11th SFG(A)

A history of the USAR Special Forces units in the North East

Locations

Gallery

Documents

Volunteers

1959-1966

Legacy

Last Update 27 July 2026

In Feb 1957, 1st Army, CONARC activated the 303rd Special Forces Operational Detachment (FC) in Kearny, New Jersey, with 10 FA detachments located throughout the Northeastern US.

The 303rd SFOD(FC) fell under the command of the 300th SFOD(FD), located in Fayetteville, NC

The 303rd SFOD(FC) 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 andAsia, and FM 31-20 US Army Special Forces Group (Airborne).

The Team FC, was led by a LTC, 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 Joseph McCrane would be named the Commander of this new unit.

COL Joseph Crane

At the outbreak of WWII, he joined the Marine Corps, CPL McCrane fought on Guadalcanal, Green Island, Bougainville, Rabaul, Samar, and Okinawa. After WW2 he applied for and graduated from West Point. In 1957, CPT McCrane was the 1st Commander of 303rd SFOD(FC) and later commanded the 11th SFG(A).

LT James Harrington arrived in the Phillippines for the invasion of Japan. After the Atomic bombs were dropped in Aug 1945, LT Harrington helped demobilize the Philippine Guerrillas. In 1948 he served with the 11th ABN in occupation duty in Japan. CPT Harrison was one of the original Team Leaders in the USAR 303rd SFOD (FC), in Kearny, NJ.

LTC James Harrington

In Dec 1959, 1st Army, CONARC deactivated the 303rd Special Forces Operational Detachment (FC), and activated the 320th SFOD(FD) in Boston, MA, with subordinate detachments in New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New Hampshire and Vermont.

The 320th SFOD(FD) was organized under TOE 33-510R,dated 26 April 1955. The 320th SFOD(FD) would be a Special Forces Group under the 1st Army HQs.

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.

320th SFOD (FD) CDR: Joseph McCrane

317th SFOD CDR:

318th SFOD CDR: LTC Chester J. McKuskie

319th SFOD CDR:

LTC Chester J. McKuskie

LTC William Buckley

LT McKuskie served in the Pacific, participated in Papua New Guinea campaign and the invasion of Luzon, the Philippines. CPT McKuskie was recalled to active duty for the Korean War. Major McKuskie was the Commander of the 319th SFOD(FC) in Rutland, VT.

LT Buckley served with the 1st Cavalry Division, during the Korean War. In 1960 CPT Buckley was Detachment Commander with the 320th SFOD(FD) and later the 11th SFG(A). LTC Buckley served in the Vietnam War with MACV as a Senior Advisor to the ARVN. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in May 1969. William Buckley served with the CIA from 1965-1985. William Buckley was the CIA Station Chief in Beirut, when he kidnapped and killed by Hezbollah in Oct 1985.

303rd SFOD (FC) Gallery

303rd SFOD conducts Maritime Operations, Nov 1958

303rd SFOD CDR CPT Joe McCrane talks to Guerrilla Chief

Army Reservist, Nov 1958

303rd SFOD (FC) Gallery

303rd SFOD Team leader CPT Curci and team load boats for raid

MAJ Michael Curci

Served in WW2 as a Tail Gunner on heavy bombers over Central Europe. CPT Curci was one of the orginal officers to join the 303rd SFOD. Michael Curci was a lawyer in NYC.

303rd SFOD CDR CPT Joe McCrane briefs unit

303rd SFOD (FC) Documents

Original Memo for 303rd SFOD Implementation, from Active-Duty Adviser LTC Ray Doucette, Mar 1957

COL Raymond Doucett

Major Doucett was one of the original staff officers for 10th SFG(A). As an Active-Duty Adviser, LTC Doucett helped establish the USAR 303rd SFOD(FC) in Kearny NJ in 1957 and the 309th SFOD(FC) in Albuquerque, NM.

