R. C. Morris - The Ether Zone: U.S. Army Special Forces Detachment B-52, Project Delta

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
info@hellgatepress.com

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
959.70438--dc22

2009016271

Printed and bound in the United States of America
First edition 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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 knownand yet legendaryunit! 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 todays 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

IN THE ETHER ZONE, RAY MORRIS CARRIES the reader behind the scenes of one of Americas premier forces in the Vietnam War. Project Delta provided the eyes and ears for the commander of U.S. forces in Vietnam by operating in no mans land, far from other U.S. forces in what would have been behind enemy lines in Americas previous wars. The quietest of The Quiet Professionals, these extraordinary men operated in the most desolate of places, near and in enemy sanctuaries, clandestinely seeking out the enemy and either delivering devastating air power or providing the intelligence needed to support the employment of larger American units in that region.

This small, but highly effective, group of men punched well above their weight! They were an incredibly brave and dedicated professional force who purged their own ranks of those who did not measure up; in some cases they were characters, but characters that became legends among those fortunate enough to know them.

The personal stories captured by Ray Morris portray instances of incredible heroism, told in anecdotal fashion as the incident unfolded. This tightly-knit group operated clandestinely for five years; they suffered losses, but never missed a beat. To the man, they were single-minded in purpose and intent on being the best. They were proud but not cocky; they were quiet professionals in the finest sense. It is past time that America hears their story.

General Henry H. Shelton, U.S. Army Retired
14th Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

The Quiet Professionals:
For all those brave men who have ever served on a
U.S. Army Special Forces A-Team,
and for comrades still missing in action.

THE CHILDREN WHO WOULD BECOME THE WARRIORS of Project Delta were born at a time of uncertainty; America was still engaged in World War II. As the nation struggled to revive a sluggish post-war economy, these young boys were developing stalwart character traits reflecting Americas values, work ethic, courage and morals. The sons of sturdy American and immigrant stock, they were a diverse lot, representing the best of the best. Their geographical background was rich, an amalgamation of all walks of life. They hailed from cities, both large and small, obscure little towns, farmlands, flatlands, seacoasts, the Rocky Mountain region, low-country, cattle country, the hills of the Ozarks and from the swamps and bayous of Louisiana. At least four had emigrated from Europe, while one had been of French-Canadian descent. Three Project Delta members ultimately rose to the rank of general officer; one achieving acclaim as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Predominately, this collective body represented poor and middle class families, although a few would be from wealth. Most had enlisted while others were draftedall would volunteer for Project Delta.

Ever since the middle ages and the Roman Army, armies have had elite volunteer units dedicated to the most difficult and dangerous missions. Despite Americas relatively short history, historians have chronicled: Rogers Rangers (Revolutionary War); Jeb Stuarts Cavalry (Civil War); the tough 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions; Darbys Rangers; and the 1st Special Service Forcethe renowned, combined American and Canadian World War II forerunner to todays Special Forces. The soldiers of these unique fighting units had one very important similaritythey all volunteered to fight with an elite unit. Modern soldiers serving in the U.S. Armys most elite combat unit, the United States Army Special Forces, each volunteer a minimum of three times; the majority are also Ranger and/or jungle warfare qualified. Barry Sadlers lyrics in the Ballad of the Green Beret state, One hundred men theyll test today, but only three win the Green Beret. His words hit not far from the mark, but even after this strict selection process, it would still take at least three more years of intensive training to become fully qualified for specific mission deployment.

Among these elite Special Forces units, a relatively few men would become affiliated with even a more select groupthey share the distinction of serving in one of the militarys most selective, secretive organizations, Project Delta. Handpicked from the elite Special Forces ranks, they were identified as the best of the best from the highly trained United States Army Special Forces.