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SEAPC (SouthEast Asia Pictoral Center
—221st Signal Company (Photographic)
FOREWORD
This Unit history is dedicated to the officers and men if the 221st Signal Company (Pictorial) and the Southeast Asia Pictorial Center who have faithfully and diligently given of themselves to insure the success of the United States Army worldwide photographic mission. It is offered as a tribute to those soldiers, who, laboring daily at their assigned tasks, together perfected yet another link in the great Army communication network - a link with inestimable human and historical impact: the photograph. It is dedicated those individuals who died in the performance of their duty, and to those still living who must be, and are, carrying on. In the history of the United States Army, the technology of communication has expanded to fill an ever-increasing demand. Reliable, responsive, and flexible information collection and transmission are essential to the operation of the Army in the 20th Century. In an era of instantaneous communications, the role of photography and audio-visual support has become accordingly more comprehensive. The photograph is a powerful instrument in the growing battery of information systems, capable of capturing the essence of any action and uniquely able to convey at a glance a startling insight or a world of facts. From the battlefields of the Civil War to the fire-bases and landing zones of the Viet Nam conflict, Army photographers have been capturing on film those scenes that words cannot recall. The photographer, however, cannot operate independently. As vital are the lab technicians, the editors, interpreters, projectionists, and audio specialists who comprise the core of the audio-visual organization. Technically proficient and devoted to photographic excellence, these men produce the material that becomes historical record. In Viet Nam, this mission has been given to the 221st Signal Company (Pictorial) and the Southeast Asia Pictorial Center. Their record is sufficient testimony to the success of the mission. THE MISSION The Southeast Asia Pictorial Center and the 221st Signal Company were charged with the mission to "direct, supervise, and coordinate the performance of photographic and audio-visual functions in support of U.S. Army element and other governmental activities in Southeast Asia as required." Upon its activation in the Republic of Vietnam, the 221st/SEAPC unit took operational control of all Army Signal Corps photographic and audio-visual support Units in Viet Nam, except those associated with field forces and divisions. Their mission requires support in the following areas throughout Viet Nam:
The pictorial facilities provide support to Department of Defense, Departmetn of the Army, USASTRATCOM, USARPAC, and the Military Advisory Command, Viet Nam, and operate on a theatre level. UNIT HISTORY The original activation of the 221st was on 3 November, 1940, as the 221st Signal Depot Company. The unit served in an exemplary manner in World War II, participating in the Normandy, Northern France, and Rhineland campaigns. On 20 June 1948 the unit was deactivated in Germany. The 221st was redesignated the "221st Signal Base Depot Company" and reactivated on the 22nd of January, 1952, at the Atlanta General Depot, in Atlanta, Georgia. Re-organized and redesignated on 4 October 1954 as the "221st Signal Company (Base Depot)" the company functioned in this capacity for ten years and eleven months until once again deactivated on 1 September, 1965, at the Sacramento Army Depot, California. The new 221st Signal Company (Pictorial) was activated at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, on the 1st of June 1966. Originally scheduled to deploy overseas to Viet Nam in September of 1966, delays in shipments and training programs postponed its arrival until 3 May, 1967, when the first of five packets disembarked from the USNS Pope. The first task that faced the nine officers and forty-four enlisted men of the first packet was the construction of an area of operations at Long Binh Post. This necessity delayed the conducting of operational missions, but with the arrival of the second packet on 23 July 1967, the 221st Signal Company became photographically operational in both still and motion pictures, with limited repair facilities. However, the first packet because of delays in requisitions of supplies and support, had not been able to complete construction of the company area. The seven and officers and forty-three enlisted men of the second packet, under the command of 1Lt. John B. Vrabel, were called upon to be immediately operational to perform DA photo missions. A hasty reorganization of team personnel and equipment was effected, and although some members were held back to do construction work, the unit began functioning as required. 
