502nd Military Intelligence Battalion
On order, 502d Military Intelligence Battalion deploys and provides intelligence and electronic warfare support to the I U.S. Corps conducting Smaller Scale Contingency (SSC) or Major Theater of War (MTW) combat operations. On order, redeploys and prepares for follow-on missions.
The 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion, comprised of five separate MI service platoons, was activated at Taegu, Korea, on September 1, 1952, and assigned to the Far East Command. The battalion was instrumental in providing vital and timely intelligence in support of the Korean War. For its efforts in providing the United Nations forces with valuable tactical intelligence gained from interrogators, order of battle analysts, and photo interpreters, the battalion was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation and a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. Upon cessation of hostilities, the battalion was inactivated on January 20, 1955.
On March 25, 1961 the battalion was reactivated at Yongson, Korea, as a field Army battalion assigned to the U.S. Army Pacific Command and subsequently assigned to the Eighth U.S. Army. From 1961 to 1978, the 502nd was the only military intelligence battalion assigned in the Republic of Korea. During this period the battalion provided key analytical research on the developing North Korean Army. The battalion was reorganized in April 1977 and assigned to the Intelligence and Security Command. It was later inactivated on January 1, 1978.
The 502nd MI Battalion (Operations) was reactivated on October 1, 1986, at Fort Lewis, WA. The battalion consists of three companies; Headquarters, Headquarters Service Company, A Company (Operations), B Company (Communications-Electronics). In 1990-1991, the 502nd MI Battalion was recognized by the Secretary of the Army for Extraordinary Meritorious Service while in its intelligence support role of Operation Desert Storm. Today, the 502nd MI Battalion is part of the 201st MI BDE and represents the nucleus of I Corps' intelligence support.
