One of the first things you will find, however, is a very limited reference to anything related to the Comsec logistics effort made by any of the units we were associated with.

   I shall take no effort to go over the 1^st Signal Brigade believing a good review of the noted study will suffice. In that respect I will, however, attempt recalling for you specific Comsec units and personnel and date/times. Please allow me a word of caution. Read this with the awareness that basically these observations and comments should all be predicated with “as I recall”, “seems to me”, “best as I can remember”, etc. I believe, however, I do have a fairly good recall of the history of the greater part of the Comsec units in Vietnam.

    In the logistics order of things you are aware this included the codes and equipment and the control and accounting of all Comsec items. From that let me step in at this point and start the chain back to Hawaii. Back at that time and prior to the activation of the Strategic Communications Command (STRATCOM) there was the USARPAC Signal Agency directly under the Chief Signal Officer. Under the USARPAC Signal Agency was the USARPAC Command Issuing Office (USARPAC CIO). It was the CIO that served as the overall control authority of Comsec matters in the command. It was through that office all thing passed through. All Comsec activities went through them including direct users and those that supported others. Obviously that included the Mom and Pops such as Communications Centers (direct users) and Divisional Signal Battalions that supported sub-units and initially a FAIO (Field Army Issuing Office) located in Seoul that supported all Korean Army units regardless of size, etc. Later, STRATCOM-Pacific took over from the Signal Office, but the CIO did not change its name nor function. I believe this happened around 1966.

   Now, in Vietnam around the timeframe of 1962-63 the FAIO-Vietnam came into existence in Saigon. They were stationed in a place called MACV-Two in the Cholon area of town. Later that same place became the headquarters for the South Korean Army. Literally, the men were quartered all over town. However, as we know there were few outfits up country at that time so there was little demand for other Comsec units. Likewise we all know that changed quite rapidly thereafter. The first regular and largest signal unit stationed in Vietnam was the 39^th Signal Battalion and that came about in 1962.. It, too, was stationed in Saigon . There were some other small signal companies that came about as well at that time but not tasked with any Comsec matters. Up to that time the FAIO-V was under the MAAG-V best I can determine and later with MACV that was organized in February 1962. They had storage areas/vaults all over town to include Tan Son Nhut Air Base.  In my research the 39^th Signal Bn was tasked with “responsible for the cryptographic distribution service and maintenance support for all US Army and South Vietnamese units in Vietnam” starting in 1962. Later, The FAIO-V was split out of the 39^th Signal as our involvement in that country spread. The gaining units were most probably US Army Support Group-Vietnam, US Army Support Command-Vietnam (1964), USARV (1965),Regional Communications Group (1966) to name a few The 1^st Signal Brigade came into country in April 1966. Then the 160^th Signal Group came into country in Aril 1967. The record shows that the big troop build up came about in 1964. We had, at that time, 3 infantry brigades in country, thus the need to expand our Comsec coverage on those and supporting units. The FAIO-V was commanded by a Major Rice during 1965-1966. Units were assigned, transferred, lost and found literally it seemed in those early days.

   Somewhere around 1966-1967 (certainly no later than late 1967) the FAIO-V was re-designated the 706^th Signal Detachment. From what I know this was necessary due to the many units coming into country and the urgent need to further activate Comsec support units. At that time the Army had only TO& E (Table of Operational and Equipment) and TAD (Table of Authorizations and Distribution) units. TAD did not prove a quick control (as far as control of personnel) medium where old WWII and Korea War era TO&E did.                          As we recall the system in those days, units were normally restricted to “board plucking” (i.e., 2 echelon maintenance) and at best Direct Support (3^rd echelon maintenance). The maintenance personnel and authority for the CLSU was at the General Support (4^th echelon maintenance) thus field units had to have a higher level of support

   To support new units we used these old TO&E tables to start what were later to become Comsec Logistic Support Units (although they were all later to be TAD units). Here’s what we started with as these units came in country either on paper or actual small complements. They were some of the Signal Support Detachments (again, as I recall them being titled) from Sacramento Signal Depot, Lexington-Bluegrass Army Depot and Tobyhanna Depot and Ft. Gordon, GA. Also coming in country were a couple of General Support Groups having a Comsec component. They were the 53^rd and 80^th General Support Groups. These units were positioned up/down country to support the four regions. These regions over the course of the war were known by various name and numerical designations

   . Here is what I recall:

