US ARMY VIETNAM COMBAT ARTIST PROGRAM FACT SHEET DATED 15 JULY, 1967

US Army Combat Art Team IV

15 August-15 October, 1967, Vietnam
16 October-31 December 1967, Hawaii

Team IV members:
Sp/4 James Pollock from South Dakota
Sp/4 Daniel Lopez from California
Sp/4 Samuel Alexander from Mississippi
Sp/5 Burdell Moody from Arizona
Sgt. Ronald Wilson from Utah
Technical Supervisor Lt. Frank M. Thomas

James Pollock's home state was and still is South Dakota. At the time of his selection to US Army Combat Artist Team IV he was serving as a Sp/4 postal clerk with First Base Post Office, 8th US Army, and was stationed at Camp Ames near Taejon, South Korea. All artwork completed as a soldier artist are in the Military History War Art Collection in Washington D.C.

The following document was sent to US Army Combat Artist Team IV member James Pollock, 15 July 1967 after being selected through army-wide competition. It was prepared by United States Army in the Republic of Vietnam (USARV) Command Historian and gives an official overview of the US Army Combat Art Program in 1967.
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ARMY COMBAT ARTIST PROGRAM

FACT SHEET

1. General. In previous wars, the United Army relied primarily on civilian artists for artworks of men and machines at war. Early in 1966, the Army Combat Artist Program (ACAP) was revived. On 17 June 1966 the program was expanded to include sending teams of volunteer soldier-artists to Vietnam to record US Army activities. Overall responsibility for the ACAP is assigned to the Chief of Military History with support from the Chief of Information and the Adjutant General (through the resources of Army Crafts Program). Suitable artworks produced by both civilian and soldier artists will be added to the Army War Art Collection as a permanent contribution to the annals of American military history.

2. Civilian Artists.

a. This part of the program is administered by OCMH. Civilian artists are provided travel, quarters, subsistence, guidance on the type artwork desired, and are required to observe specific rules of conduct while in Vietnam. In general, they are to have maximum freedom of expression.

b. Civilian artists travel on invitational orders, and spend 21-30 day tour in Vietnam. During their tours, they make sketches and notes and take photographs from which to develop paintings after return to CONUS. Artists are furnished transportation, per diem, and art supplies while on tour. They are to be treated as official visitors, GS-15 equivalent, and allowed as much freedom of action as conditions permit.

c. Information officers at USARV and subordinate headquarters arrange necessary support, to include billeting and local transportation, for civilian artists on assignment in Vietnam. The USARV Command Historian will be available to give incoming artists a general briefing, and all military history detachment commanders are to render appropriate assistance when feasible.

d. Invitational orders have been issued for twelve civilian artists to visit Vietnam this calendar year at the rate of three per quarter. To date, three have completed visits in Vietnam.

3. Soldier Artist Teams.

a. This aspect of the ADAP is administered at DA level primarily by the Army Crafts Branch, Morale and Education Section of TAGO. The Crafts Branch recruits military personnel to participate in the program. Appications submitted through command channels to TAGO are reviewed by a committee of representatives from OCMH and Crafts Branch. Individuals selected are placed on TDY for 120 days as members of a five-man team. The first three teams each spent approximately 60 days in Vietnam observing US Army activities and preparing preliminary artwork, and then moved to Hawaii for an additional 60--day period to develop finished artwork. Current plans are for Team #4 to spend 60 days in Vietnam and 75 days in Hawaii. Upon completion of TDY, the soldier artists return to their home stations.

b. The USARV Command Historian is responsible for staff supervision of the program in Vietnam, and is the point of contact for coordination of program activities and official communications on the program with USARPAC, USARHAW, and interested DA agencies. The Command Historian is responsible for coordinating preparation of itineraries, obtaining travel orders, and coordinating administrative actions in support of the program. The USARV Information Officer is responsible for arranging in-country travel, and assists in preparation of itineraries. When the team is on field trips, unit information officers coordinate team activities in their areas. A Technical Supervisor, usually a DAC who is also an experienced artist familiar with the Army Crafts Program, accompanies each team to exercise direct control, serves as the point of contact for coordination activities, and supervises all aspects of the performance of the team mission in Vietnam. Military history detachment commanders are to render appropriate assistance when requested.

C. Combat Artist Team #1 served in Vietnam from mid-August to mid-October 1966, and completed their TDY in Hawaii by mid-December. Team #2 was in Vietnam from mid-October to mid-December 1966, and completed their work in Hawaii in mid-February 1967. Team #3 arrived in Vietnam in mid-February 1967, departed for Hawaii in mid-April, and completed finished artworks in Hawaii in mid-June 1967.

4. Future Plans. The Army Combat Artist Program for FY 68 includes plans for sending twelve volunteer civilian artists and three five-man teams of soldiers artists to Vietnam during the fiscal year. Combat Artist Team #4 is scheduled to arrive in RVN about 15 August 1967 and will proceed to Hawaii about 16 October for an additional 75 days TDY. Teams #5 and #6 are to arrive in RVN o/a 1 November 1967 and 1 February 1968.

PREPARED BY USARV COMMAND HISTORIAN 15 JULY 1967

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