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Terry McIntosh completed Airborne Parachute School in 1967 at age 17 and was assigned to Co. D, 17th Infantry Long Range Patrol in Germany. The LRRP unit was an elite airborne light infantry force capable of conducting Direct Action Operations. The "Lurps" operated on reconnaissance and combat patrols to obtain vital intelligence or perform highly dangerous covert missions into enemy held territory, and remained on high alert throughout the Cold War.McIntosh was skilled in automatic weapons, radio communications, and special operations.
Due to heavy US casualties at the height of the Vietnam War, McIntosh re-enlisted for an additional year and volunteered for a tour of duty in Vietnam. He was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (ABN) in 1968. He served 6 months on A-Team 414 in the Mekong Delta 1969 as one of the youngest men in military history to wear the Green Beret and serve on a Special Forces A-Team. He commanded or participated in 22 combat missions to include Search & Destroy, Ambush, Airboat, and Aerial Assault Missions. He served with Col. Robert Rheault’s espionage team at the time of the execution of a double agent (Thai Khac Chuyen) which sparked Daniel Ellsberg's compilation and eventual release of the Pentagon Papers. See also “Project Gamma.”
His tour of duty included a short term assignment to Nui Coto, a fortified Viet Cong stronghold in the 7 Mountains area at end of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. McIntosh became ill and was medivac to 29th Evac hospital in Can Tho. He was diagnosed with "Fever of Unknown Origin" and returned to duty at A-414 upon recovery.
Awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman Badge, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Army Commendation Medal, VSM w/4 Bronze Service Stars, Civil Actions Medal, Expert Badge (Rifle), United States, Vietnamese, and German Parachute Wings, and other awards. McIntosh finished his military service with the 75th Rangers, and was Honorably Discharged in 1971. He attained the rank of Sergeant E-5.
Unofficial Mark of Distinctive Service:
McIntosh is one of the youngest men, if not the actual youngest, to ever wear the Green Beret into combat and serve on an A-Team. Military Records verify that he was assigned to Special Forces at age 18 and at the height of the Vietnam War because of his military skills. The median age of Special Forces soldiers was about 30 to 35 years old. The Group had suffered high causality rate Tet68, and temporarily dropped the age requirement to 18 in order to fill much needed positions. In spite of the age drop, SF only recruited those qualified in a critical Military Occupational Skill. The assignment demanded skill, determination, and ability in keeping with SF standards. McIntosh was accepted by his team members without question. They were all getting shot at regardless of age, and it was during a time when a soldier was judged by his actions more than anything else.
McIntosh earned his Combat Infantryman Badge at age 19 during a Search & Destroy mission in the Mekong Delta. Lt. Col. Wesley Herrlein was OIC with air support, and ten enemy soldiers were killed in action. A citation of combat was submitted, and orders for the award were cut Feb 23, 1969. McIntosh was assigned assigned to Det. A-414 in Thanh Tri, a rifle shot from the Cambodian border. He spent 170 days on the A-Team.
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