The Ether Zone: U.S. Army Special Forces Detachment B-52, Project Delta
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THE ETHER ZONE
U.S. ARMY SPECIAL FORCES
DETACHMENT B-52, PROJECT DELTA
R. C. Morris
THE ETHER ZONE
© 2009 by R.C. Morris
Published by Hellgate Press (an imprint of L&R Publishing, LLC)
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems without written permission of the publishers.
Hellgate Press
P.O. Box 3531
Ashland, OR 97520
info@hellgatepress.com
Editor & book design: Harley Patrick
Cover design: L. Redding
Cover photo courtesy of Jerry Estenson
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Morris, R. C.
The ether zone : U.S. Army Special Forces Detachment B-52, Project Delta / R.C. Morris. -- 1st ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-55571-662-2 (alk. paper)
1. United States. Army. Special Forces Group, 5th. Airborne. Detachment B-52. 2. Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Regimental histories--United States. 3. Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Commando operations--United States. 4. Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Reconnaissance operations. I. Title.
DS558.4.M677 2009
959.704’38--dc22
2009016271
Printed and bound in the United States of America
First edition 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Advanced Praise for The Ether Zone:
The Ether Zone should be a must-read for those who are aspiring to enter our Special Forces, or other elite units where guts, innovation, and dedication are essential ingredients for success. Or, for that matter, anyone who would like a down-and-dirty vicarious experience in our Special Forces.
– David J. Baratto, Major General, U.S. Army Retired
Former Commander, John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School
Project Delta arguably marked the greatest advance in U.S. Special Operations since Colonel Aaron Bank devised the A-team. Ray Morris lays it out chapter and verse, concept and combat...What a book!
– MAJ Jim Morris, USA (Ret)
Author, War Story, Fighting Men and Above and Beyond
Among Vietnam War recon units, Project Delta B-52 was the pioneer and class act that set the standard for everyone else. With The Ether Zone, there is at last a book worthy of that little known—and yet legendary—unit! The Ether Zone is truly excellent!
– Kenn Miller, author of Six Silent Men II and Tiger the Lurp Dog
Ray Morris, with skill, has assembled a remarkable true history of the then-secret actions of those few brave Nung, Montagnard, Vietnamese and American men who served in B-52 Delta.
– COL Alan Park, USA (Ret)
Commander, Project Delta – 1969
This is a story of unparalleled bravery of one of the most combat-effective units in the Vietnam War, the precursor of today’s Delta Force. I was proud to be a part of that unit. An exciting read...places you in the middle of the action!
– John F. Flanagan, Brigadier General, USAF Retired
Author, Vietnam Above the Treetops: A Forward Air Controller Reports
“These men operate in the Ether Zone of military excellence.”
General Robert Cushman
Commandant, United States Marine Corps
CONTENTS
FOREWORD
General Henry H. Shelton
INTRODUCTION
In the Company of Heroes
ONE
Find the Ho Chi Minh Trail!
TWO
Leaping Lena
THREE
The Mind is the Greatest Weapon
FOUR
Watch Out for Guys in Black Pajamas
FIVE
Teamwork and “Jointness”
SIX
“...God Bless You All”
SEVEN
Stay Out of the An Loa Valley
EIGHT
“Hang On, Recon...”
NINE
“Greater Love Has No Man...”
TEN
Why We Fight
ELEVEN
A Different Breed
TWELVE
Brotherhood
THIRTEEN
Team Viper: “We’re Hit, Bad”
FOURTEEN
Heart and Soul
FIFTEEN
A Shau: Valley of Death
SIXTEEN
The Twilight Zone
SEVENTEEN
The FNG
EIGHTEEN
“Break Contact... Continue Mission!”
NINETEEN
Bruiser
TWENTY
Bad Luck B-52
TWENTY-ONE
Men of Courage and Honor
TWENTY-TWO
“You’re Fired!”
TWENTY-THREE
Leave No Man Behind
TWENTY-FOUR
Back Into the Valley
TWENTY-FIVE
Conex Boogie
TWENTY-SIX
The Art of War: The Nung
TWENTY-SEVEN
“Honest, Sir... I Saw Trucks!”
