The 5th special forces group
The United States Army has a long and distinguished history of producing top notch special forces groups, and one of the most famous – or infamous – is the 5th special forces group. Like many of their brother special forces, the 5th special forces group was formed during the Cold War. It was 1961 to be precise, and they operate out of Fort Campbell in Kentucky.
Since that was the eve of the Vietnam War, and the Vietnam war is where the 5th special forces group was initially and most famously deployed, that is the conflict that, to this day, is still most largely associated with the 5th special forces group. Their history in that conflict is distinguished, and their homepage at http://www.groups.sfahq.com/5th/history_of_the_5th_sfg.htm gives that history in detail:
Despite being one of the smallest units engaged in the Vietnam conflict, The 5th Special Forces Group colors fly twenty Campaign Streamers, and its soldiers are among the Most Highly Decorated in the History of our Nation. Seventeen Medals of Honor were awarded, 8 posthumously.
Awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (Army) Vietnam 1966-1968, Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) Vietnam 1968; Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Vietnam 1964-1969; Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, 1st Class, Vietnam 1968-1970. Other teams and elements received unit citations, Naval Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Awards and numerous Vietnamese Unit Awards.
On 5 March 1971, the colors of the 5th Special Forces Group were returned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina by a 94-man contingent led by Col. Michael D. Healy, thereby terminating their official Vietnam service.
Currently the 5th special forces group is deployed in the middle east for the various conflicts there. They have done work such as providing security as well as harrying and capturing enemy combatants of larger strategic value. The 5th special forces group’s service in Iraq, in particular, has been noted by both President Bush and President Obama.
Perhaps their best known service in Iraq was in assisting in the capture of Saddam Hussein himself. Even though it wasn’t actually 5th special forces group soldiers who captured Hussein, it was members of the 5th who were able to secure the farm and surrounding neighborhood where he was captured by fellow green berets.
From their operational founding in 1961 until 1988 they were based out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In 1988 they moved to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and are still based there today.
The United States Army has a long and distinguished history of producing top notch special forces groups, and one of the most famous – or infamous – is the 5th special forces group. Like many of their brother special forces, the 5th special forces group was formed during the Cold War. It was 1961 to be precise, and they operate out of Fort Campbell in Kentucky.
Since that was the eve of the Vietnam War, and the Vietnam war is where the 5th special forces group was initially and most famously deployed, that is the conflict that, to this day, is still most largely associated with the 5th special forces group. Their history in that conflict is distinguished, and their homepage at http://www.groups.sfahq.com/5th/history_of_the_5th_sfg.htm gives that history in detail:
Despite being one of the smallest units engaged in the Vietnam conflict, The 5th Special Forces Group colors fly twenty Campaign Streamers, and its soldiers are among the Most Highly Decorated in the History of our Nation. Seventeen Medals of Honor were awarded, 8 posthumously.
Awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (Army) Vietnam 1966-1968, Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) Vietnam 1968; Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Vietnam 1964-1969; Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, 1st Class, Vietnam 1968-1970. Other teams and elements received unit citations, Naval Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Awards and numerous Vietnamese Unit Awards.
On 5 March 1971, the colors of the 5th Special Forces Group were returned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina by a 94-man contingent led by Col. Michael D. Healy, thereby terminating their official Vietnam service.
Currently the 5th special forces group is deployed in the middle east for the various conflicts there. They have done work such as providing security as well as harrying and capturing enemy combatants of larger strategic value. The 5th special forces group’s service in Iraq, in particular, has been noted by both President Bush and President Obama.
Perhaps their best known service in Iraq was in assisting in the capture of Saddam Hussein himself. Even though it wasn’t actually 5th special forces group soldiers who captured Hussein, it was members of the 5th who were able to secure the farm and surrounding neighborhood where he was captured by fellow green berets.
From their operational founding in 1961 until 1988 they were based out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In 1988 they moved to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and are still based there today.
0 comments:
Post a Comment