303rd SFOD (FC) Documents

Weekly Bulletin advertising the 303rd SFOD, dated May 1957

NY newspaper article about the 303rd SFOD

Governors Island, NY 1 Nov 1956

On 1 Apr 1961, 1st Army, CONARC deactivated the 320th SFOD and activated the 11th SFG(A) in Boston, Massachusetts, with detachments in; New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Vermont.

The 11th 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, seven Groups (2nd, 9th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 17th, 24th ) were reallocated from AC to USAR.

11th SFG(A) CDR: COL James R Stewart

A Co CDR: LTC Daniel J Doherty

B Co CDR: MAJ Joseph M McCrane

On 1 Mar 1963, 11th SFG(A) Headquarters was relocated to Staten island , NY

11th SFG(A) CDR: LTC Joseph McCrane

A Co CDR: LTC Daniel J Doherty

B Co CDR: MAJ Angleo Galante

LTC Angelo Galante

T/Sgt Galante served with the OSS’s 2677th Special Regiment (Provisional), Company D, part of the Italian Operational Groups (OGs) in WW2. LT Galante was XO for the 303rd SFOD and would later command the 11th SFG(A). Angelo Galante worked as a NYPD Police Officer and later as a Detective.

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 2nd SFG(A), 9th SFG(A), 13th SF(A), 17th SFG(A) and 24th SFG(A) were designated to be deactivated.

All the 2nd SFG(A) and 13th SFG(A) units were realigned with the 11th SFG(A), Headquartered in Staten Island, New York.

11th SFG(A) CDR: COL Joseph McCrane

A Co CDR: Lt Col Daniel J. Doherty

B Co CDR: LTC Angelo Galante

C Co CDR:

D Co CDR: LTC Lloyd R. Runkle

E Co CDR:

F Co CDR:

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11th SFG(A) Gallery

11th SFG(A) Marching in Boston Veteran's Day Parade, 1962

11th SFG(A) Air Show Jump, date unknown

11th SFG(A) Gallery

11th SFG(A) Soldier re-enlisting

11th SFG(A) Solider Training

11th SFG(A) Gallery

A Co, 11th SFG(A) , 1963

The Central New Jersey Home News, 25 June 1961

B Co11th SFG(A) Hand to Hand Combat

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11th SFG(A) Documents

OPFOR Flyer from 1963 11th SFG(A) Annual Training

SGT Harry Perlmutter

PVT Harry Perlmutter served with the D co 1st Ranger BN in Italy during WW2. PVT Perlmutter was captured in the battle of Cisterna. PVT Perlmutter escaped from German POW camp at the end of February and fought with Italian Partisans until May 1944, where he made his way back to Allied lines.

11th SFG(A) Unit locations 1966

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11th SFG(A) Volunteers for Active-Duty during the Vietnam

During the Vietnam war, according to an unofficial source, hundreds of Special Forces soldiers from the ARNG and USAR volunteered to serve in Vietnam.

COL Henry L. Koren

In 1966, Henry L. Koren joined the 11th SFG(A) after dropping out of the US Military Academy. LT Koren Volunteered for Vietnam and served a tour with 5th SFG and a tour with the 1st CAV.

COL Wolf Cutter

In 1966, Wolf Kutter joined the 11th SFG(A), while attending college. CPT Cutter Volunteered for duty in Vietnam and served with the 1st CAV

SGM James Kerns

SGT Kerns served with 16th SFG(A) Charlotte,NC after serving with the 77th SFG(A). SFG Kerns left the unit in 1963 and transfered to 13th SFG(A) in Florida. SFC Kerns was serving in 11th SFG(A) and volunteered for VN and served with 5th SFG in 1969.

