RIP Hermann Alder, Distinguished Member of the Regiment

Major (Ret) Hermann Adler, 88, of Wilmington, answered the Lord’s final roll call on November, 14, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Liebenstein, Germany (now Liba, Czech Republic) on March 15, 1929 to the late Niklas and Helene Adler.

Major Adler was a legendary soldier, enlisting in the U.S. Army at the age of 28. He was at the forefront of the training and development of elite units in the Special Forces through Project Delta and was an original member of the Army’s elite counter terrorism unit: Delta Force. During his 24 years of active duty service and 3 tours in Vietnam, he served his country and his fellow soldiers with distinction.

Following an event in combat in which he displayed extraordinary bravery and leadership, Gen. William Westmoreland, Commander of the U.S. Forces in Vietnam, ordered his direct battlefield commission to the rank of Captain and he was awarded the Bronze Star for valor. Following his retirement from active duty service, Major (Ret) Adler served another 14 years as a civilian director with the Defense Intelligence Agency, ensuring our national security. He was widely-known and greatly respected. In 2014, LTG Charles T. Cleveland, Commanding General, US Army Special Operations, traveled to Wilmington to award Major (Ret) Adler as a Distinguished Member of the Special Forces Regiment.

Major Adler was both a man of great strength and great kindness. He was a man of principle and was fiercely loyal. He was strong of body and mind. He had a keen intellect, a quick wit and an easy, warm laugh. People were drawn to him and he made everyone feel valued. He loved his friends; he loved his soldiers; and above all, he loved his wife, his daughters, his sons-in-law, and his grandchildren more than life itself. They felt it every day of their lives - in his strong embrace, his encouraging words, his warm smile, and his twinkling crystal blue eyes. To them he was a loving husband, wonderful Dad, and the best Papa.

He was a master story-teller and a great adventurer. He was happiest trekking through the woods with his children and grandchildren, telling tales along the way, and eagerly anticipating what lay beyond the next turn. He loved a good book, a good beer, and his own, home-made, warm German bread with butter. He was a force in this world and he left an impact on everyone who knew him. He will never be forgotten and his legacy will live on in the journeys and the character of his children and grandchildren, and those he mentored.

He is survived by his beloved wife and soulmate of 60 years, Gudrun Maria-Theresa Eschenbach Adler; three daughters, Gabriele Barnard (John) of Apex, NC, Francesca Adler-Baeder (Patrick) of Auburn, AL, Jennifer Adler (Robert) of Wilmington, NC; and six grandchildren, Marc Loeffke, Kristina Adler, Rob Johnson, Jessica Baeder, Nicholas Johnson, and Juliana Baeder.

Son Tay Raider MAJ George Petrie, R.I.P. 15 April 2011

Distinguished Member of the Special Forces Regiment Inducted 13 January 2010 Major George Petrie entered the U.S. Army as a Private on June 22, 1958. After attending Basic and Advanced Infantry Combat Training, he was assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina for Basic Airborne Training, becoming a proud member of the 3 19th Airborne Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division.

In 1962, Major Petrie graduated from the Special Forces Communications Course as Honor Graduate and was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) as an A-Team Senior Radio Supervisor. When 8th Special Group (Airborne) was stood up at Fort Gulick , Panama Canal Zone , Major Petrie transferred to the new unit. While there, over the next three years, he attended Scuba and Underwater Demolitions School and Spanish Language School.

In 1967 Major Petrie returned to 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), in the Republic of Vietnam as a Team Sergeant and Company Commander of a mobile guerrilla force. The next year, Major Petrie returned to Fort Bragg , assigned first to 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), and later 6th Special Forces Group (Airborne). During this time, he graduated the Special Forces Operations and Intelligence Course as Distinguished Honor Graduate and also completed the Special Forces Intelligence Analyst Course.

In 1970, Major Petrie received a Direct Commission to First Lieutenant. After completing the Infantry Officers Basic Course at Fort Benning , Georgia , he was chosen as part of Operation Ivory Coast, the mission to rescue Americans held prisoners in the Son Tay prison camp. Major Petrie, part of the Assault Team "Blue Boy," was the first raider to hit the ground during the assault on the camp.

Major Petrie returned to the Republic of Vietnam in 1971, ultimately becoming Company Commander of Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) known as the "George Dickel Gang." He returned stateside for the Infantry Officers Advanced Course where he was the Honor Graduate. His next assignment was with the Joint Casualty Resolution Center in Thailand . He then served in Saigon, first as an Operations Officer, Field Investigator, Corps Desk Officer; and finally as an Action Officer in the U.S. Embassy Defense Attaché Office, serving as a member of the Special Planning Group for the Evacuation of Saigon.

Between 1975 and 1976, Major Petrie was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii . Between 1976 and 1980, remaining in Hawaii , he was again assigned to the Joint Casualty Resolution Center with additional duty as the Special Operations Division Escape and Evasion Officer, U.S. Pacific Command, a post he would also hold in Korea before retiring from Active Duty on May 31, 1980.

Among his numerous decorations he was awarded the Silver Star w/olc, bronze star w/'V' device, ARCOM w/'V' Device, Purple Heart w/olc, Legion of Merit and Meritorious Service Medal.

He had the Master Parachutist wings w/Bronze Combat Star, CIB, Scuba, Pathfinder, Jungle Warfighter badges and Special Forces tab.

George was also awarded the Gold Order of Saint Philip Neri.

George served as President of the Special Forces Association Chapter XXXI for 19+ years.