Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard
Actually - COL Guest wanted the RVN era colors out of the 5th SFGA flash.
RE: 5th SFG flashes:
- The original 5th SFG flash was all black in 1961.
- The 2nd pattern black w/white border (added in 1962) flash was worn but not officially authorized until 1964.
- First pattern USASFV (Prov) flash (never authorized) prior to 5th SFG deployment was all yellow with three diagonal red stripes.
- The 3rd pattern 5th SFG flash was the black w/white border and diagonal yellow-red-yellow-red-yellow-red-yellow stripes denoting (a) colors of original USASFV flash, (b) colors of early TDY teams from 1st and 7th SFGs and (c) RVN flag.
On 7 Dec 84 COL James Guest, 5th SFG CDR, submitted a request to the Director, Institute of Heraldry, requesting that the official flash of the 5th SFG be changed back to the solid black with white border because: - The colors of a foreign flag should not be incorporated in a US Army beret flash
- The RVN and the original purpose for having the RVN colors in the flash no longer existed
- The 5th SFG was no longer oriented towards SEA
- The mission and organization of the 5th SFGA had been significantly transformed to meet modern requirements and the change of beret flash would depict that metamorphosis
The request was approved by the Institute of Heraldry on 16 Jan 85.
* Sutherland, Ian. Special Forces of the US Army; 1990.
Richard's $.02  |
5th Group didn't official change until later that spring of 85' (Apr or May). I had been assigned to C/1/5 in Dec 84 with the old RVN flash and was one of 20 folks from 1/5 to stand in the formal flash changing ceremony later that spring. Ceremony was conducted in front of the "Bronze Bruce Statue". We wore the old flash, than was given the command to "Uncover", heritage read then commanded to "Recover" Later in June I went to CDQC with the new flash.
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