Which unit in Vietnam was designated both Special Forces and Ranger?

2020-12-07T12:53:36-05:00

I read in a Ranger history book that there was an ODA with both designations. It trained foreign Ranger units. Does anyone know which ODA this was or when and where it was operational?

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Dec 7 at 2020 1:02 PM

2020-12-07T13:02:36-05:00

Have you tried google?

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2020 2:16 PM

2020-12-07T14:16:59-05:00

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA Is there any reference, either in the book, or via the author where you can query the publisher?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2020 2:37 PM

2020-12-07T14:37:12-05:00

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA This is the closest thing I have found. Maybe you have already seen this.

Long-range reconnaissance patrols, also known as ‘LRRP’ were small teams of highly trained and specialized soldiers that was created during Vietnam to conduct infiltration and reconnaissance behind enemy lines. These small teams of soldiers proved extremely effective, and many of their lessons learned and tactics are still in use today by modern special forces.

LRRP was founded December, 1965 by the 101st Airborne Division, and this was quickly copied and done by other US units operating in Vietnam at the time, including the 1st and 25th Infantry Divisions. Thanks to successful operations and the valuable reconnaissance they performed, LRRP units were authorized to be established in July of 1966 within each Brigade by General Westmoreland.

LRRP Teams were small, often consisting of only six-man teams. The focus was on highly specialized training, and the individual jungle fighting skills of each man had to be excellent in order to maintain stealth and situational awareness in the jungle. Team leaders were frequently borne out of the U.S. Army”s 5th Special Forces Recondo school, creating intelligent and knowledgeable leaders. The keystones of LRRP was the individual expertise of each soldier, which existed to a level that by the war’s end the kill ratio for LRRP teams was nearing 400 enemy KIA for every LRRP member killed.

The kill ratios were indicative of the proficiency of which the LRRP teams operated within the jungles of Vietnam. The majority of soldiers participating in LRRP preferred the short-barreled CAR-15, a carbine variant of the newly fielded M16. Considering that most engagements were at short distances this would give credence to the carbine being king of their armaments. Occasionally members would bring shotguns, or M79 grenade launchers as additional support, cut down and stripped to the bare essentials so they could be strapped or packed into a rucksack. Specialized kit such as silenced sub-machineguns existed, and some men woudl opt to bring captured enemy weapons such as AK-47s. Every man carried extra medical gear to support themselves and their team, as the first aid provided in a firefight would be themselves treating themselves first off. Rucksacks were cut down to the bare essentials – carrying a sleeping cover or rain tarp, and enough pouches for mission essential equipment, nothing else that could weigh them down. Webbing was customised and fitted to each man, so that he could maximize the amount of ammunition, smoke and fragmentation grenades he could carry, as well as have administrative kit such as maps and a compass close at hand. Food was packed in stripped down meals, losing everything but the essential meals. Water came in the form of several canteens hung off of the waist, as dehydration was a big cause of hot weather injuries in the jungle. Everything was shared, from extra ammunition for a machine-gunner to batteries for the radio operator. The organization was normally five of these six-man teams to a platoon, and several platoons to a LRRP company.

https://www.75thrra.com/history/c75_hx.html

C/75 RGR & E/20 LRP HISTORY

This history deals with the activities, personnel, and accomplishments of Company C (Ranger), 75th infantry during the period 1 February 1969 through October 1971, and Company E (Long Range Patrol) 20th Infantry (Airborne) from 25 September 1967 through 1 February 1969 which preceeded the designation of Company C (Ranger), 75th Infantry.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2020 2:39 PM

2020-12-07T14:39:20-05:00

You might find someone here that knows, worth a try. Wide variety of folks here. Army Historical anything might help. You can get depth once you ID unit(s) through any blogs or sites.

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Dec 7 at 2020 2:58 PM

2020-12-07T14:58:48-05:00

Can you give me a possible time frame/period? Other than Vietnam.

To be honest, I think that someone is mixing up history, and here is why:
Both the Ranger Regiment and SF has the same originating heritage with the 5307th Composite Group. In addition there were several ODA's and individuals (both Ranger and SF), during the Vietnam era that trained comparable units as Rangers or as SF. A prime example would be the MACV Recondo School or LRRP courses, which trained the personnel that were in the Vietnam era LRRP units. There was also various ODA's in 8th Group and 7th Group that did similarly in Central and South America, with the most famous being the ones that trained and operated alongside the Bolivian Rangers that killed Che Guevara.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Dec 7 at 2020 5:30 PM

2020-12-07T17:30:02-05:00

MAC-SOG.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Dec 8 at 2020 8:44 AM

2020-12-08T08:44:50-05:00

Thank you to everyone for your help. I found it: "Also of note was the Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha41 (Ranger) of the 46th Special Forces Company. This detachment served to instruct the Royal Thai Army Ranger School at Lopburi and was the only unit in the United States Army to be designated both Special Forces and Ranger. All of the unit’s members were Ranger-qualified graduates of the Ranger School, with many having served as instructors in the U.S. Army Infantry School." -- Lock, JD. To Fight With Intrepidity. Unknown. Kindle Edition.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Dec 8 at 2020 9:58 PM

2020-12-08T21:58:59-05:00

There is a SPC Daly or Daily PhD on here who is deep into Vietnam Era Special Forces unit history. I tried searching for him and of course the RP Search engine performed to standard. SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA he would be the guy to answer this.