PD Sergeant Posted June 21, 2009 Share #1 Posted June 21, 2009 Here is a US Army badge that is rarely seen. It is the Imjin Scout badge and was awarded from 1965-1990. From 1965 to 1967 it was awarded only to Advanced Combat Training Academy graduates (ACTA). ACTA was a 262 hour course which prepared soldiers to conduct day reconnaissance and night ambush patrols within the S. Korean DMZ. Upon graduation the cloth Imjin Scout badge was awarded and worn on the right pocket of the uniform. The most notable commander of ACTA was Major Roger H. Donlon who was awarded the first Medal of Honor in Viet Nam. Sometime in 1967 the award criteria was expanded. Second Infantry Division Regulation 672-3 authorized award of the Imjin Scout badge for the completion of 20 operational missions within the DMZ. In addition to the cloth patch a metal version of the badge was awarded for wear on the dress uniform. Both the cloth badge and the metal badge were worn on the right pocket. The title Imjin Scout comes from the Imjin River which runs to the south of the DMZ. The last award was given in the early 1990's when the last elements of the Second Infantry Division were withdrawn to the south side of the Imjin River. The first photograph is the Advanced Combat Training Academy at Camp Casey, Korea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PD Sergeant Posted June 21, 2009 Author Share #2 Posted June 21, 2009 This is the cloth version of the award. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PD Sergeant Posted June 21, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted June 21, 2009 This is the metal version of the badge for wear on the dress uniform. Does anyone have this badge in their collection? Are there any awardees of the Imjin Scout badge on the forum? Feel free to post your examples! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted June 21, 2009 Share #4 Posted June 21, 2009 I have a color,subdued both cloth and the enamel badge some where in the collection.Thanks for posting the info and the pictures.I have met Col.Donlon and have a copy of his book.An honor to know the man. RD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad k Posted June 21, 2009 Share #5 Posted June 21, 2009 I have a metal one that my squad leader gave me, I guess he would have gotten it in the late '70's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kration Posted June 21, 2009 Share #6 Posted June 21, 2009 WOW.. When I hear the term Imjim Scout badge I realize I'm getting kinda old.. Walked a lot of DMZ ground to earn that silly little badge ...GP Collier, GP Oulette, GP128, Camp Liberty Bell, 4P-1, Warrior base, Camp Greaves, QRF, Guardpost duty, Recon and ambush Patrols Here's a little assortment of gear that goes with the badge... Kration Retired 11 Bravo 1/9 Camp Greaves 1/31 Camp Howze (P.F.C. Joseph P White defected Aug 26-82) 1/503 Camp Hovey 1/5 Camp Hovey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kration Posted June 21, 2009 Share #7 Posted June 21, 2009 This was taken on the MDL North of GP Oulette Kration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr-X Posted June 22, 2009 Share #8 Posted June 22, 2009 WOW.. When I hear the term Imjim Scout badge I realize I'm getting kinda old.. Walked a lot of DMZ ground to earn that silly little badge ...GP Collier, GP Oulette, GP128, Camp Liberty Bell, 4P-1, Warrior base, Camp Greaves, QRF, Guardpost duty, Recon and ambush Patrols Here's a little assortment of gear that goes with the badge... Kration Retired 11 Bravo 1/9 Camp Greaves 1/31 Camp Howze (P.F.C. Joseph P White defected Aug 26-82) 1/503 Camp Hovey 1/5 Camp Hovey Thanks for sharing you collection. Link to an article on White http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/IB23Dg01.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laury Allison Posted June 22, 2009 Share #9 Posted June 22, 2009 I have several variations of cloth color and subdued badges and one or two metal ones. I've always thought this was a neat looking badge. Laury Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manchu Warrior Posted June 22, 2009 Share #10 Posted June 22, 2009 I spent three months at Warrior Base however I was there after they stopped awarding the Imjin Scout Badge. These are photos of me standing in front of Camp Bonifas and and the bottom two photos are of us on patrol right next to the DMZ, it was considered an act of war if we actually took our Bradley onto the DMZ. The other photos are of North Korean propaganda that I found on the DMZ. As far as the patch. If I remember correctly the early version of the patch, 1965-67, did not have DMZ on it. The DMZ was added when it was no longer necessary for soldiers to attend ACTA to patrol the DMZ. As far as the photos are concerned I photographed them while in my scrap book and they were not the best quality photos to begin with so please excuse the poor quality Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manchu Warrior Posted June 22, 2009 Share #11 Posted June 22, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manchu Warrior Posted June 22, 2009 Share #12 Posted June 22, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluehawk Posted June 22, 2009 Share #13 Posted June 22, 2009 This is the cloth version of the award. Thank you for sharing that... I've never seen one and have wondered what it was like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manchu Warrior Posted June 22, 2009 Share #14 Posted June 22, 2009 This is the first version on the patch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmhm Posted June 22, 2009 Share #15 Posted June 22, 2009 