Original Vietnam War US Army Special Forces MIKE Force - CIA Grouping that belonged to Peter Holmberg.
Born in Boston, MA, Peter graduated from Holliston High School, Holliston, MA. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1964. After completing Special Forces medical training, he was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), serving two tours in Vietnam from 1966 to 1969 with II Corps Mobile Guerrilla Company (Mike Force B20).
Peter also served in assignments with Special Forces 46th Company, Thailand, the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Bad Toelz, West Germany, the now declassified Special Forces Unit Physical Security Support Element-Berlin, West Berlin, and the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Devens, MA, from which he retired in 1994. After retirement from the U.S. Army, Peter worked for the State of New Hampshire’s Forestry Service from 1995 to 2012.
In retirement, Peter enjoyed hiking and exploring New England’s countryside during road trips. He was a life member of the Special Forces Association and the VFW.
His numerous awards and decorations include the Silver Star w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters (OLC), the Legion of Merit, the Soldier’s Medal, the Bronze Star w/3 OLC and 2 Valor “V” Devices, the Purple Heart w/1 OLC, the Meritorious Service Medal w/1 OLC, the Army Commendation Medal w/3 OLC and 2 “V” Devices, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm and Silver Star, the Combat Medical Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Special Forces Tab, the Ranger Tab, Parachutist Badge, Scuba Diver Badge, the Vietnamese Parachutist Badge, and the French Parachutist Badge.
The group consists of two berets: The 5th Special Forces Group Beret is 1969 dated and the 10th Special Forces Group Beret is 1989 dated, the 10th Group Beret has Holmberg’s name hand written on the label. Two photos from Bad Tolz with writing on both reverses indicating so, a 1967 Bad Toelz NCO Mess pass signed by Holmberg, a 10th SFG Access pass, and a Massachusetts firearms license. The last photo of Holmberg receiving the Silver Star Medal is NOT INCLUDED and is for reference only.
This excellent grouping is also accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from Special Forces Historian and Author Jason M Hardy. The letter states:
“12-28-2021
This document shall serve as a Letter of Authenticity for the accompanying US issued green beret that is 1969 dated, has a 5th Special Forces Group flash applied to the face and is attributed to Peter Holmberg. The beret is one of four I purchased from the veteran.
The item has been examined by specialforceshistory.com and is found to have been of wartime manufacture. This beret is featured on the website as artifact number APHG-190
Peter Holmberg served five tours in South East Asia. His first three tours were from 1966 to 1969 with 5th Special Forces Group (5th SFG (ABN)), II Corp Mike Force. In October 1969 he was reassigned to the 46th Special Forces Company (46th SFC (ABN)) on loan to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for Project 404 in Laos. Peter returned to Thailand in 1972 assigned to the Joint Casualty Resolution Center (JCRC).”
