This is when it all began, 52 years ago. The general order which activated the 196th RCT and affected the lives of all of you reading this document. The telegram below was received by the company commander of I company, 3rd Battalion.  I assume that all company commanders received a similar telegram from The Adjutant General of South Dakota.

Fifth Army General Order 119, dated 7 Aug 50 which ordered the 196th Infantry, 147th FA Battalion  and the 200th Engineer Combat Company and twelve other National Guard units, including the 109th Engineer Combat Battalion from South Dakota, to active duty.   The Engineer battalion was composed of units stationed throughout the Black Hills of South Dakota.  After a period of training at Ft Bragg, NC the 109th was shipped to Germany when the 196th went to Alaska.

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