Senior Officer Oral History Program: An Interview with Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth R. Bowra

From 1964 until 1972, the Military Assistance Command Studies and Observation Group MACSOG conducted highly classified, unconventional warfare operations along the borders of the Republic of Vietnam and into Cambodia, Laos and North Vietnam to gain intelligence on major enemy forces operating along the Ho Chi Minh Trail for subsequent dissemination to and exploitation by allied forces employed in Vietnam. LTC Bowra served as leader of a reconnaissance team assigned to the northernmost field operating force within the SOGs organizational structure. From 1971 until the SOG was deactivated in April 1972, LTC Bowra then 1st Lieutenant led reconnaissance forces in the A Shau Valley of South Vietnam and often participated in cross border operations into Laos. The areas in which his team conducted reconnaissance missions was controlled by the North Vietnamese Army and the Pathet Lao and successful operations in this denied territory were difficult at best. This interview is part of the Senior Officer Oral History Program. LTC Bowra was a very effective reconnaissance team leader and is one of the few still remaining on active duty from the MACSOG program. This project attempts to capture his experiences as reconnaissance team leader.