Following a multiphase selection process at the division, regimental, company levels, and interviews by the director of the astc, finalists were selected to attend a rigorous sixweek training program at the alamo scouts. The alamo scouts, officially known as the sixth army special reconnaissance unit, were formed because lieutenant general walter krueger needed accurate and timely information as he prepared to invade new guinea. Army patches us army patches army unit patches and army regiment patches flying tigers surplus page 2 0. The alamo scouts was an elite special reconnaissance unit attached to the u. Nov 27, 20 alamo scouts established, 28 november 1943. Buy it now prices less than others starting auction prices open to see monthly specials ebay is hiding at bottom of description.
Sixth army that carried out reconnaissance missions behind enemy lines in the pacific theater of operations during world war ii. Alamo scout veteran gives oral history, papers to carl. Details about 0231 ww2 alamo scouts 6th army patch special reconnaciassan ce recon unit r4a. Vintage alamo scouts, sixth army unit patch, world war ii. Original period photograph is just as scarceif not scarcer. The sixth united states army is a field army of the united states army.
From 1 july to 15 august 1945, the alamo scouts conducted 11 missions on luzon in support of the eighth u. The events leading to the creation of the alamo scouts occurred at the island of kiska. Reproduction ww 2 us sixth army alamo scouts, patch pacific area. Greene had ranger diamond patches made in vietnam to wear as a combat patch when he was serving over there, so i agree fully that the alamo scouts patch on ebay could very well be the same sort of thing and that is why i said so. Rick takes a closer look at a rare world war ii military patch for the secret, elite alamo scouts in this clip from from et tu, rick. Thus all data obtained was carefully screened and evaluated by the team prior to its dispatch to sixth army headquarters. Still life of army officer, medals, pacific theater, world war ii. They were organized at the direction of walter krueger, 6 army commander, who was deeply disturbed by the outcome of the kiska campaign, where a fullscale invasion was launched against an island the japanese had already abandoned. My grandson has been studying this group of amazing men in order to know the patchs history. General walter krueger, commanding general, sixth u.
The words alamo scouts fashioned in green, logtype script, symbolize the trailblazing nature of the unit and appear in the upper half of the white circle. Sixth army is a theater army of the united states army. Ltc sylvester smith, of sixth army g2 left and ltc frederick bradshaw right at the boat dock of the astc on fergusson island, n. They sailed from manila with krueger on 14 september 1945 bound for japan. This is one of the modern pocket patches for the us army s ranger units as shown above in the picture and listed in the title. Working in six or sevenman teams, they carried out operations deep behind enemy lines, mainly in new guinea and the philippines, for two years and. Vintage alamo scouts, sixth army unit patch, world war ii, usa s2wb9c from alamys library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors. See more ideas about army, world war two and ww2 history. Thanks to all of you who have given great advice and guidance on the collection.
The unit is best known for its role in liberating american prisoners of war pows from the japanese cabanatuan pow camp ne. With an area of responsibility composed more of water than land, krueger. The unit is best known for its role in liberating american prisoners of war pows from the japanese cabanatuan pow camp near cabanatuan, nueva ecija, philippines in january 1945. Adkins and 1lt martin grimes who had taken over the shirkey team. The army service component command of united states southern command, its area of responsibility includes 31 countries and 15 areas of special sovereignty in central and south america and the caribbean. The scouts were all volunteers, and units were tasked to screen candidates for. Candidates for the alamo scouts came from units within the sixth army, initially from the 32nd infantry division 32nd id and 158th regimental combat team the bushmasters. Their patrol reports contained valuable information that higher units used in the field.
Sixth army alamo scout patch posted in real or what here is a picture of the alamo scout patch which i plan on posting on ebay. It was aboard this ship that derr team, along with 14 other alamo scouts, escorted gen walter krueger and the sixth army headquarters from manila to wakayama, japan, from 1425 september 1945. The memorial honors the 121 rangers and 14 alamo scouts who. A new version of the alamo scouts patch are now available from the ashf. A rare archive pertaining to cpl paul e draper who served with the alamo scouts during wwii. Nice patch and graduation certificate from a former scout. It was first activated in january 1943, commanded by lieutenant general walter krueger. The scouts were all volunteers, and units were tasked to screen candidates for suitability prior to sending their names forward. Colonel allison inds recent book, allied intelligence bureau, 1 which described a number of the unorthodox reconnaissance and raider activities carried out in the world war ii south west pacific area, failed to mention a small intrepid group of men called alamo scouts who performed for the u. If interested in any other special operations airborne ranger special forces seal recon lrrp lrp lrs cct afsoc arsoc sts pj, infantry, air assault, pathfinder, airborne, cavalry, infantry, aviation.
The raid at cabanatuan, carried out by a combined team of alamo scouts, rangers and filipino guerrillas, has been depicted in feature films. The final alamo scout mission involved the teams of 1lt george a. Alamo scouts established, 28 november 1943 united states army. Dec 14, 2017 rick takes a closer look at a rare world war ii military patch for the secret, elite alamo scouts in this clip from from et tu, rick. I have scanned a 2nd division patch also that was sewn to the same garment. The alamo scouts behind japanese lines in world war ii by larry alexander.
