Demise of the 5th Group in Vietnam

15 April 1970 5th Special Forces Group reduced its personnel space authorization by 400 spaces as directed by U.S. Army, Vietnam.

1 June 1970 Cycle to convert remaining thirty-seven Civilian Irregular Defense Group camps to Army of Republic of Vietnam Ranger camps commenced.

30 June 1970 Detachment B-52, Project Delta, was inactivated. Operation Order 3-70 was published, giving units of the 5th Group instructions for conversion of the Civilian Irregular Defense Group camps to Vietnamese Army Ranger camps.

15 October 1970 5th Special Forces Group reduced its personnel space authorizations by 431 spaces as directed by U.S. Army, Vietnam. The following units were inactivated: the 251st, 487th, 522d, and 540th Signal Detachments and the 585th, 629th, 630th, and 631st Military Intelligence Detachments.

1 November 1970 Company C, 5th Special Forces, completed conversion of camps in I Corps Tactical Zone and retrograded to the Special Forces operations base at Nha Trang for stand down.

1 December 1970 Company D, 5th Special Forces Group, completed conversion of camps in IV Corps Tactical Zone and was moved to the Special Forces operations base at Nha Trang for stand-down.

7 December 1970 Group S-4 opened a processing point in the logistical supply center to begin disposal of the group's property and equipment.

15 December 1970 5th Special Forces Group reduced its personnel space authorizations by 550 spaces as directed by U.S. Army, Vietnam. The 633d Military Intelligence Detachment was inactivated in Vietnam.

19 December 1970 5th Special Forces Group was ordered by U.S. Army, Vietnam, to reduce its personnel space authorizations by 710 spaces, effective 15 April 1971. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, Recondo School, was officially closed.

31 December 1970 5th Mobile Strike Force Command, the countrywide Civilian Irregular Defense Group reserve, was disbanded, and its advisory element, Detachment B-55, commenced stand-down. Civilian Irregular Defense Group program countrywide was officially terminated.

1 January 1971 Company A was placed under operational control of Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, to conduct training missions directed by Commander, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam.

14 January 1971 Headquarters, 5th Special Forces Group, was placed under operations control of the deputy commanding general, U.S. Army, Vietnam, and the group was officially notified to stand-down for redeployment not later than 31 March 1971.

15 January 1971 Company B. 5th Special Forces Group, completed roll-up operations and moved to the Special Forces operations base at Nha Trang for stand-down. 5th Special Forces Group began stand-down for redeployment at the Special Forces operations base.

10 February 1971 5th Special Forces Group was notified by U.S. Army, Vietnam, that the plan submitted by the group for redeployment had been approved. An honor guard of 94 men would escort the group colors to the continental United States during the first week of March. One C-141 aircraft would transport the honor guard and selected equipment to Fort Bragg, N.C.

15 February 1971 The following 5th Special Forces Group units were inactivated in Vietnam: the 21st Military History Detachment, 31st Engineers Detachment, and the 588th, 613th, 634th, 641st, and 703d Military Intelligence Detachments.

15 February 1971 All 5th Special Forces Group elements completed turn-in of equipment. 5th Special Forces Group honor guard was selected and began preparations for the redeployment ceremony.

21 February 1971 5th Special Forces Group received official notification from United States Army, Vietnam, that redeployment would occur on 1 March 1971.

24 February 1971 5th Special Forces Group redeployment farewell ceremony was conducted at the Special Forces operation base in Nha Trang.

28 February 1971 5th Special Forces Group operation base was transferred to United States Army, Vietnam.

1 March 1971 5th Special Forces Group honor guard left Nha Trang Air Base for continental United States.
 

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