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National Defense Medal/Armed Expeditionary Medal for Korean service 1 Oct 66-30 June 74 |
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This page prepared by;
SSg Douglas L Pierce US Army Retired Engineer Korean Service: 1964/1965 C Co. 8th Eng Bn 1st Cav Division The First Team 1966/1969 ACTA 2nd Inf Division Second to None 1971/1972 ACTA 2nd Inf Division Second to None Organization: Veteran of Foreign War Life Member Korean War Veteran Assocation Life Member 1st Cav Assocation DMZ Veteran Assocation Army Engineer Assocation |
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Advanced Combat Training Academy,ACTA or Imjin Scout School was activated around December of 1965 and was active up thur the l970's.
The Basic mission of the academy was to train soldiers of the 2d Infantry Division, tactically and techically profient, and to specialize in preparing them to conduct operations within the DMZ The Academy taught many specialized subjects such as basic Demolish, Weapons, Map reading and communcations. But the main subject was Patroling tactic and familiariztion with the DMZ, and the History of the DMZ and the purpose of it. Upon successful completion and graduation from the academy each student was awarded the Imjin Scout Patch which was worn on the right hand pocket of the uniform . Some of the student that attended ACTA would never see the north side of the Imjin River or DMZ because of there job or the type of unit that there were assigned to. All of the instructors of ACTA were hand picked out the 2d Infantry Division which were mainly Infantry, and 1 Engineer to teach demolish, of which was part of his normal job, and camp maintance also Ammo NCO. There was a support group which was 1 medic, supply nco, and the cooks section. ACTA was located across the Imjin River near CC#3 or RC#3 as most new it. This location was known as Camp Siteman named after a Medal of Honor winner killed in the Korean War. ACTA remianed at this location until the early 70's when they moved to Camp Casey nearTong Du Shun, South Korea. Thats when the 2d Infantry Division was relieved of duty on the DMZ, except for a 1 mile wide strip on each side of the road leading to the JSA area or Panmunjon where the conferance were held between north and south Korean officials, plus 2 GP 's (guard post). |
IMJIN SCOUT PATCH |
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The Imjin Scout Patch was awarded to all those that graudated from the school. However If you were in a Infantry Bn that operated within DMZ and had 25 mission or more, the patch was awarded automatically. Once the individual was awarded the Imjin Scout Patch you had the option of attending ACTA. I did see a few that did attend the school in order to improve on they skills to operate within the DMZ. The difference in the patch was that the letters DMZ was written into the patch.
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ADVANCED COMBAT TRAINING ACADEMY |
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This Patch was worn by all instructors on a blue tankers jacket which was for Fall and Winter wear. The blue basaball cap was worn year around, it had sewn in, ACTA with the 2d infantry division crest underneath.
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This Is the CP (Command Post) Picture was taken 1970 when i returned for a second tour with ACTA
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| Those that attended ACTA in the 1960's probably remember the CP area looking like this picture. If you notice the instructor are wearing the famous blue hat that were know through out the 2d Div |
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| Looking back up into the students living area on top of the hill and the instructors living area to right. |
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ACTA had many commander while i was assgined to ACTA. But the most famous of all was Maj Roger H Donlon. Maj Donlon was awarded the first Medal of Honor of Viet Nam. Pictured is himself and driver Alan Chase.
For infromation on Maj Donlons MOH you can go to www.homeofheroes.com/donlon/index.html |