Forerunners of today's Special Forces, the Alamo Scouts - of which nearly one-quarter of the enlisted graduates from its first training class were American Indian - were a top secret reconnaissance and raider unit that operated in the southwest Pacific during World War II and performed 108 missions without losing a single man. This 1944 photo shows a fully-equipped Alamo Scout team during the first training class at the Alamo Scouts Training Center on Fergusson Island, New Guinea. (Front row) Pfc. Joseph Johnson, 1st Lt. Michael Sombar and Cpl. David Milda. (Back row) Sgt. Byron Tsingine, Ssg. Alvin Vilcan, Cpl. John A. Roberts, Cpl. Walter A. McDonald, and Ssg. Caesar Ramirez. Johnson. Milda, Tsingine and Vilcan are American Indians. Little has been documented about Native servicemen other than the Navajo code talkers, despite statistics that American Indians have the highest per capita percentage of service in the U.S. military. Alamo Scouts Home Page The Alamo Scouts Sleeve Insignia The Alamo Scouts
"During the 20 months the unit was operational, Alamo Scouts spent 1,482 days in the field conducting 106 missions.33 This number includes eleven missions by Scout teams whose operational areas, late in the war, came under control of the Eighth Army, which referred to the teams as "Octagon Scouts" in its operational reports, a practice that General Krueger brought to an abrupt halt. Although a few Scouts were wounded during missions, not a single Scout was killed—a remarkable record when one considers the risks inherent in their missions. The record the Scouts compiled in conducting their missions is a testament to both the quality of their training program and the effectiveness of the Scout selection process." The Alamo Scouts
More info on the Scouts. I really haven't found anything on why General Krueger was furious as to the Eighth Army referring to the teams as "Octagon Scouts". Silent Warriors of World War II: The ... - Google Book Search
The Philippines' Secretary of National Defense in the 80's, Gen. Rafael M. Ileto, was an Alamo Scout in WW2. He also started the Philippine Army's Scout Rangers.
"Little has been documented about Native servicemen other than the Navajo code talkers, despite statistics that American Indians have the highest per capita percentage of service in the U.S. military." Due to the racism that was normasl for the day Im not surprised. And also how patriotic Native Americans could be.
I can't figure out what the fellow in the middle bottom row is holding up. Some kind of grenade launcher?
Im not sure. It does look like some kind of communication or listening device on his chest .But the thing in his hand isn't really clear.
"Hello JR, that's a radio/transmitter/receiver, those were to be destroyed if capture was imminent." This was Jack's response to my question about the equipment the guy in the middle in the front row had.
FYI: After a little digging, the radio set in question is a SCR-511 "Pogo Stick" (see the antenna on the left of the middle trooper in front row; hence the slang name). Originally, it was called a Guideon Radio for the Calvary(!). Apparently this unit was used by Scout & Raiders for voice only over a 5 mile range to ships and subs as attested by Jack. The 20 lb radio component was carried slung over the shoulder and neck and referred to as a chest unit. The cone shaped item on the chest pack must be a microphone for hands free operation (like when riding a Calvary horse!). There was another connection for an external mike. More info here: BC-745 SCr-511 pogo stick
My Great uncle Sgt. Franklin Fox was one of the members that led the raid on the prison camp of Cabanatuan. I know a lot about them but History has yet to show a lot about them because they were such a Top Secret Orginazation. The History Channel did a documentary on them once but that is all they have done from what i know. If you have a Relative that Served as an Alamo Scout I would love to hear from you. Best wishes to all, Lt. Palmer
Lt. Palmer, Have been trying to reach your uncle, Frank, for some time. Every time I call no answer. Working on a follow-up to Silent Warriors, which is an oral history of the Scouts. I need to speak with your uncle re: Oransbari. Please email me at www.alamoscouts.org Thanks, Lance Zedric
