laststandonzombieisland

The campaign to liberate the Philippines in 1944-45 was divided between the U.S. Eighth Army and U.S. Sixth Army, with support from 250,000 Philippine insurgents.

Seventeen Alamo Scout teams conducted more than 70 missions in support of the two Armies– after cutting their teeth in 40 similar recon missions in New Guinea. However, it was in the Philippines that the Scouts added liaison with the guerrilla units to their reconnaissance mission.

You call these men: Alamo Scouts

The Alamo Scouts? These special recon and direct action teams, credited as one of the forerunners of today’s Green Berets, were a product of the Sixth Army’s in-house Alamo Scout Training Center. Dubbed the Hotel Alamo, the ASTC was originally on Fergusson Island, New Guinea, and then relocated to Subic Bay in 1945. Using unorthodox tactics and inserted via rubber rafts from PBYs, among other means.

The Alamo Scouts were unsung even in their day.

U.S. Army Alamo Scouts, two in HBT uniforms. William E. Nellist (middle) pictured with unidentified trainees from the 4th Class. Cape Kassoe, Hollandia, DNG. August 1944. Via Alamo Scouts website. http://www.alamoscouts.com/photo_archives/420_439.htm

A team of Alamo Scouts pose for a photo after completing a reconnaissance mission on Los Negros Island, February 1944.

Alamo Scout training was arduous and intensive, concentrating on reconnaissance techniques and honing the men’s ability to move through the jungle. Here, trainees at the ASTC at Kalo Kalo conduct a forced march on Fergusson Island, New Guinea, February 1944.

Alamo Scout trainees had to swim an underwater course under fire. Her,e 1LT Preston Richard fires at the surface with a Thompson sub-machinegun. LTC Frederick Bradshaw, ASTC Director (hands on hips), and MG Innis P. Swift, commander of I Corps (in helmet) observe the training, ASTC Fergusson Island, January 1944.

A Scout team at the 1st ASTC prepares to conduct a night reconnaissance. Front L-R, PFC Joseph Johnson, 1LT Michael Sombar, and CPL David Milda. Back L-R, SGT Byron Tsingine, SSG Alvin Vilcan, CPL John A. Roberts, CPL Walter A. MacDonal, and SSG Caesar Ramirez, 8 January 1944.

As detailed by Michael Krivdo in his article on the Rescue at Cabanatuan, in which the Scouts played a key role.

Several members of the Alamo Scouts found their way into the ranks of Army Special Forces later in their careers. One such member, CSM Galen Kittleson, had the distinction of being in four POW rescue missions in two separate wars. Alamo Scout training, including their use of peer evaluations during training, found their way into the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC).