Services of Supply
Encyclopedia
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. 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.
The Services of Supply in the South West Pacific Area were commanded by Brigadier General
Richard J. Marshall, and later Brigadier General J. L. Frink from September 1943. They were abolished in April 1945, and absorbed into Army Forces, Western Pacific (AFWESPAC).
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).
Army of the United States
The Army of the United States is the official name for the conscription force of the United States Army that may be raised at the discretion of the United States Congress in the event of the United States entering into a major armed conflict...
on 9 March 1942. It was renamed the Army Service Forces
Army Service Forces
The Army Service Forces were one of the three autonomous components of the Army of the United States during World War II, the others being the Army Air Forces and Army Ground Forces. They were created on February 28, 1942 by Executive Order Number 9082 "Reorganizing the Army and the War Department"...
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.
The Services of Supply in the South West Pacific Area were commanded by Brigadier General
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
Richard J. Marshall, and later Brigadier General J. L. Frink from September 1943. They were abolished in April 1945, and absorbed into Army Forces, Western Pacific (AFWESPAC).
The Services of Supply, European Theater of Operations
European Theater of Operations
The European Theater of Operations, United States Army was a United States Army formation which directed U.S. Army operations in parts of Europe from 1942 to 1945. It referred to Army Ground Forces, United States Army Air Forces, and Army Service Forces operations north of Italy and the...
(ETO), were established in England on 24 May 1942 under the command of Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
John C. H. Lee
John C. H. Lee
John Clifford Hodges Lee was a US Army General. He graduated 12th out of 103 graduates from the United States Military Academy in 1909.He served in World War I, World War II and rose to the rank of Lieutenant General....
. Almost two years of build up followed, supporting the North African Campaign
North African campaign
During the Second World War, the North African Campaign took place in North Africa from 10 June 1940 to 13 May 1943. It included campaigns fought in the Libyan and Egyptian deserts and in Morocco and Algeria and Tunisia .The campaign was fought between the Allies and Axis powers, many of whom had...
and eventually the Invasion of Normandy. The command was redesignated COMZ (Communications Zone) after the 6 June 1944 invasion. Within COMZ was ADSEC
ADSEC
ADSEC or ADSEC/COMZ represents "The Advance Section, Communications Zone", European Theater of Operations, United States Army, which was formally activated at Bristol in February 1944. It is commonly referred to as simply 'ADSEC'. This was a U.S. Army logistical agency, the first on the...
(The Advance Section, Communications Zone) and FECOMZ
FECOMZ
FECOMZ is an acronym for "Forward Echelon, Communications Zone". FECOMZ was a headquarters, organized in World War II and authorized by the Allied Supreme Commander, to organize and control Services of Supply for the invasion forces after D-Day....
(Forward Echelon, Communications Zone).