Analyst in a War Theater Role -- 1964

Old friend John Quinn uncovered a very interesting declassified document from 1964.  It's called "Analyst in a War Theater Role" and it provides an overview of the role of U.S. military intelligence analysts at the U.S. Taiwan Defense Command and elsewhere, especially during the early years of the U.S. military presence in Taiwan.  It was written by Robert W. Smith, who may have been on the J-2 (Intelligence) staff at USTDC.

You can read or download the PDF document at:  http://www.mediafire.com/view/pr5ms58711bebh0/Analyst_in_a_War_Theater_Role_-_1964.pdf.

10-10 Parade of 1961

This is a short film clip of the 10-10 celebration in Taipei during 1961.

1965 Taiwan Report

The U.S. Taiwan Defense Command periodically published a brochure called "Taiwan Report."  It was primarily intended for individuals and families who were being assigned to the Taipei area, providing them with an overview of life in Taiwan.

I previously posted a copy of the 1973 version of the brochure and another copy that was published in the 1960s that included several pages about Shulinkou Air Station.  Links to both documents are to the right.

Lieutenant Colonel Scott Ellinger recently sent me the 1965 edition.  You can download the PDF file by clicking on its cover, shown below.  It's a rather large file, so it may take several minutes to download.

HSA Plaque

*** UPDATE ***

Old friend John Quinn advises that Master Chief Schreppel passed away in 2005 and is buried at Arlington.  John explained that Schreppel would have been the highest Master Chief in the command (MCPOC). SK was his rating (Storekeeper).

Taipei Scott just acquired this plaque that was originally given to Master Chief Petty Officer of Command (MCPOC) Schreppel during his visit to Taipei during March, 1974.   I'm guessing that Chief Schreppel was out of CINCPAC, but I haven't been able to find anything on him so far.  Does anyone recall him?

Hacked Again

Several individuals who were on the contact list of my USTDC Yahoo email account received bogus emails today due to someone with an ISP in Poland hacking the account.  The emails contained only a link to another website.  This is the second time over the years that this has happened.  I thought I had sufficient safeguards in place to keep it from happening again, but apparently not.

If you were one of those who received the bogus email,  I apologize for the inconvenience.  I never send emails with just a link in them without also explaining why I'm sending it and what the link is about.

I have taken several steps to ensure that this doesn't happen again, but in today's world there are no  guarantees, unfortunately.

MG Bowen Farewell

Scott in Taipei provided this photograph of 鮑恩少將 Major General Frank S. Bowen, who was Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) during Sep 1956 - Jul 1958.

 If you have more information on MG Bowen or if you recognize any of the other individuals in this photograph, please comment below.

Taiwan Awards Summary

Last month I posted a request for information on a ribbon that was presented to COL William Kinkead, who was a logistics officer in MAAG Taiwan during the late fifties or early sixties.  Someone identified it as the "Kinmen Defense Ribbon."

However, I recently received a note from Lloyd Evans, who heads the 823 Badge of Honor Association USA, and he provided an excellent overview of the medals and other honors that the Taiwan government has presented to certain American military personnel over the years.

Before 1979 silver plaques and plates with acknowledgements of meritorious service and the then the OISCM (Outer Island Service Commemorative Medal – for service on Taiwan’s outer islands: Matsu, Kinmen [aka Quemoy], Taiping Island and  Pratas Islands) as well as the Honor Medal for 823 Bombardment (8/23/59 – 1/1/59 – aka Second Taiwan Strait Crisis – medal awarded in a joint US/ROC ceremony on 10/10, the 40^th anniversary of 823 [1998])) and the US-ROC Mutual Defense Commemorative Badge 1955-1979 awarded subsequent to the 823 award (1998) and on or about 2000 to US servicemen. Then in 2009, the Ministry of National Defense presented roughly 600 medals to members of the United States Armed Forces Dec.14, in recognition of the help and support given to Taiwan in the aftermath of Typhoon Morakot. The 600 medals, which carried the words “In commemoration of the Typhoon Morakot rescue operations,” were handed out to all those who participated in the search and rescue operations. Close to 500 navy personnel were on board the USS Denver, an amphibious transport dock stationed off the coast of Taiwan during the humanitarian mission, said Legislator Lin Yu-fang, who also attended the ceremony. Other medal recipients included members of the U.S. Pacific Command and the U.S. Seventh Fleet. Military personnel stationed in Japan, representatives of AIT, as well as members of the U.S. Defense Department were also given medals, Lin added.