TWENTY-EIGHT
Welcome Home, Brother
Afterword
Reflections of a Delta Recon Man
Delta Recon (poem)
The Wall
Recon
Acknowledgments and Sources
Annex A:
USSF Awards & Decorations, by Operation
Annex B:
Participants in the An Loa Valley Operation, by Team
Annex C:
USSF Personnel, BDA Platoon-Nung Company
Annex D:
USSF Personnel, Road Runners
Annex E:
USSF Personnel Roster, Project Delta Recon Teams
Annex F:
B-52, Project Delta Commanders/Headquarters Staff and Attached Personnel
Annex G:
USSF 91st and 81st Airborne Ranger Battalion Advisors
Annex H:
Unit Awards
Glossary
About the Author
FOREWORD
IN THE ETHER ZONE, RAY MORRIS CARRIES the reader behind the scenes of one of America’s premier forces in the Vietnam War. Project Delta provided the eyes and ears for the commander of U.S. forces in Vietnam by operating in “no man’s land,” far from other U.S. forces in what would have been “behind enemy lines” in America’s previous wars. The quietest of “The Quiet Professionals,” these extraordinary men operated in the most desolate of places, near and in enemy sanctuaries, clandestinely seeking out the enemy and either delivering devastating air power or providing the intelligence needed to support the employment of larger American units in that region.
This small, but highly effective, group of men punched well above their weight! They were an incredibly brave and dedicated professional force who purged their own ranks of those who did not measure up; in some cases they were “characters,” but characters that became legends among those fortunate enough to know them.
The personal stories captured by Ray Morris portray instances of incredible heroism, told in anecdotal fashion as the incident unfolded. This tightly-knit group operated clandestinely for five years; they suffered losses, but never missed a beat. To the man, they were single-minded in purpose and intent on being the best. They were proud but not cocky; they were quiet profe
ssionals in the finest sense. It is past time that America hears their story.
General Henry H. Shelton, U.S. Army Retired
14th Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Quiet Professionals:
For all those brave men who have ever served on a
U.S. Army Special Forces A-Team,
and for comrades still missing in action.
INTRODUCTION
In the Company of Heroes
THE CHILDREN WHO WOULD BECOME THE WARRIORS of Project Delta were born at a time of uncertainty; America was still engaged in World War II. As the nation struggled to revive a sluggish post-war economy, these young boys were developing stalwart character traits reflecting America’s values, work ethic, courage and morals. The sons of sturdy American and immigrant stock, they were a diverse lot, representing the best of the best. Their geographical background was rich, an amalgamation of all walks of life. They hailed from cities, both large and small, obscure little towns, farmlands, flatlands, seacoasts, the Rocky Mountain region, low-country, cattle country, the hills of the Ozarks and from the swamps and bayous of Louisiana. At least four had emigrated from Europe, while one had been of French-Canadian descent. Three Project Delta members ultimately rose to the rank of general officer; one achieving acclaim as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Predominately, this collective body represented poor and middle class families, although a few would be from wealth. Most had enlisted while others were drafted—all would volunteer for Project Delta.
Ever since the middle ages and the Roman Army, armies have had elite volunteer units dedicated to the most difficult and dangerous missions. Despite America’s relatively short history, historians have chronicled: Rogers’ Rangers (Revolutionary War); Jeb Stuart’s Cavalry (Civil War); the tough 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions; Darby’s Rangers; and the 1st Special Service Force—the renowned, combined American and Canadian World War II forerunner to today’s Special Forces. The soldiers of these unique fighting units had one very important similarity—they all volunteered to fight with an elite unit. Modern soldiers serving in the U.S. Army’s most elite combat unit, the United States Army Special Forces, each volunteer a minimum of three times; the majority are also Ranger and/or jungle warfare qualified. Barry Sadler’s lyrics in the “Ballad of the Green Beret” state, “One hundred men they’ll test today, but only three win the Green Beret.” His words hit not far from the mark, but even after this strict selection process, it would still take at least three more years of intensive training to become fully qualified for specific mission deployment.
Among these elite Special Forces units, a relatively few men would become affiliated with even a more select group—they share the distinction of serving in one of the military’s most selective, secretive organizations, Project Delta. Handpicked from the elite Special Forces ranks, they were identified as the best of the best from the highly trained United States Army Special Forces.
