HISTORY OF C COMPANY

By

Sgt. D. D. Snesrud

On 7 Mar 47, the South Dakota National Guard organized a unit at Yankton, SD, which was previous to World War II, the home of Battery E, 147th FA Bn, considered one of the best in the state.  Company C was organized with three officer, Cpt Donald Perry, Lt W.C. Davidson and Lt Fred Kessler and 32 EM, Pvts D Anderson, D. R Booth, V. M. Booth, A. Cacek, H. W. Danford, H. H. Danford, R.J Dricson, M.M. Gerken, K.E. Grimm, C.H. Hicks, C.J. Hladky, W.Holbrook, C.L. Horacek, W. T.Jacobs, P.A. Jacobsen, E.J. Lanctot, J.L. Lanctot, C.G. Larson, L.B. Lubbers, V.G. Miller, D.G. Modereger, H.J. Modereger, G.W. Pike, W.L. Rienmuth, R.W. Ryle, A.A. Sadler, W.J. Six, M.B. Sorensen, J.W. Sprague, H.R. Talbot, W.W. Welfl and D.P. Zink

Co C attended it's first summer encampment at Camp Rapid, Rapid City, SD from 13 to 27 Jun 48 with three officers and 54 EM.  During this period Edward J Lanctot received his commission as second lieutenant.  Lt Kessler was returned to home station at Yankton to set up a recruiting campaign which brought 38 new recruits into the unit.  Training however at Camp Rapid was hindered by unusual weather during the entire two weeks.

The second encampment was held at Camp Ripley, MN from 11 to 26 Jun 49 with four officers and 88 EM attending.  At this time Paul Jacobsen received his commission as second lieutenant.  Unlike Camp Rapid, the weather was clear and considerable work was done on squad and platoon tactics in the field.  A different phase of training, Air Transportability, was introduced and all members of the company witnessed the paratroop jump which concluded the new school and the encampment.

The third encampment was held at Camp McCoy, WI from11 to 26 Jun 50 with five officers and 63 EM attending.  Clifford Hicks was commissioned as second lieutenant and 2nd Lt Lanctot was promoted to first lieutenant. 

Seven  officers and 70 EM reported at Yankton on on 1 Sep 50 to become active members of the Army.  The first few days were spent in the armory preparing for the movement to Camp Carson, CO.  An advance detail left Yankton on 4 Sep by vehicle arriving in on 7 Sep.  The remainder of the company boarded a troop train 7 Sep and arrived at Camp Carson 9 Sep.

The first days at Camp Carson were busy ones for the men as there were plenty of weeds and grass to be removed and the barracks needed a great deal of cleaning.   After this period of "housecleaning" the men started their training which at first consisted of cadre training.  One hundred thirty six men came to the company on 1 Nov 50.  For the following 14 weeks, concluding during the middle of February, a regular basic training cycle was carried on by the company.  At the end of this time most of these new men left the unit for reassignment.

The men of Co C have found the training which they have received since their arrival at Camp Carson very interesting.  The Army had spend considerable time and energy in bringing training exhibits and demonstrations to Camp Carson for use with the 196th Regt.  Camp Carson yields itself to military training.  The rolling terrain broken by abrupt ridges and crevices to the south of the garrison and the jagged rocky mountain cliffs to the west offer nearly any of the types of terrain that may be encountered in the future.  The Camp also has a fine assortment of combat courses and firing ranges.  Co C had a chance to take advantage of all these training assets.

The garrison life was above average in that the camp had many fine recreational features.  The mountains are close and week-end tours were a common experience in the Rocky Mountain vacation land.  Where ever Co C goes, the first eight months of active duty will be remembered as ones of rich military training as well as many happy off duty hours.