1Lt. Frank C. Lepore Jr. was acting company commander until the arrival on 15 November 1967 of Major Thomas A. DeYoung. With his arrival, plans were made for the incorporation of the 69th Signal Platoon (Photo) into the 221st Organization. The third packet arrived in Viet Nam, under the command of 1Lt. Ralph E. Smith, on 25 November 1967. With their arrival, and the arrival of the still and motion picture lab equipment, as well as the photo equipment repair sections, the unit became capable of full photographic operation. The fourth packet, consisting of the first detachment of the audio-visual film exchange, arrived in Viet Nam on the USNS Upshur on 25 December 1967. This packet had left Fort Monmouth on 4 December under the command of 1LT. Jack J.Shandy. He brought with him thirty-six enlisted men. The fifth and final element of the unit landed at Bien Hoa Air Force Base on the 27th of Februaary, 1968, with three officers and thirty-four enlisted men commanded by 1Lt. Robert K. Parker. This packet consisted of the small lab team, two small film and equipment exchanges, plus all remaining administrative personnel. With the arrival of the fifth packet, the 221st completed its movement overseas. The unit had originally been activated under TO&E 11-500 dated 23 April 1962. It continued to operate under this TO&E until mid-June 1966. At this time, it became apparent that this TO&E would not enable the 221st to complete its mission. Consideration for a new TO&E began. On 26 September 1966 the unit began operating under MTO&E 11-500D. In the following months, many conferences took place between the unit and various equipment manufacturers. This conferences were most helpful in that many problems, ie., equipment availability , maintenance difficulties, and training procedures , were resolved. The conference also enabled in most instances the faster delivery of equipment. The unit's present MTO&E has been revised to 11-50 GCC13, WCEVAA. The company was attached for administration purposes to the 69th Signal Battalion upon its arrival in Viet Nam. On 15 August 1967, administrative control of the unit was passed to the 160th Signal Group, and operational control was eventually taken over by the Southeast Asia Pictoirla Center. The commanding officer of the Pictorial Center is also the USARV pictorial officer, a recent change which should provide more guidance and technical assistance to the units in the field. The communication and Electronics Office of USARV held operational control of the SEAPC/221st unit until November 1971, when operational control became 160th Group's responsibility. The company occupies an area equivalent to a large city block near the center of Long Binh Post. There are a total of twenty-one Adams huts, used for troop billeting and administration, and two Pasco huts, one of which is the company orderly room, the other a troop day room. Below these are one 500man mess-hall and one large wooden building used as a photo supply room. On the lower pad, the company semi-mobile photo labs rest behind the three SEAPC buildings, which house the Audio-Visual Center, SEAPC Operations, and the Photo Lab/Photo Maintenance workshops. The motor pool is adjacent to the photo supply room. Shortly after the unit's establishment at Long Binh, detachments were set up in order to more efficiently handle DA photo requirements and to insure almost immediate coverage of any event. The detachments were located as follows:
ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION The commanding officer of SEAPC exercises operational control over the 221st Signal Company, and is in turn under the operational control of the 160th Signal Group. Prior to November 1971, the CO, SEAPC, came under the operational control of HQ, USARV. The commanding officer is responsible for control of pictorial functions of the 221st, and also operates as Pictorial Officer for the USARV Staff. Due to the impact on the operational mission, his actual mission approaches that of command supervision, to include administration and logistics. It has been necessary, due to the highly specialized nature of pictorial support, for the CO, SEAPC, to monitor personnel resources and even assist in property inventories and maintenance of equipment in the 221st Signal Company. Besides overseeing the activities of the 221st, the SEAPC CO directs the operations of seven sections:
The Operations Section is the brain-center of the netwrk, and includes the Work-Order Desk, which handles all requests for photographic coverage, available to any unit The commanding officer of the 221st Signal Company exercized control of the orderly room, the motor pool, the mess hall, company supply, and photo supply until early November 1971, when the 221st lost control of both its mess hall and the motor pool. The CO, 22st, carries the burden of keeping all personnel fed, clothed, housed, and fit. His duties and those of the CO, SEAPC, are intimately connected, and one could not function without the other. Overlapping responsibilities and concerns, a common mission, and an unusually close rapport keep the 221st/SEAPC unit tightly organized and highly efficient. The Photo Lab Section of SEAPC is unique among Army photo labs, largely due to the extent of its mission and the fact that it is housed in specially designed semi-mobile vans manufactured to specifications by the Kellot Aircraft Corporation. All are designed to interconnect and crate and couple photo lab complex; all have their own power and air-conditioning units. At one time the number of cans in use totaled thirty-seven. Their