Korean Communications Zone

The Korean Communications Zone, abbreviated to KComZ or KCOMZ, was a military formation of the United States during the Korean War. It had overall responsibility for the communications zone behind the front line including communications, supply, and administration. It also dealt with relations with the South Korean government and care of civilian refugees and prisoners of war.[3]

Korean Communication Zone
(KComZ)
Active21 August 1952 - July 1956
DisbandedJuly 1956
Country United States
Allegiance United Nations
RoleCommunications Zone
Size34,280 personnel (1953)[1]
Nickname(s)KComZ
DecorationsROK Presidential Unit Citation (1954)[2]
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Maj. Gen. Thomas W. Herren

KComZ was formed in June 1952 as an amalgamation of 2nd and 3rd Logistical Commands, both of which had previously shared responsibility for supply operations in Korea. It became operational on 21 August 1952 and was responsible for military logistical support to UN and South Korean forces, as well as political and economic relations with the South Korean government, the operation of Korean National Railways, and the control of North Korean and Chinese prisoners of war.[4] Following the end of hostilities in Korea in 1953, KComZ became the Eighth US Army Support Command in July 1956 and was later re-designated US Army Area Command and finally the 7th Logistical Command.

The most common unit insignia worn by KComZ personnel depicted an orange flame in a white bracket at the centre of a green shield. A less common variant, also shaped like a shield, depicted the letters KCOMZ diagonally in white on a green background.

References

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  1. ^ Boose, Donald W. (2005). US Army Forces in the Korean War 1950-5 (1st British ed.). Oxford: Osprey. p. 90. ISBN 9781841766218.
  2. ^ "General Orders No. 24" (PDF). Department of the Army. 31 March 1954. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  3. ^ Matray, James I., ed. (1991). Historical dictionary of the Korean War. New York: Greenwood Press. p. 259. ISBN 978-0313259241.
  4. ^ Boose, Donald W. (2005). US Army Forces in the Korean War 1950-53 (1st British ed.). Oxford: Osprey. p. 90. ISBN 9781841766218.
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