77th SF Grp in 1956

[greenberetTFS]

I was in the 82nd Abn for about 18 months when word came out that the 77th SF was looking for some young blood to be trained by the existing combat experienced soldiers of the 77th.... They had many WW2 personel and needed qualifed airborne soldiers willing to learn and train with these men.... The requirements were that you would take a "short" discharge,re-enlist for four years and re-up for Special Forces....I jumped at the chance to get into this unit....It didn't last long,in less then a year they had cutbacks and we were the first to go...I ended up going into the 11th Abn in Germany as a replacement along with some other 82nd troopers...There must have been at least 100 of us that were on this program and I wonder if they are still around....By the way we were fondly referred to by the vets as "Bank's Babies"......

[SFpanama]

Does my SFA pal Robert "Bob" Storks ring a bell?

John

P.S.
I just saw the "Taps" notification over at the SFA Forum for 3 former 77th members.

[greenberetTFS]

*

[greenberetTFS]

I was wondering if any former 77th SF Grp guys remember some young pups that were assigned to the unit in 1956? I've ran a search on this question and came up empty. It all started when 1st Sgt Kialoha (Samoan of course,over 6 ft tall and built like a rock, his nickname was the Pineapple,but never said to his face) addressed several hundred 82nd troopers at the theater in the "old" div area regarding the opportunity to get into the Special Forces. About a 100 of us accepted. We were told that Col Bank's was looking for young troopers willing to be trained by experienced WW2 vets. Anyone,either with the cadre or us, "Bank's Babies" recall that time? It was short lived,less than a year,cutbacks sent us all to the 11th Abn in Germany....

GB TFS

[ODA 226]

My neighbor, Dave Weakly, worked at the Field Activities Branch at Camp Perry and was in the 77th Group. Sadly, Dave passed away about 10 years ago.

[greenberetTFS]

Originally Posted by ODA 226

My neighbor, Dave Weakly, worked at the Field Activities Branch at Camp Perry and was in the 77th Group. Sadly, Dave passed away about 10 years ago.

ODA 226,

First of all, thank you for replying to my post. I don't remember Dave. Sad part about this is that most of the vets were WW2. That of course puts many of them probably in their 80's. I remember some of the cadre but mostly the young guys like myself that volunteered at that time. What was unique about 1st Sgt Kialoha was the 4 stars he had mounted in his wings. He was with the 505 PIR on all of their jumps during the war. Sorry to hear about Dave's passing.

GB TFS