numbers and functions were broken down as follows: Processing Darkroom Vans Administrative/Support Darkroom Vans Color DarkroomVans Handling Darkroom Vans The vans proved perfectly suited to SEAPC's needs and were an asset to the unit's operation. When the phase-down of the unit took effect on October-November 1971, thirty of the vans were retrograded, leaving seven to handle the reduced workload. Among the equipment still in operation are the Rolar sinks, the Eastman-Kodak Versamat, which automatically processes black and white materials, and the model II-A rapid processor. All photography turned in by the photo teams can be developed, processed, and printed in a matter of hours. Photo Branch, where the teams originate, consists of an OIC, an NCOIC, several photo teams, and in-house and stand-by photographers. Each full team is made up of a lieutenant team leader, an E-6 Senior Mopic photographer, a SP4 silent mopic photographer, a SP4 audio man, a SP5 Senior Still photographer, and a SP4 still photographer. The arrangement is flexible, and is often altered to meet the different requirements of each mission. The photographers travel the length and breadth of the country, maintaining contact with Operations and either shipping exposed footage back to the unit (during a length or critical assignment) or hand-carrying it back when they return. Several photographers are on stand-by seven-days-a-week, 24-hours a day. In addition, Photo Branch operates a portrait studio for ID and passport photos as well as for the more formal portraits. Photo Branch also maintains a small but representative motion picture library of film returned by the Army Photographic Agency which are used for reference and analysis. Photo teams are prepared to "move out" at all times. Photographers have available a wide assortment of cameras. Systems used by SEAPC teams include:
The Republic of Vietnam has proven to be a harsh testing ground for many of these cameras. Based on its experiences, SEAPC has offered a number of suggestions to the manufacturers and Department of the Army concerning improvements and modifications. The casualty rate for photographic equipment has been high, due to the rigors of the field, and, at times, the negligence of the operators. It has been suggested that photographers be issued cameras with the option to buy at the end of their tours; it is hoped that this would prompt better care of the cameras. *The Saigon facility has the same capabilities as the central facility with the exception of color printing, black and white mopic processing and printing, and maintenance above the organizational level. The detachment at Cam Ranh Bay is likewise restricted, as are the detachments in Phu Bai and Can Tho, due to limitations in personnel and amount of equipment assigned. All the detachments are restricted to some degree as to the extent of their capabilities, but all are photographically operational, with black and white processing and printing and limited repair facilities. The detachment were placed in the most advantageous locations to provide audio-visual and pictorial support throughout the Republic of Viet Nam. The determination of location is also based on unit population, accessibility into the area, availability of transportation and necessary support, such as water and power. The detachments were not intended to be permanent installations, often moving as operational requirements dictated. The detachments at Can tho and Qui Nhon were later closed down, and of the five remaining, those at Pleiku, Cam Ranh, Saigon, da Nang, and Phu Bai, only three were to survive arter the 1st of November 1971, when the phase-down of the SEAPC/221st organization began taking effect. The detachments in Da Nang and Cam Ranh Bay were assigned to the 37th Signal Battalion and the 73rd Signal Battalion, respectively, and the detachment at Phu Bai came under operational control of the 63rd Signal Battalion. However, all will continue to submit photographic material for DA record through SEAPC and will remain responsive to the requirements of the SEAPC/221st mission. *221st/SEAPC photographers have covered every major area and event in the Republic of Viet Nam, including the Cambodian Expedition, Lam Son 719, the armed Forces Day Parade, the inaugurations of President Thieu, the Tet Offensive, the A Shau Valley operations, Dewey Cabyon II, even the Saigon Rock Festival. The coverage extends from dental and finance units to the combat assaults of the 101st Airborne, from the ARVN border battalions to the Thailand signal sites, from volley-ball games to medvacs. Indeed, virtually every aspect of the Viet Nam conflict has been recorded on SEAPC footage an submitted for DA Record. Once the photographer returns from the field, his material is developed and the captions are written. All photography is then turned in to the Project Control office where it is recorded and shipped to the Army Photographic Agency in Washington. The Project Control office also maintains a filing system of representative photographic work, including color slides, black and white prints, color prints, and an extensive negative collection. Any unit may request photography for display for purposes or unit information. The Photo Maintenance Section can supply Direct Support to the 221st/SEAPC unit and up to General Support to all other units within the 1st Signal Brigade. It has the equipment and trained personnel necessary to service virtually all photographic devices, ranging from projectors to single-lens-reflex cameras. However, due to difficulties in