I've got the whole uniform from a 2ID guy with the IS badge on it...here's a lesser quality pic, I'll take a better one next time out there....this was one of the sleepers that can be found on eBay from time to time...I think I paid something along the lines of $30 for it, all teh insignia is original to the jacket, including the 2ID DIs on the shoulder straps... Mark sends Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PD Sergeant Posted June 22, 2009 Author Share #16 Posted June 22, 2009 This was taken on the MDL North of GP OuletteKration Cameras aren't allowed into the DMZ, shame on you. Uh.....on second thought, I've got a few of those pictures too.....never mind. That MDL marker looks new. I remember them being pretty rusty. This picture was taken at The Bridge of No Return in 1987. Thanks to everyone who has posted their person awards and items from their collections. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PD Sergeant Posted June 24, 2009 Author Share #17 Posted June 24, 2009 I spent three months at Warrior Base however I was there after they stopped awarding the Imjin Scout Badge. These are photos of me standing in front of Camp Bonifas and and the bottom two photos are of us on patrol right next to the DMZ, it was considered an act of war if we actually took our Bradley onto the DMZ. The other photos are of North Korean propaganda that I found on the DMZ. As far as the patch. If I remember correctly the early version of the patch, 1965-67, did not have DMZ on it. The DMZ was added when it was no longer necessary for soldiers to attend ACTA to patrol the DMZ. As far as the photos are concerned I photographed them while in my scrap book and they were not the best quality photos to begin with so please excuse the poor quality If you spent time at Warrior Base then this picture should look familiar. This was home during my tour there in 1987. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manchu Warrior Posted June 24, 2009 Share #18 Posted June 24, 2009 Wow PD that looks like my old neighborhood. I am glad you posted that photo because I realized that the only photo I have of tent city on Warrior Base is the one I posted. And I was more interested in the small mishap we had with a tree then taking photos of our living space. The one thing that stands out in my memory of Warrior Base was the signs posted to beware of Malaria mosquitoes. And to honest I am not sure what was more dangerous the Mosquitoes themselves or all those repellents we were burning, I am surprised no one died from smoke inhalation. And thinking about it now I really don't understand why I did not take a photo of the signs or other photos of the base. The top photo is the track in front of me as we kept our interval while patrolling on the 38th Parallel. One thing I will say is that for a place, the DMZ, that has a reputation of being very intense it sure was a beautiful place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laury Allison Posted June 25, 2009 Share #19 Posted June 25, 2009 Here are some of my cloth versions. I think I have a couple of metal ones somewhere. Laury Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr-X Posted June 25, 2009 Share #20 Posted June 25, 2009 ...it sure was a beautiful place. That is for sure. :thumbsup: I've only been there once but the beauty of the place astounded me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PD Sergeant Posted June 27, 2009 Author Share #21 Posted June 27, 2009 Here are some of my cloth versions. I think I have a couple of metal ones somewhere. Laury I'd like to see your metal versions when you have a chance to post them. When was that picture taken Mr-X? There weren't any Bradleys when I was there - I was a Cav Scout and we were still using the M-113's. It's nice finding so many other turtles here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arclight Posted June 27, 2009 Share #22 Posted June 27, 2009 While I was never a Scout, I do have a deep interest in them. It started first with an interest in Korea in general, and escalated when I obtained the officer's commission, and BG (temp) commission for the man that is credited with starting the Scouts as rump't Div Commander when the 2nd Inf went back to Korea. Here's a pic, along with some of the patches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arclight Posted June 27, 2009 Share #23 Posted June 27, 2009 A closer look at his General's commission. Gen. Gleszer retired as Commander of the Military District of Washington. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manchu Warrior Posted June 27, 2009 Share #24 Posted June 27, 2009 I'd like to see your metal versions when you have a chance to post them. When was that picture taken Mr-X? There weren't any Bradleys when I was there - I was a Cav Scout and we were still using the M-113's. It's nice finding so many other turtles here. I believe you are asking about my photos and they were taken in 1997. I was in a mechanized infantry unit at Camp Casey and we were fortunate enough to pull a rotation at Warrior Base for the better part of the summer. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arclight Posted June 27, 2009 Share #25 Posted June 27, 2009 And, a closer look at the patches, which I prize. I've really enjoyed this thread, and especially all of the contributions by our Scout members. I would love to see more. Thank you for your service, and thanks for sharing! BTW, if anyone has an extra metal scout badge with leather fob, please contact me Thanks, G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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