Volunteers for alamo scout training were drawn from sixth army combat units. In late 1944, a contest was held at the alamo scout training center on leyte to design a unique shoulder patch. Vintage alamo scouts, sixth army unit patch, world war ii, usa. It was the last operational mission conducted by the alamo scouts. I always ship the same day a payment is confirmed or the following business in the case of weekend or holidays. If your guaranteed delivery item isnt on time, you can 1 return the item, for a refund of the full price and return shipping costs. I bought a jean garment that had several american indian patches sewn to it. If we do not have the lowest price we will meet or beat any reputable dealer. The granddaughter wanted to sell both to pay for a vacation. General walter krueger, commander of the sixth army, to conduct raid and reconnaissance operations in the southwest pacific during world war ii. Sorry for the pics sent from my smg920v using tapatalk.
For more military patches and badges check out my other items. Find best value and selection for your ww 2 us army 6th army alamo scouts patch inv g409 search on ebay. Your purchase of the alamo scouts patch will help maintain the alamo scouts website, and support the ashf research fund to ensure the amazing legacy of the alamo scouts. It is headquartered at fort sam houston the sixth army saw extensive service in the south pacific during world war ii, including in new. I was fascinated by author larry alexanders story of the alamo scouts.
The patch was the single distinctive item authorized by general krueger. Us army rangers philippines wwii alamo scouts 6th army. It had several nice vintage military patches with indians on it. The unit is best known for its role in liberating american prisoners of war pows from the japanese cabanatuan pow camp near cabanatuan, nueva ecija, philippines in. The delivery date is not guaranteed until you have checked out using an instant payment method. There was a alamo scouts patch on it but not one i have seen before. Under the code name alamo force, it assumed control of the majority of us army units involved in operation cartwheel, the campaign to isolate and neutralize the japanese base at rabaul in new britain. Ultra rare wwii alamo scouts sixth army ssi patch ebay. Of the several hundred students who attended the course, only 8 were. Robert sumner, director of the alamo scouts association, and his response was swift and unequivocal. Named for his lifelong association with san antonio, texas, and the alamo, krueger envisioned that the alamo scouts, consisting of six or seven man teams of highly trained and motivated volunteers, would operate deep behind enemy lines. The circular patch features a fullyembroidered blue background with a red outer border and white inner circle.
Vintage world war ii alamo scout unit shoulder patches, usa. Rare ww2 us army alamo scouts shoulder patch with original photo. The alamo scouts was an ad hoc elite reconnaissance force for 6 army in the southwest pacific area. Zedric the alamo scouts, sixth army s special reconnaissance unit of world war ii, provided intelligencegathering and tactical reconnaissance in the pacific theatre. This patch, identical to the original in design but without the words sixth army, is worn by the members of explorer scout troop 412 in st. Walter krueger, whos sixth army was then called the alamo force, personally orchestrated the creation of this elite group of scouts bearing the name of his hometown shrine, the alamo. The scouts, in conjunction with the army rangers, led a surprise attack against the camp and freed 516 prisoners. You are covered by the ebay money back guarantee if you receive an item that is not as described in the listing. Alamo scouts wwii military patch season 15 history. Remembering the alamo scouts secret warriors of world war.
The archive contains an original alamo sixth army patch, a sixth army patch, rank chevrons, drapers dog tags. Sixth army that carried out reconnaissance missions behind enemy lines in. The alamo scouts were organized on fergusson island, new guinea, on 28 november 1943 to conduct reconnaissance and raider work in the southwest pacific theater under the personal command of then lt. In 1988, the soldiers of the alamo scouts were awarded the special forces tab in recognition for their services in world war ii, including them in the lineage of the current united states army special forces. Finally, there exists one other alamo scouts patch that deserves mention. The famous alamo scouts and 6 th ranger battalion were a part of the sixth army in the philippines.
Full roster alamo scouts historical foundation, inc. Ww 2 us army 6th army alamo scouts patch off an ike jacket. Us army patch about 4 inches round 100% emb cut edge no plasticglue or velcro on back great one for any collection described in title, excellent new condition never sewn on. Refer to item title for description and see images. This is the first book ive read that has been totally devoted to their story. Vintage alamo scouts shoulder patches from world war ii, usa. Jul 27, 2015 during these two years the alamo scouts liberated 197 allied prisoners in new guinea, and provided forward reconnaissance and tactical support of the sixth ranger battalion in the liberation of. About twenty alamo scouts were part of the sixth army ghq. May 27, 2011 the alamo scouts unit was created in 1943 by lt.
There was never any type of the badge or pin for, or used in any fashion by, the alamo scouts. After graduating, alamo scouts were organized into ten teams of fivetoten men and assigned to tasks that ranged from special reconnaissance to direct action and prisonerhostage rescue. From 9 january to 30 june 1945, the alamo scouts performed 43 missions behind enemy lines on luzon, philippine islands. Us army patch alamo scouts 6 th special recon unit for. Sixth army also known as the alamo force, established the alamo scouts in the southwest pacific area in late 1943. I acquired this rare patch from a very reputable wwii patch dealer, so i know it is 100% correct and original. The contributions of american indians to the alamo scouts and their warrior spirit were further evidenced by the units distinctive insignia. Sixth army special reconnaissance unit of world war ii. After the war in the pacific ended, the sixth army took up occupation of japan.
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