THE ETHER ZONE U.S. ARMY SPECIAL FORCES DETACHMENT B-52, PROJECT DELTA R. C. Morris THE ETHER ZONE © 2009 by R.C. Morris Published by Hellgate Press (an imprint of L&R Publishing, LLC) All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems without written permission of the publishers. Hellgate Press P.O. Box 3531 Ashland, OR 97520 [email protected] Editor & book design: Harley Patrick Cover design: L. Redding Cover photo courtesy of Jerry Estenson Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Morris, R. C. The ether zone : U.S. Army Special Forces Detachment B-52, Project Delta / R.C. Morris. -- 1st ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-55571-662-2 (alk. paper) 1. United States. Army. Special Forces Group, 5th. Airborne. Detachment B-52. 2. Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Regimental histories--United States. 3. Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Commando operations--United States. 4. Vietnam War, 1961- 1975--Reconnaissance operations. I. Title. DS558.4.M677 2009 959.704’38--dc22 2009016271 Printed and bound in the United States of America First edition 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Advanced Praise for The Ether Zone: The Ether Zone should be a must-read for those who are aspiring to enter our Special Forces, or other elite units where guts, innovation, and dedication are essential ingredients for success. Or, for that matter, anyone who would like a down-and-dirty vicarious experience in our Special Forces. – David J. Baratto, Major General, U.S. Army Retired Former Commander, John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School Project Delta arguably marked the greatest advance in U.S. Special Operations since Colonel Aaron Bank devised the A-team. Ray Morris lays it out chapter and verse, concept and combat...What a book! – MAJ Jim Morris, USA (Ret) Author, War Story, Fighting Men and Above and Beyond Among Vietnam War recon units, Project Delta B-52 was the pioneer and class act that set the standard for everyone else. With The Ether Zone, there is at last a book worthy of that little known—and yet legendary—unit! The Ether Zone is truly excellent! – Kenn Miller, author of Six Silent Men II and Tiger the Lurp Dog Ray Morris, with skill, has assembled a remarkable true history of the then- secret actions of those few brave Nung, Montagnard, Vietnamese and American men who served in B-52 Delta. – COL Alan Park, USA (Ret) Commander, Project Delta – 1969 This is a story of unparalleled bravery of one of the most combat-effective units in the Vietnam War, the precursor of today’s Delta Force. I was proud to be a part of that unit. An exciting read...places you in the middle of the action! – John F. Flanagan, Brigadier General, USAF Retired Author, Vietnam Above the Treetops: A Forward Air Controller Reports “These men operate in the Ether Zone of military excellence.” General Robert Cushman Commandant, United States Marine Corps CONTENTS FOREWORD General Henry H. Shelton INTRODUCTION In the Company of Heroes ONE Find the Ho Chi Minh Trail! TWO Leaping Lena THREE The Mind is the Greatest Weapon FOUR Watch Out for Guys in Black Pajamas FIVE Teamwork and “Jointness” SIX “...God Bless You All” SEVEN Stay Out of the An Loa Valley EIGHT “Hang On, Recon...” NINE “Greater Love Has No Man...” TEN Why We Fight ELEVEN A Different Breed TWELVE Brotherhood THIRTEEN Team Viper: “We’re Hit, Bad” FOURTEEN Heart and Soul FIFTEEN A Shau: Valley of Death SIXTEEN The Twilight Zone SEVENTEEN The FNG EIGHTEEN “Break Contact... Continue Mission!” NINETEEN Bruiser TWENTY Bad Luck B-52 TWENTY-ONE Men of Courage and Honor TWENTY-TWO “You’re Fired!” TWENTY- Leave No Man Behind THREE TWENTY-FOUR Back Into the Valley TWENTY-FIVE Conex Boogie TWENTY-SIX The Art of War: The Nung TWENTY- “Honest, Sir... I Saw Trucks!” SEVEN TWENTY-EIGHT Welcome Home, Brother Afterword Reflections of a Delta Recon Man Delta Recon (poem) The Wall Recon Acknowledgments and Sources Annex A: USSF Awards & Decorations, by Operation Annex B: Participants in the An Loa Valley Operation, by Team Annex C: USSF Personnel, BDA Platoon-Nung Company Annex D: USSF Personnel, Road Runners Annex E: USSF Personnel Roster, Project Delta Recon Teams Annex F: B-52, Project Delta Commanders/Headquarters Staff and Attached Personnel Annex G: USSF 91st and 81st Airborne Ranger Battalion Advisors Annex H: Unit Awards Glossary About the Author