9th SFG(A)

Locations

A history of the USAR Special Forces units in the South-West USA

Gallery

Documents

1959-1966

Stories

Volunteers

Last Update 12 Aug 2026

COL Arthur G Clark

MAJ Carl Salas

COL Raymond Doucett

LT Arthur Guy Clark, while serving with the 513th PIR of the 17th ABN Div was awarded the Silver Star for extraordinary heroism during Operation Varsity, March 1945. LTC Clarke would command the 307th SFOD(FD), when the unit was activated.

Born in Encino, NM, CJ Salas served in the US Navy during WW2. Served as LT with 4th Ranger company, during the Korean War. MAJ Salas would command the 309th SFOD(FC) and B Co, 9th SFG(A). Owned a tourist company and local eatery.

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(C) in Kearny NJ in 1957 and the 309th SFOD(FC) in Albuquerque, NM.

On 27 Mar 1959, 4th Army, CONARC activated the 307th Special Forces Operational Detachment(FD) in Oklahoma, with sub-detachments located in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico.

The 308th 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 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.

308th (FD) Commander:

306th(FC) CDR: LTC George Newell

307th(FC) CDR: MAJ Arthur G Clark

309th(FC) CDR: MAJ Carlos P Salas

On 1 Feb 1961, the 9th SFG(A) was activated in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico.

The 9th 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 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). 14 December 1960, seven groups (2nd, 9th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 17th, 24th) were reallocated from AC to USAR

9th SFG(A) Commander: COL Richard Jones

A Co CDR : LTC Arthur G Clark

Det 2 CDR: MAJ Byrd C. Curtis

B Co: MAJ Gerald Lovett

Det 1 CDR: CPT Bobby Rankin

Det 2 CDR: MAJ Elbert V O’Neall

Major Bobby Rankin

LT Ranking served as an infantry officer with the US Army in Germany, 1954-1957. CPT Rankin as a Special Forces Team Leader with the USAR 9th SFG(A) and later as a Company Commander with 12th SFG(A). Dr. Rankin was a professor at the New Mexico State University.

In early 1966 12th SFG(A) absorbed the units from the 9th SFG(A) which 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 save the Defense budget by, eliminating obsolete, under- strength and redundant units in the Reserve Component (RC). This would free up funds to support modernization and increase the capabilites of the RC units.

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 9th SFG(A) units were realigned with the 12 SFG(A), Headquartered in Oak Park, IL

12th SFG(A) CDR: LTC Marice G Gantzert

C Co CDR: LTC Edwin Winch

D Co CDR: COL Arthur Clark

Born in Akron Ohio, PVT Winch enlisted in the US Army 1943. LT Winch was in the 17th ABN during WW2. LT Winch served in the Korean War. CPT Winch was a Team Leader in the FA-7 302nd SFOD in Kansas City. LTC Winch was the Commander of C Co 12th SFG(A). Edwin Winch was a president of an insurance company.

LTC Edwin S Winch

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9th SFG(A) Gallery:

Bernalillo, NM Kiwanis Club, Sep 1965

L-R: CPT Howard Wilson, SFC Paul Hinson, SPC Butch Nicholson, MAJ Gerald Lovett

Fort McCoy, WI, 1967

SSG Franklin "Butch" Nicholson

From Las Cruces, NM, PFC joined 9th SFG(A) as medic. His Step-father was in 2nd Ranger BN in WW2, PFC Nicholson wanted be like my step-father. Butch Nicholson worked as a Lineman in his civilian career.

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9th SFG(A) Gallery:

Bernalillo, NM Kiwanis Club, Sep 1965

Fort McCoy, WI, 1967

LTC William J Hanratty

From Detriot, Michigan , PVT William Hanratty landed at Normandy France and fought unitil the German surrender in 1945. Capt Hanratty was in B Co, 9th SFG(A).

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9th SFG(A) Documents

SGT Frank Nicholson, SF Extension Course Graduation Certificate

306th SFOD Recruiting ad, Stillwater OK

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9th SFG(A) Stories

We were typically supported by C-119s flow by 425nd USAF crews from March AFB, California

SSG Don Blalock overheard a conversation between the Aircraft Commander and our unit Commander on the plane we were going to jump out of. The Aircraft Commander asked our officer "At what minimum altitude will you accept an emergency bail out order?" According to SSG Blalock our Commander replied, "As soon as to wheels leave the runway."

The unit was attending a pre-flight briefing being given by the Aircraft Commander. While covering the "In air emergency" procedure he told us how many alarm bells would sound, and that the when the alarm bell sounded and stayed on was the order to bail-out. He continued to say that the last man one out would be the Aircraft Commander, "however if you see me pass you on the way to the door, you just became the Aircraft Commander, so don't waste any time getting out."

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9th SFG(A) Volunteers for Active Duty

During the Vietnam war, according to an unofficial source, hundreds of Special Forces soldiers from the ARNG and USAR volunteered to serve on Active-Duty during the Vietnam War.

CPT Gary W Vance Sr.

Served in Det 2, A Co 9th SFG(A) in Stillwater, OK . Volunteered for active duty in 1965. He graduated flight school and served in Vietnam in 1966-1967 and 1969. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and flew over 800 Combat Missions.

SGM Julius Maynard

Served in the Korean War. Sgt Maynard served in 9th SFG(A) in New Mexico. SGT Maynard volunteered for active duty, served with 5th SFG(A) and with MACVSOG.

The following people contributed to 9th SFG(A) section

SSG Franklin "Butch" Nicholson, 9th SFG(A), 12th SFG(A)

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Project Notes:

This is phase 1, of a 2-phase plan, that will cover activation in 1957 to deactivation in 1966.

a. Phase 1: Beginning until 1963-launch date-end of May 2026

b. Phase 2: Major reorg of USAR/ARNG SF 1966 (down to 4 groups) -TBD

2. I am looking for the following from 306th, 307th, 308th and 309th SFODs and 9th SFG(A):

a. Photos-preferably with story-dates

b. Stories-that need to be told/remembered

c. Documents, orders, unit newsletters, rosters.....etc.

i. Unit Recruiting posters, flyers.

ii. Unit training documents, POIs, manuals, SOPs...etc.

d. Names-stories of Volunteers for Vietnam

e. Detachment numbers and locations

i. 306th, 307th, 308th and 309th SFODs

ii. 9th SFG(A)