A Btry

Up Hq Btry Svc Btry A Btry B Btry C Btry Medical Det

HISTORY OF A BATTERY

By

Lt B.A. Szczurek

After a superior record in World War II in the Southwest Pacific as part of the 158th RCT, South Dakota's historic 147th Field Artillery Battalion returned to South Dakota   as a National Guard Battalion.  Sioux Falls, S. D., was honored again by the reorganization of Btry A. 147th FA Bn in the Coliseum on 17 Dec. 46, receiving Federal recognition on 16 Feb. 47. At the reorganization the battery had Capt. Jarl Brokow as commanding officer and 10 enlisted men : Donald B. Dummermuth, William F. Engles, Walter F. Erickson, Ernest L. Harms, Stanley R. Hudelson, James C. Kuborn, Launey P Miller, Merle S. Smith, Kenyon E. Thorson. and William F. Truman. James C. Kuborn. who is now a warrant officer, is the only man of the original 10 still belonging to the battery. He was full time personnel man for Btry A until induction into federal service 1 Sept. 50.

The year of 1947 was a busy one, including the organization of the unit and the drawing of initial equipment. The unit did not attend summer camp in 1947. 1st Lt. James Cain joined Btry A as executive officer on 25 Mar 47. Walter Erickson was the first sergeant the day of recognition. Ernest V. Hoffman took over the duties of first sergeant and Walter Erickson and Ernest V. Hoffman were promoted to first sergeant in 1947.  The first federal inspection was held 1 Dec. 47.  The year ended with a battery strength of two officers and 45 enlisted men.

Many interesting events occurred during 1948. The first howitzer and a 2 1/2 ton prime mover was received on 17 February of that year. Btry A went by rail to the first encampment at Camp Rapid, S. D., with one officer and 25 EM.  Although few men attended and it rained 11 of the 13 days it was a memorable camp. The second howitzer and five more trucks were obtained at that camp making it possible for the battery to return by motor convoy to Sioux Falls.

Capt. Anson A Yeager took over command of the battery on 21 July 48. Sgt. Bernard A. Szczurek went to work as battery caretaker. Edward L. Hawks was promoted to first sergeant on 1 Nov. The second federal inspection was held on 3 Nov. 48, and a superior rating was obtained. First sergeant Ernest V. Hoffman was commissioned a second lieutenant on 31 March and Glen Shingeldecker took his place as first sergeant at the time.  The following year was a progressive one filled with new events. On 11 June 49, the battery went by motor convoy to Camp .Ripley, Minn., for a two week encampment.  Much progress was shown over the preceding year. The battery returned with three officers and 51 EM.

James C. Kuborn was promoted to first sergeant 11 Oct. 49. Capt. Paul H. Peterson assumed command of Btry A on 14 Oct. 49, and Capt. Yeager was put in command of Hq Btry.   Sgt. Arthur L. Smith became caretaker for Btry A and Sgt. Bernard A. Szczuardk transferred to Hq Btry.  Pvt Ronald L. Preston was discharged from the Guard to enlist in the Regular Army, and was listed as missing in action 1 November 50 in Korea.   Sgt. Eugene C. Leao was commissioned a second lieutenant 16 Nov. 49. Federal inspection was held 3 Nov. 49 and once more the battery obtained a superior rating.

The year of 1950 was the most outstanding for Btry A. 1st Sgt. Kuborn was appointed warrant officer. Upon rejoining Btry A, Edward L. Hawks was promoted to first sergeant. On 11 June 50, Btry A went by motor convoy to Camp McCoy. Wis., for the 16-day encampment. At camp, the men lived in barracks for the first time. Eighty-seven percent qualified with the carbine and the howitzers were fired with great success. Four officers and 45 enlisted men made the return trip to Sioux Falls the same day that the United States received news of fighting in Korea.

First Sergeant Edward L. Hawks and Sgt. Edward J. Tighe were commissioned as second lieutenants, and Sgt. Robert L. Cain was made first sergeant on 1 July 50.  There were no drills in July, but with the Korean development, the men kept close contact   with  the battery. On 7 Aug. the unit received the pre-induction alert. Drills were stepped up to three nights a week. and a vigorous recruiting campaign was conducted during the pre-induction period. The strength of the battery rose from 45 EM to 75 EM. Much of this month was spent in ; processing, taking physicals and packing to be ready for entry into federal service. On 22 Aug. 50, Capt. Peterson, 2nd Lt. Hawks, Sgt. Osborn, supply sergeant, and Cpl. Knutson, clerk, went on active duty  to carry out the mission. First sergeant Cain blew the reveille whistle for the first time at 0700 on 1 Sept. 50, and the men were officially entered on their tour of active duty.

All the men were present and proceeded into their first chow line in the Coliseum. Strenuous days followed and after night chow the men returned home to sleep. On 5 Sept. 50, the motor convoy commanded by 2nd Lt. Hoffman left with all equipment, for Camp Carson. Colo. On 7 Sept. 50, the remainder of the 147th FA Bn met in Sioux Falls and boarded the train bound for camp. A tremendous group of families, friends and well wishers gathered at the stationed to see the boys off.  Btry A arrived on 8 Sept. and after a short motor convoy in pouring rain reached their new home, which did not appear to be in good shape. The first few weeks were spent in housekeeping and getting settled. The battalion began an interim training program for cadre instructors and filler personnel in preparation for the training of draftee fillers who were to arrive for 29 weeks of basic training. 

The first military wedding in Btry , A was the marriage of Pvt. Paul McGinty to Miss Helen Quam on 18 Oct. 50. The wedding was held in the chapel and attended by all of the battery. A huge wedding cake was baked by Sgt. Herbert Cain and his cooks for the reception which was held at the Btry A Mess Hall.

The first draftee filler personnel were received in November 1950 and more arrived in December and January until Btry A became a home for men from all over the nation. A bitter but friendly rivalry for supremacy in sports developed between South Dakota men and   the men from the East. Though the athletic rivalry still rages. the boys from the East have become part and partner of the battery, taking over their duties with vigor   and a great aptitude for learning.

During January, Btry A sent the first of a number of men to as assignments overseas. These men were released reluctantly but proudly sent with  the firm conviction that any job assigned would be carried out with efficiency and promptness.  These men are now serving with the United Nations forces in Korea.  With basic training out of the way, Btry A prepared for battery tests which were conducted in the month of April. The men were glad to start working in the field and put to practical use the many hard and tedious hours in the classrooms: The men soon proved that the long hours were not wasted and the battery worked with smoothness and efficiency.