Photo returning from a mission in Laos John Justice and Emmet Dover carrying their modified "Chopped" RPD's.
Emmett L. Dover served two tours in Vietnam. His first tour was in 1967 with Military Assistance Command Vietnam Studies and Observations Group (MAC V SOG),(B-53). He returned for a second tour in 1970 with MAC V SOG, Command and Control Central (CCC), Recon Company where he served on Recon Team Hawaii. Command Sergeant Major (E-9) Dover retired from the Army in 1987 after twenty-three years’ service with thirty months in Vietnam.
The name of the first series of SOG patrols into Laos was ‘Shining Brass’ (later renamed ‘Prairie Fire’) conducted between 1965 and 1969. These patrols began when intelligence reports indicated that the Ho Chi Minh Trail was expanding to meet the increasing demand for men and material in the South. To determine the nature and location of these activities in Laos, the OPS-35 forces conducted reconnaissance missions with units known as ‘Spike Teams’ comprising six to twelve men (two to four U.S. personnel and four to eight indigenous personnel).
Prairie Fire can also mean at least three other things: 1) You are in contact with a much superior force than yours. 2) Either completely surrounded or will be. 3) Death is imminent.
The other two emergencies were the following: 1) Tactical – meaning you are in engaged with the enemy, but you are holding your own for now. This could be upgraded at any time to a “Prairie Fire.” Especially if you are surrounded and have a lot of wounded. 2) Team – Somebody is sick or injured.
All pilots that flew gunships, helicopters, attack and fighter aircraft were given a briefing before flying in country. That briefing entailed what to do if a FAC has called out a “Prairie Fire” over the radio. By the rules in Vietnam everyone listening was to stop what they were doing and come to the aid of the FAC/Recon Team(s).
Source History of MACV-SOG
SOFREP Radio traffic from Vietnam: MACV-SOG recon teams in contact
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