obtaining repair-parts, and because a certain amount of non-standard equipment is used, the section is often hard pressed to meet the great demand placed upon it. When parts are available, the section can repair any piece if equipment in less than twenty-four hours. The Audio Visual Support Section has the equipment necessary to run one Class A film and equipment exchange and two Class B film and equipment exchanges. They have on hand motion picture film editors, inspecting machines, and a variety of projection screens. The film library is large and well run; it is heavily patronized by chaplains and special services who make good use of the wide range of drug and education films. Special Forces utilize the training films frequently, for instruction on medical aid and sanitation. AV equipment is on loan continuously, to units scattered the length of Viet Nam as well as on Long Binh Post. The graphics section creates charts, slides and vu-graphs for units within the Brigade as well as for 221st/SEAPC. ????, lettering, and the layouts for Brigade and Group magazines are within the everyday capabilities of the section. Combat Arts records on canvas and paper the more memorable scenes of the war. Their work is used in displays and as illustrations in a wide assortment of unit magazines. Frequent field trips give the artists more than enough material for new paintings. The SEAPC/221st operation, then is virtually self contained and operates with a high degree of independence. Together with its relative, DASPO in Hawaii and the 69th Signal in Germany, it occupies a unique position in the Army organization. The responsiveness to Army requirements and demands and its success in the face of adversities fully justify its enviable reputation. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED Whether it be for lack of funds, unresponsive supply channels, or difficulty in arranging shipments, getting parts and maintenance equipment for parts unique to the 221st has remained the major problem of the unit. Individual photographic equipment takes a beating anywhere, especially in a combat zone, and SEAPC/221st equipment has been no exception. One suggestion offered many times was to permanently assign, when possible, cameras and equipment to the individual photographer with the option to buy at the end of his tour. Another problem was that equipment on-loan to units throughout Viet Nam was nearly impossible to up-date due to distances and communication problems. The situation was compounded when many units began to phase-down and retrograde in 1971, and loaned equipment seemed to vanish along with the units. The Audio-Visual Center tried to alleviate the situation by sending teams to responsible units, but only moderate success in recovering equipment resulted. A brief list sums up the worst problems encountered.
THE MEN The photographer's lot in a combat zone is rarely that of the detached observer. The photographers are often faced with the problem of determining just where photorequirements end and where slef-defense, and the defense of the unit, begins. It is not unusual for the photographer to participate both as the cool professional and the involved soldier, often neglecting his filming to help the wounded, carry ammunition, and return hostile fire. On 11 November 1967, three 221st photographers involved in the "Battle of Dak To"made the decision to carry on their photo mission. All three were wounded in the ensuing action. SP6 Maurice Cauchi, SP4 Michael R. Breshears, and SP4 Charles Keneipp all distinguished themselves that day, disregarding heavy enemy fire to get ????coverage of the historical battle. Their OIC, Lt. Allen Patterson, opted for action, aiding the wounded, carrying ammunition and helping his team members to safety after they had been wounded by mortar and rocket fire. He is remembered as the man with no rank or insignia on his uniform, who while under fire, crawled out of his foxhole to help tend the many wounded of Hill 882, and remembered his original mission by calling down to SP4 Breshears, "Do you need any more film," not knowing that Breshears had been wounded a few minutes earlier. On 18 November 1967, two more photographers involved in a later enemy encounter in the Dak To action, were caught with a land element beyond the defensive perimeter and were forced to drop their cameras and defend the lives of their host unit. SP4 James Thomas and SP5 James Newlin were wounded by incoming mortar and small arms fire. A third photographer, SP4 ???? Harmon put his camera aside and joined a rescue element. For his courage, he was recommended for the Bronze Star. SP5 Thomas S. Larson, another 221st photographer received the ARCOM with a "V" device for his quick thinking while on patrol with members of the ??? Armored Cavalry, when they came upon a VC base camp. He did not hesitate to draw his weapon and join in the action. On 24 February 196?, at a ceremony held at 160th Signal Group, Colonel Ba??? O. Vogt presented to SP6 Michael ???rs, Sgt. Paul Sampson, and PFC Chester Thornbrugh the Air Medal for participation in more than twenty five aerial missions over hostile territory. They were supporting the 1st Air Cavalry at Bong Son plains (Landing Zone English). Within the first five months of operation, 221st photographers received eight Purple Hearts, two ARCOMs, with "V"devices, five Bronze Stars with "V"devices, and a Silver Star. Since then the number of awards has increased proportionally to the growth of the unit's scope. As a consequence of their very close participation, eight 221st photographers have died as the result of enemy fire. They are :
