Allen H. Archer

Service & Sacrifice

Allen Harry Archer was born on December 19, 1937, and grew up in Rutland County, Vermont. He entered the United States Army through regular enlistment and built a career in the Special Forces, earning the rank of Sergeant First Class. His military specialty was infantry operations and intelligence, skills that proved essential for the demanding reconnaissance work of Project Delta.

SFC Archer was assigned to Reconnaissance Team 2 of Detachment B-52, the elite unit known as Project Delta, operating under the 5th Special Forces Group at Nha Trang. His team conducted some of the most dangerous long-range patrols of the war, inserting deep into enemy-held territory to gather intelligence and direct air strikes against concealed enemy positions.

He began his final tour on January 25, 1967. Less than two months later, on March 22, 1967, SFC Archer was declared dead after being reported missing during operations in Binh Dinh Province. He was 29 years old. The circumstances of his loss were attributed to hostile small arms fire during a ground engagement.

SFC Archer gave everything in service to his country and his teammates. He is remembered by the people of Vermont and by the men who served alongside him in one of the most elite and secretive units of the Vietnam War.