These noble warriors, caught up in an ignoble war no one wanted, returned home, not to ticker-tape parades as previous American war veterans had experienced, but rather to an ungrateful nation—jeered, derided and spat upon. After receiving little appreciation for their terrible sacrifices, all these men wanted was to quietly rebuild their lives and raise their families in tranquil obscurity. Peace looked good to them. Collectively, during a five-year span, they’d experienced more combat than any other unit in the Vietnam War, and had viewed enough killing and destruction to last a lifetime. Ultimately, some suffered emotionally and remain psychologically scarred; mentally they might wander the Central Highlands’s misty hills, forever lost in that conflict—or hope to mend their minds in the relief of hard liquor. Most successfully put it behind them, yet none completely forgot what they once had—and lost.
As others wrote about their Vietnam experiences and Hollywood crafted movies depicting corrupt versions of that bloody conflict—the leading characters nearly always portrayed as potheads or psychopaths— the weary soldiers of Project Delta preferred to fade into the background to resume their disrupted personal lives.
Throughout the ensuing years, these men have remained close. An integral component within the exclusive Special Operations Association (SOA), they support worthy causes, share stories, resources and strength during annual reunions. While the wartime friendships and unique brotherhood has never diminished, their numbers have shrunk; the years have taken their toll. Many Project Delta members have succumbed to old war wounds, physical and mental, or other war-related illnesses, eventually coming to terms with the death they’d bravely defied so many times in the past.
These graying warriors rely upon their diminishing colleagues for strength, encouragement and purpose, silently grieving for those left behind while honoring those now quietly passing. Today their brotherhood remains as steadfast and strong as when they fought beside each other in Southeast Asia’s rugged mountain jungles.
After the war, some former Special Forces soldiers did their best to educate the American public about several highly classified projects: the Studies and Observation Group (SOG), Omega and Sigma. John L. Plaster’s SOG: The Secret Wars of America’s Commandos in Vietnam; Jim Morris’s War Story: The Classic True Story of the First Generation of Green Berets in Vietnam; and Robin Moore’s, The Green Berets, are noteworthy. But strong perceptions persist, and the American public still has a hard time believing anything good might have come from this disputed conflict. Most have only heard details from distorted Hollywood script versions, in lieu of eyewitness accounts from those who lived through it.
Stunned by public rejection, Project Delta’s members unanimously agreed they would deny interviews and withhold authorization for their story, preferring to remain in the shadows. Only a few citizens know of Project Delta; even fewer have any awareness of the vital contributions and immense sacrifices of this small band of men. Yet for this unique group, whose numbers never exceeded a total of 100 officers and enlisted men, uncommon valor was the order of the day. Delta members generally scorned medals and decorations. Still this small fighting force has collectively been honored with an astounding array: five Distinguished Service Crosses, thirty-seven Silver Stars, 102 Bronze Stars, forty-eight Army Commendation Medals for valor, twenty-one Air Medals for valor and sixty-eight Purple Hearts for wounds received in combat. Several awards, including one for the Distinguished Service Cross, were flat-out refused by their recipients; the soldiers had insisted their efforts unworthy.
When the policy of being awarded three Purple Hearts could ensure a quick trip back home, scores of Project Delta members could have legitimately claimed the medal, but scoffed at such antics. Sixteen awards for valor are pending and may never be presented.1 Numerous other decorations for valor (not acknowledged above) were also recommended and/or awarded. With member attrition, the loss of precious institutional memory and recorded documentation, those awards couldn’t be included. Project Delta has also been recognized with an impressive number of Unit Awards, above and beyond those for personal valor.
Project Delta, Special Forces Operational Detachment B-52, was the most highly decorated unit of its size, and the second most highly decorated unit in the Vietnam War. (But the first, CIA’s Special Forces Project MACV-SOG, larger in numbers, also sustained substantially more casualties than Delta). During the five years and three months of Project Delta’s existence, between 1964 and 1970, despite a voracious number of combat operations, only nineteen U.S. personnel were killed while twelve remain missing. This statistic is astounding considering the magnitude of its combat operations, war wounds and personal bravery awards. Most Project Delta personnel received multiples of all three; it is a testament to their superb training and combat skills that such a relatively few men were lost.2 Retired Army Colonel David Hackworth, in About Face: Odyssey of an American Warrior, referred to Project Delta as, “...pound for pound and weighed against its cost... the most effective fighting force in Vietnam.”