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It was an honor and surprise for me to represent the USAF for SOCOM and AFSOC at the presentation of the Presidential Unit Citation to MACV SOG ( Military Assistance Command Vietnam, Studies and Observation Group). It was presented for the period 24 Jan 1964 to 30 April 1972. The 4 April 2001 ceremony at Ft Bragg presided over by Lt Gen Doug Brown was outstanding, and the displays and tours for the participants were great. Tours included the wind tunnel parachute training facility, sniper training areas and urban fighting demos. The displays included much of the unclassified equipment a modern soldier carries to war.

The USAF supported the SOG mission during the SEA war with FAC, transport and with the 20th SOS and 21st SOS helicopter squadrons. The helicopters were used for infil and exfil (often under fire) of the SOG teams. Both helicopter squadrons had a primary mission of SOG support. I flew with the 21st at NKP Thailand and our missions were often in support of ‘Heavy Hook”, the SOG unit on our side of the fence. Our missions were named “Prairie Fire” and involved efforts such as POW captures (“ Bright Light”) destruction of enemy supplies and infils to tap phone lines and disrupt enemy supply lines. By the time I participated, 1970-1971, almost all of our extractions were under fire or troops in contact. The 20th pilot Jim Fleming received The Medal of Honor on one hot exfil mission in Nov 1968.

I also had the honor of being a Major General for a day. Some folks misunderstand the announcer when he read my name ‘Major John Grove’ and it sounded like Major General Grove. So with out the extra pay I was a big deal for the moment.

I met with the historian for US Army Spec Warfare Center and School. I presented him with the unclassified history of the 20th SOS for the whole SEA war period. It includes all the Commanders reports from the activation to the deactivation of the 20th SOS in SEA. We also discussed what the Air Force did to modify the aircraft to better support the SOG mission as well as the 21st SOS changes and support. They are interested in the 21st SOS Commanders reports as well, and I will check with the unit in the UK to see if they have the reports.

The historian at SOCOM is also interested in the histories for both units. I will see what he needs and send or take it to him.

The unknown at this time is, can the Air Force personnel who directly supported the MACV SOG missions have the award entered in personnel files. The award is a Department of the Army award. This is a question that the active duty AF folks will have to answer.

It really was a great honor to be the Air Force rep at this great award, I do wish that the folks at AFSOC had just maybe mentioned to me that I would be one of only two AF dudes in the ceremony. Great award, great honor great fun.