The U.S. Army is made up of many military units, divisions and corps from the combat arms to the logistics.   The Engineers are a breed apart representing both combat service and major construction projects in support of combat.   Working under what may be termed "less than favorable conditions," or little choice as to location for a project, but "get the darn job done!"   In the jungles of Thailand, the U.S. Army was hard at work supporting major support activities for both the Vietnam War and the Secret War in Laos.

    The 44th Engineer Group was assigned the task to build roads and a support (logistics) network based in the plateau region of central Thailand known as "Korat."   The Group had only a couple of battalions, 538th & 809th and some other support companies for such task as laying pipe in ditches of the camps, bases and roads (697th.)   I was the Company Clerk for Headquarters, at first, but then requested a transfer to the 697th (Pipeline.)   It was with the men of the 697th that I learned just what hard, sacrificing work these young men performed with pride.   Like my company officers, we were probably 4-5 years older than most of these young troops; my C.O. (Commanding Officer,) educated and commander was only a couple of years older than me and I looked upon our company members with a paternal feeling.

    This section of my web site is to celebrate their hard work and pay tribute to those "faceless" grunts of the ditches and roads, far away in the jungles of Thailand ...

    To tell this story, provide you with historical background, I am soliciting the support of those same "grunts", those same people that provided the support and earned the right to wear the Vietnam Service Medal, awarded for service to the war effort in Vietnam (direct support of same.)

    Members of the 44th wore the "U.S. Army Support, Thailand" Command Army Patch, you see to the left.    Effective 1 October 1992, AR 670-1, Ch. 27, Para. 17, b (3) authorized service members stationed in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia to wear the distinctive unit patch on the right sleeve of their military uniform (combat patch arm/sleeve.)   Unfortunately, this was a stigma to plague veterans of such service throughout their military career until late 1992 when it was finally acknowledged and many that served their country with pride had retired.   "We could wear the ribbons, but were actually segregated from the "norm" of having the privilege of saying "I served in S.E.A" with the recognition of the unit patch on our "vacant" arm along with the standard current unit of assignment patch on the other arm ...

    My (personal) mission (here) is to "make it right" for all of us that served our country with pride.   We may not have been shot at or mortared, but we did not choose are "method of engagement" - the Army sent us and we did what we had to to the best of our abilities ! Many of us have (forever) ties to Thailand through marriage to their culture, customs and preference of wedding.   You will find many sections and "sois" (Thai for "roads") on my web site and before I continue the story of the 44th, let me make reference to another army unit responsible for logistics, the 9th Logistics Command which provided the supplies transported along the roads we built and stored in the buildings we erected ...

"The 44th Engineers
built the roads and the warehouses and the camps
so that the 9th Logistics Command could do their job
and feed our men and provide the ammo for the fight !"

Webmaster

Thai Army Tribute "The "Duty Roster" listing the members of both the 44th & 9th will be donated to the Museum located at Camp Friendship in Korat, Thailand along with the Photo Gallery collected from its honored members" - Be a part of this History - Share your memoirs - Your personal stories - For Generations to come to "never forget!" - Frank/Company Clerk - HHC/697th Korat'68 & Samae San'69

    Can't find someone in the military you're looking for?!   Click here!

    44th Engineer Group Locator "Duty Roster"
              Were you in the 44th/9th? Sign up!
    44th Photo Gallery Donations from the Members

    Beyond the historic value, though, is a strong desire to reunite with my fellow company members in reunions held annually or as often as possible both in the United States and in our "second home," or "home - away from home" Thailand !   Publishing a Locator Directory or Roster of member names, and with their individual permission as much as so desired, eg, email address, home address and a phone no. to just be able to "reach out" and talk to another friend, another veteran of S.E.A. !

Credits:

    Like in any major under-taking, there are many team members and I have solicited as many people as I possibly could beginning with the following folks:

Mike Ellis, Command PFC, 697th, 561st, 809th & MPs - [email protected]
Roy Ney, Super Surveyor, 697th & 538th - [email protected]

Yours truly,

Frank "mahknut" Picchione, Company Clerk/44th HHC & 697th -
[email protected]     Photo of "moi" at Camp #44/Camp USARTHAI - Korat, Thailand (Mother's Day'68)

      SP/5 Francis Picchione - "At Ease!"   .. and, "Welcome Home!"   Telephone:   (714) 891-8230

    And, please ..   whatever you do; send pictures ! ***

*** Please see the non-copyright "disclaimer" posted on this page and throughout this web site which I feel is important and right motivation for tribute and purpose of this site.   If you can not agree or approve of this statement, thank you for your assistance, contributions and/or information, but no thank you for the portion you hold aside from same.



