251st AU