OFFICIAL USARV MEMORANDUM 870-1--HISTORICAL ACTIVITIES OF US ARMY COMBAT ARTIST TEAMS IN VIETNAM DATED 10 JULY 1967

US Army Combat Art Team IV

15 August-15 October, 1967, Vietnam
16 October-31 December 1967, Hawaii

Team IV members:
Sp/4 James Pollock from South Dakota
Sp/4 Samuel Alexander from Mississippi
Sp/5 Burdell Moody from Arizona
Sgt. Ronald Wilson from Utah

James Pollock's home state was and still is South Dakota. At the time of his selection to US Army Combat Artist Team IV he was serving as a Sp/4 postal clerk with First Base Post Office, 8th US Army, and was stationed at Camp Ames near Taejon, South Korea. All artwork completed as a soldier artist are in the Military History War Art Collection in Washington D.C.

After being selected through army-wide competition, The following official memorandum regarding historical activities of Army combat Artist Teams was circulated to US Army Vietnam Combat Artist Team IV member James Pollock. Memo was dated 10 July 1967 and gives the military technical overview of Army Combat Artist Team program, selection process, mission and activities in Vietnam.

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USARV Memo No 870-1

HEADQUARTERS
UNITED STATES ARMY VIETNAM
APO San Francisco 96307

MEMORANDUM
NUMBER 870-1
10 July 1967

HISTORICAL ACTIVITIES
Army Combat Artist Teams

1. PURPOSE: To establish procedures for supervising and coordinating support for teams of combat artists sent to RVN under the Army Combat Artist Program (ACAP).

2. MISSION: To record military operations and mission functions in RVN such as, but not limited to, activities of groups in airmobile operations, aviation, ground combat, combat support (medical, communications, engineer, transportation), logistical support, recreation, religion, local environment (customs and occupations of the Vietnamese), advisory and special forces functions.

3. LIMITATIONS: Portraits are prohibited. As historical records, it is important that subject matter of art work be recognizable. However, soldier artists will be permitted freedom to depict subjects in their own way. All artwork produced by artists on TDY under this program becomes the property of the US Army. Artwork not selected for retention by the Army will be returned to the artist by DA.

4. APPLICATIONS FOR TDY WITH COMBAT ARTIST TEAMS: On receipt of official notice from higher headquarters, the Office of the Command Historian will initiate action to publicize and solicit applications for temporary duty with combat artist teams. Instructions for application, procedures for processing applications, and requirements for notifying selectees stationed in RVN are contained in Appendix I.

5. SUPERVISION: a. The Office of the Command Historian 9AVHCS-MH) is responsible for staff supervision of the program and is the point of contact for coordination of program activities in RVN and for official communications on the program with USARPAC, USARHAW and interested DA agencies.

b. Within guidance provided by Command Historian, this headquarters, the technical supervisor will exercise direct control of the combat artist team and will supervise all aspects of the performance of the team mission in RVN (See para 6.)

c. For necessary military purposes only the senior member of the team will act as team leader and exercise control of the artists.

6. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TECHNICAL SUPERVISOR: The technical supervisor exercises direct control of the combat artist team in RVN. Normally the supervisor's place of duty will be at the combat artist workshop or with team members in the field. However, it is the responsibility of the supervisor to go where necessary to attain the objectives of the ACAP. The supervisor's duties include, but are not limited to supervising all team activities, coordinating itinerary changes and travel plans, obtaining requests for art supplies, procuring supplies locally, advising and assisting on photographic coverage, coordinating on press releases and providing activities reports to the Command Historian, this headquarters.

7. ADMINISTRATION: a. The Command Historian, this headquarters, is responsible for coordinating preparation of and approving itineraries, obtaining travel orders, and coordinating administrative actions in support of the program.

b. The technical supervisor will submit all administrative requirements requirements to the Office of the Command Historian, this headquarters, for approval.

8. LOGISTICAL SUPPORT: a. Billeting, messing and transportation in-country will be arranged by the Information Officer, this headquarters.

b. Office space. office supplies and workshop facilities will be requested by the Office of the Command Historian, this headquarters and provided by USARV Headquarters Commandant.

