Time 4 Hemp

Frank Fowler co- created ST DAKOTA in 1965. Dakota was the 4th Team to go into Laos when SOG began “SHINNING BRASS” operations in 1965… -Frank Fowler was in the initial group of 1st SF GROUP men sent from Okinawa to man the newly formed MACVSOG “SPIKE TEAMS”. The 1st Special Forces Group on Okinawa instituted a program of training American Special Forces in reconnaissance and intelligence gathering techniques. The men were secretly trained in groups, but as individuals and those who successfully completed the program were asked to volunteer for an undisclosed, "Top Secret" mission. Most did, and were eventually sent to South Vietnam "under cover". Upon arrival in Saigon,they were briefed on the anticipated "SHINING BRASS" operation and again asked to volunteer for the dangerous assignment. They realized the hazards of operating behind enemy lines without personal identification, or combat support of any kind. Nevertheless, they readily volunteered and knew they would be considered as spies if captured. To insure the longevity of their government's existence, Vietnamese soldiers volunteered for the "secret and dangerous" SOG mission. These men were recruited, initially, from the Vietnamese's 1st Observations Group (FOG). They agreed to act as team members, and scouts on American-led reconnaissance teams. In aiding endangered reconnaissance teams who battled against superior sized enemy forces, a reaction force was recruited and trained. A recruiting office with the cover name of the Liaison Bureau" was established in Cholon, the Chinese sector of Saigon. The talents of the loyal and brave Chinese Nungs incentive, all volunteers were exempted from South Vietnamese Army conscription. ***Initial teams were named after the 1-0’s home state and they were ALASKA-DAKOTA-IDAHO-IOWA-KANSAS out of KHAM DUC in 1965. Info Sources- Mostly Harvey Saale & Hardy Publications for the tiny bit on Frank Photo credit - Mike Taylor via FB