ARMY COMMUNICATOR 150th Anniversary Edition - Signal Corps

140 Pages·2010·12.77 MB·English

Chief of Signal
Significant accomplishments behind, challenges ahead
We have certainly come a long way over the past 150 years. Beginning in 1860 with the inventor
of the very first formal visual signaling system for the Army, Major Albert J. Myer, our first Chief of
Signal, to the advanced information technologies we have today; it has been a tumultuous climb
for all those who served in our Signal Regiment.
Significant changes have coursed throughout the world during the past three years as
we orchestrated communications in two combat theaters and advanced American interests
globally. We are downsizing our military forces in Iraq where elections have taken place twice,
demonstrating that this country is well on its way to establishing democracy and becoming a
stabilized nation in the Middle East. As the threat in Afghanistan continues to grow, we are
anticipating an increased military presence in that country for the foreseeable future. Natural
disasters continue devastating areas of the United States and other parts of the world. The hybrid
nature of the threats to our nation are forcing us to become more agile and adaptable as we learn
to operate in complex, uncertain environments. The way our young Soldiers and leaders learn
today is very different from the way our senior members of the force learned 10 or 20 years ago.
The dramatic growth of information technologies fielded to our forces has placed unprecedented
demands on our Regimental Soldiers at all echelons.
For us, all these changes in our world demand change within our Regiment and institution.
Over the past three years we continued modifying our enlisted force structure to ensure we have
the right MOS to meet the requirements of a modular force. Our Signal warrant officer corps
doubled in size and we are in the midst of transforming our WO Corps to
address the need for increased expertise in cyber operations. With the
help of many others, we created a world class training environment –
both institutionally and virtually - for our Signal Soldiers of all ranks
to become better equipped with the skills necessary to support our
modular brigade-focused force. We established education programs for
our civilian IT work force. Signal forces continue deploying throughout
the world, providing world class support to our warfighting and nation
building entities. Our PEOs and PMs continue equipping our forces
with tremendous capabilities. Our FA 24 and 53 officers continue
providing significant impact for our Army. They offer the required
expertise in the most complicated networked environment ever.
We continue assessing and executing changes in our signal
force design and structure incorporating our lessons learned
supporting the modular, expeditionary Army. The Reserve
and National Guard signal forces are providing ready
forces deploying alongside our active forces throughout
the world. Our families continue loving, supporting and
sacrificing for us.
BG Jeff Foley
As your 34th Chief of Signal, I remain so very proud to have
Chief of Signal
been a small part of this history for the past three years. My wife
Beth and I extend to you all our thanks for your tremendous
leadership and patriotism. Your selfless actions and sacrifices
enable our Army to be a better place to serve and our nation a
better place to live.
U.S. Army SignAl Center of exCellenCe Worldwide web homepage address PB 11-10-2
fort gordon http://www.gordon.army.mil/ocos/AC/ Summer 2010
E-mail: [email protected] Vol. 35 No. 2
C
ommand
Chief of Signal
BG Jeffrey W. Foley
Regimental Command Sergeant Major
Voice of the Signal Regiment
CSM Thomas J. Clark
Table of Contents
Regimental Chief Warrant Officer
CW5 Todd M. Boudreau
150th Anniversary Special Edition
Editorial Staff 7 From Bull Run to Bagdad
The Signal Corps historian empties
the vaults to present a review of 150
Editor-in-Chief years of Signal Corps accomplishments
Larry Edmond during peace and war
Steven J. Rauch
Art Director/Illustrator
Billy Cheney
Photography 58 Signal Medal of Honor
Billy Cheney, Frank Carter, Robert Gilbert Recipients
Five members of the Signal Corps
hold the nation’s highest
recognition
By Order of the Secretary of the Army:
Steven J. Rauch
GEORGE W. CASEY JR.
General, United States Army 63 Signal Song inspires
Chief of Staff Daniel A. Brown
65 Evolution of Signal Corps
Insignia and Uniforms
Robert Anzuoni
68 Chiefs of Signal
A poster featuring the 34 Chiefs of
Signal 1860-2010

Army Communicator (ISSN 0362-5745) (USPS 305- 70 Father of the Corps
470) is an authorized, official quarterly professional bulletin Albert J. Myer--founder of
of the U.S. Army Signal Center, Fort Gordon, Ga. 30905- the Signal Corps
5301. Second-class official mail postage paid by Department Rebecca Robbins Raines
of the Army (DOD 314) at Augusta, Ga. 30901 and additional
mailing offices. 74 At the Oscars
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Army The Signal Corps has won three
Communicator, U.S. Army Signal Center, Fort Gordon, Ga. AcademyAwards
30905-5301. Robert Anzuoni
OFFICIAL DISTRIBUTION: Army Communicator is
available to all Signal and Signal-related units, including 76 NETCOM Development
staff agencies and service schools. Written requests Vince Breslin
for the magazine should be submitted to Editor, Army
Communicator, U.S. Army Signal Center, Fort Gordon, Ga. 80 CECOM LCMC History
30905-5301. Melissa Zibro
This publication presents professional information, but
86 Schools/Training Centers
the views expressed herein are those of the authors, not the
Department of Defense or its elements. The content does not Daniel A. Brown
necessarily reflect the official U.S. Army position and does 90 Army Reserve Component
not change or supersede any information in other official U.S. COL Jeffrey Lepak
Army publications. Use of news items constitutes neither
affirmation of their accuracy nor product endorsement. 94 Army National Guard
Army Communicator reserves the right to edit material.