Patch of

    U.S. Army Support, Thailand

Image from the Collection of Colonel Vidrick, Commander
519th Transportation Battalion, 9th Logistics Command


U.S. Army, Thailand Order of Battle (TOB)

44th Engineer Group (Construction)   12/62 - 1/1/70   (Hqs, Korat)

Major Project:   Camp Friendship     Today:   Thai Army Base

Engineer Companies -

16th Engineer Co - Dump Truck   8/2/67 - 2/20/71 ****

54th Engineer Co - Construction Support   12/20/68 - 6/15/70 ****

91st Engineer Co - Dump Truck   8/7/67 - 6/15/70 *

561st Engineer Co - Construction   8/10/63 - 6/15/70 *

593rd Engineer Co, 9th Logistics Command - Construction   6/6/63 - 8/1/63

738th Engineer Co, 9th Logistics Command - Supply Point   3/2/63 - 7/15/65

697th Engineer Co (Pipeline) - Construction Support   8/29/65 - 12/1/69 ***

Engineer Battalions -

538th Engr Bn   7/14/65 - 6/15/70 ***   and   809th Engr Bn   3/24/62 - 2/3/71 **

Other - 9th Logistical Command - Logistics Support   4/63 - 6/12/70

- - - - - -   Notes   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

* Kanchanaburi Province     ** Phanom Sarakam

*** Korat and Satahip Service     697th sent 2nd Platoon to Korea and Vietnam ...

538th/697th Major Project:   Camp Samae San

**** Sakhon Nakhon

    We are very fortunate to have men assigned duties to capture our wars and fighting with the environment caught first through cartoons and great artist and combat photographers.   Here is a classic cartoon taken from the galleries of World War II and such a (web) site with a son honoring his father of another era and time, to remember ...

"...forever, Amen. Hit the dirt." - Anzio 1944 - Another Classic Cartoon � Bill Mauldin 1944

    Visit the web site for S/Sgt. Bill Heller at http://members.home.net/warfoto/
3rd Infantry Division, 3rd Signal Company (1943-45); Bill - 1910-72 ...

    My generation grew up with war heroes such as
Lt. Audie L. Murphy, the most decorated World War II combat soldier and pride of the 3rd Infantry Division.
June 20, 1924 to May 28, 1971
A special thanks goes out to the son of Bill Heller
- for providing a tribute page
to this soldier and citizen
that few can compare to in his life-time achievements
and honor serving in the U.S. Army !     Please click here for the complete details.
And, for the Audry L. Murphy Memorial Web Site

Many of us don't remember a lot about World War I
or one of its "favorite sons," Alvin York from Tennessee, Medal of Honor Recipient ...
a not-so-bigger-than-life biography-type movie was made for this Army hero!

Why we pay tribute to veterans is a complex answer, but we can start with this
World War II Veteran, a Navy Cook, John S. Samarziya.
I don't know him.   That's right - I wouldn't know him from "Adam"!
But, please take a moment to read his "celebration of life," if you will.
John was an iron miner from a small region in the Michigan Penninsula;
        he answered the call to arms and served u.s. all ...
"Less we never forget those that served..."
More World-Wide-Cemetery Tributes...
I'm sorry, if this "discussion" is too morbid for you ...
It is just "a day in the life of a soldier..."
For more (beautiful) resources, please visit -
California Mission Cemeteries
Or, Cemetery Records Online
And, last but not least - my favorite cemetery!
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl)
in Honolulu, Hawaii
A National Cemetery inside an extinct volcano ...   Click here for map ...
"I once lived on the ocean-view front slopes along the service road access."
IMHO, a very serene and peaceful place to be laid to rest...
For more details and photos, please click here.   I think you will agree with me ...

My condo apartment, foreground (largest building ^ dead-center) - parking deck topped w/large swimming pool
180 degree panarama view of Honolulu from Diamond (to the left,) Waikiki, Manoa Valley Campus of Univ. of Hawaii
Capital at just about 12 o'clock (above the harbor area; flat, square top bldg)   the flat buildings to the left/top may be
Ala Moana ("By the ocean") Shopping Center, the most famous shopping mall in Honolulu
and with downtown Honolulu skyscrapers ("The Business Center")to the right ...
"All -- accessible by local bus service..."   Click here, for large photo-view.

    And, last - but not least, my tribute page to Army Humor thru Cartoons and Cartoonists .

    "Representing my beloved Army, in my Honor Guard Uniform, or just given the opportunity to carry our "Army Flag Colors" with all its Campaign Streamers - I have jerished the moment and enjoyed being viewed as that for which is good and righteous in our commitment to service in the U.S. Army."

Your Company Clerk,

SP/6 Francis J. Picchione
Squad Leader - Sep'73 to Aug'74
USARPAC Honor Guard Company
- Honoulu, Hawaii
"Like a childhood dream coming true, the indescribable honor and pride to serve in the capacity of a Honor Guard member...   ..of and for the United States Army!"