Forerunners of today's Special Forces, the Alamo Scouts - of which nearly one-quarter of the enlisted graduates from its first training class were American Indian - were a top secret reconnaissance and raider unit that operated in the southwest Pacific during World War II and performed 108 missions without losing a single man. This 1944 photo shows a fully-equipped Alamo Scout team during the first training class at the Alamo Scouts Training Center on Fergusson Island, New Guinea. (Front row) Pfc. Joseph Johnson, 1st Lt. Michael Sombar and Cpl. David Milda. (Back row) Sgt. Byron Tsingine, Ssg. Alvin Vilcan, Cpl. John A. Roberts, Cpl. Walter A. McDonald, and Ssg. Caesar Ramirez. Johnson. Milda, Tsingine and Vilcan are American Indians. Little has been documented about Native servicemen other than the Navajo code talkers, despite statistics that American Indians have the highest per capita percentage of service in the U.S. military.

Alamo Scouts Home Page

The Alamo Scouts Sleeve Insignia

The Alamo Scouts

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman

Wow! 108 missions and without losing a man? That is one mean feat that is very tough to beat.

"During the 20 months the unit was operational, Alamo Scouts spent 1,482 days in the field conducting 106 missions.33 This number includes eleven missions by Scout teams whose operational areas, late in the war, came under control of the Eighth Army, which referred to the teams as "Octagon Scouts" in its operational reports, a practice that General Krueger brought to an abrupt halt.
Although a few Scouts were wounded during missions, not a single Scout was killed—a remarkable record when one considers the risks inherent in their missions. The record the Scouts compiled in conducting their missions is a testament to both the quality of their training program and the effectiveness of the Scout selection process."

The Alamo Scouts

__________________
For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman

More info on the Scouts. I really haven't found anything on why General Krueger was furious as to the Eighth Army referring to the teams as "Octagon Scouts".

Silent Warriors of World War II: The ... - Google Book Search

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman

The Philippines' Secretary of National Defense in the 80's, Gen. Rafael M. Ileto, was an Alamo Scout in WW2. He also started the Philippine Army's Scout Rangers.

"Little has been documented about Native servicemen other than the Navajo code talkers, despite statistics that American Indians have the highest per capita percentage of service in the U.S. military."

Due to the racism that was normasl for the day Im not surprised. And also how patriotic Native Americans could be.

__________________
For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman

I can't figure out what the fellow in the middle bottom row is holding up. Some kind of grenade launcher?

Now that I think aboot it....maybe an antennae?

Im not sure. It does look like some kind of communication or listening device on his chest .But the thing in his hand isn't really clear.

__________________
For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman