United States Army Services of Supply

The Services Of Supply or "SOS" branch of the Army of the USA was created on 28 February 1942 by Executive Order Number 9082 "Reorganizing the Army and the War Department" and War Department Circular No. 59, dated 2 March 1942. Services of Supply became one of the three autonomous components of the Army of the United States on 9 March 1942.[1] It was renamed the Army Service Forces on 12 March 1943, as it was felt that the term "supply" did not accurately describe its broad range of activities.

Most theatres of war had their own logistical organisation, usually also named the Services of Supply. There was a Services of Supply logistical organisation in North Africa and later Italy which was renamed the Communications Zone in September 1944.

Southwest Pacific Area

United States Army Services of Supply, Southwest Pacific Area (USASOS SWPA) in the South West Pacific Area were a direct outgrowth of the U.S. Army Forces in Australia (USAFIA) formed from command elements arriving in Australia with the Pensacola Convoy.[2][3] They were commanded by Brigadier General Richard J. Marshall,[4] and later Brigadier General J. L. Frink from September 1943. They were abolished in April 1945, and absorbed into Army Forces, Western Pacific (AFWESPAC).

European Theater

The Services of Supply, European Theater of Operations (ETO), were established in England on 24 May 1942 under the command of Major General John C. H. Lee. Almost two years of build up followed, supporting the North African Campaign and eventually the Invasion of Normandy. The command was redesignated COMZ (Communications Zone) after the 6 June 1944 invasion. Within COMZ was ADSEC (The Advance Section, Communications Zone) and FECOMZ (Forward Echelon, Communications Zone).

Notes

  1. ↑ Franklin D. Roosevelt 28 February 1942.
  2. ↑ Morton 1962, pp. 151-152.
  3. ↑ Stauffer 1956, pp. 58—62.
  4. ↑ Morton 1962, p. 403.

References

  • Franklin D. Roosevelt (28 February 1942). "Executive Order 9082 Reorganizing the Army and the War Department". Executive Orders. On line: The American Presidency Project. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  • Morton, Louis (1962). The War in the Pacific—Strategy and Command: The First Two Years. United States Army In World War II. Washington, D. C.: Center Of Military History, United States Army. LCCN 61-60001.
  • Stauffer, Alvin P. (1956). The Quartermaster Corps: Operations In The War Against Japan. United States Army In World War II. Washington, D. C.: Center Of Military History, United States Army. LCCN 56-60001.