MAJ Lesley Kipling
CORRESPONDENCE: Address all correspondence to
Army Communicator, U.S. Army Signal Center and Fort 98 Modern Active Signal
Gordon, Signal Towers (Building 29808), Room 713, Fort Component
Gordon, Ga. 30905-5301. Telephone DSN 780-7204 or
commercial [phone]. Fax number [phone].
104 The Signal Experience
Unless otherwise stated, material does not represent
official policy, thinking, or endorsement by an agency of the Soldiers in today’s Signal
U.S. Army. This publication contains no advertising.U.S. Regiment relate the
Government Printing Office: 1984-746-045/1429-S. opportunities and rewards
Army Communicator is not a copyrighted publication. of service
Individual author’s copyrights can be protected by special
arrangement. Acceptance by Army Communicator conveys
the right for subsequent reproduction and use of published
material. Credit should be given to Army Communicator.
Army Communicator 1
The U.S. Army Signal Corps
This is the continuing story of U.S. Army Signal Corps Soldiers,
who have forged an honorable legacy of selfless duty in periods
of conflict and in times of peace for 150 years. The Signal Corps
began in a chaotic time of crisis to accomplish a vital mission.
Throughout the Corps’ glorious history, Signal Soldiers at great
personal risk, have repeatedly risen to meet the challenges of
battlefield communications with innovative techniques and the
best tools available. Today the quest continues unabated as Signal
Soldiers strive to maintain digital technology meeting command
communication needs and ensuring superiority that consistently
allows warfighters to “get the message through.”
“Watchful for the Country”
The Regimental crest, or distinctive insignia, is the symbol
of Regimental affiliation for Signal Soldiers worldwide.
The motto “Pro Patria Vigilans” (Watchful for the Country)
was adopted from the Signal School insignia and serves
to portray the cohesiveness of Signal Soldiers and their
affiliation with their Regimental home. The gold laurel
wreath depicts the myriad achievements through strength
made by the Regiment since its inception. The battle star
centered in the wreath represents formal recognition for
participation in combat. It adorned a Signal flag and was first
awarded to Signal Soldiers in 1862. The battle star typifies the
close operational relationship between the combat arms and the
Signal Regiment. The design of the eagle holding in his talons a
golden baton, from which descends a Signal flag, originated in 1865 as a symbol of
faithful service and good fellowship for those who served together in the Civil War
and was called the “Order of the Signal Corps.”
Cover:
Army Communicator Summer 2010 highlights the
Signal Corps’ sesquicentennial beginning with Albert J. Myer in June
of 1860. Also shown on the cover is a logo designed by Billy Cheney in
commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Signal Corps. It features a
Signal orange shield with 150 Years of Excellence emblazoned in gold and
white in the center. The years 1860 and 2010 are imprinted in white with a
Soldier waving the wigwag flag on the left behind the 1860 and a modern day
Soldier erecting a satellite dish on the right behind the 2010. Signal flags
are set on the outer edges with the motto, “Voice of Command” and “United
States Army Signal Corps.”
Cover by Billy Cheney
2 Summer - 2010
Signal History
“Signaling the Assault on Fort McAllister”
13 December 1864
A Don Troiani painting depicting a scene from the
Battle of Fort McAllister, Georgia, commissioned by the
Signal Corps Regimental Association
in 2010 and donated to the Army.
(See page 11 for more on the Fort McAllister assault.)
Painting by Don Troiani, Southbury, Conn.
Army Communicator 3
Command Sergeant Major
Happy Birthday Signal Corps...150 years and counting!!
On 21 June 1860, President James Buchanan signed the bill into law and the U.S. Army Signal Corps
was born. That same year, Albert J. Myer was appointed as Chief Signal Officer on 27 June. The U.S.
Army became the first in the world to establish a separate communication branch with the appointment
of a signal officer to the army staff in the War Department. Meyer’s signaling system was based on a
unique equipment kit which consisted of flags, staffs, torches, a torch case and a wormer to extract the
wick if it became lodged inside the torch. The canteen was filled with ½ gallon of turpentine to fuel the
torches. The haversack contained wicks, matches, pliers, shears, a funnel, two flame shades, and a
wind shade. Soldiers also needed to carry binoculars or a telescope in order to read the signals from
afar. Compasses were used for reconnaissance and locating signal stations. Notebooks were a must in
order to log the messages sent and received.
