VIICorps LRRPVII Corps AbnPocket PatchIn the mid 1950’s and into the 1960’s, the “Cold War” between the West and the Soviets was heating up. If war were to break out, the US Military didn’t have any units that could provide extended long-range 24 hour all weather target acquisition and intelligence from deep behind enemy lines.THE LRRP COMPANIES AND DETACHMENTSAs early as 1958, the Seventh Army in Europe published a Training Circular 20-1 that directed that each Division maintain Long Range Patrols. In February 1958, the first Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol evaluation tests using Provisional Units were conducted in FTX “SABRE HAWK”.“They assembled a group of personnel. They were given two or three weeks training and were then sent to the field. There was one problem with all the Provisional Units, they failed to establish satisfactory communications!” –Major HuntAfter initial testing using Provisional Units, a Table of Distribution was approved and issued on 15 July 1961 and under TOE 7-157 the Corps LRRP Companies in the Seventh Army were activated. With DOA approval, Major Maltese proceeded to set up the VII Corps LRRP Company (ABN), APO 46.

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Major Maltese became, at his request, the first Commanding Officer and Paddy Flynn was selected to be the company’s 1SGT. The new company’s designation would be “USA LRRP Co (ABN) 3780”.A search of the VII Corps area for suitable quarters for the new company was found at Nellingen Barracks located southeast of Stuttgart, Germany.

SP/4 Louis Durnavich, of the 558th ORD Company, recalls the day in 1961 when Major Maltese and 1Sgt Flynn walked in with orders to take over their barracks. Louis’ recollections of this day can be found in a document in the LRRP CD.With the takeover of these barracks, the pre-WWII building was now the new home of the VII Corps LRRP Company. –Major Maltese and 1Sgt Flynn now began the search for suitable personnel, and a call went out for volunteers. Many of those who responded were veterans of WWII and/or the Korean conflict. Some had already served in the Army’s Special Forces.

Others were American or German Ranger qualified. Still others were veterans of other US armed forces; a few had served in foreign armies or had been born and raised overseas and were fluent in other languages. Many of these men were former Army Paratroopers who saw an opportunity to get back on jump status by volunteering for the new company of LRRPs. The “Assignments NCO” at VII Corps would give Major Maltese a call once a month and say, “I’ve got a list of people you might be interested in.” Major Maltese would go over the list and pick out the ones he wanted. “We had a full company - it really filled up well. We got permission to recruit - most of them came from the “505”. I remember old Herb something from B Co 505, he tried to discourage them, called us a bunch of candy-asses, so I went up there - hell, I'm about forty-one years old, but in pretty good shape, and I said, “I'll take you out and we'll see who comes back.” “That was the end of that discussion.” –Col.

MalteseIncluded in this new group of LRRPs were military personnel who had already been awarded our Country’s highest military decorations. Others would later distinguish themselves and receive recognition for their service in Vietnam. One former VII Corps LRRP, Glenn H.

English, Jr., would posthumously be awarded our country’s highest recognition for valor, the “Medal of Honor,” for his personal actions while serving in the Republic of South Vietnam.Three other LRRP Companies were also formed in Europe. USA LRRP Co (ABN) 3779, was attached to V Corps, commanded by Major Reese Jones, with Gilberto M. Martinez as 1SGT. V Corps LRRP Co.

Was located in Wildflecken, near the “Fulda Gap” invasion route. In Northern Italy, the SETAF LRRP Companywas established with Major James Stamper commanding. Division formed a LRRP Detachmentunder the command of 1Lt. Edward Jentz (Col.

Ret.) with SFC Gerald M. Tardiff acting 1SGT.THE MISSION“To conduct combat surveillance and target acquisition operations behind enemy lines in the VII Corps area of influence.” –Company SOP Fact Sheet - Co. C (LRP) 58 th Inf.

1966 (LRRP CD)“The LRRPs (LRP after 1965 and Army Rangers after 1969) must not be confused with the well-recognized reconnaissance patrol that normally proceeds to an objective area to acquire certain information and then returns upon the accomplishment of the specific mission. Patrols are to see but not be seen. Their movements are restricted to periods of limited visibility or hours of darkness. Lt William Phillips in front of a 39th Trans 2½-ton truck1963(Source: Email from William D. Phillips, former CO of the 39th Trans Co)In 1963/1964 I was in 39th Trans Co (Lt Trk) at Kelley in Special Troops Bn.This web site refers to 29th Trans Co (now corrected by webmaster). I assume that is an error.

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The reference to the 527th Trans Co is accurate.The 39th provided ground mobility, among other things, to VII Corps G-sections. The 39th had, as I recall, a Hqs group; 4 truck platoons and a maintenance section overseen by WO4 Vernon Smith.The 39th provided trucks and the 527th provided jeeps/sedans to support VII Corps Hq.I as a 1/Lt reservist, thanks to Love/Kreiger they taught me how to deal with 06's (= colonels), a lesson I have used in my 50 yrs of being a trial lawyer. The key to disagree is the use of the term. ”with all due respect sir.”When I came to Kelley in Mar 1963, the CO of 39th was John Brighten. The VII Corps Commander was General Bonesteel. The Special Troops Bn Co was LTC Joseph Love, a fine soldier who taught me much about the ”system”.

The Bn SMaj was also named Kelley. He was a master of manipulating people and paper.I became CO in Mar 1964. Louis W Truman replaced Bonesteel as Corps Commander.

LTC Melvin Kreiger replaced Love as Bn CO. Another fine soldier.I came home in Dec 1964 to practice law. I corresponded w/Col Krieger for many years after he retired prior to his death.Col Love, also retired, came to Pittsburgh about 25 yrs ago to visit his daughter in medical school.

I connected with him through David Hackworth who was a retired Col and writer. Hackworth mentioned Love in one of his books. Col Love and I had a wonderful 3 martini lunch as we rehashed the Kelley days. Sadly he passed on in 2011.I still have some 35m slides from the Kelly days that I will try to find for your website.How do we try to locate 39th people from the 60s?

I am very close with the aide to Corps Artty commander (Gen Garrison) from 1963 as well as JAGC officer and officer from the Signal unit. We all lived in BOQ.

We are still in constant touch. But I have lost track of the 39th people.

No doubt many of the senior NCOs are gone.