On 27 Mar 1959, 6th Army, CONARC organized the 301st Special Forces Operational Detachment (FC) in Boise, Idaho, with sub-detachments, Team FAs found in Washington, Montana, Oregon, and California.
The 301st SFOD(FC) was subordinate to the 300th SFOD(FD) in Fayetteville, NC
The 301st SFOD(FC) and subordinate detachments were 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).Â
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.
MAJ Dwight Crofford, would be the Commander for the 301st SFOD(FC).
Â
LTC Dwight Crofford
LT Crofford served in the US Army during WW2. MAJ Crofford was the first Commander for 301st SFOD and 17th SFG(A).Â
301st SFOD (A) Gallery
Sunday Soldiers, LA Times
301st SFOD conduct Raid, 9 Dec 1957
CPT Robert Jacobi
LT Jacobi served with the 40th ID during the Korean War. LT Jacobi served with the 10th SFG(A) and 77th SFG(A), prior to joining the 301st SFOD(C) in 1957. LT Jacobi was Commander for Det 7, 301st SFOD(FC)
MAJ Myron "Mike" Layton
Layton served with 82nd ABN during WW2. LT Layton graduated the second Special Forces Qualification Course at Ft Bragg in 1953. After graduation, LT Layton was sent to the Korean. LT Layton served with 8240th Army Unit, 6th PIR during the Korean War. CPT Layton was DET 2 Commander, 301st SFOD(FD), Tacoma, WA. Mike Layton was a lauded newspaper journalist and author.Â
On 27 Mar 1959, 6th Army, CONARC inactivated the 301st and activated the 313th Special Forces Operational Detachment (FD) in Idaho, with sub-detachments located in Washington, Montana, Oregon, and California.
Â
Â
The 313th SFOD(FD) and subordinate detachments were organized under TOE 33-510R,dated 26 April 1955
Â
Â
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.
Â
Â
Â
MAJ Dwight Crafford, continued to be the Commander for the 313th SFOD (FD)
313th SFOD-FD Annual Training, Exercise ELKHORN, Yakima, WA 1960
Exercise ELKHORN was held in Yakima, WA with 4th ID, a Strategic Army Corps (STRAC) unit, held from 9 to 30 May. This was the largest exercise conducted by the 6th Army up to date. The exercise was used to simulate a Russian push from Alaska into Canada into Washington State on an Atomic, Biological and Chemical battlefield.Â
Â
Detachment 7, 313th SFOD(FD) USAR, from Twin Falls, Idaho was part of the aggressor force during the Exercise.Â
Exercise ELKHORN pamphlet
On 1 Feb 1961, the 17th SFG(A) was activated in Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and California.Â
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
The 17th 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.Â
The 17th SFG(A) wore the Reserve Component Special Forces beret flash and striker bar.
Â
HQ: Boise, ID
Commander: LTC Dwight CÂ Crofford
A Co CDR: MAJ Oscar Peterson
B Co CDR: LTC Alfeo LÂ Bernardi
LTC Alfeo L Bernardi
From San Perdro California, Alfeo Bernardi joined the US Army 1941 and served in the Pacific Theater. LTC Bernardi commanded B Company, 17th SFG(A). Alfeo Bernardi was a High School teacher.
17th SFG(A) Annual Training, Camp Pendleton, CA-1962
1LT Richard Gardner, 17th SFG monitoring radio during training at Camp Pendleton, Aug 1962
MSG Richard Suarez
Poncho Parachute-resupply, Aug 1962
MSG Rick Suarez rigs fellow paratrooper
Richard Suarez served with the USMC during the Korean War. MSG Suarez was the first OPS SGT for the 301st SFOD
17th SFG(A) Gallery
A Co, 17th SFG(A) conducting Maritime Operations, 1960
COL Gene Frice
From Long Beach, CA , LT Frice served with 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team and jumped into Southern France during Operation Dragoon and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. CPT Frice served as a Team leader with 301st SFOD and 17th SFG(A). Gene Frice worked in California Law Enforcement.
17th SFG(A) Training, 1960
CPT Gene Frice rappelling,
Det 1Â B Co, 17th SFG(A)
LA Times, 11 Oct 1965
17th SFG(A) Annual Training, Ft Lewis, WA 1963
17th SFG(A) conducted Guerrilla Warfare operations against the 4th ID and the 41st (ARNG) units in Ft Lewis, WA. The training was part of the counter-insurgency training for each unit. The 41st ID had recently converted to the new (Reorganization Objective Army Division) ROAD TO&E.Â
17th SFG(A) Exercises TANANA FLATS I, 1964
Tanana Flats I was a joint US Army-USAR exercise, conducted Aug 1964 in Alaska. The USAF trained in delivery troops and equpment by air and supporting Guerrilla operations. 17th SFG(A) and 6th SFG(A) provided troops for the exercise.
17th SFG(A)Â 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. The Following troops from the 17th SFG volunteered for duty in Vietnam
CSM Merle Eckles
SSG Eckles served in 17th SFG(A), 1961, Det 2 San Diego, CA. Volunteered for active duty in 1966, served with B-56 Project Sigma.Â
CPT Earl Howard
LT Earl Howard served in 17th SFG(A), Volunteered for Active duty and served in Thailand with 46th Co in 1968
CPT Eugene Brooks
SPC 4 brooks served in Det 4 A Co, 17th SFG(A) Burley, ID. Served in Vietnam with 25th ID as a LT and served a 2nd tour with 101st as a Cobra Pilot.
CPTÂ Larry Spargo
LT Larry Spargo served in Det 4 A Co, 17th SFG(A) Burley, ID. CPT Spargo served with 5th SFG(A) in 1966 and as an ARVN Adviser in 1969.Â
Project Notes:
1.This is phase 1, of a 2-phase plan, that will cover activation in 1957 to deactivation in 1966
    a. Phase 1: Beginning until 1964-65ish-launch date -end of Mar 2026
    b. Phase 2: Major reorg of USAR/ARNG SF 1966ish (down to 4 groups) until 1970-TBD
   
2. I am looking for the following from 301st-313th and 17th SFG(A):
 a. Photos-preferably with story-dates
 b. Stories-that need to be told/remembered
 c. Documents, orders, unit newsletters, rosters....etc.
 d. Names-stories of Volunteers for Vietnam
      e. Detachment numbers and locations
       1. 301st SFOD(FC)
       2. 313th SFOD(FD)
       3. 17th SFG(A)