SFC Tyrone Adderly

SGM Tyrone J. Adderly

Special Forces Vietnam, Son Tay Raider, SF ‘Q’ Course Instructor
(1943-)

Bio

Tyrone J. Adderly enlisted as a U.S. Army Infantryman in 1961. After basic training and Airborne School, he joined the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In 1965, Sergeant Adderly deployed to the Dominican Republic as a Fire Team Leader with the 504th Infantry during Operation POWER PACK.

In 1966, he served as a Squad Leader with the 502nd Infantry, 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. Wounded near Dak To, Adderly was awarded the Silver Star for valor. After graduating from the Special Forces (SF) Weapons Course in 1968, Staff Sergeant Adderly deployed back to Vietnam to serve with the 5th SFG.

Sergeant First Class (SFC) Adderly returned to Fort Bragg in 1969, where he volunteered for a “moderately hazardous mission”; IVORY COAST, the Son Tay Raid to free American Prisoners of War (POWs) held in North Vietnam. Although unsuccessful because the POWs had been relocated, the raid demonstrated America’s ability to operate in North Vietnam. Afterwards, POW conditions improved.

SFC Adderly was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism during the mission. After serving in the 6th and 5th SFGs, and a promotion to Master Sergeant, he served in Korea. Promoted to Sergeant Major, he accepted an ROTC position and retired from active duty in July 1988.

SGM Adderly returned to the SF Qualification Course ten years later to support exercise Robin Sage, serving as a guerrilla chief, mentor and advisor to today’s soldiers.

PHOTOS

Private Tyrone J. Adderly holding the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), a .30-06 Squad Automatic Weapon used until the Vietnam War.
Sergeant Adderly deployed to the Dominican Republic in May 1965 as a Fire Team Leader with the 82nd Airborne Division during Operation POWER PACK.
Adderly volunteered for Vietnam in 1966, and served as a Squad Leader with the 502nd Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. Twice wounded, Adderly was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, with V for valor, and Silver Star for gallantry, during this tour.
In June 1968, Staff Sergeant Adderly graduated from the Special Forces (SF) Light and Heavy Weapons Course at Fort Bragg. He briefly served with Company B, 7th SF Group (SFG) as a Light Weapons Leader before returning to Vietnam.
Returning to Vietnam in September 1968, he served with the 5th SFG Headquarters. This picture was taken on the B-55 MIKE Force compound, co-located with group headquarters. Note the use of unsubdued rank, shoulder sleeve insignia, and a ‘Luc Luong Dac Brit’ (LLDB), Vietnamese Special Forces patch.
Sergeant First Class (SFC) Adderly carrying an M16A1 rifle, a M79 40mm grenade launcher, and two M72 Light Antitank Weapon (LAW) Rockets.
“Banana,” the HH-3E “Jolly Green Giant” helicopter crash landed inside the POW compound at 0218 on 21 November 1970 with the SF “Blueboy” Assault Element led by CPT Richard J. “Dick” Meadows. Painting: Mikhail Nikiporenko/USAF.
For “extraordinary heroism and risk of life,” SFC Adderly was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) from President Richard M. Nixon during a White House ceremony on 25 November 1970. This was only four days after the raid into North Vietnam. COL Simons, left, was also awarded the DSC by the President.
Although controversial at the time, the raid raised prisoner morale and forced the North Vietnamese to consolidate POWs to provide better security. This U.S. Senate Resolution 488 from December 1970 commended the “hazardous and humanitarian undertaking,” and Congress presented a copy of it to all who participated in the raid.
In 1971 SFC Adderly was featured in a U.S. Army recruiting poster that “dared” soldiers “to be different” by volunteering for Special Forces. He was assigned to 5th SFG at the time.
During his years with 5th SFG, Adderly completed Arabic, French, and Persian language training, and served as a liaison officer during host nation training with Iranian Special Forces. He received the Imperial Iranian Parachute Badge during a 1973 deployment to Iran.
Adderly’s last active duty assignment was as the Sergeant Major for Drexel University Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). He retired from active duty in July 1988 after over 26 years of service.
Ten years after retirement, SGM (Ret.) Adderly returned to the SF Qualification Course, serving as a role player, teacher, and student mentor during the Unconventional Warfare exercise ROBIN SAGE.
Adderly as a ‘G Chief,’ he and his band of guerrillas meet with a SF advisor before an upcoming mission.
All Son Tay Raiders are remembered today with a granite stone in the USASOC Memorial Plaza at Fort Bragg, NC.
In 2008, SGM Adderly was named a Distinguished Member of the SF Regiment, and in 2017 he was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Georgia.

DOCUMENTS

Award of the Army Commendation Medal for Heroism
Award of the Silver Star
White House Daily Diary, 25 Nov 1970
Distinguished Service Cross, Page 1

ARSOF MUSEUM PHOTOS: SON TAY EXHIBIT

Model of the Son Tay POW complex. American POWs were confined in the walled compound to the left.
This weapon is a variation of the CAR-15 -the standard weapon used on the raid.
The standard US Air Force Survival Knife, first used in 1957, was carried. Also modified machetes were used to pry open doors or locks as needed.
Col. Arthur D. Simons was an excellent knife maker. This bolo knife and leather sheath was of his own manufacture. He carried it with him on missions from White Star (1959) to the San Tay Raid (1970).
Model of the Sikorsky HH-3E “Jolly Green Giant” helicopter that crash landed inside the POW compound with the SF “Blueboy” Assault Element.
Commemorative patch made for those who took part in the Son Tay raid. The text on the bottom, 'KITD/FOHS' stands for 'Kept in the Dark/ Fed Only Horse S---'
Patch depicting the USAF aircraft raiding force call signs used.
Son Tay Association patch. Fifty-six SF soldiers participated, one hundred and seventy rehearsals were conducted, one soldier was wounded in the leg, and the raid lasted twenty-seven minutes.

INTERVIEW

ARSOF History office interview of Sergeant Major Tyrone J. Adderly. January 2020.

QUESTION: Why did you enlist into the U.S. Army in 1961?
QUESTION: What were your family’s expectations for Basic Training at Fort Jackson in South Carolina?
QUESTION: How did you become interested in Airborne and SF?
QUESTION: How did you attend Ranger School in 1964 while in the 82nd Airborne Division?
QUESTION: Describe volunteering for the Son Tay Mission and family concerns.
QUESTION: SGM Adderly recalls COL “Bull” Simons and LTC “Bud” Sydnor.
QUESTION: Where do you first learn about the actual target?
QUESTION: What equipment did you carry on the mission?

ARCHIVAL VIDEOS

Courtesy: ABC, NBC and CBS News.

Broadcast on the Son Tay raid with a model of the POW camp recreated in Eglin AFB. ABC Nightly News.
President Nixon presents awards to participants in POW operation including Col. Arthur D. Simons, SFC Tyrone J. Adderly, T/Sgt. LeRoy M. Wright, and Brig. Gen. Leroy J. Manor. ABC News. November 25, 1970.
President Nixon comments at the White House Ceremony honoring the Son Tay Raiders. NBC Nightly News. November 25, 1970.
BG Henry Emerson welcomes the SF soldiers back to Fort Bragg, N.C. CBS Nightly News.