11th SFG(A) Vietnam Volunteers who paid the Ultimate Price

CPT John F Kazanowski

Served in 11th SFG(A) 1961-1969, Volunteered for Vietnam 1969. Served on Det A-242 5th SFG. CPT Kazanowski was killed in Action 7 Oct 1969. He was awarded the Silver Star posthumously for his actions that day

SPC Keith A Campbell

Served in the 11th SFG(A) from 1966-1967. Volunteered for Vietnam 1967. SPC Campell was assigned to 173rd Airborne Brigade. SPC Campbell was killed in action 8 Feb 1967, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously for his actions that day

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The following people, contributed to the 11th SFG(A) story:

SGM Dan Mateyka, 11th SFG(A) and 20th SFG(A)

SSG Tom Donnley, 11th SFG(A) and 20th SFG(A)

MAJ Bill Hanrahan, 11th SFG(A), 20th SFG(A)

LT John G. Heidenrich, 11th SFG(A)

SGM Bob Schneider, 2nd SFG(A) and 11th SFG(A)

MSG David McGlynn, 11th SFG(A)

COL Wolf Cutter, 11th SFG(A)

COL Mike Hurdzan, 11th SFG(A)

MSG Gregg Combs, 11th SFG(A)

Carl Stella, Cousin of LTC Angelo Gallante

Vincent Stella, Cousin of LTC Angelo Gallante

MSG Paul Callamaras, 6th SFG(A), 11th SFG(A)

SFC Mike Strand, 11th SFG(A) and 19th SFG(A)

LTC Ted Baltes, 11th SFG(A)

The 11th SFG(A) Legacy

The Official History of the 11th SFG(A)

Written by unit in 1992

facebook.com/groups/135027953176543/

A Co 2 BN, 11th SFG(A) Facebook

facebook.com/11thSpecialForcesGroupABN

The 11th SFG(A) Facebook

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11th SFG(A) Volunteers for Vietnam

During the Vietnam war, according to an unofficial source, hundreds of Special Forces soldiers from the ARNG and USAR volunteered to serve in Vietnam.

COL Henry L. Koren

In 1966, Henry L. Koren joined the 11th SFG(A) after dropping out of the US Military Academy. LT Koren Volunteered for Vietnam and served a tour with 5th SFG and a tour with the 1st CAV.

COL Wolf Cutter

In 1966, Wolf Kutter joined the 11th SFG(A), while attending college. CPT Cutter Volunteered for duty in Vietnam and served with the 1st CAV

SGT Kerns came to 16th SFG(A) after serving with the 77th SFG(A). Left the unit in 1963 went to 13th SFG(A). SFC Kerns was serving in 11th SFG(A) and volunteered for VN and served with 5th SFG in 1969.

SGM James Kerns

11th SFG(A) Volunteers for Vietnam

Who Paid the Ultimate Price

CPT John F Kazanowski

Served in 11th SFG(A) 1961-1969, Volunteered for Vietnam 1969. Served on Det A-242 5th SFG. CPT Kazanowski was killed in Action 7 Oct 1969. He was awarded the Silver Star posthumously for his actions that day.

SPC Keith A Campbell

Served in the 11th SFG(A) from 1966-1967. Volunteered for Vietnam 1967. SPC Campell was assigned to 173rd Airborne Brigade. SPC Campbell was killed in action 8 Feb 1967, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously for his actions that day

Project notes:

1 This is phase 1, of a 4-phase plan, that will cover from activation in 1957 to 1994
a. Phase 1: Beginning until 61 - complete
b. Phase 2: 1961-1966 - complete

c. Phase 3: 1966-1979

d. Phase 4: 1980s-1994

2. I am looking for the following from the 303rd SFOD, 320th SFOD and 11th 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. New Jersey

ii. New York

iii. Massachusetts

iv. Pennsylvania

v. Ohio

vi. North Carolina

vii. South Carolina

viii. Georgia

ix. Florida

xi. Alabama

3. I need you help with some specific items related to this section

a. Copy of the Apex unit newsletter

b. Volunteers for Vietnam, and Desert Storm

c. Photos and stories of early deployments/MTTs

d. Names of Company CDRs in 1966