Really neat but short article with some photos.  I had no idea they made a 500rd backpack ammo feed for the M60

Edit:  Apparently the Gyrojet was used in combat. Go figure

http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2015/4/3/behind-enemy-lines-weapons-of-vietnams-covert-warriors/

 
SOG had the most expansive weapons library ever assembled at that point in history. And yes, the Gyrojet saw limited use in combat but it was extremely unpredictable. Think MoH recipient Doug Miller used one a few times in Laos.

This one is always trippy.

Always liked the chopped RPD.


A SAW before the SAW.

Full of win

that is a cool chopper!

RPD is a great gun. suppresses real nice, too!

Does anyone know the results of the US Navy SEALs T&E use of the 5.56 HK?

Was curious why it was not adopted....

Ray-Bans on and everything.

That's a H&R T223.

 

There's one in the article, too.

Gotta' love the little mini grenades.

 

http://chiefmcclane.tumblr.com/post/75103472145/gunrunnerhell-hunting-club-two-u-s-soldiers-in

 
Frank Greco, RT Colorado !-2, circa late 1969 out on the firing range south of CCC.

Was there any reason they didn't put flash suppressors on the chopped RPD?

On a barrel that short it probably wouldn't have done a damn bit of good.

I think because they were such small teams that if they made contact they wanted to make as much noise and chaos as possible for a intimidation factor causing the enemy to think they ran into more people than they actually had.
ETA: Plaster comppained about a silenced weapon he had once because the lack of noise kept the enemy rushing in instead of hitting the dirt.

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3 of my personal favorites...




 

Unless you are on the wrong end of 'em

One of the recent articles on Vietnam in AR had a picture of a barefoot Seal getting off a boat. Thought that was cool.

Huh, the mini hand grenade was pretty cool...wonder what the effective range was?

That is so full of WIN!

Good Article!

Bump

Cool stuff

Yes, it is a good article.  I work with someone who did something similar.  He and his stories are amazing!

Wait, what?

Duplex rounds in 7.62 were pretty popular while they were available.  Wore the barrels out quickly though.

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That is probably the most kickass thing I have read all day.

Interesting thanks.

Can somebody help me out with this

"Foreign arms figured in SOG’s night parachute infiltrations—the world’s first combat skydives."

Weren't combat skydives common place in WW2 for all kinds of units? I'm pretty sure there were special ops behind enemy lines deployed by parachute in WW2

Ready to be corrected.

Military Free Fall.

Previous combat jumps were all static line.

The Wehrmacht also experimented with 7.92 duplex bullets for the STG44.

American trials with the duplex 7.62x51 were related to the SALVO project.

Thank you.

Where does someone find one of these











 

Does that have a front sight?  I know VN SEAL that claimed to have done something similar.  He said they cut the front sight off as well as cutting other stuff to shave weight.

That is bad ass.

If you look at what was commonly carried on an ODA in the 1950's, most guys carried an M1 or M2 Carbine, supported by BAR's and M1919's, maybe a few Garands.

The delayed production and weight of the M14, combined with the introduction of the AR15, made way for the cementing of the AR15 for a long time to come within the Army SF Regiment's ranks.

Dayummm!

I'm not seeing one in the photo.  Beyond that, no idea I'm afraid.

My FIL was a Ranger in Vietnam, his favorite weapon was the M14.

Welcome to an on going thread. Glad you could join us......

I sent him the photo.

That's the hawtest commie gun I've seen

 
What sixnine said. And during that chaos and hesitation, the smaller SOG team could either shoot through and steamroll the NVA, or more than likely break contact and run like hell.

Weren't those really common in the Bush/Rhodesian wars?

 
The man himself, Bob Howard, playing with his favorite shorty M14 down at the CCC firing range.

Even without knowing who he was, I'd say guy looked pretty badass.  Bio copypasted from wiki
This link has way more detail but I didn't want to copypaste for CoC


Howard enlisted in the Army at Montgomery, Alabama and retired as Colonel, Army Special Forces.
As a staff sergeant of the highly classified Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG), Howard was recommended for the Medal of Honor on three separate occasions for three individual actions during thirteen months spanning 1967–1968. The first two nominations were downgraded to a Silver Star and the Distinguished Service Cross due to the covert nature of the operations in which Howard participated. As a Sergeant First Class of the same organization, he risked his life during a rescue mission in Cambodia on December 30, 1968, while second in command of a platoon-sized Hatchet Force that was searching for missing American soldier Robert Scherdin, and was finally awarded the Medal of Honor. He learned of the award over a two-way radio while under enemy fire, immediately after being wounded, resulting in one of his eight Purple Hearts.[1]

Howard was wounded 14 times during one 54-month period during the Vietnam War. He received two Master's degrees during his government career which spanned almost 50 years. Howard retired as a Colonel in 1992.[2] His Army career spanned 1956 to 1992.[3]
According to NBC News, Howard may have been the most highly decorated American soldier since World War II. His residence was in Texas and he spent much of his free time working with veterans until the time of his death. He also took periodic trips to Iraq to visit active duty troops.[2]
Howard died of pancreatic cancer at a hospice in Waco, Texas on December 23, 2009. He was survived by four children and four grandchildren.[3][4] His funeral was in Arlington National Cemetery on February 22, 2010. [5]

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
FIRST LIEUTENANT
ROBERT L. HOWARD
UNITED STATES ARMY

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt. Howard (then SFC .), distinguished himself while serving as platoon sergeant of an American-Vietnamese platoon which was on a mission to rescue a missing American soldier in enemy controlled territory in the Republic of Vietnam. The platoon had left its helicopter landing zone and was moving out on its mission when it was attacked by an estimated 2-company force. During the initial engagement, 1st Lt. Howard was wounded and his weapon destroyed by a grenade explosion. 1st Lt. Howard saw his platoon leader had been wounded seriously and was exposed to fire. Although unable to walk, and weaponless, 1st Lt. Howard unhesitatingly crawled through a hail of fire to retrieve his wounded leader. As 1st Lt. Howard was administering first aid and removing the officer's equipment, an enemy bullet struck 1 of the ammunition pouches on the lieutenant's belt, detonating several magazines of ammunition. 1st Lt. Howard momentarily sought cover and then realizing that he must rejoin the platoon, which had been disorganized by the enemy attack, he again began dragging the seriously wounded officer toward the platoon area. Through his outstanding example of indomitable courage and bravery, 1st Lt. Howard was able to rally the platoon into an organized defense force. With complete disregard for his safety, 1st Lt. Howard crawled from position to position, administering first aid to the wounded, giving encouragement to the defenders and directing their fire on the encircling enemy. For 31/2 hours 1st Lt. Howard's small force and supporting aircraft successfully repulsed enemy attacks and finally were in sufficient control to permit the landing of rescue helicopters. 1st Lt. Howard personally supervised the loading of his men and did not leave the bullet-swept landing zone until all were aboard safely. 1st Lt. Howard's gallantry in action, his complete devotion to the welfare of his men at the risk of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Oh how the hell would you know! I do recall reading (in one of plaster's books I believe) about at least one instance of a Gyrojet being carried in the field, and an account of it being test fired prior. Apparently it was a nasty piece of work when it came to penetration, but not particularly accurate as I recall. Even with access to the best weapons and gear, I'm still amazed at what you guys were able to accomplish. Much respect to you all.

ETA: Weren't you working on a book?

If by "Ranger", you mean LRRP, keep in mind that most LRRP units carried M16's and XM177's.  Last thing you want to be is out on a patrol behind enemy lines with an M14 and its limited load of ammo.