Trieste United States Troops facts for kids
The Trieste United States Troops (TRUST) was a special group of the United States Army. It was created on May 1, 1947. This happened after World War II, when a new independent area called the Free Territory of Trieste was set up. This new territory was under the care of the United Nations Security Council.
The agreement that created this territory allowed the United Kingdom, the United States, and Yugoslavia each to have 5,000 soldiers there. The British troops were called the British Element Trieste Force (BETFOR). The U.S. Army sent the 88th Infantry Division to do this job. This division was already in Italy. The 351st Infantry Regiment was the main unit sent to Trieste. Major General Bryant E. Moore, who led the 88th Division, became the commander of TRUST.
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What was TRUST's Job?
The main job of TRUST was to keep peace and order in the Free Territory of Trieste. They also supported the Allied Military Government. This was until the United Nations could choose a governor for the territory.
Where did TRUST operate?
The area that became the Free Territory of Trieste was already split into two parts after the war. The United Kingdom and the United States managed Zone A, which included the city of Trieste. Yugoslavia managed Zone B, which covered most of the Istrian peninsula. The border between these two zones was called the Morgan Line.
When the peace treaty for Italy officially started on September 15, 1947, the Free Territory of Trieste was created. The Morgan Line, with a few small changes, became the border for the new territory. The United States and the United Kingdom kept managing their Zone A.
The 351st Infantry Regiment and other supporting units took over their duties in Zone A. The 88th Infantry Division, after finishing its work in Italy, was officially closed down on October 24, 1947.
American and British soldiers guarded 16 border outposts. TRUST soldiers were at Outposts 1 to 6. BETFOR soldiers were at Outposts 7 to 16. The local police, called the Venezia Giulia Police Force (VG police), helped the soldiers. The VG police handled most of the daily law enforcement in Zone A.
How was TRUST organized?
The main headquarters for TRUST was at Miramare Castle. This castle was very grand and beautiful, built by an Austrian emperor's brother. Soldiers who visited were often amazed by its splendor.
The headquarters for the 351st Infantry Regiment was in Opicina. Two of its soldier groups were in the Opicina area, on a high plain above Trieste. One soldier group was in Trieste itself. Other units were in various places, including Trieste, Opicina, and Duino.
In 1948, a magazine article described TRUST as a strong force. It had the skilled 351st Infantry Regiment, a tank company, a cannon company, and a small air observation unit with tiny planes. Even though there was no air force directly in Trieste, American airbases in Germany and Austria were close by. There was no heavy artillery, but British and American navy ships in Trieste harbor had powerful long-range guns.
Over its seven years, some units in TRUST changed. Some were closed, some were renamed, and new ones were added. By 1952, the 351st Infantry Regiment was the main fighting unit. It included:
- Headquarters and Headquarters company
- Tank company
- Heavy Mortar company
- Service company
- Three infantry battalions (each with its own companies)
One of the colonels who led the 351st Infantry Regiment was Colonel Earle Wheeler. He later became a very important military leader, serving as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Vietnam War.
Many other units supported the main soldiers, including:
- 88th Reconnaissance Company
- 12th Field Artillery Battery
- 517th Combat Engineer Company
- 281st Military Police Service Company
- 23rd Ordnance Maintenance Company
- 508th Signal Company
- 23rd Quartermaster Company
- 7th Station Hospital
- 98th Army Band
TRUST quickly became known for being very neat and disciplined. Soldiers had their uniforms changed to look better. They wore blue scarves and shiny helmet liners with the TRUST patch. Their belts were dyed black, and metal parts were polished.
When did TRUST's Mission End?
In October 1953, the United States and Great Britain announced they would pull their troops out of Trieste. They planned to let the Italian Government take over Zone A. However, they didn't say exactly when this would happen. Later in 1953, when it seemed like the four main countries (UK, US, Italy, and Yugoslavia) would agree on how to manage Trieste, the U.S. Army sent families of soldiers home.
American troops started leaving Trieste in early October 1954. This was after the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, and Yugoslavia signed an agreement on October 5, 1954. This agreement handed over the control of the Free Territory. The Italian Government would manage "Zone A," and the Yugoslav Government would manage "Zone B."
The last British and American soldiers boarded ships on October 26, 1954, as Italian troops arrived. The last TRUST commander, Major General John A. Dabney, flew to Livorno to join the troops who had already gathered there.
Commanders
- Major General Bryant E. Moore, May 1947 to June 1948
- Major General William M. Hoge, June 1948 to March 1951
- Major General Edmund Sebree, March 1951 to July 1952
- Major General William B. Bradford, July 1952 to February 1953
- Major General Bernice M. McFayden, February 1953 to July 1954
- Major General John A. Dabney, July 1954 to September 1954
Images for kids
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TRUST shoulder patch – a symbol showing the coat of arms of Trieste on the 88th Infantry Division patch.