   706^th Signal Detachment : (Saigon-Tan Son Nhut) The 706^th later deactivated and was replaced by the 57^th Signal Company. As to when the 57^th Signal Company actually succeeded the 706^th Signal Detachment I’ve no information. There are known orders around December 1967 that the Comsec Logistic Support Center-Vietnam (Provisional) came about. When the Provisional designation was dropped I have no information. When the 160^th Signal Group activated at Long Binh in early 1967 the 706^th Signal Detachment was assigned to them. The CLSC-V moved from Tan Son Nhut to Long Binh in 1969 as best I can determine. Again, I have no positive date at hand. Definitely, CLSC-V, or its residual element closed its mission and deactivated in 1973. Likewise so did the numerical signal units involved.

    213^th Signal Detachment: This unit was stationed in Nha Trang. Not sure when it  was moved into that location.  The best I can determine it came into county in 1967 It was deactivated in late 1971 or early 1972. The designated that was given it later was the 4^th CLSU. However, this numerical designation could be exchanged with the 5^th CLSU, or vice versa.

    49^th Signal Detachment: Located at Qui Nhon. The information on it is the same as I have for the 213^th Signal Detachment. I believe we designated it the 5^th CLSU.  I recently had a conversation with the cryptographic maintenance officer stationed there in 1967-1968. At his arrival in late 1967 they were the first unit to have a two story building housing both the EM personnel and unit mission components including Unit Headquarters and maintenance and support  and accounting. Eventually all CLSU’s, excluding the 3^rd CLSU and Special CLSU, had the same style and size, all within secure fenced compounds.

     455 Signal Detachment: Stationed at Tan Son Nhut. Other than knowing it was still active into 1969 I’m not sure what happened to it. From a support standpoint I suspect the units relying on them received support from relocated elements at Long Binh. That being said, there is possibly another aspect. We, later, had the Special Comsec Logistics Support Unit at Tan Son Nhut, also, as I recall officially named the 6^th CLSU. This unit was manned along with our Vietnamese allies and they lived and worked together. I would think this is what happened to the 455^th Signal Detachment as that would have been the practical usage of the unit. It, too, folded surely in 1971. However, there is a possibility that may have existed into late 1972 in support of the ARVN but on a very small scale

   80^th General Support Group (Signal Support Detachment): The personnel of this detachment were actually spread all over the place as they were needed. The 80^th GS Gp was actually stationed in Da Nang. We had no contact with them. If they did not bleed off incoming personnel for their our use-other than Comsec- they never told us.

   From my own experience all personnel of the 80^th General Support Group were officially transferred to the 706^th/CLSC-V in December 1968. An indication just how confused the Comsec mission units were at that time is a review of how the 160^th Signal Group were titling these responsible units. The CLSC-Vietnam was also shown as the 1^st Signal Center (Comsec Logistical Support) and also shown as (Provisional) on personnel assignment orders. Also in the same timeframe the personnel of the 53^rd General Support Group were assigned to the 706^th/CLSC-Vietnam. From 1969 onward I believe the records will shown the CLSC-Vietnam was the correct gaining unit for all incoming personnel.

      Now we also had the 3^rd CLSU in Long Binh. Speaking with a CWO who was with the unit in 1967-68 he had no recall nor found any old orders having just what perhaps the unit designation was. I contacted him as I, too, could find no reference nor a regular designated signal unit either. The unit operated from a separate compound outside the CLSC-V and was structured and manned in the same order as other CLSU‘s.  It was the first of the CLSU to close and we did that in October, 1971 From a Comsec support standpoint that event started the closure chain that ended in and  around  early 1972

   Now, I note references are made in some writings where they were six Comsec Divisional Contact Detachments. That’s true. But only on paper. These were nothing more than paper entities and never manned. Factually, had they been manned the personnel would have been absorbed into the division signal battalion. These unit never had a mission. I could be wrong, but I never knew of a single person being physically located with a division and served in that capacity. We used those authorizations to gain and hide people. I, myself, pending assignment as a CLSU CO, was assigned to the Americal Division, but only to “hide” me for a week or so. Make’s for “fluff” in military history and to inflate some old commanders resume.

