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RARE KOREAN WAR 7th Marines Battle flag~ tactical air control party (TACP)

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    Posted 11 years ago

    tlmbaran
    (136 items)

    Just picked it up for $30 bucks. In great condition.

    Vintage Seventh Marines Flag with "We Call-They Haul" stitched/embroidered across the top. Also embroidered across the center of the flag is T. A. C. P. along with a symbol of an Eagle holding a banner that reads "Sorry Bout That", standing on a globe with an anchor. This flag has white embroidery on black canvas and measures 31 inches wide by 20 inches tall. I would not call this a real heavy canvas and it does still have some fold marks from years of being stored. The flag appears to be in very good shape as there are no holes (other than the grommets)

    If any one has any information on this flag, or what T.A.C.P. actually is, I would appreciate the help!
    ***FOUND THIS INFORMATION, Changing title from Viet Nam to KOREAN WAR*****

    Air support was coordinated on a centralized basis and apportioned mission-by-mission for most of the European campaign. The Marine system also stemmed from World War II, although with different results. During combat on Guadalcanal and in subsequent action, the Marine Corps found that decentralized control and dedicated fighter support were essential for responsiveness and close coordination. Thus its air arm was considered an integral and inseparable part of the force. The Marines brought this approach to air-ground operations in Korea. Their organization would prove ideal for supporting a fighting withdrawal and covering long columns on the ground which were confined to the winding mountain roads.

    From the beginning of the battle to the sea on December 1 to its completion at Hungnam on December 12, air-ground coordination was continuous and effective. During the withdrawal from the Chosin Reservoir, the most critical asset may have been the tactical air control party (TACP

    ) of the Marine air control system. Strikes against enemy positions along the route, when ever a column was held up, were under the control of experienced Marine pilots on the ground, known to the flyers in the air delivering the attacks. Other methods were tried repeatedly, but as one veteran put it, "there ain't no substitute for the TACP."

    Underlying the air support plan for the operation was the commitment to have a sortie over the key movement at first light. This flight would be assigned to the forward air controller (FAC

    ) of the unit most likely to require immediate close air support. In turn, as soon as that flight was called to a target by TACP, another sortie would be assigned to relieve it on station. That meant that the response time from request to delivery on target could be reduced. The weather had to cooperate, but if minimum visibility and ceiling made the positive delivery of weapons possible, planes were invariably

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    in place and targets were hit in minimum time. When aircraft on station could not eliminate the targets, additional sorties were called from Yonpo, the carrier task force, or suitable aircraft in the area for a diversion from assigned missions. The last option was usually handled by the tactical air direction center (TADC

    ) or tactical air coordinators airborne on the scene.

    The Chinese troops could not mass in daylight because they were subject at once to devastating strikes of napalm, bombs, rockets, and 20mm guns. Not one successful enemy mass attack was delivered against the column during the daytime.

    Comments

    1. scottvez scottvez, 11 years ago
      Tactical Air Control Party. They control close air support.

      I believe the acronym is fairly modern, post VN era, but I am not 100% certain.

      scott
    2. tlmbaran tlmbaran, 11 years ago
      Thanks Scott-
      I searched BING for T.A.C.P. and attached the info to my listing. Based on what I found, and the WWII style E.G.A., I am leaning towards Korean War on this flag....
    3. scottvez scottvez, 11 years ago
      Good info-- I didn't realize the name was that early!

      scott
    4. tlmbaran tlmbaran, 11 years ago
      Thanks Mustangtony!
    5. tlmbaran tlmbaran, 11 years ago
      Awesome information Mustangtony! Guy I purchased it from got it at an estate sale & knew nothing about it. Didn't even know it was Marine Corps. He was asking $50, I talked him down to $30....I have never seen anything like this before, and now that its attached to the "Frozen Chosin" only makes it that more of a gem!!
      Thanks again!!
    6. jonima jonima, 10 years ago
      At one of my assignments in Germany, we was in a FACP (Forward Air Control Post), and there was also a TACP unit on base. Made sense since we were on the same base as 3rdID. The TACP guys are in a league of their own. Most of the 3rdID didn't even realize there were two Air Force units on base.

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