HISTORY OF 3RD BATTALION

Lt Col Harold V Christianson, Lead, SD

On Mar 20 1947 the third battalion was formed with Hq & Hq Co in Edgemont, SD, commanded by Harry Peters; Co I of Winner, SD with Cpt Darrell Taylor commanding; Co K of Mobridge, SD with Lt Zimmer commanding; Co L of Lead with Cpt Jeff Moye commanding and Co M Custer, SD with Cpt Harry Woodward commanding. 

Those who attended the 1948 encampment at Camp Rapid will long remember the unseasonable weather during the two weeks period in June.  Despite the almost daily rains, the battalion made considerable progress in its individual training program.   The first week was spent primarily in weapons training,with each man given the opportunity to fire his individual weapons for record.  All crew-served weapons were fired also.  The second week was devoted to squad and platoon tactics.    Col Christian's staff at that summer camp consisted of:  Maj Charles Colgan of Hot Springs, as executive officer; Capt Dane Conger of Buffalo Gap, SD as intelligence officer; Capt James Hughes of Lead, as plans and training officer, and Lt Robert Tubbs of Edgemont, as supply officer.  

In June 1949 the 3rd Bn was again brought together for summer camp at Camp Ripley, MN.  This encampment proved to be more profitable than the one held in 1948.   Almost perfect weather conditions prevailed during the two weeks at Ripley.  A considerable improvement in training facilitates was found at Ripley as compared to Camp Rapid.  Major Colgan and Cpt Conger were on Lt Col Christianson's staff as the year before.  Additions to the staff were Cpt Conrad Benson of Rapid City as adjutant and Cpt Marvin Scott of Mobridge as supply officer.  Changes in company commanders from the 1948 encampment found Lt Tubbs commanding Hq Co, Cpt Nardeth Pooley commanding Co K and Cpt Hughes commanding Co L.

Redesignation of units of the South Dakota National Guard, which took place in September of 1949, gave the 3rd battalion almost complete changes in the location of units.  The only company not affected by the changes was Hq Co at Edgemont.   Co A at Madsion, SD, Co I at Winner reversed designations resulting in Madison becoming the home station of 3rd Bn's Co I.  Co F at Huron and Co K at Mobridge likewise reversed designations, resulting in Huron becoming Co K .  Co L at Lead was placed in the 109th Engineer Battalion and was replaced by a newly organized Co L at Miller, SD.  Co M at a Custer was redesignated the 200th Engineer Combat Co and Brookings, SD became the home station of Co M.

The third post-war summer Camp of the South Dakota National Guard was held at Camp McCoy, WI.  Changes in the battalion staff from the year before found Cpt Scott as intelligence officer, Cpt Louis Akers of Hot Springs as supply officer and Lt Jay Hendrickson of Rochford, SD as assistant plans and training officer.  The battalion also had an almost completely new list of company commanders at that summer camp, with Cpt Milo Natwick of Madison commanding Co I , Cpt James Hyldahl of Huron commanding Co K , Lt Rex Jordeth of Miller commanding Co L and Cpt Dale Brchan of Brookings commanding Co M.

It was on the trip home to South Dakota from Camp McCoy that the news of the invasion of South Korea was broadcast.  A common question in the minds of the men was, "How long will it be before we are back in uniform?"  A very specific answer was given a little over a month later when on 7 August the announcement was made that the 196th Infantry Regiment would be called to federal service on 1 Sept for duty at Camp Carson, CO.  During the month of August all units were kept busy preparing to enter federal service and to move to Camp Carson.

By 9 Sept all units had completed their rail and motor movements to Camp Carson and were soon ready to launch a long and intensive training program.  Lt Col Christianson's staff at the time consisted of Major Dane Conger as executive officer, Cpt Louis Akers as adjutant. Cpt Marvin Scott as intelligence officer, Cpt Conrad Benson as plans and training officer, and Lt Jay Hendrickson as supply officer.  Company commanders were:  Lt Donald Coolidge commanding Hq  Co, Cpt Milo Natwick Co I, Lt Kenneth Wider Co K, Lt Rex Jordeth Co L and Cpt Dale Brchan Co M.  Hq Co came to Camp Carson with two officers and 37 EM, Co I with two officers and 48 EM, Co K with three officers and 65 EM, Co L with two officers and 28 EM and Co M with five officers and 48 EM.

Since the battalion was considerably under strength, it was not possible to start the 28 weeks training program prescribed by Army Field Forces.  While waiting for filler personnel to bring the battalion to full strength two phases of training were carried on in the battalion  one phase was called cadre training and was given to the NCO"s and others with previous training.  The other phases   was called filler training and was given to all untrained personnel of the battalion.

On 9 Oct 50 the battalion received its first fillers, a group of 29 men inducted one week before at Ft Sam Houston, TX.  By 20 Nov the battalion had received enough fillers from Ft Sill, OK, Ft George G Meade, MD and Ft Sam Houston to be at full strength.

The 28 week training program was launched on 27 Nov.  Individual basic training, the first phase of the program lasted until 17 Feb 51.  During this phase the fillers qualified in their individual and crew served weapons and got a taste of life in the field during a bivouac in January.  In January the fillers went through he Infiltration Course and on their last day of basic training they went through the Overhead Artillery Course.  From 19 Feb to 31 Mar, the battalion conducted training in squad and platoon tactics, and the men learned the importance of team work in battle.   From 2 Apr to 5 May the battalion participated in company level training. Battalion level field problems were conducted during the three week period of 7 May to 26 May.

On 1 May 51, Lt Col Christianson's staff consisted of:  Maj Conger, executive officer; Maj Delmar L Oaks, plans and training officer; Cpt Benson, Adjutant: Cpt James Hyldahl, intelligence officer; and Cpt Milo Natwick, supply officer.   Company commanders were: Lt Coolidge, Hq Co; Lt Thomas Allen, Co I; Capt John Salem, Co K; Capt Robert Heuser, Co L and Lt Frederick Goss, Co M.