Commanding Officers
DIRECTORS
COMMANDERS
"BUDDIES TOGETHER" PROGRAM SEAPC and the 221st Signal Company (Pictorial) have participated in the Vietnamese/American training program called "Buddies Together." The program was initiated by CPT Jon P. Bird in February 1971 and has continued to the present time, under the auspices of the 1st Signal Brigade program. It involves training Vienamese photographers and laboratory personnel, presenting ideas, and exchanging technical knowledge. A total of twonty (20) Vietnamese military personnel have been trained in the field of photography. This program of living and working together has proved a rich experience for the members of the unit. Lifelong friendships have been generated between American soldiers and their Vietnamese counterparts. Vietnamese students are trained in all aspects of photography to include field portraits, investigation, and news photography. These students also receive three (3) weeks training in photographic laboratory techniques. The training ????? is six (6) weeks, with new class opening immediately upon close of the prior class. The students are housed in the 221st Signal Company (Pictorial) area and are considered as an integral part of the unit while they are studying at the Pictorial Center. A cadre of four (4) English language interpreters are assigned to aid in the training and work ???? ???? with the military instructors. These cadre members are trained photographers and are instrumental in the training of the Vietnamese students. CIVIC ACTION The Civic Action responsibilities of the 221st Sig Co (Pic) wre set forth by the 160th Signal Group Civic Action Committee on 23 Jan, 1968. Saigon Support Command, which is in charge of all civic action in the Saigon, Bien Hoa, and Long Binh areas, assigned the 160th Signal Group the hamlets of Bau Long and Binh Hoa. These villages are located southeast if the city of Bien Hoa. The 160th Group assigned ???? of the battalions under its command, the 40th and the 44th Signal Battalions, a village ?? ??? ??? given Bien Hoa and the ???? was given Binh Hoa and the 44??, ??? ???. The 221st was given the responsibility of providing continuous photographic coverage upon request from either of the battalions or 160th Group, and providing any public-relations work needed, such as arranging ?????? visits, USARV Band concerts, or actions? For the Vietnamese Information Service. In addition, members of the unit have repeatedly undertaken their own independent goodwill visits to orphanages and schools, contributing clothing, toys, food and small gifts to the Vietnamese children. The SEAPC detachment in Pleiku has established ????? friendship with members of the several Montagnard villages in the area. During the Vietnamese Tet, the unit holds all day party for all Vietnameses employees. Families of the Employees attend, entertainment and refreshments are provided, humorous skits are performed, and good cheer in general abounds. The employees are awarded a cash bonus, and small gifts are often exchanged. The Tet Celebration is looked forward to all year. In October of 1971, the 221st/SEAPC organization began a slow phase down, but not before having earned the respect of every unit they assisted. In June 1970, the unit was recommended for a Meritorious Unit Commendation Award. The recommendation read in part: "During the recommended period, the Southeast Asia Pictorial Center and the 221st Signal Company (Pictorial) made significant contributions to the pictorial documentation of United Satates and Free World Forces activities throughout the Republic of Viet Nam. In so doing, they achieved an unparalleled submission and acceptance rate by Dapartment of the Army for historical record negatives, the best in the world. The quality of the work submitted by assigned photographers has been ??????????. 221st photographers have been the recipients of the AcofS ???? Army Award for Outstanding photography twice. In addition, the motion picture footage obtained has been utilized by news media and in Army training films. The Military News ???????????????? Photographer of the Year Award was awarded to a member of the Army MACV motion picture team. Substantive recommendations have been submitted through channels to improve the MOS training of photographers, laboratory specialists, and repairmen. Many of these suggestions have been or will be incorporated into their courses. The achievements were made possible through the ????????? and esprit-de-corps that emerged from the team work displayed by the photographers, graphic artists, lab specialists, maintenance personnel, and A/V specialists who made great personal to surmount the ?????????? ???? by inexperience, lack of responsive supply systems, and highly ????? climatic and operating conditions. Their combined efforts made the Southeast Asia Pictorial Center and the 221st Signal Company (Pictorial) a tangible asset of the 1st Signal Brigade, and they have earned the justifiable respect and admiration of U.S. and Free World Forces throughout Viet Nam. |
The following document was compiled by Capt. Bill Ruth while he served as the last commander of the 221st in Vietnam. This transcript was made from xeroxs of mimeographs and a small amount of the original wording has been lost. This has been replaced by a series of question marks. Also, we would like to recreate the company's full roster of officers and enlisted men who served with the 221 along with any photos related to the 221st. If you can help with either, contact Roger Hawkins at