Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “Alamo Scouts: America’s Undefeated WWII Recon Force” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/alamo-scouts-americas-undefeated-wwii-recon-force/.
Undefeated American Recon Force in World War II
- Thread starter Mike H.
- Start date
Cedric
Professional
This is a great article. IMO, the Pacific Theater has gotten short shrift in modern media and films. The largest battlefield in WWII since the war movies of the 50s, 60, and early 70s has been a somewhat rare focus of newer movies. 2005's "The Great Raid" is a rare exception though I believe it was delayed release for its realistic, brutal depiction of the Japanese against civilians and POWs alike. The media's focus on the Austrian white guy and his psychopathy is never ending while trying to find a documentary on Tojo, the Emperor, and the other Japanese leaders is rare.
Anyway, back to the Alamo Scouts. They are depicted in the movie providing intelligence to the Sixth Army commander and the rangers but their role is minimized. I recommend picking up the book, The great Raid and you'll get a better picture of their actions.
Just my 2 cents.
Anyway, back to the Alamo Scouts. They are depicted in the movie providing intelligence to the Sixth Army commander and the rangers but their role is minimized. I recommend picking up the book, The great Raid and you'll get a better picture of their actions.
Just my 2 cents.
mikegc
Elite
During the Vietnam War, it was my privilege to served under then-Brigadier General Herbert E. Wolff. "Born in Cologne, Germany, Wolff's Jewish family fled Nazi persecution in 1939, relocating to the United States where he grew up and later graduated from high school. Initially rejected for enlistment at the start of World War II due to his status as an "enemy alien," he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943 and deployed to the Pacific Theater, serving in the Philippines and New Guinea as a private first class. In January 1945, while assigned to the Alamo Scouts, he took part in the raid on the Japanese POW camp at Cabanatuan, Philippines, which successfully rescued 511 American prisoners and resulted in his battlefield commission to second lieutenant. During the Korean War, Wolff commanded two companies and a battalion in combat, earning his second Silver Star, and by age 29, he had risen to the rank of lieutenant colonel."
I reconnected with him in 2004 in Williamsburg, VA. I asked him was he was most proud of in his 37 years of service and he answered immediately: "When we rescued the prisoners of war at Cabanatuan. Here's a photo of him just after becoming a mustang:
In Vietnam:
We became friends during the reconnections. He's gone, now, and I miss him.
Mike
I reconnected with him in 2004 in Williamsburg, VA. I asked him was he was most proud of in his 37 years of service and he answered immediately: "When we rescued the prisoners of war at Cabanatuan. Here's a photo of him just after becoming a mustang:
In Vietnam:
We became friends during the reconnections. He's gone, now, and I miss him.
Mike
I was friends with an unassuming WWII vet who never said much about his service. Shortly before his death he spoke to some of us about his service. He was dropped off on islands by submarine and had to recon Japanese forces on the island. He had a pickup and if he missed it, there was another attempt. He carried a camera and not much else besides a boot knife. He says he was captured twice and waited for a guard to become lazy and neutralized him. His funeral was attended with a full honor guard and six police motorcycles. They asked me the history of who they were escorting, I told them and they were much happier about escorting him.