C Btry

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

HISTORY OF C BATTERY

By

Sgt O.B. Madden

On 22 March 47. Battery C, 147th Field Artillery Battalion, stationed at Canton, S. D., began its present career with the Army. A meeting was held by Capt. Wallace Moore in which 19 men were enlisted. The first steps were made to knit the unit into the fine cooperating organization that it is today. Assisting Capt. Moore were 1st Lt. Ralph A. Cammack and 1st Lt. Donald Van Bockern. Three enlisted men of the battery were sent to Ft. Benning. Ga., in October of 1947 to attend the Mechanics School for five months.

The battery lost its commander in January 1948, when Capt. Moore was transferred to Headquarters, 147th FA Bn. Capt. Anson Yeager assumed command until May 1948, when Capt. Moore returned. During Capt. Moore's absence six sergeants were enlisted and one is still a member of the organization. ·

Many interesting experiences may be recalled of the summer camp held at Camp Rapid, Rapid City. S. D., from 11 through 25 June 48. The different phases of training were covered by classes and demonstrations. In August 1948, Btry C again lost Capt. Moore to Hq, 147th FA Bn. The vacancy he left was filled by Capt. John E. Kessel. Lt. Howard Opheim joined the unit soon after and brought the officer strength to three.

An explosion at the Catholic Church in Marion, S. D., in the spring of 1949, immediately brought the battery to the scene of the disaster. The men helped clear wreckage and did all that was possible to aid. Letters of commendation were received by the men who participated.  Lt. Opheim became Battery Commander at the second summer camp held at Camp Ripley, Minn., from 11 to 26 June 49. The operation of a field artillery battery was put into practice and the knowledge obtained proved to be of great value.

During the month of June 1950, Capt. David Suter assumed command of the battery and accompanied it to Camp McCoy, Wis., for the third summer camp. Upon the return of the battery to home station, Capt. Kessel again assumed the duties of Battery Commander.

The opening of the conflict between Communism and the Democratic form of government in Korea in June 1950 coupled with the setbacks suffered by United Nations troops brought the United States to a crisis. On 7 Aug. 50 the 196th Regimental Combat Team was alerted for active military service. Capt. Robert D. Chalberg, former battalion adjutant, became battery commander on 9 Aug. 50. Intensive training programs were geared into action. Classes in arms and ammunition, communication and transportation were held in conjunction with infantry drill regulations. Unending effort was required to prepare the battery for a change of station. Records had to be maintained of the personnel and equipment, all articles had to be prepared and packed for shipment and physical examinations had to be given.

The battery was officially activated on 1 Sept. 50.  On 6 Sept. 50, a truck convoy departed for Camp Carson, Colo., and on 8 Sept. the balance of the personnel entrained for the same destination.  On arrival at Camp Carson, the unit was sent to its assigned area and the long tiresome task of cleaning the area began.  After a few weeks, a pre-basic training program divided into two groups, cadre and filler, began and later developed into normal basic training. In the month of November 1950, replacements were received, bringing the battery to TO&E strength. The training was reverted to the beginning and started anew. The capability and willingness of the new men to learn made the job of discipline far easier.

In December the majority of the men were restless and uneasy and this became more prevalent as the days passed. Near Christmas an order permitting 50 percent of the battery a five day furlough, eased the tension. This was repeated for New Years. Morale was at a high level in the battery following these leaves.  Through the months several officers have been added to the battery staff. Among them were 1st Lt. Russell C. Keck, 1st Lt. Byron Ferguson, 1st Lt. Myles Dahlgren, 2nd Lt. Eugene I.Lead, and WOJG Lawrence Dodd. Officers who were assigned and later transferred are 1st Lt. Harold Pechtal, now with Svc Btry, WOJG Adrain Reiersan, now with Hq Btry` and 1st Lt. Donald Berry, now serving in Korea.

The enlisted grades represented in the battery are composed of National Guardsmen, Regular Army men and Enlisted Reservists. Promotions and advancement in the battery have been exceptionally good. Nearly all of the NCO`s in the battery have received their promotions while at Camp Carson:  The battery has completed its basic training, taken the Battery Test Number One, and is striving to fulfill its mission of providing a firing component of the 105 mm howitzer battalion and furnish its portion of the battalion observation, communications and survey systems.