William Bowers

William H. Bowers of Clarksburg has a family history of military service that dates back to the American Revolutionary War in the 1700’s. He traces this history from the 1700’s to the Civil War where his great grandfather served in the German Division. A plaque in Gettysburg commemorates that Division’s service and lists his great grandfather’s name as one of many who served at Gettysburg. His dad served in World War I, a brother served in World War II and another brother served in the Korean Conflict.

Bill took up the family’s continued military service when the Vietnam conflict was beginning. An avid sports player throughout his schooling, he graduated from Duquesne High School and went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree from Geneva College. It was 1960, and since the draft was still active, he decided to join the Army. He went to boot camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky and then to paratrooper training at Ft. Benning, Georgia. While there he was invited to train for the Special Forces at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.

His decision to accept the invitation led to spending 52 more weeks in highly specialized training. Bill was assigned to the 7th Special Forces. He said the training was a “John Wayne School for wayward boys!”

The Special Forces are comprised of small groups of highly trained officers and Non-commissioned Officers, whose mission would be to conduct "behind-the-lines" operations in enemy territory, for reconnaissance, target acquisition and damage assessment, and precision strikes on strategic targets. Special Forces units have another unique mission, and that is to train and operate insurgency and counter-insurgency units in the field, a mission they performed admirably in Vietnam. They are very well-schooled in foreign languages and customs, and are the units of choice when a training mission is done in another nation.

The Special Forces are also known as Green Berets. The Green Beret was originally unauthorized for wear by the U.S. Army. However, in 1961, President John F. Kennedy finally authorized them for use exclusively by the Special Forces. In 1962, he called the Green Beret "a symbol of excellence, a badge of courage, a mark of distinction in the fight for freedom." Aside from the well-recognized beret, Special Forces Operatives are also known for their more informal attire than other members of the U.S. Military.

The 7th Group was assigned to Vietnam in 1961. Before Vietnam became a full blown conflict, the 7th worked as advisors to the Vietnamese Army and the Civilian Irregular Defense Forces, trained and led quick reaction units called Mike Forces and conducted cross-border operations as the Studies and Observation Group. The 7th Special Forces Group was also actively involved in Laos and Thailand. Bill’s unit was the A Team. The A Team comprised of 12 men, two officers, team sniper, communications person, and other highly trained specialists. The 7th Group was also the first unit in South Vietnam to have a member earn a Medal of Honor. In the 14 years Special Forces were in Viet Nam, they established a record for bravery and proficiency second to none.

Bill spent eleven months as an Advisor, mostly training and going into the field with the South Vietnamese Army. He returned to Ft. Bragg and volunteered to go back a second time. On his second tour of duty he worked with a South Vietnamese Army Ranger Unit in the Center Highlands. He served another eleven months and returned to Ft. Bragg again. He was then sent for further training at Camp McCall, North Carolina. The specialized training was preparing him for his next assignment in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia was to remain the Special Forces' primary focus. Their troops established 254 outposts throughout Vietnam, many of them defended by a single A-team and hundreds of friendly natives.

Being a member of Special Forces required a high level security clearance. As Bill continued to serve in South East Asia, his work became classified and to this day he still cannot discuss it. History does reveal the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was the command structure for the early days in Vietnam. The full blown military conflict [where USA committed its full military force] did not ignite until President Johnson came to office. The CIA’s involvement was cloaked in great secrecy even when it involved the Special Forces. Although we have learned a great deal about some of these operations, there remains much not known to this day.

Bill came out of the service and went to work for United States Steel. Unfortunately, the intense training and service in the Special Forces wrecked havoc on his body and he was unable to continue outside work. Although Bill looks great today at 67 years of age, he had to endure a number of operations and medical treatment. Today Bill is very committed to his work with the American Legion in his area. He also works with the Keystone Boys State program. Having met and interviewed Bill has given me a greater perspective of the Special Forces and an appreciation of their place in our history.

Did you know?

• There is a song called “Ballad of the Green Berets” by SSG Barry Sadler

• The television series “A-Team” was based on a alleged Special Forces incident in Vietnam

• “The Green Berets” movie with John Wayne was a tribute to their service in Vietnam

• “The Unit” television series is based on a book about a Special Forces Operational Detachment called Delta Force