Lloyd Evans

Chairman

823 Badge of Honor Assoc. USA

What Is This Ribbon?

I received a note from Albert Kinkead, who wrote the following:

My grandfather COL(Ret.) William Kinkead served as a Logistics Officer trainer in the MAAG back in the late 50's early 60's time frame.  I believe he was given an award by the Taiwanese defense forces but I can't locate any info online.  He passed away in 2002 so I cannot ask him about it and I am trying to do as much research as I can.  I have a picture of him getting the award and a picture of what I believe is the ribbon they gave him.  Do you know if the defense forces gave awards to the US Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen who worked in the MAAG?  If so, do you think you may know what it is or where I could find info on it?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I replied to Al that it was not uncommon for American military personnel to receive medals, especially upon completion of their tours.  I'm not familiar with this ribbon or the devices on it, but I thought perhaps someone here might be able to help.  Please let me know if you can identify the ribbon or if you know any of the individuals shown below.

Here are the rest of the photos that Al sent to me:

Receiving the award from MG Wong

Toasting the award

MAJ Harrington, LTC Kinkead, GEN Peng (Chief Taiwanese Armed Forces), COL Walker, CPT Ault

The Team, HM2 Woods, SP4 Milligan, CAPT Ault, PVT Carleton, MAJ Sotter, SP4 Barnett, COL Walker, SP4 Fisker, LTC Kinkead, SP4 Leach, MSGT Sullivan, SP4 Bailey, SSGT Hall

Great Collection of Taiwan Photos

Tom Jones was in Taipei with the Army during 1957-58, where he worked at the transmitter site.  He also spent a few months on Matsu during that period.  He recently posted a link over at my USTDC Facebook page to his collection of 260 photographs that he took all over Taiwan.  Here's the direct link to his Picasaweb album.

EM Club Kaohsiung Memento

I recently received a note from Joseph "PAT" Halton, the son of Navy SH1 J.J. Halton, who was the Club Manager of the EM Club in Kaohsiung from 1962 until 1967.  Pat included a photo of the pennant that was presented to his father upon his departure from Taiwan. 

Pat wrote:  "I recently found one of my father's service mementos. It's a hand made pennant of "Deputy Dog" with a note thanking him for his service as Manager of EM Club Kaohsiung.  My oldest brother had it for years, unfortunately he passed away in '09; so after quite some time in "mothballs" this memento of our Dad's service is seeing the light of day for the first time in ages.  I just had to try and see if I could find out anything about it, or more importantly my father, or even the person who made it or the people he served with.

We lost my Dad back in 1972, and I remember seeing this pennant and how cool I thought it was. I will soon be mailing this to my youngest brother and am sending the information I found on Kaohsiung along with it. Maybe you or someone my Dad served with can add more:  'James Joseph Halton retired in the mid-60's after 24 years of service in the Navy. He was a Boatswain's Mate originally, but retired as a Ship's Serviceman First Class (SH1). He was originally from Colfax CA and retired in Carson City, NV. He served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.'

I am a 29-year Navy veteran and really appreciate you guys keeping our history going, so others may know. Thank you for your service and God Bless!!

Sincerely,
Joseph "PAT" Halton
CMDCM(SW), USN (Retired)"

I wrote a short article back in 2009 about the EM Club in Kaohsiung which you can find at THIS LINK.