GENERAL ORDERS                                                          19 April 1968

No. 88

Excerpt - UNIT COMMENDATION AWARDS


      I - UNIT COMMENDATION.  By direction of the Commanding General, USARSUPTHAI.

      Under the provisions of paragraph 200c, AR 672-5-1, the following units of
the United States Army Support, Thailand are commended for exceptional achievement
in the performance of outstanding service:

      The citations read as follows:

           THE 809TH ENGINEER BATTALION, 44TH ENGINEER GROUP
           THE 561ST ENGINEER COMPANY, 44TH ENGINEER GROUP
           THE 91ST ENGINEER COMPANY, 44TH ENGINEER GROUP

       These units distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious conduct in
the performance of outstanding services in support of military operations from
15 February 1968 to 15 April 1968.  During this period, these units completed critical
portions of a division-size cantonment required for training of the Royal Thai Army
Volunteer Force (RTAVF) prior to its commitment to Vietnam.

       Construction had to be completed in eight (8) weeks, a time frame so compressed
as to make timely completion a virtual impossibility.  Despite these adverse weather
and working conditions, and complex logistics problems, this project was completed on
schedule agreed to by the U.S. and Thai goverments.

       On 16 March 1968, with only four weeks of construction time remaining, the
Task Force was assigned the added mission of constructing a complete 900 man cantonment
for U.S. instructor and support personnel.  At the same time, Task Force Kanchanaburi
was tasked with installing 6.2 kilometers of water line and 5 water towers, as well as 
with providing, on an interim basis, portable water for the Royal Thai Army (RTA) cadre
and advance parties.

       Augmented with few additional forces, working seven days a week, using pre-
fabricated and other mass production techniques, and double shifting many of its
operations, Task Force Kanchanaburi completed this challenging task within 30 days,
an accomplishment rarely achieved by a similar force.

       The devotion to duty, perseverance and extraordinary professionalism demonstrated
by members of these units in accomplishing their critical tasks in this important program
is in the highest traditions of the military services and reflect great credit upon
themselves and the United States Army.

FOR THE COMMANDER:

OFFICIAL:                                      O. G. MILLER
                                               Colonel, GS
                                               Chief of Staff



Contribution
  Credits to:  SP/5 James Golematis, 561st Engr Co
               Camp Foster, January, 1968