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Updated: 23 Nov 2007
General Information
| Planning Group |
| Bylaws |
| Directors and Officers |
| History |
| Joining the Association |
| Next Reunion |
| Help Needed |
| Web Page Revisions |
| Application for Membership |
Planning Group
February meeting (Summery of the meeting)
The Association Board of Directors and others met at 10:00 hours, February 26, 2005 at the Westwood Country Club, Vienna, VA 22180. In attendance were:
Emmett Paige Director
Peter Kind Director
V.O. Lang Director
Nick Frankhouser
Larry Schumann Treasurer
Merv Norton Secretary
Dennis Byrnes
Howard Bartholf
Roy Busdiecker (via phone from Kansas City)
1. Association By-Laws
The group reviewed the draft of a revised set of By-Laws. After discussion and follow up e-mail correspondence a revised set of By Laws was approved. The revised By-Laws are included in this Newsletter.
A copy of the Articles of Incorporation is also included in this Newsletter
2. Board of Directors
The Board of Directors approved the increase in the Board from three members to seven members. Three new members were approved. A seventh position is reserved for an enlisted representative from the 1st Signal Brigade in Korea. The approved Board of Directors is as follows:
Peter Kind
Chairman
Emmett Paige
V.O. Lang
Merv Norton
Dennis Byrnes
Howard Bartholf
Open
Representative from the 1st Signal Brigade in
Korea
The duties of the Board of Directors and the frequency of meetings are as documented in the By-Laws.
3. Officers
The following Officers were elected:
Dennis Byrnes
President
Roy
Busdiecker Vice President
Merv Norton
Secretary
Larry Schumann
Treasurer
4. Support Staff
Webmaster Roy Busdiecker
Database
Manager Merv Norton
Newsletter
Editor
Newsletter
Publisher
Publicity
Manager Howard Bartholf
Membership
Manager Merv Norton
5. Next Reunion
The Board set July 2006 as the date for the next reunion which will again be held in the Washington, DC area. (Later changed to August due to no available space in July) Emmett Paige will contact NETCOM to make sure there is no conflict in the dates with scheduled actives of NETCOM and of the active Brigade in Korea. The exact date will be determined after discussions with the hotel. Reunions beyond 2006 will be held in a different location.
More effort will be spent on planning the programs and Banquet.
6. Membership
Samples of a proposed Membership Card were provided for review. This sample displays a Membership Card for each of the five types of Association members. During the meeting there was some discussion on Charter Members. The view was expressed that we did not need Charter Members. The By-Lays specifically establish a category for Charter Member. The Membership Card will be identified with the type of member, Charter Member, Regular Member, Associate Member or Honorary Member.
A draft Membership Application was circulated and several changes were offered...
7. Newsletter
The By-Laws require that the Association publish a Newsletter. The Newsletter will be published on the website every quarter. Those with e-mail will be notified electronically. Others will be notified by US Postal Service. We will request members to submit stories and articles for inclusion in the Newsletter.
8. Web Page
Association Membership Application will be placed on the web page. Dues must be paid by check or cash. Credit Card payment is not acceptable. We will solicit, by both e-mail and the web page, stories and articles for publication in the Newsletter.
9. Sale Items
There were major problems in the initial mailing of the Association CDs. approximately 40 were damaged by the USPS. The Association made approximately $800.00 on Sale Items.
The status of the Sales Items is as follows:
Item Purchased Remaining
Vietnam Ball Caps 35 0
Association Ball Caps 100 68
Polo Shirts 100 1
Bumper Sticker 500 450
CD 100 1
The Board approved that the Association will purchase all future sale items. There are no plans to make any additional purchases prior to the next reunion.
10. Charitable Contributions
After a discussion of charitable contributions, the Board decided to offer educational scholarships to the children or grandchildren of Association members.
11. Fort Huachuca Liaison
The Association needs a liaison in the Fort Huachuca area. Emmett Page suggested that John Meyers (LTG Ret) serve that purpose. Emmett will contact John.
12. Brigade Chaplains
We need a list of Brigade Chaplains.
13. Brigade Soldier of the Year
We need to identify the Brigade Soldier of the Year, each year.
Bylaws of the1st Signal Brigade Association, Inc.
Article I. Members
Section 1. The categories of membership in the 1st Signal Brigade Association, Inc, (the Association) shall be as follows:
(a) Regular Membership shall be open to any person who was or is currently assigned to the U. S. Army 1st Signal Brigade.
(b) Life Membership shall be open to any person eligible for Regular, or Associate Membership, who pays such one-time dues as may be prescribed from time to time by the Board of Directors
(c) Associate Membership shall be open to (i) the surviving spouse or child of any person who would have been eligible for Regular Membership, and (ii) such other persons with some connection to the 1st Signal Brigade as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
(d) Charter Members shall be those persons who enrolled in this category of membership. The eligibility period for enrollment shall end six months from the date of approval of these By-Laws. Any Charter Member who fails to pay the annual dues or lifetime dues shall cease to be a Charter Member.
(e) Honorary Members shall be those persons designated as such by the Board of Directors for exemplary service to the Association.
Section 2. Application for membership shall be made in writing. The Board of Directors may by unanimous vote reject any application or may terminate the membership of any member for cause, after giving such applicant or member an opportunity to be heard. The decision of the Board of Directors shall be final and shall not be subject to appeal or litigation.
Section 3. Only Regular Members, Life Members or Charter Members in good standing, whose current dues have been paid in full, shall be eligible to serve as directors or officers of the Association or to vote in any meeting.
Article II Annual Meeting
Section 1. The members of the Association shall meet once a year. The date, time and place of the Annual Meeting shall be determined by the Board of Directors and notice shall be given to all members as early as practicable. At the Annual Meeting the directors and officers shall report to the members of their activities during the preceding year, and new directors and officers, as required, shall be elected for the coming year. In the event no Annual Meeting is held in any year, the directors and officers shall continue in office, subject to the resignation and removal provisions of these By-Laws, until the next Annual meeting is conducted.
Section 2. A member not personally attending any Annual Meeting may give a written proxy to any other member who will be present in person at the Annual Meeting to vote on such matters as may come before the Annual Meeting.
Article III. Dues
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall prescribe the dues to be paid by each category of members from time to time.
Section 2. In the absence of any different dues schedule prescribed by the Board of Directors, the dues for each category of membership shall be:
Regular: $15.00 for
one year
$25.00
for two years
$35.00
for three years
Life: $250.00
Associate: $10.00 for
one year
$17.00
for two years
$25.00
for three years
Charter Dues same as Regular
Charter membership is restricted to those who sign up during the announced eligibility period.
Honorary: No dues.
Article IV. Board of Directors
Section 1. The business and affairs of the Association shall be controlled and administered by and under the supervision of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. The Board of Directors shall consist of seven (7) directors. Reasonable efforts shall be made to have different ranks and time periods represented on the Board of Directors and in the composition of the officers of the Association. Directors shall be elected for two year terms as vacancies occur by expiration or other action.
Section 3. The directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the Association. At the 2001 Annual meeting, three directors shall be elected for three year term At Annual meetings after 2001, elections shall be held only to fill directorships which become vacant due to expiration or other action that ends a director's term. Director shall be elected by majority vote of the members present, in person or by proxy, and eligible to vote. Directors shall continue to hold office until their successors are elected but may resign at any time. Any director may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by a unanimous vote of all the other directors, or by a majority vote of the members of the Association. Any vacancy created by resignation or removal from office shall be filled by majority vote of the Board of Directors remaining in office and the director so chosen shall serve out the unexpired term of the director he replaces.
Section 4. Immediately after the election of directors at the Annual Meeting the directors shall elect one director to serve as Chairman of the Board for the coming year. He shall call and preside over all meetings of the Board of Directors and establish the agenda for each meeting.
Section 5. The Board of Directors may meet by electronics voice or message conference, or may pass written resolutions by majority vote.
Article V. Officers
Section 1. The officers of the Association shall consist of at least a President, Vice-president, Secretary, and Treasurer.
These officers shall by chosen by majority vote of the Board of Directors and serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Association and shall preside over meetings of the Association. He may appoint members to any committee of the Association.
Section 3. The Vice President shall assist the President in the performance of his duties and shall perform the duties of President whenever the President is absent or unable or unwilling to do so.
Section 4. The Secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings of the Association, the Board of Directors and all committees and shall be the custodian of the minute books and seal of the Association. In the absence of the Secretary, the person presiding over any meeting shall appoint an Assistant Secretary to record the minutes of that meeting. Minutes shall be typed and submitted to the Board of Directors within thirty (30) days after the meeting.
Section 5. The Treasurer shall keep custody of the funds and liquid assets of the Association and shall render an annual financial report to the Board of Directors and the Association at the annual meeting of the Association or, if no such meeting is held in any year, not later than December 1. He shall not be required to give any bond in connection with his office.
Section 6. In addition to the officers listed above the President may appoint and remove the following positions;
(a) The Membership Chair shall keep the roster of the Members of the Association; shall accept applications for membership; and shall forward all dues received to the Treasurer. The Chair, and other members working with the Chair, shall endeavor to contact all members of the 1st Signal Brigade, past or present, and to enroll as many of them as possible as members if the Association. The Association shall reimburse the Membership Chair and other members of this committee active in this effort for the direct costs of postage, telecommunications and stationary.
