U.S. ARMY VIETNAM COMBAT ART

This sketch by combat artist Jim Pollock is one of many which he made while in the field in Vietnam. Later, he and the other artists on U. S. Army Combat Art Team IV (Samuel Alexander, Burdell Moody, Daniel Lopez and Ronald Wilson) spent two months in Hawaii completing their paintings of the action in Vietnam. The painting were retained by the U. S. Army for inclusion in U. S. Army Military History War Art Collection in Washington, D. C.

Team IV members:
Sp/4 James Pollock from South Dakota
Sp/4 Samuel Alexander from Mississippi
Sp/5 Burdell Moody from Arizona
Sgt. Ronald Wilson from Utah
Lt. Frank Thomas from Utah, Technical Supervisor

James Pollock's home state was and still is South Dakota. At the time of his selection to US Army Combat Artist Team IV he was serving as a Sp/4 postal clerk with First Base Post Office, 8th US Army, and was stationed at Camp Ames near Taejon, South Korea. All artworks completed as a soldier artist are in the Military History War Art Collection in Washington D.C.

Note about this site. When putting together this site I only had information and material from my own experiences. We would like to expand this site to include other artist teams and other artists, especially members of Teams I through VI (teams that served in Vietnam). If you were a member of one the U.S. Army soldier artists teams please contact me. The U.S. Army Center For Military History (CMH) has information in their archives about military artists from Vietnam and other wars and conflicts.

--Jim Pollock, Team IV--Box 555, Pierre, SD. 57501
jpollock@iw.net

Vietnam Combat Art Home Page

CONTENTS

Painting and Drawings--Jim Pollock Team IV

Door Gunner Pen and ink drawing by Jim Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Same as drawing above with title added. (41K)

Looking Down The Trail Watercolor by Jim Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C.(90K)

Waiting Interrogation 199th Inf Div Watercolor by Jim Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Depicts VC suspects blindfolded and waiting interrogation. (90K)

Waiting To Lift Off Watercolor and Pen and Ink by Jim Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Depicts a Medical Evacuation. (95K)

Med Evacuation Oil by Jim Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Depicts a Medical Evacuation. (86K)

G. I. Card Game Watercolor by Jim Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Depicts soldiers playing cards between patrols. (95K)

Field Haircut At Big Red One Watercolor and pen and ink by Jim Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Depicts a soldier getting a field haircut. (104K)

Between Patrols 199th Inf Div Near Cat Lai VN Watercolor and pen and ink by Jim Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Depicts soldier resting between patrols. (104K)

Old VN Man Pen and ink wash by Jim Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Depicts a Vietnamese Man. (95K)

Quiet Pause Before Next Patrol 199th Inf Watercolor and pen and ink by Jim Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Depicts the depressing feeling between patrols. (59K)

Taking A Break Pen and ink by Jim Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Depicts a soldier resting while out on patrol. (54K)

Forward Air Controller Pen and ink by Jim Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Depicts a Forward Air Controller looking out Huey door. (59K)

Bulldozer 1st Log Comm, Qui Nhon Watercolor by Jim Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Depicts Engineers moving dirt along the beach. (95K)

Korean Papa San Pen and ink wash by Jim Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV, US Army War Art Collection Washington D.C. Before duty in Vietnam Jim Pollock was stationed at Camp Ames near Taejon, South Korea. This piece depicts a Korean. (113K)

Jim Pollock Non Combat Art A cross selection of art by Jim Pollock since he returned to civilian life in 1968.

Vietnam Combat Art Home Page

U. S. Army Official Documents About Vietnam And Art Combat Art Program

Circular 28-30 Annoucement of U.S. Army Vietnam Combat Artist Program for FY 1968 including overview and application instructions. (29K)

Combat Art Program Fact Sheet U.S. Army Vietnam Combat Artist Program fact sheet dated 15 July, 1967. (14K)

USARV Memorandum 860-1 Official USARV Memorandum 860-1--Historical Activities of US Army Combat Artist Teams in Vietnam Dated 10 July 1967. (27K)

Vietnam Combat Artist Program Standing Operating Procedure (SOP) (18K)

Combat Art Security Rules Health Hazards in Vietnam and Personal Security Rules directed to Vietnam Combat Artists. (14K)

Duty Hints in FAQ Form Duty in Vietnam/some helpful hints and general information sheet-for newcomers to Republic of South Vietnam. (Publication is in a frequently asked question format). (18K)

Letter Orders 7-76 This is copy of official Letter Orders 7-76 dated 27 July, 1967 that authorized temporary duty as Combat Artist to Jim Pollock. All Soldier Combat Artists received similar temporary duty orders and travel orders. (9K)

Vietnam Combat Art Home Page

Published News Articles

One Day In Vietnam The following was written by US Army Vietnam Combat Artist Team IV member Jim Pollock and published in South Dakota Heritage magazine Vol. 17 No. 2 June, 1991 pp. 2-9. Article gives overview of the Combat Art Program and chronicles one day's experience. (c) Copyright 1989 Jim Pollock All Rights Reserved

SDSU Grad Sketches War In Vietnam Written by Chuck Cecil, Editor, South Dakota State University Alumnus Magazine, Vol 58 No. 3 February, 1968 p.3. Article written in 1968 after artist returned home from Vietnam. (14K)

South Dakota's Robinson Museum Vietnam Combat Art Exhibit US Army Military History Vietnam War Art Collection traveling exhibit was brought to South Dakota by the State run Robinson Museum in Pierre, SD. The exhibit ran from April 21-May 18, 1980 and included artwork by 17 Vietnam Combat Artists. Article from South Dakota History, South Dakota Historical Society Quarterly, Vol. 10. No. 2 Spring, 1980 p. 176. (Article copyright by South Dakota Historical Society and used with permission). (9K)

Vietnam War Combat Art In Brush Of Jim Pollock Written by Doug Spomer, Aberdeen American News focus editor, suday October 19, 1980. (Article copyright by Aberdeen American News and reprinted here with permission). (14K)

Pollock Designs Gold Piece Article was written Jim Files and appeared in the Mobridge Tribune, Mobridge South Dakota, April 29, 1987. The State of South Dakota issued gold and silver pieces starting in 1987 and Pollock was chosen as designer for the first issue. Article also discusses combat art experiences. (Article copyright by Mobridge Tribune and reprinted here with permission) (14K)

Soldier To Sketch Viet Action Short article after notification that appeared in Pacific Stars and Stripes, Korea Edition, Vol. 23, No. 223, Saturday, Aug. 12, 1967, Page 17. (9K)

END OF CONTENTS

Vietnam Combat Art Home Page