SOAR 2024

By Greg Walker (Ret.)
USA Special Forces

ABOUT SOAR

The Special Operation Association’s General Membership Meeting is held the third week in October keeping the membership informed on the activities of the Board of Director’s during the year.

SOAR, the SOA’s reunion, is held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting, fostering an environment for camaraderie and fellowship to strengthen those friendships forged in battle and the opportunity to make new ones. Seminars, meetings and interactive workshops are offered keeping the membership up to date on programs, services, current events and other topics important to the membership. The 4-day event culminates with the annual banquet celebrating our members and honoring our fallen.

SOAR 2024 – 60th Anniversary of MACV-SOG

This year’s SOAR reunion celebrated the 60th anniversary of the activation of MACV-SOG. Guest speaker at the Thursday evening banquet was Major General (ret) Kenneth R. Bowra, who served with Combat and Control North (CCN) as a recon team leader (1-0). Over the course of the week there were numerous well planned and attended events all culminating with Thursday evening’s well attended banquet. A vibrant event which saw roughly 400 SOA members, family, and friends gather together.

General Bowra’s remarks set the tone for the evening—

Special Operations Association Reunion 2024
17 October 2024

Major General Ken Bowra Remarks

“Thank you for inviting me here to speak with you tonight and special thanks to all who worked so hard to make this reunion so very special as we remember the 60th Anniversary of MACV-SOG and of those who served and supported our operations. Can all who served in SOG and supported our operations please stand to be recognized?

Please join me in saying thank you. “I would also like to recognize our active-duty Special Forces and SOF members who continue to build on to the legacy of SOG. Please stand to be recognized. Thank you.

“For me, when I’m asked what I did as a soldier, I say that I served with great soldiers. Throughout my service there were several who touched my life in a very special way.

“On October 23rd, 1964 we received our copy of the Saturday Evening Post, with Captain Roger Donlon on the cover, and his story and that of ODA-726 and their defense of their camp at Nam Dong on July 6th, 1964. Little did I know that Roger would become a special friend until his passing earlier this year. He set my vision on Special Forces. In High School at Baldwin Senior High School, in Baldwin, N.Y., our Varsity football team had several great players, and to me the very best was a senior who took time to work with and assist others. He was the epitome of a team player. After graduation he enlisted in the Army and went on to Special Forces and SOG. His name was John Kedenburg, who many of you know. John was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 13, 1968. I’d like to remember John with you, and read his Medal of Honor citation:

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp5c. Kedenburg, U.S. Army, Command and Control Detachment North, Forward Operating Base 2, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), distinguished himself while serving as adviser to a long-range reconnaissance team of South Vietnamese irregular troops.

The team’s mission was to conduct counterguerrilla operations deep within enemy-held territory. Prior to reaching the day’s objective, the team was attacked and encircled by a battalion-size North Vietnamese Army force. Sp5c. Kedenburg assumed immediate command of the team which succeeded, after a fierce fight, in breaking out of the encirclement.

As the team moved through thick jungle to a position from which it could be extracted by helicopter, Sp5c. Kedenburg conducted a gallant rear guard fight against the pursuing enemy and called for tactical air support and rescue helicopters. His withering fire against the enemy permitted the team to reach a preselected landing zone with the loss of only one man, who was unaccounted for.

Once in the landing zone, Sp5c. Kedenburg deployed the team into a perimeter defense against the numerically superior enemy force. When tactical air support arrived, he skillfully directed air strikes against the enemy, suppressing their fire so that helicopters could hover over the area and drop slings to be used in the extraction of the team.

After half of the team was extracted by helicopter, Sp5c. Kedenburg and the remaining three members of the team harnessed themselves to the sling on a second hovering helicopter. Just as the helicopter was to lift them out of the area, the South Vietnamese team member who had been unaccounted for after the initial encounter with the enemy appeared in the landing zone.

Sp5c. Kedenburg unhesitatingly gave up his place in the sling to the man and directed the helicopter pilot to leave the area. He then continued to engage the enemy who were swarming into the landing zone, killing six enemy soldiers before he was overpowered.

Sp5c. Kedenburg’s inspiring leadership, consummate courage, and willing self-sacrifice permitted his small team to inflict heavy casualties on the enemy and escape almost certain annihilation. His actions reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.

“When I was assigned to SOG and C.C.N., there were truly legends in Recon Company. The Recon Company Commander was Larry Manes and First Sergeant Billy Waugh and later J.D. Bath. A fellow One Zero and lifelong friend, Eldon Bargewell, who took time to help me out, and even lent me his cut down RPD for a mission, but Eldon said I had to bring back the links! They were in short supply.