(b) The Newsletter Editor shall see to it that a periodic newsletter is published and distributed to the members. The Newsletter Editor may appoint assistant editors and publishers as the Editor sees fit. The Association shall reimburse the Editor and others involved in the publishing and distributing the newsletter for the direct expenses thereof.
(c) The Historian shall be responsible for the safekeeping of all historical records in the possession of the Association and for researching the history of the 1st Signal Brigade and shall publish accounts of the same in the newsletter from time. The first such report shall appear in the first issue of the newsletter following adoption of these By-Laws.
(d) The Quartermaster shall be responsible for the safekeeping of the tangible assets of the Association, not including the financial assets kept by the Treasurer.
(e) The Chaplain shall conduct all religion and memorial observances of the Association.
(9 Assistants to any of the above may be appointed as necessary.
Section 7. The officers listed in Sections 2 through 5 above may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by majority vote of the Board of Directors. The officers listed in Section 6 may be removed at any time with, or without cause, by the President. Any officer may resign at any time. Vacancies in any office may be filled as set forth above.
Article VI Committees
Committees to carry out the business of the Association may be created and members appointed to serve on their or removed from them by the Board of Directors or the President.
Article VII Transfer of Property
Any sale or transfer of property of the Association shall be valid only if signed by (a) the Chairman of the Board, President or Vice President, and (b) the Treasurer or and Assistant Treasurer. This section shall not apply to drawing checks or otherwise withdrawing funds from the Associations bank accounts which may be done on the signature of Treasurer or any other authorized signatory alone.
Article VIII Quorum
At any meeting of the Association, a quorum for the transaction of any business shall be those actually present, in person or by proxy. At any meeting of the Board of Directors, a quorum shall be a majority of the directors then in office. All proceedings at any meeting shall be conducted by majority vote of those present and eligible to vote.
ARTICLE Indemnification
The Association may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Association to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was director, officer, support staff, employee, or agent of the Association, against expenses (including attorney’s fee) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Association, provided that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue, or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his or her duty to the Association, unless, and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability, but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court shall deem proper.
The Board of Directors shall take all such action as may be necessary and appropriate to authorize the Association to pay the indemnification provided by this Article IX including without limitation, to the extent necessary, making a good faith evaluation of the manner in which the claimant for indemnity acted and of the reasonable amount of indemnity due him or her.
No director, officer, support staff, employee or agent shall have personal liability arising out of an action whether by or in the right of the Association or otherwise for monetary damages for breach of any duty; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit or eliminate their personal liability with respect to (i) acts or omissions occurring prior to the date of the effectiveness of these bylaws, (ii) acts or omissions at the time of such breach that were known or believed to be clearly in conflict with the best interest of the Association, or (iii) any transaction from which they derived an improper personal benefit or which was in violation of any federal or state statutes.
The indemnification provided by this Article shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which such director, officer, support staff, employee or agent may be entitled under any statute, bylaw, agreement, vote of the Board of directors or otherwise, and shall not restrict the power of the Association to make any indemnification permitted by law. The Board of Directors may authorize the purchase of and maintain insurance on behalf of any director, officer, support staff, employee or agent of the Association against any liability asserted against or incurred by them which arises out of such person’s status in such capacity or out of acts taken in such capacity, whether or not the Association would have the power to indemnify the person against that liability under law. In no case, however, shall the Association indemnify, reimburse or insure any person for any taxes imposed on such individual under Chapter 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as now in effect or as may hereafter be amended (the “Code”). Further, if at any time the Association is deemed to be a private foundation within the meaning of Section 509 of the Code then, during such time, no payment shall be made under this Article if such payment would constitute an act of self-dealing or a taxable expenditure, as defined in Sections 4941(d) or 4945(d), respectively, of the Code. If any part of this Article shall be found in any action, suit or proceeding to be invalid or ineffective, the validity and the effectiveness of the remaining parts shall not be affected.
Article X Amendment
The Board of Directors may make, alter, amend or repeal these By-Laws, or any portion thereof, by majority vote at any time, as long as such By-Laws are consistent with the Articles of Incorporation and the (State) Nonprofit Corporation Code.
Article XI Effective Date; Transitional Rule
These By-Laws shall take effect immediately upon their adoption by majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Adopted by the Board of Directors, March 7, 2005
Board of Directors and Officers
Emmett Paige – Board member (Founding Director)
After his U.S. Army retirement in 1988, Lt. Gen. Emmett Paige Jr. became the president and chief operating officer of OAO Corporation, an aerospace engineering and information systems company in Greenbelt, Maryland. He left OAO in 1993, however, to serve as assistant secretary of defense for command, control, communications and intelligence until 1997, when he returned to his previous position at OAO.
Paige began his extraordinary military career in 1947 by dropping out of high school and enlisting in the U.S. Army. He enrolled in the Signal Corps Officer Candidate School and received his commission in 1952. Paige went on to serve in various Signal Corps units, and in Korea he was responsible for all fixed plant communications serving the United Nations Command, U.S. Forces Korea, and the 8th Army. During the Vietnam War, he commanded the 361st Signal Battalion in Vietnam, and later, in Arizona, he commanded the 11th Signal Group. In 1976, he was promoted to brigadier general and was given command of both the U.S. Army Communications Systems Agency and the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Engineering and Installation Agency.
In 1979, Paige was promoted again and assumed leadership of the U.S. Army Communications Research and Development Command, and in 1981 he took charge of the U.S. Army Electronics Research and Development Command. Paige was promoted to lieutenant general in 1984, and headed the U.S. Army Information Systems Command, where he served until his retirement. During his Army service, Paige received the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal.
He is a member of University of Maryland University College's Leadership Circle, a group whose charge is to raise funds for the university's military scholarship campaign.
Paige serves on numerous boards of directors and boards of advisors for corporate and academic organizations, including the National Association of Corporate Directors, the National Science Center, and the University System of Maryland Foundation.
Peter Kind – Chairman of the Board (one of the three founding Directors)
LTG (Ret.) Peter Kind is a former Chief of Signal and was inducted as a Distinguished Member of the Signal Regiment in 1994. LTG Kind served with 97th Signal Battalion and 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Germany during his 31-year career. He also was Signal adviser to 21st Infantry Division (Air Assault) in Vietnam; assistant division Signal officer, 82d Airborne Division; executive officer, 82d Airborne; and executive officer and S-2/S-3 (intelligence/ operations and training) for 82d Signal Battalion. He then served in the War Plans Division, Strategy, Plans and Policy Directorate, office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans. LTG Kind also commanded 1st Cavalry Division’s 13th Signal Battalion at Fort Hood, Texas; 1st Signal Brigade in Korea; and the Signal Center and School at Fort Gordon, Ga. He also served as U.S. Army Information Systems Command’s commander and deputy controller of the NATO Integrated Communications System Central Operating Authority.
In 1988, as program executive officer for command and control systems, he was instrumental in building credibility for the Army’s tactical command, control and communications arena. His achievements in protecting and strengthening C2 programs included fire support, intelligence and electronic warfare, air defense, maneuver control and combat services support; he integrated C2 systems for the Army and was recognized for this throughout the Defense Department and in Congress. At the time, because of poor understanding of C2 programs, LTG Kind on his own initiative made personal visits and delivered many keynote and banquet addresses to educate the Signal Corps and senior leadership in government and industry on these C2 programs’ importance to the total Army mission.
A key contributor in the Signal Corps Regimental Association and the Armed Forces Communications-Electronics Association, LTG Kind’s awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with one oak-leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal with two oak-leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak-leaf clusters and SCRA’s Silver Order of Mercury.
V.O. Lang – Board member (one of the three Founding Directors)
Commanded the 39th Signal Battalion in Vietnam from April 71
to April 72. This was my second tour of duty in Vietnam. The first was from
June 59 to June 60 as a Signal Advisor to the Arvn 31st Inf. Div. Commanded the
1st Signal Brigade in Korea from December 74 to July 76. Was promoted to BG in
July and assigned to the OJCS as the communicator (J-37)
Retired as LT. GEN in July 1988. Have since been an independent contractor for
the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) involved in doing communications
vulnerability analysis of our critical communications systems world wide. In so
doing have traveled within the United States and to our military installations
in Asia and Europe.
Merv Norton
Merv was one of a team of three that activated STRATCOM in Saigon in 1965. STRARCOM was integrated into the 1st Signal Brigade when it was activated in 1966. He was the first commander of the IWCS Management Office (IWCSMO). The IWCSMO grew over the years and was later designated as the Communication System Engineering and Management Agency (CSEMA). Following his Vietnam assignment he served as the Department of the Army Action Officer for Southeast Asia until retirement in 1968.
After retirement Merv joined Page Communication Engineers where he managed several domestic communications programs.
In 1974 he formed VCA Corporation which he managed for 14 years.
In 1988 he began writing and selling software for the design and engineering of microwave and cellular radio systems. He used this software to support many international firms in the design of communication systems.
Howard Bartholf
Howard served as an SP5 in HHC 459th Signal Battalion both at Fort Huachuca and Nha Trang RVN from April 66-Sept 67. The Battalion was part of the 21st Signal Group, First Signal Brigade. He currently serves as the Historian and Reunion Coordinator for the 459th Signal Bn Association. He attended all First Signal Brigade Reunions since 1995. Professionally he serves an Industrial Sales Engineer designing control systems for industry and the military. Currently he resides in Richmond Virginia. He is married to Janet Benning and has seven sons one of which is an Army CW2 flying Apache Longbow helicopters
Dennis Byrnes
Dennis was drafted in 1966 and arrived at 69th Sig Bn, Tan Son Nhut, Vietnam Aug 1967. His responsibilities were R & R clerk, radio operator, rode shotgun for LTC Nims, and was the S-1 clerk. In May, 1968 he was discharged as an E-5 and has fond memories and an overwhelming love for his country.
In May 1969 Dennis married "THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE". They have been married for 36 years... They have no children and live in Royersford, PA. Dennis worked for 3 companies in 37 years in the inventory field. He loves to travel and looks forward to retiring in 4 years.
Roy Busdiecker
Roy was assigned to the 1st Signal Brigade as a Major in 1968-69, served as chief of the Integrated Wideband Communication System (IWCS) in the Special Projects Division (LTC Emmett Paige, Jr), Communication Systems Engineering and Management Agency (CSEMA) directed by COL A. B. Crawford. He completed Phases III and IV of IWCS. He later served as Assistant Professor in the Dept of EE at West Point. He served on the Army and Joint Staffs, several project managment offices, and was an Army Project Manager. His final assignments were as Deputy Commander of ISEC and Commander of ISSC. Subsequently he served as Director of Information Management for Unisys Defense Systems Group, later joining Learning Tree International as an instructor and course author. He holds a BS from West Point and MS from Stanford University. His interests include photography and genealogy, which are displayed at www.busdkr.net
Larry Schumann
Larry’s first tour in Vietnam was with the 593rd Signal Company, 69th Signal Battalion, (1966 – 1967). His second tour was as an advisor with the Vietnamese Joint General Staff (1970 – 1971). From 1976 to 1978, Larry commanded the 124th Signal Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado. In 1981, he commanded the U.S. Army Communications Command, Panama and was J6 for the U.S. Southern Command in Panama. From 1984 to 1985, Larry commanded the White House Communications Agency.
Following retirement from the U.S. Army in October 1985, Larry held senior management positions with ITT, TCOM Systems and EDS. From 1996 - 2001, he was CEO and President of the National Telecommunications Alliance, Inc. (NTA), a network support company (successor to Bellcore) owned by all of the Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs) including Verizon Communications, BellSouth, Qwest and SBC (Ameritech, Pacific Bell, Southwestern Bell and Southern New England Telephone). NTA managed joint network projects for the RBOCs, totaling $140 M over this period. In addition, NTA was the RBOCs' executive manager for national security and emergency preparedness (NSEP), and led their NSEP (infrastructure protection) initiatives and daily operations with the federal government.
Also in 1996, he was appointed by the President to the White House National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC), a position he held until December 2000 along with 29 other CEOs from the telecommunications and information systems industries (AT&T, EDS, Sprint, others).
In 2001, he founded EnterpriseTec, a company supporting corporate governance, the governance of IT, information security and infrastructure protection. EnterpriseTec works with boards and senior management to assure strong organizational governance practices. Mr. Schumann is the current Chairman of the Board for the National Association of Corporate Directors' Capital Area Chapter.
History of 1st Signal Brigade
Mervin L. Norton
Introduction
In order to understand the origin the 1st Signal Brigade you need to understand some of the major events in the buildup of communications in Vietnam and Thailand. Much of what is contained in this narrative is based on personal observations as well as research of specific government records.
Chronicle of Events
Phu Lam
Phu Lam was activated in November 1961 when HF transmitters were relocated from a previous location and activated. Phu Lam was a field element of the US Army Communications Agency which ran all of the Army strategic communications systems, world wide. Most of these systems were high frequency radio.
Backporch
In 1962 Page Communications Engineers was awarded a contract to install Air Force, 72 channel, AN/MRC-85, Tropo Scatter terminals at Phu Lam, Nha Trang, Pleiku, Qui Nhon, Da Nang and Ubon in Thailand.
Wet Wash
In 1962 a submarine cable system was approved to interconnect the Philippines with Vietnam. This system was called Wet Wash and was contracted to Page Communications Engineers. This cable system would greatly improve the communications out of Vietnam to other US military installations including Hawaii and Washington.
Bangkok – Saigon Tropo
In 1962 Philco Corporation was awarded a contract to install a 60 channel tropo scatter link between the US Army Communications Agency near Bangkok, Thailand (Bang Ping) to Phu Lam in Saigon.
Bangkok – Saigon Philco Tropo Failure
In early 1963, the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, Department of the Army, became aware that the recently Philco Corporation installed tropo scatter link between Bangkok and Saigon was not operational due to propagation problems. I was dispatched to develop a solution to this problem. As a result of this investigation, a plan was developed to reconfigure the system by relocating the Bangkok terminal to Green Hill in Thailand and the Saigon terminal to Vung Tau Hill in Vietnam. From these new locations the circuits would be extended to Bangkok and Saigon via microwave links. This plan was approved and the reconfiguration was accomplished in December 1965.
Phu Lam Tape Relay Activated
The Phu Lam Tape Relay facility was activated in early 1964.
STRATCOM
On 1 April 1964 the US Army Communications Agency was combined with the US Army Signal Engineering Agency to create the US Army Strategic Communications Command (STRATCOM) commanded by Major General Richard J. Myer, and headquartered in Washington, DC.
Tonkin Gulf Incident
The Tonkin Gulf incident in August 1964 caused major communications problems. The HF communications between Saigon and Hawaii were not capable of caring the load and the Wet Wash submarine cable system was not yet complete.
Satellite Communications
STRATCOM rushed an experimental satellite ground terminal to Saigon to bolster the communications capabilities. This satellite terminal only had a capability of one voice circuit and one teletype circuit. Two months later STRATCOM rushed a newer satellite terminal to Vietnam which had a capability of one voice circuit and 16 teletype circuits.
CINCPAC
The Commander in Chief Pacific (CINCPAC) was aware of the shortages of communications circuits within Vietnam. During the summer of 1964 Navy Commander David Ward, of the CINCPAC, developed a concept for major expansions of the communications long distance communications in Vietnam and Thailand. He envisioned the use of Philco tropo scatter equipment for expansion and improvements in Thailand This equipment was initially intended for Indonesia and was in storage on the west coast of the United States. He envisioned using AN/MRC-85 type equipments for the expansions in Vietnam.
The Philco tropo equipment operated at 2 GZ and there was no experience in this type of tropo scatter in Thailand. In June 1964 Commander Ward requested some assistance from me as I began a trip to South East Asia. I had been transferred to STRATCOM and now was the STRATCOM Radio Officer. Commander Ward asked if I and my engineer could determine the feasibility of certain tropo scatter links in Thailand using the Philco equipment. This feasibility study was done over a weekend and it was determined that the proposed links were feasible. Commander Ward did not explain the reason for his request but did say that he expected to be able to tell them more upon their return.
When I returned in July, Commander Ward showed me a draft message that proposed the Intergraded Wideband Communications System (IWCS).
The following month, August 1964, CINCPAC officially proposed the IWCS to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
DCA Approval
The Defense Communications Agency (DCA) created a plan for the IWCS and submitted the plan to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) in December 1964.
Defense Communications Agency – Southeast Asia Mainland (DCA-SAM)
The Defense Communications Agency established a center in Vietnam in April 1965. In September this center was re-designated the Defense Communications Agency – Southeast Asia Mainland (DCA-SAM).
Funding and Approval by the JCS
The US Army Communications Systems Agency (USACSA) at Fort Monmouth was responsible for the procurement of major communication systems. The Commander was Lieutenant Colonel Hugh F. Foster Jr. (later 1st Signal Brigade Commander as a Major General). His staff officer for the procurement was Major Emmett Paige Jr. (later Chief of the IWCS element of the 1st Signal Brigade Communications Engineering and Management Agency as a Lieutenant Colonel and still later Commander of US Army Communication Command (formally STRATCOM) as a Major General, later a Lieutenant General). The US Army Strategic Communications Command (STRATCOM) was responsible for the engineering. The Director of Engineering was Colonel Kinji Hino and his Deputy was Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Keefer. I was responsible for the engineering.
Major Paige took the lead to brief Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine and JCS staffs on the IWCS and the need for the required funding. His efforts were successful and the IWCS was approved by the JCS in August 1965.
IWCS Procurement Specifications
Prior to the official approval, I together with Major Paige and two STRATCOM engineers, created the procurement specifications for the IWCS. We made two additions to the IWCS that were not in the original plan. We added a microwave system for the Saigon area and a Communications Control Center that was later turned over to the Defense Communications Agency- Southeast Asia (DCA-SAM).
Contract Award
They said it couldn’t be done and he did it. Major Paige said he would award contracts in 30 days and everyone said it couldn’t be done. Contracts were awarded in September, 30 days after JCS approval.
STRATCOM –Southeast Asia
During the months prior to contract award, STRATCOM was planning a new headquarters in Saigon to command all of the existing long lines units and the additional that would be required to operate the IWCS. In August 1965, Major Albert Cervini was transferred from STRATCOM to Saigon as the advance party to arrange for facilities. Colonel Henry Schneider and I were transferred to Saigon in September. We three became the first members of STRATCOM – SEA which was located in a villa off of Plantation Road between Cholon and Tan Son Nhut. The 11th Signal Group and the Phu Lam facility were the first units under the command of STRATCOM-SEA.
During the latter part of 1965 information was received that Colonel Robert D. Terry would arrive in January to create a signal brigade. Colonel Terry had been selected for promotion to Bridger General (later a Major Genera).
Colonel Schneider had to return to the United States in December 1965 due to a medical problem and his replacement was Colonel Gordon Cauble (later Bridger General)
Brigade Planning Group
Colonel Terry and staff of several officers arrived in January and began the planning on a Signal Brigade. The initial plan was that this new commander would be responsible for all communications in Vietnam. Colonel Terry would have a Deputy at the Brigade and a Deputy on the US Army Vietnam staff.
Colonel Terry and his staff were all “airborne” Signal Officers. They wore fatigues and combat boots. This was in contrast to the STRATCOM personnel who wore kaki and low quarter shoes. STRATCOM was not a combat outfit. There was some concern among the STRATCOM personnel that these “combat soldiers” did not have the background and experience to command a Brigade that was primarily composed of fixed station, long distance, strategic communication systems. This view only lasted a few weeks when it became very apparent that Colonel Terry and his planning staff were all outstanding officers and well qualified. STRATCOM personnel began to identify with them. It did not take long before for all STRATCOM personnel begin to wear fatigues and combat boots and became a part of this new endeavor.
IWCS Engineering and Management Office
Approximately one month prior the activation of the 1st Signal Brigade, Colonel Terry directed the establishment of the IWCS Engineering and Maintenance Office (IWCS Office) to manage the installation of the IWCS systems. The IWCS Office was quickly staffed with 23 men and officers. Each Thursday I gave a two to three hour briefing to Colonel Terry on the installation progress and problems of the previous week.
1st Signal Brigade Activated on 1 April 1966
The 1st Signal Brigade was activated in Saigon on 1 April 1966. The initial Headquarters was in a compound near Tan Son Nhut Air Base, which was only a mile from the Vila occupied by STRATCON-SEA, Regional Communications Group and the IWCS Engineering and Management Office.
This was a memorable week. Not only was the Brigade activated but I was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel three days later.
Another Special Event
On May 31st 1966, Colonel Terry, Major Albert Cervini, Captain Charles Cox and I, made a trip on an L-23 military aircraft to the 1st Signal Brigade subordinate headquarters in Bangkok. This was Colonel Terry’s first trip to this headquarters. We arrived late in the afternoon and were greeted by Lieutenant Colonel Harold Crochet who told Colonel Terry that he needed to call Colonel Gordon Cauble, his Deputy in Saigon. We then went to the STRATCOM – Thailand headquarters so Colonel Terry could make the call. After the call was completed, Colonel Terry told us that we had to return to Saigon the next morning.
What was all of this about? There was a ceremony scheduled for the next day where Brigadier General Lotz, JUSMAG J6, would be promoted to Major General and Colonel Terry would be promoted to Brigadier General. We then had a wonderful dinner and the team returned to Saigon the next morning.
Original Units
39th Signal Battalion
The 39th Signal Battalion commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Lotus B. Blackwell began to arrive in Vietnam in February 1962. The 39th was the first major Signal unit to arrive in Vietnam The mission of the 39th was to operate the Back Porch system, all telephone systems and communications message centers in Vietnam.
The major units of the 39th were the 232nd Signal Company in the Saigon and Mekong Delta areas, the 178th Signal Company in Da Nang and the 362nd Signal Company which operated all of the long-lines tropo scatter systems through out Vietnam from their headquarters in Nha Trang
2nd Signal Group
The 2nd Signal Group commanded by Colonel James J. Moran began to arrive in Vietnam in May 1965. In June the 41st Signal Battalion commanded by Colonel James G. Pelland arrived together with the 593rd Signal Company. The 39th Signal Battalion was assigned to the 2nd Signal Group. The 362nd Signal Company was also assigned to the 2nd Signal Group to operate all of the long-lines tropo scatter systems.
11th Signal Group
The 11th Signal Group, a subordinate unit of STRATCOM, arrived in Vietnam in June 1965. The 11th was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Jerry J. Enders.
69th Signal Battalion
The 69th Signal Battalion commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Charles R. Myer (later 1st Signal Brigade Commander as a Brigadier General and later a Lieutenant General) arrived in Vietnam in November 1965. The 69th took over all local communications support in the Saigon-Long Binh area. Two additional signal companies were attached to the 69th, the 593rd Signal Company which provided communications support in the Saigon area and the 580th Signal Company which had the capability to install large fixed cable systems.
40th Signal Battalion
The 40th Signal Battalion (Heavy Construction), under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Kirby Lamar, arrived from Fort Bragg in September 1966.
459th Signal Battalion
The 459th Signal Battalion, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth R, Symmes, arrived from Fort Huachuca, AZ in October 1966.
