Did the NVA have Special Forces?

The sappers who so devastatingly struck firebase Mary Ann—as well as hundreds of minor outposts, major bases, airfields, fortified hamlets and large cities throughout South Vietnam—were members of the Bo Doi Dac Cong (roughly translated “soldiers in special forces”), a highly organized, well-trained and well-equipped …

How many Green Berets killed Vietnam?

17 Green Berets
Because of the top-secret nature of the MACV-SOG, no official memorial service was held in Vietnam for the fallen Green Berets. The 17 Green Berets who were killed on that fateful day are: SSG Talmadge Horton Alphin, Jr. PFC William Henry Bric III.

What is a Vietcong sapper?

The Vietnamese term đặc công can be literally translated as “special task”. Thousands of specially trained elite fighters served in the PAVN and Viet Cong commando–sapper units which were organized as independent formations.

What did the Green Berets do in Vietnam?

The most famous of the Special Forces involved in the Vietnam War were the US Green Berets, their original mission being to wage guerilla warfare and organize resistance behind enemy lines. Most of the Green Berets that served in Vietnam belonged to the 5th Special Forces Group, who had their headquarters in Nha Trang.

Was MACV-SOG Green Beret?

The all-volunteer MACV-SOG (most were U.S. Army Special Forces “Green Berets”) carried out some of the most dangerous and challenging special operations of the Vietnam War. He offers tales of close, violent combat actions between MACV-SOG teams and large numbers of North Vietnamese Army (NVA) troops.

Where did sappers originate?

sapper, military engineer. The name is derived from the French word sappe (“spadework,” or “trench”) and became connected with military engineering during the 17th century, when attackers dug covered trenches to approach the walls of a besieged fort.