U.S. ARMY VIETNAM COMBAT ARTIST PROGRAM

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In June of 1966 the U.S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Program was established, utilizing teams of soldier artists to make pictorial records and interpretations for the annals of army military history. Typically, each team consisted of five soldier artists who spent 60 days of temporary duty (TDY) in Vietnam traveling with various units, gathering information and making sketches of U.S. Army related activities. In 1967 James Pollock was selected and served on U.S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV (CAT IV). This sketch of a door gunner is an example of his work now housed permanently in the U. S. Army Center of Military History (CMH) Army Art Collectdion along with the other original art done by Pollock and the cadre of over 40 U. S. Army soldier artists.

VIETNAM COMBAT ARTIST JAMES POLLOCK ESSAY ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE IN VIETNAM

From August 1966 through 1970 the US Army sent teams of artists into Vietnam to record their experiences as soldier artists. In 1967, Specialist Fourth Class James Pollock was sent to Vietnam as a soldier artist on US Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV from Aug. 15 to Dec. 31 1967. Jim writes about his experiences as a combat artist In an essay published by WAR, LITERATURE & THE ARTS, a journal published by the Department of English and Fine Arts at the United States Air Force Academy.

U. S. ARMY VIETNAM COMBAT ART PROGRAM OVERVIEW

A short history and overview of the U.S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Program given by James Pollock on July 15, 2003 at the U.S. Library of Congress before the Library of Congress Professional Association (LCPA) Veterans Forum.

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.

If you were a member of one the U.S. Army soldier artists teams please contact me. The U.S. Army Center For Military History (CMH) has information in their archives about military artists from Vietnam and other wars and conflicts. For a complete roster of U. S. Army soldier artists in Vietnam see the last pages of my essay SOLDIER-ARTISTS IN VIETNAM for War, Literature and the Arts, an International Journal of the Humanities, published by the Departmen of English and Fine Arts, United States Air Force Academy. --James Pollock, Team IV--Box 555, Pierre, SD. 57501.

James Pollock non war art main page

James Pollock Referenced Biographical Information

WWW contact for Jim Pollock Art is jpollockATpie.midco.net

Vietnam Combat Art Home Page

(There are no "back to contents" links with pictures, use browser to go back after viewing art).

Painting and Drawings--James Pollock Team IV

Door Gunner Pen and ink drawing by James Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Same as drawing above with title. (41K)

Looking Down The Trail Watercolor by James Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C.(90K)

Waiting Interrogation 199th Inf Div Watercolor by James Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Depicts VC suspects blindfolded and waiting interrogation. (90K)

Waiting To Lift Off Watercolor and Pen and Ink by James Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Depicts a Medical Evacuation. (95K)

Med Evacuation Oil by James Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Depicts a Medical Evacuation. (86K)

G. I. Card Game Watercolor by James Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Depicts soldiers playing cards between patrols. (95K)

Field Haircut At Big Red One Watercolor and pen and ink by James Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Depicts a soldier getting a field haircut. (104K)

Between Patrols 199th Inf Div Near Cat Lai VN Watercolor and pen and ink by Jim Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Depicts soldier resting between patrols. (104K)

Old VN Man Pen and ink wash by James Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Depicts a Vietnamese Man. (95K)

Quiet Pause Before Next Patrol 199th Inf Watercolor and pen and ink by James Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Depicts the depressing feeling between patrols. (59K)

Taking A Break Pen and ink by Jim Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Depicts a soldier resting while out on patrol. (54K)

Forward Air Controller Pen and ink by Jim Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Depicts a Forward Air Controller looking out Huey door. (59K)

Bulldozer 1st Log Comm, Qui Nhon Watercolor by James Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Depicts Engineers moving dirt with along the beach. (95K)

Korean Papa San Pen and ink wash by James Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Before duty in Vietnam Jim Pollock was stationed at Camp Ames near Taejon, South Korea. This piece depicts a Korean. (113K)

Jim Pollock Non Combat Art A cross selection of art by James Pollock since he returned to civilian life in 1968.

Vietnam Combat Art Home Page

U. S. Army Official Documents About Vietnam And Art Combat Art Program

Circular 28-30 Annoucement of U.S. Army Vietnam Combat Artist Program for FY 1968 including overview and application instructions. (29K)

Combat Art Program Fact Sheet U.S. Army Vietnam Combat Artist Program fact sheet dated 15 July, 1967. (14K)

USARV Memorandum 860-1 Official USARV Memorandum 860-1--Historical Activities of US Army Combat Artist Teams in Vietnam Dated 10 July 1967. (27K)

Vietnam Combat Artist Program Standing Operating Procedure (SOP) (18K)

Combat Art Security Rules Health Hazards in Vietnam and Personal Security Rules directed to Vietnam Combat Artists. (14K)

Duty Hints in FAQ Form Duty in Vietnam/some helpful hints and general information sheet-for neewcomeers to Republic of South Vietnam. (Publication is in a frequently asked question format). (18K)

Letter Orders 7-76 This is copy of official Letter Orders 7-76 dated 27 July, 1967 that authorized temporary duty as Combat Artist to Jim Pollock. All Soldier Combat Artists received similar temporary duty orders and travel orders. (9K)

Vietnam Combat Art Home Page

Published News Articles

One Day In Vietnam The following was written by US Army Vietnam Combat Aritst Team IV member James Pollock and published in SOUTH DAKOTA HERITAGE magazine Vol. 17 No. 2 June, 1991 pp. 2-9. Article gives overview of the Combat Art Program and chronicles one day's experience. (c) copyright 1989 Jim Pollock All Rights Reserved.

SDSU Grad Sketches War In Vietnam Written by Chuck Cecil, Editor, South Dakota State University ALUMNUS MAGAZINE, Vol 58 No. 3 February, 1968 p.3. Article written in 1968 after artist returned home from Vietnam. (14K)

South Dakota's Robinson Museum Vietnam Combat Art Exhibit US Army Military History Vietnam War Art Collection traveling exhibit was brought to South Dakota by the State run Robinson Museum in Pierre, SD. The exhibit ran from April 21-May 18, 1980 and included artwork by 17 Vietnam Combat Artists. Article from SOUTH DAKOTA HISTORY, South Dakota Historical Society Quarterly, Vol. 10. No. 2 Spring, 1980 p. 176. (Article copyright by South Dakota Historical Society and used with permission). (9K)

Vietnam War Combat Art In Brush Of Jim Pollock Written by Doug Spomer, ABERDEEN AMERICAN NEWS focus editor, suday October 19, 1980. (Article copyright by Aberdeen American News and reprinted here with permission). (14K)

Pollock Designs Gold Piece Article was written Jim Files and appeared in the MOBRIDGE TRIBUNE, Mobridge South Dakota, April 29, 1987. The State of South Dakota issued gold and silver pieces starting in 1987 and Pollock was chosen as designer for the first issue. Article also discusses combat art experiences. (Article copyright by MOBRIDGE TRIBUNE and reprinted here with permission) (14K)

Soldier To Sketch Viet Action Short article after notification that appeared in PACIFIC STARS AND STRIPES, Korea Edition, Vol. 23, No. 223, Saturday Aug. 12, 1967 Page 17. (9K)

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