Additional References
This description of the 1st Signal Brigade covered the period 1961 through the end of 1966. For a more detailed description of Communications Electronics in Vietnam read;
Military Communications, A Test for Technology, by Colonel John D. Bergen, Center of Military History United States Army, 1986. Available from the Superintendent of Documents, Stock No. 008-020-01035-9. It can be purchased on line at http://bookstore.gpo.gov/ for $45.00.
For an excellent over all history of the War in Vietnam see 25-Year War, America’s Military Role in Vietnam by General Bruce Palmer, Jr., published by the University Press of Kentucky, 1982.
Division-Level Communications, 1962-1973 by Lieutenant General Charles R. Myer.
The complete book can be accessed from:
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/Vietnam/DivLevCom/index.htm
Communications Electronics 1962-1970 by Major General Thomas Matthews Reinzi,
1st Signal Brigade Commander 1969-1970 (later Lieutenant General). (141 pages)
The complete book can be accessed from:
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/Vietnam/Comm-El/index.htm
A condensed version of General Reiniz’s book (31 pages) can be accessed from:
http://www.MervinNorton.com/Publications.htm
All 1st Signal Brigade veterans are encouraged to join the Association. Some of the advantages of being a member are:
1. Obtain current information on Association activates and Reunion planning.
2. Receive a Newsletter every Quarter.
3. Read articles written by Association members.
4. Access Members database (more than 2,500 entries) portion of the Association web page.
5. Attend the periodic Association Reunions.
Article III, Section 5, of the Articles of Incorporation establish as on of the purposes of the Association is to provide educational and charitable contributions, grants, and scholarships in furtherance of its purposes.
In furtherance of this objective, the Association solicits voluntary contributions for this purpose. These funds will be used for scholarships for children or grandchildren of Association members.
The next Association Reunion will be held on August 25 – 27, 2006 at the Crystal City Marriott Hotel, which is between the Pentagon and Regan National Airport in Northern Virginia. This is a better facility than last year. The Hotel is located on the Metro line and has shuttle bus service to Regan National Airport.
The Association can not grow and succeed without the full support of all of its members. We need your support in the following areas.
1. Articles and Stories.
There are a thousand stories that you can tell about your experiences in the 1st Signal Brigade. Please send any stories to Sec@1stSigBde.org.
2. Newsletter Editor and Publisher
This first Newsletter was prepared by the collective support from the members of the Board of Directors and the Officers. We need a Newsletter Editor and Newsletter Publisher for future Quarterly Newsletters.
Editor – The duties of the Editor are to solicit, collect, edit, organize and proof read Newsletter articles. And then forward to the Publisher
Publisher – The duties of the Publisher is to format the articles in a standard Newsletter format, publish the required number of copies and forward a copy to the Webmaster for inclusion on the Web page.
Some time in the future, the Association website will be revised to create a separate section for members only. The major item that will be in this section is the database of over 2,500 former Brigade members. This database contains addresses, phone numbers and email addresses if available together with information on the veterans service in the Brigade. Within the database there is a complete list of the 238 Brigade causalities.
It may be necessary to switch to a new web hosting service before this can be accomplished.
1st
Signal Brigade Association
P.O. Box 212
Springfield, VA 22150
First to Communicate
Last Name________________________ Brigade Grade___________ Last Grade_________
First Name ____________________ Middle Initial_____ Spouse Name _________________
Street _______________________ City_________________ State___ ZIP _______
Phone Home________________ Work ________________
E-mail ___________________________________________
Brigade Unit ____________________________ Dates _________________________
(Include Company and Battalion) (e.g. 68-69)
Component (check one) ( ) Active Duty ( ) Retired ( ) Discharged ( ) Civilian
Sex: ( ) Male ( ) Female
DUES
Regular: ( ) 1 Year $15.00 Any person who was or is currently assigned to or in support of the
( ) 2 Years $25.00 U.S. Army 1st Signal Brigade (or one of its units prior to formation
( ) 3 Years $35.00 of the Brigade)
( ) Life $250.00
Associate: ( ) 1 Year $10.00 A surviving spouse or child of any person who would have been
( ) 2 Years $17.00 eligible for Regular Membership
( ) 3 Years $25.00
( ) Life $250.00
Charter: ( ) 1 Year $15.00 Any person eligible for Regular Membership who enrolls on or
( ) 2 Years $25.00 before 1 October 2005
( ) 3 Years $35.00
( ) Life $250.00
Charitable Contribution __________ These funds will be used to provide educational and charitable
(Tax exempt under IRS Code 501(c)(3) contributions, grants and scholarships.
Please keep the Association informed of any changes in your mailing address, phone number or e-mail address. Send changes via USPS or via e-mail to the Association Secretary at MervNorton@cox.net.
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