(page 2)
Memo No 970-1, HQ USARV, APO San Francisco 96307, 10 July 1967, (cont)

c. Art supplies for TDY in RVN will be provided by DA, AGMS-C, and should accompany combat artist teams to RVN. In the event a combat artist is selected from within RVN, the Command Historian will contact the artist and obtain a final list of required art supplies. The list will be forwarded directly to The Adjutant General. ATT: AGMS-C. with a request that the supplies be brought to RVN by other team members or, when appropriate, be airmailed to this headquarter, ATTN: AVHCS-MH. When necessary, art materials will be procured locally by the technical supervisor after the team arrives in-country.

d. Direct communication with USARHAW to facilitate reception, accommodation, and supply support of teams while in Hawaii is authorized by letter, HQ, USARPAC, GPPE-SV, 7 Sep 66. Lists of art supplies needed to support each team in Hawaii will be prepared by the Technical Supervisor not less than 25 days prior to the team's departure from RVN. The Command Historian will initiate action to send these lists to USARHAW, ATTN: without delay.

9. ARRIVAL, INPROCESSING, ORIENTATION: a. Upon arrival in RVN, each combat artist team will be met by a representative of the Information Office, this headquarters, and the Office of the Command Historian. Notice of arrival will be provided by the Command Historian. The team will be transported to Headquarters Company, USARV Special Troops for billeting and messing.

b. Processing will be accomplished by Special troops, this headquarters. Individual service records will be turned in to the personnel office, Special Troops, on the day of arrival. Finance records will be turned in to the Headquarters Company finance clerk. The team leader will collect dental and health records and turn them in to dental and dispensary support facilities.

c. Orientation of the team will be accomplished by the CO, Headquarters Company, USARV, or his representative, and will include conduct, relationships with Vietnamese, passes, curfew, security, alert procedures and military discipline. Orientation will be accomplished on the day of arrival or on the following day.

d. The Command Historian or his representative will issue to each team member a copy of this memorandum and the USARHAW Combat Artist Program SOP, explain working arrangements for support of team operations in RVN and explain individual and collective responsibilities of team members as artists and soldiers.

10. ITINERARIES: A tentative itinerary for each combat artist team will be developed jointly by the Office of the Command Historian and the Information Office, this headquarters at least ten days prior to the arrival of each team. The itinerary will be used primarily to insure that as many different units and activities as feasible are visited and will conform to the mission requirements listed in para 2, above. An information copy of the tentative itinerary for each team will be provided to the Command Group. Itineraries will be adjusted as necessary due to operational necessity and transportation availability.

11. FIELD OPERATIONS: a. In coordination with the information Office, the technical supervisor will develop travel plans based on the itinerary. The information Office, this headquarters, is responsible for advance arrangements for in-country travel, including advance notification of units to be visited. Upon arrival at the destination, the technical supervisor (or the team leader if the technical supervisor is not present) will coordinate with the designated local unit information office for transportation, billeting, and messing. The Command Historian is responsible for notifying the military history detachment commanders when combat artists are to be in their areas. The detachment commanders will be requested to monitor team activities and render assistance as required.

b. Reasonable risks are necessary while in the field. The senior team member present is responsible for decisions on military matters while in the field. Teams will not be ordered into areas of hostile fire. They will be placed in areas that will enable them best to accomplish the overall mission. Team members will be armed, but will not engage in combat except in dire emergencies demanding personal action to protect themselves or others.

c. While in the field, each team member will keep a daily account of activities and units visited, and will record any unusual incidents that adversely affect team operation. Full descriptions of incidents/activities and clear statements of facts must be recorded to show the who, what, when, where, and how. Accurate, complete identification of units visited and correct spelling of geographic locations are essential. These accounts will be consolidated by the technical supervisor and included in the weekly team activity report to the Command Historian. (See para 13.)

(page 3)

Memo No 870-1, HQ USARV, APO San Francisco 96307, 10 July 1967 (Cont)

d. In the event of serious injury or death of a team member, the technical supervisor (or the senior team member present) will immediately notify the Command Historian this headquarters, by telephone. After duty hours, the message should be relayed through the Duty Officer, this headquarters. The Command Historian will initiate a priority message to notify DA, ATTN: AGMS-C and OCMH, and CINCUSARPAC, ATTN: GGPE-SV. The message will include the following statement: '"'This information on casualty status of individual(s) is not to be released without approval of Casualty Div, TAGO, DA.'"' In addition, the Command Historian will insure that actions are initiated as required by USARV Reg 600-1.

12. GARRISON OPERATION: The combat artist workshop will be used for group and individual work. Working arrangements will be as determined by the technical supervisor with the approval of the Command Historian. The technical supervisor will insure that the workshop is kept in good state of police and is properly secured when the team is absent from the area.

13. REPORTS: a. Team members will submit reports to the technical supervisor, as described in para 11, above.

b. Detailed weekly activities reports will be submitted to the Command Historian by the technical supervisor. (See para 11, above.)

c. Five days prior to the departure of a team from RVN, an after action report will be submitted to the Command Historian by the technical supervisor. A USARV after action report will be finalized within seven days after a team departs. This report will be sent through CINCUSARPAC, ATTN: GPPE-SV and GPOP-MH, to DA, ATTN: OCMH and The Adjutant General, ATTN; AGMS-C.

14. PUBLIC INFORMATION; a. The Command Historian, this headquarters, will request a minimum of two public information releases concerning activities of each team of combat artists in RVN. These releases will be included in the after action report.

b. All press and publicity releases concerning combat artist teams will be coordinated with the Command Historian before release.

15. OUTPROCESSING AND DEPARTURE TO HAWAII: a. Initial orders placing team members on TDY are normally adequate for movement to Hawaii. If necessary, the Command Historian, this headquarters, will request additional orders for the movement. The Command Historian is responsible for arranging for team air travel to Hawaii and notifying DA, ATTN: OCMH and The Adjutant General, ATTN: AGMS-C; CINCUSARPAC, ATTN; GPPE-SV; and CG, USARHAW, ATTN; HCSS, of ETD RVN and ETA Hawaii.

b. Outprocessing will be accomplished by Headquarters Company, USARV, to include complete station clearance.

c. The Information Office, this headquarters, will arrange for transportation for the team to the airport.

FOR THE COMMANDER

(seal that says HEADQUARTERS U. S. ARMY VIETNAM OFFICIAL ****)

FRANK D. MILLER
Major General, US Army
Chief of Staff

S. a. MacKENZIE
Colonel, AGC
Adjutant General

1 Appendix
Combat Artist Team Application Procedures

(page 4)

Memo No 870-1, HQ USARV, APO San Francisco 96307, 10 July 1967, (cont)

DISTRIBUTION:
S Plus
3 AVHAG-A
150 AVHAG-AP
75 Office of the Command Historian, HQ USARV
2 Office, Chief of Military History, Washington, D.C., 20315
2 Adjutant General, ATTN: AGMS-C, Washington, D.C., 20310
2 CINCUSARPAC, ATTN; GPPE-SV and GPOP-MH, APO 96558
2 CG, USARHAW, ATTN; HCSS, APO 96558
1 CG, 1st Logistical Command, APO 96307


(new page not numbered)

USARV Memo No 870-1

APPENDIX I

COMBAT ARTIST TEAM APPLICATION PROCEDURES

1. INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATIONS: a. Applications will be submitted on DA Form 1049 through command channels to The Adjutant General, ATTN: AGMS-C, Department of the Army, Washington, D.C. 20315. All applications must contain the following information:

(1) Name, rank and service number.

(2) Military address.

(3) Military assignment.

(4) Permanent home address.

(5) Time spent in the Army.

(6) Date present Army tour of duty will expire.

(7) Brief resume of education, training and experience as an artist (indicate type, where and how long for each).

(8) Preference of media (specify basic materials and supplies required for 135 days of work).

(9) Signed statement. '"'I understand the responsibilities of this assignment and am willing, to the best of my ability, to discharge them in a manner creditable to myself as an artist and to the United States Army as befitting to the annals of military history.'"'

b. Each applicant will furnish at least one and not more than four sketches, preferably recent. Sketches should be no larger than 8" x 10 1/2" and at least one should be of a military subject. In addition, three color transparencies of other art work should be submitted. The application, sketches and color transparencies should be forwarded as soon as possible.

c. In forwarding applications, unit commanders will indicate that the applicant will be released for the 135 day period.

2. PROCEDURES FOR PROCESSING APPLICATIONS: a. Applications from units subordinate to the 1st Log Cmd will be reviewed by the 1st Log Cmd Crafts Director. Applicants forwarding examples of work meriting consideration by DA will be interviewed by the Crafts Director, AVHCS-MH, and sent directly to TAG, ATT: AGMS-C.

b. Applications received at this headquarters from units outside the 1st Log Cmd will be hand carried to the 1st Log Comd Crafts Director for evaluation. When feasible, the applicant will be interviewed by the Crafts Director or by a technical supervisor. Based on the recommendation of the interviewer/evaluator, the application will be returned to the applicant or forwarded by this headquarters to TAG, ATTN: AGMS-C.

3. NOTIFICATION AND ORDERS FOR ARTISTS STATIONED IN RVN: When notified that an artist stationed in RVN has been selected for duty with a team, the Command Historian, this headquarters, will initiate action to notify the applicant through command channels. The Command Historian will also initiate action to obtain TDY orders and provide reporting instructions for the selectee. Instructions should provide for arrival at this headquarters concurrently with team members arriving from CONUS.

(end of memorandum)

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