Robert Rheault facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Bradley Rheault
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Robert B. Rheault in 1946 at the U.S. Military Academy
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| Born | October 31, 1925 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | October 16, 2013 (aged 87) Owls Head, Maine, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1946–1969 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Unit | U.S. Army Special Forces |
| Commands held | First Special Forces Group Fifth Special Forces Group |
| Battles/wars | Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards |  Silver Star |
| Other work | Educator Outward Bound Program |
Robert Bradley Rheault (October 31, 1925 – October 16, 2013) was an American colonel in the U.S. Army Special Forces. He led the First Special Forces Group in Okinawa. Later, he commanded the Fifth Special Forces Group in Vietnam during 1969. He was involved in a well-known event called the "Green Beret Affair" during his time in Vietnam.
Early Life and Education
Robert Rheault was born on October 31, 1925. His parents were Charles Auguste and Rosamond Rheault. He grew up in Westwood, Massachusetts, near Boston. His father had worked with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. His mother came from a well-known Boston family.
Robert learned to speak French when he was young. He went to Phillips Exeter Academy and finished in 1943. In 1946, he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He also studied at the University of Paris. Later, he earned a master's degree in international relations from George Washington University.
Military Career and Beyond
Rheault earned the Silver Star award for his bravery. This was during his service in the Korean War. After the Korean War, he became a captain. In the mid-1950s, he taught French at the U.S. Military Academy. He reached the rank of major during this time.
In 1961, he completed the Special Forces Qualification course. His first Special Forces job was with the 10th Special Forces Group in Germany. He then led the 1st Special Forces Group in Okinawa. After that, he was sent to Vietnam to lead the 5th Special Forces Group.
In 1969, all U.S. Army Special Forces units in Vietnam were part of the 5th Special Forces Group. Their main base was in Nha Trang, South Vietnam. Colonel Rheault took command of this group in May 1969. His unit was working to find out who was sharing secret information.
During this time, a difficult situation arose involving a Vietnamese agent. Colonel Rheault and some of his officers were questioned about the agent's disappearance. This event became widely known as the "Green Beret Affair." It attracted a lot of media attention. Many people felt that the soldiers were being unfairly blamed.
The U.S. Army investigated the matter. However, the CIA did not allow its staff to be witnesses. Because of this, all charges against the soldiers were dropped in September 1969. Colonel Rheault decided to retire from the Army on October 31, 1969. The other soldiers involved also left the military soon after.
After his military career, Robert Rheault became an educator. He worked at the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School in Rockland, Maine. He was an instructor and program leader there. He even served as acting president before retiring in 2001. He also taught at the Northfield Mount Hermon School in Massachusetts. Rheault was involved with several organizations. He served on the board of The Apprenticeshop, a boat building school. He also helped The Warrior Connection, a group that supports military veterans. This group helps veterans dealing with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Family Life
In 1947, Rheault married Caroline Young (1927–2006). She was a student at Vassar College. They had three children: Susanne, Michèle, and Robert B. Rheault Jr. Caroline was also fluent in French. She often traveled to France and was an artist.
Rheault later lived in Owls Head, Maine, with his second wife, Susan St. John. They married in 1977. They adopted two children, Nicholas and Alexis.
His son, Robert B. Rheault, Jr. (born 1958), is a marine biologist. He has a doctoral degree in biological oceanography. He is now the Executive Director of the East Coast Shellfish Growers Association.
Death
Robert Rheault passed away on October 16, 2013. He died at his home in Owls Head, Maine.
He was interviewed for the Ken Burns and Lynn Novick PBS documentary series, The Vietnam War. This series aired in September 2017, four years after his death.
