This study analyzes criminal investigative activities during World War II and the Viet Nam conflict to determine if there were similar patterns in the framework of command and control, organizational development, support, and investigative operations which have contemporary implications. The analysis uses historical records and archival material from both conflicts. The findings reveal that in both conflicts the issue of command and control concerned whether or not it would be centralized or decentralized in the theater of operations. The centralization issue also influenced the organizational development of CID in the theater of operations. Patterns emerge in regard to the lack of organic support capabilities in administration, maintenance and laboratory support in both conflicts. In investigative operations CID maintained responsibility to investigate crimes in general, but black marketing crimes were a significant challenge in both conflict. The study concludes that there were similarities in CID activities in these wars. The fact that these similarities existed suggests that they will surface again in any future conflicts that CID is engaged in and thus have contemporary implications.

ADB 125460 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)