Original U.S. Vietnam War Era Special Forces 4th Mobile Strike Force Counter Insurgency Support Officer Presentation Bolo Machete - Lieutenant Lionel Hector
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Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. The Counterinsurgency Support Office was established on Okinawa in 1963 to supply clothing, weapons and equipment to Special Forces operating in Vietnam. Principally run by Ben Baker, the office issued standard and untraceable (sterile) gear as well as locally developed items such as the bolo knife, the indigenous rucksack, tiger stripe fatigues and Viet Cong style black pajamas.
The SOG Bolo was sourced by Conrad B. (Ben) Baker of the Counter-Insurgency Support Office also known as CISO. Baker was named the Deputy Chief of CISO in June 1963. He also designed the famous SOG Bowie Knife. The Bolo was a shorter replacement for the US Issue Machete and was based on traditional Asian designs, sometimes called a banana knife. The Bolo was often worn stuffed in the rucksack along the spine to protect the wearer.
This bolo itself was never used as an intended weapon or tool, this was simply used as a presentation award. This was awarded to 1st Lieutenant Lionel Hector, who served as XO of A-401 and Adjutant of B-40. We found reference online that showed he was an S-1 Personnel officer with B-40 (4th MSFC) in 1969. The blade is etched with the 1st Special Forces Command insignia next to:
TO 1LT LONEL (GREEK GOD) HECTOR
XO A-401 ADJUTANT B-40
FROM THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE
4TH MOBILE STRIKE FORCE
FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE FROM
28 DEC. 68 TO 30 MAY 69
We think Lionel was spelled wrong on purpose. This is a wonderful example of a seldom seen presentation award! Comes ready for further research and display.
The Mobile Strike Force Command, or MIKE Force, was a key component of United States Army Special Forces in the Vietnam War. They served with indigenous soldiers selected and trained through the largely minority Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) and were led by American Special Forces and Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) personnel. MIKE Force was a force multiplier, operating what is today called a foreign internal defense mission.
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