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GENE L - "The American involvement in Viet Nam began in 1961. President Kennedy formed the Special Forces, who were in country after that time."


Slight correction. President Kennedy did not "form the Special Forces."

According to the book, "From OSS To Green Berets," by Aaron Bank, U.S.A. [Ret.], Pocket Books, Simon & Schuster Publ., 1986, the offical forming of a U.S.A. Special Forces Group was ordered by the Army to be activated at Fort Bragg, N.C., on May 1, 1952. Commander-In-Chief at that time was President Harry Truman.

Col. Bank, former OSS officer (Jedburgh), WWII, China and Indochina service, and Col., 187th Regimental Combat Team, Airborne, in Korea, was charged with forming up the new "Special Forces." He specifically wanted former Army Rangers, Airborne troopers, and former OSS operators for his new group. This became the 10th Group.

Almost a decade later, President Kennedy awarded the Special Forces the "green beret" as an offical "cover."

L.W.


"Always go straight forward, and if you meet the devil, cut him in two and go between the pieces." (William Sturgis, clipper ship captain, 1830s.)