    The 53^rd General Support Group apparently came into country in 1967 from Ft. Eustis, VA. However, they may have been in at an earlier date as there is a record that this unit may actually have been a “Depot” of the same designation I believe and the records will show the Comsec personnel were all from the “Group” component located at Vung Tau and initially assigned to the 706^th Signal Detachment and further assigned with duty station at Can Tho This unit was re-designated the 2^nd Comsec Logistic Support Unit. Best I can determine that came about in 1969. I had the privilege of visiting this unit twice in 1968 and again twice in 1971-72. In 1968 they were located near the airport area just south east of town. At that time, like most detachments, they were of fully tactical configurations consisting of 2-½ ton trucks- generally two-mounting shelters housing the maintenance  and storage and headquarters vans, generators, water trailer and small tow trailers.. All had at least one jeep and at least one ¾ ton truck. In 1971-72 the unit was housed inside a fenced compound and had a two-story building like of other CLSU’s up country (see 49^th Signal Detachment).On my first visit all officers were housed with an engineering unit in a hotel downtown. On my second tour the officers were housed with an aviation unit. I’m short on memory as to what type units the others were housed with. Fortunately the unit was relocated and in new quarters by the time of my second tour in 1971-72 as noted.

   I recall  CWO Decker and CWO Randy McDonald assigned in 1967-68 and CWO Gary Bright, who was the last commander, in 1971-72. We closed the unit in late 1971 or very early in 1972. Personnel of the CLSC-V in Long Binh drove to Can Tho and picked up all the Comsec equipment and records and closed the unit while the troops were relocated to Long Binh. CWO Bright can provide further and more fully the details of the final closure and disposition of the troops and other unit equipment. At that in the war we were standing down in both units and personnel at a rapid rate. There we in place alternate support plans for not only the Mekong Delta but all other areas as well.

   As a side comment on the unit, I was instrumental in solving a real problem with the units ¾ ton truck during 1968. Seems as if someone stole the windshield. Not only that, it was during the monsoon season and the troops relied on it for their transportation. In the total scheme of things not a war-looser, but to a wet troop it comes up to a disaster. Fortunately I was able to get a windshield from a friend at a Ordinance unit in Long Binh. Two guy’s came up and spend a day or two in the Saigon area and as happy troops caught a flight from Tan Son Nhut carrying their prized possession.

   It came down to the simple fact it was time that our mission was coming to a close. The 2^nd CLSU had fully accomplished its mission and had done it very well. The history of the Comsec support mission and those directly involved in that mission has never been told nor will it ever be I suppose. Nothing to date that I’ve been able to locate remotely tell our side of the story. We were lucky to have the 1^st Signal Brigade recognized the Comsec Logistic Support Center-Vietnam. Their comment on our great history simply showed us as having been “activated for a specific and unique mission”. But those of us who were involved we can all be proud of our individual contribution and what our respective units actually accomplished. . I was fortunate to have visited ever one of the units during both my tours during 1967-68 and 1971-72. I have never heard of a single incident where any one of our units were ever criticized for a mission failure. We are all aware of the caliber of our personnel. The were well educated to start with. Their military training was extensive and difficult to say the least. Their job was far from easy. The men were no problem to the commanders. They were without exception fully relied upon in all occasions and they never failed us.

   As far as pursuing your efforts in the 2^nd Comsec Logistic Support Unit history allow me to give you some names. I do not know of where they are today. That I will leave to you.

    William N. Talbott, LTC: He was the CO of the 706^th/CLSCV-V late 1967 to mid-1968

Not sure if he replaced Major Rice or not. But I think perhaps another was in between them but if so it would have been but for a very short time. He was either the S-2 or S-3 at the 160^th Signal Group Headquarters in Long Binh. That fact can also be a research avenue as well. But Talbott would be a good contact person as he was “the Man”.

   James D. Scharf, CPT” Same timeframe as LTC Talbott. See comment on Wittbrodt   

   Thomas A. Wittbrodt, CPT: He and Scharf, were responsible in fully integrating all the above named units into one. Not sure if he replaced ere the Operations Officer of the 706^th at various times in 1967-68. They could provide a lot of information

    John J. Glenn, SGM. There was never a more hard working troop. He was actively involved in all personnel matters.

  Thanks for asking  for my input. My compliments on your website and hopefully this information can be of help in that respect. I’ve included  some old orders that have names of unit members that may be of interest to them if located. If  I can be of further help please let me know. I would also appreciate letting me know if further historical information becomes available for my own personal interest.

  Respectfully,

  Max R. Cram, CW4, USA, Ret.