The need for competent and dedicated Soldiers is the one requirement that has remained constant for
the Signal Corps. Beginning with Albert J. Myer’s vision of a group of technical
specialists and leaders trained to provide communications capabilities to
enhance the commander’s ability to command and control, the Soldiers of the
U.S. Army Signal Corps have been dedicated to that mission. The technologies
have changed and continue evolving to meet the escalating challenges of
providing continuous relevant communications support that is essential to
successful military operations.
More important than technology however, it has been the people – the men
and women, Soldiers and leaders--who have made success on the battlefields
of our history possible. For me, one of those extraordinary people was my
friend and brother, CSM Ray D. Lane who lost his battle with cancer 4 March
2010. He lived life with his foot pressed hard on the gas pedal. He loved being
a Soldier. He loved his fellow sergeants major, his commanders, his service
members and his family. He was a true example of what made our Signal
Corps great. Ray and people like him, their stories, their camaraderie, and
their dedication to the mission should be honored and remembered even
as the Signal Corps is fully engaged in current operations. Their legacy is
the foundation for those serving today as Signal Soldiers striving to “get the
CSM Thomas J. Clark
message through.” Happy birthday to our Signal Corps.
Regimental Command Sergeant Major
My name is Clark and I’m a Soldier.
4 Summer - 2010
Regimental Chief Warrant Officer
Warrant Officers share 150-year legacy of pride
Signaleers, them apart from other sailors. Regimental Chief Warrant
Ultimately, the Act of July 1918 Officer, I have had the privilege
The edition of the Army established the rank and grade of traveling and meeting
Communicator that you of warrant officer as the Coast members of our Regiment in
are holding in your hands Artillery Corps created the Army a number of locations. As I
commemorates the 150th Mine Planter. More will be said write this I am visiting our
year anniversary of the Signal on the historical background Soldiers at Fort Bragg. When
Corps. Friend, if the average of the warrant officer corps this edition goes to print I will
length of service for a career in a later edition of the Army be standing in the same soil
Signal Soldier is 22-25 years, Communicator, but suffice it as our deployed Signaleers.
that represents 6 to 7 career to say that our Signal warrant Commanders at every level
generations! While 150 years officer cohort has a rich history from brigade, through division
is a legacy to take pride in, inseparable from our Regimental and corps with one consistent
you and I are only separated history. voice acknowledge how critically
from our founder by 6 career essential your work is in the
generations. But note how As you look through the pages successful accomplishment
far we have traveled in those of this Army Communicator, of our combat operations. I
generations. you will no doubt note the cannot begin to put into words
changes in technology, doctrine, how proud I am of each and
Over these few generations organizations, techniques and every one of you. You are great
we have moved from waving equipment. However, YOU Americans and world class
flags and winking lights to represent the constant that knits cyber Soldiers. I leave you
Coston signals and cipher all of this together. YOU and I today with one final thought
disks. Telegraphy and are a part of the fabric woven I am confident you will fulfill.
telephony signals traveled into our legacy past, present, “Anybody can make history.
across the backs of LOS and and yes – future. George Bernard Only a great man can write it.”
BLOS systems as we got the Shaw wrote, “We are (Oscar Wilde). The ink on the
message through further and made wise not by pages of history has dried. Our
faster than ever in the past. the recollection of pages are being written. Write
Analog to digital, AM to FM, our past, but by the well Signal Corps. Write well.
switched networks to EoIP, responsibility for
our Regiment has captured, our future.” We have
mastered and leveraged a history that we
technology to our advantage can be proud of; but
and ensured our fellow Soldiers our responsibility
maintained the technological remains with
and tactical advantage over our today and
adversaries. tomorrow.
Almost two thirds of this Since
history included the Army assuming
warrant officer. The rank of the
warrant officer has a long position of
history that may date back
as far as Napoleon. The
British Navy established the CW5 Todd M. Boudreau
Royal Warrant as a special Regimental Chief Warrant Officer
designation, designed to set
Army Communicator 5
6 Summer - 2010

Birth of the Signal Corps this experience to devise A
New Sign Language for Deaf
The idea that specialists Mutes, the subject of his
Myer’s interest in military
should be trained to enable dissertation. Myer proposed a
signaling began. He proposed
communications is attributed “system of sign writing” based
the War Department consider
to Dr. Albert James Myer. upon the Bain telegraphic
a system of military signals
While a medical student, alphabet. In 1854, he
using flags based on concepts
Myer worked in a telegraph received an appointment as
of sign writing. Secretary of
office and became familiar an assistant surgeon in the
War John Floyd asked Myer
with the Bain electrochemical U.S. Army Medical Corps.
to present his system to an
telegraph system. Myer used While serving in Texas,
Army review board and on 3
8 Summer - 2010