“Others include my special friend, Frank Pulley, who I owe so much to, Andre B. Smith, Mel Wick, Ray Frovarp from RT Louisiana and North Carolina, Don Murphy, Pappy Wells, Pappy Jones, Dave Sparling, Tony Dodge and many more as shown in these photos. Special friend Doug Miller, who I met at Long Than, remained a close friend, until his passing. Tonight, we have his daughter, Danielle with us. At One Zero School in Long Than my instructor was Staff Sergeant Hoot Gipson, from CCN. He guided me to learn the tips of the trade as a One Zero. A great soldier and mentor who was killed in action near Kontum Airfield later in 1972 during the Easter Offensive.

“There are also the air crews who supported us. Covey and the brave pilots from the 20 th TASS, the slicks and Cobras and fixed wing. Then there is a Cobra pilot I never met, and after expending all ordnance departed that cold rainy day in the Southern A Shau, only to return later with no ammo, low on fuel and calling me on the radio to see if we were still there, saying he was going to make solo dry runs to push the NVA back and buy us some time. A real hero. Ask Xuan.But, to all of us, most special were our indigenous team members.

“From RT Idaho:

• Do Ti Quang—a legend who served with Tilt and continued serving. Quang was the epitome of the best and most effective recon fighter.
• Pham Cao Son
• Trinh Viet Hoa
• Hoang Van Son
• Hoa
• Tran Viet Lien
• Nguyen Van Vo
• An
• Thurng
• And especially Vu Van Xuan, who is with us tonight, along with his wife.

“From RT Sidewinder:

• Tao
• Bong—my friend, who I will always remember.
• La Hai
• Coc
• Amang
• Nem
• Man Loi
• Ngau
• Anh
• Thang Hoi

“I owe my life forever to our indigenous team members, who never left Vietnam as we all did. I was only in Vietnam for 1 year and 2 months-14 months, and later in Cambodia for a year, but our indigenous team members stayed on. They were loyal to us and the United States, despite the odds against them after we withdrew and the North Vietnamese overran the South.

“Tonight, I am honored to introduce my last surviving team member and brother, from RT Idaho, Vu Van Xuan, who is accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Dang Thi Xuan. Please welcome them. Xuan reached out and found me last year, and thanks to the support of Doug and the SOA board and members, and especially Mike and Chan Eiland, their visas were approved by the Consulate office in Ho Chi Minh City, with the support of Mike’s friend, the American Ambassador to Vietnam, Ambassador Marc Knapper and my new contact in Vietnam, the Defense Attache Colonel Thomas Bouchillon. Mike and Chan also made sure funds from the SOA were transferred safely for Xuan and his wife. I’d now like to ask Xuan to join me and say a few remarks, along with Chan’s assistance.

“Our indigenous troops were the heart and soul of MACVSOG—and always will be.

“MACVSOG’s history and legacy is being preserved by those who write and tell our history. Special thanks to John Plaster, Jason Hardy, Tilt Meyer, Dick Thompson, Dan Thompson, Steve Sherman and others here. Also, honorary SOA member, Rob Graham and his team from Savage Games, who continue to preserve the legacy and history through their interviews, gaming and generous donations to SOA.

“If all of our authors and Rob and his team could please stand. Please join me in thanking them.

“Winston Churchill once said, “…There comes a time in every man’s life when he is called upon to do something for which he, and only he has the necessary skills, and has the necessary training. What a pity if that moment finds the man unprepared.”

“Well, those who served and supported SOG were prepared for those moments, just as our Special Forces is today. To those serving today, continue to make your legacy, adding to our history.

“In closing, I have a faded document that I have kept framed in my office since 1975 and often reflect upon it as I supported various operations and contingencies and as a reminder of those events, sacrifices and lessons learned. Let me share this with you now:

‘Date Time Group 291215Z APR 75

FM AMEMBASSY SAIGON
TO SECSTATE

SAIGON 00000 PLAN TO CLOSE SAIGON APPROXIMATELY 0430

SAIGON TIME DEPENDANT ON PERFORMANCE OF MILITARY

EVACUATION CHANNELS. DUE TO NECESSITY TO DESTROY COMMO GEAR, THIS IS LAST SAIGON MESSAGE TO SECSTATE.’

A longtime friend often wears a hat that says, “Vietnam, we weren’t losing when I was there!” I believe that says it best for all who served.

We never were defeated on the battlefield and all served with honor, dedication, and selfless service. Our nation won the Vietnam battle in the Cold War victory.

“God bless you, your families, and all of our brothers who paid the ultimate sacrifice, and God bless America.

“Thank you”