Happy 150th Anniversary Fellow Signaleers!

It is my pleasure to extend greetings and good wishes for the coming year to each member of the Signal Corps.  2010 is a milestone year for us as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of our branch.  Since 1860 Signal Soldiers have provided the Army with unique skills and equipment to ensure reliable, rapid, and secure communications for commanders from Bull Run to Baghdad. 

Attached are two items: 

1) Chief of Signal Happy Anniversary message for ALL, and

2) a specially designed logo commemorating 150 years encouraged for your use on all power point presentations or future informal correspondence.

The Signal Corps was established by Congress on 21 June 1860.  This act coincided with technological advances that increased both the size and lethality of the battlefield.  The changed nature of warfare required innovative methods of communication beyond voice commands and couriers.

That innovation came from the mind of one man - Albert J. Myer, an Assistant Surgeon serving with the Army in Texas.  Myer's critical analysis of military operations in vast terrain, informed by his medical dissertation related to sign language and knowledge of telegraphy, led him to conceive the Wig-Wag signaling system which used a flag by day and torch at night to rapidly send messages over long distances. 

Myer became a one man combat developer who tested and demonstrated the practical value of his system for commanders on the battlefield.  His persistence and credibility was successful. On 21 June 1860, Congress directed that a new Army staff position be created to implement the Wig-Wag into the operational army.  Because of his dedication and zeal, Myer was commissioned as a major and became the US Army's first Signal Officer on 27 June 1860.  Myer's 20 year career of continuous contributions to improve Signal Corps organization and technology marked him as one of the most distinguished leaders in scientific innovation and technological application in the history of the United States Army.

During 2010 I encourage all signal leaders to commemorate this important event in some way that serves to educate and recognize the wonderful history of our branch.  Teach your soldiers about their history even as you make history yourselves in theaters of operation.  Every Signal Soldier should know how one man, Albert J. Myer, made a huge impact on the Army because he had the vision, skills and will to transform the Army at a critical time during its history.  I urge all of you to read our branch history Getting the Message Through: A Branch History of the US Army Signal Corps by Rebecca Robbins Raines which is available through your publications account at no charge and at the US Army Center of Military history website at http://www.history.army.mil/books/30-17/Front.htm.

Jeffrey W. Foley

BG, US Army

Chief of Signal