HISTORY OF COMPANY H

By

Cpl R.C. Lloyd

Co H, 196th Infantry Regiment, was recognized as a National Guard unit in Watertown, SD on 19 Nov. 46.   Upon recognition, Co H consisted of three officers and 19 enlisted men.  The company originated primarily from the 43rd Signal Company, which had a long and honorable record during World War II.

In the summer of 1948, Co H attended its first encampment at Camp Rapid, Rapid City, SD.   Training under adverse weather conditions, the unit participated in the firing of small arms and unit tactics by squads and platoon.

In 1949 the summer training encampment was held at Camp Ripley, MN.  This was a continuation of the training at Camp Rapid, plus a considerable amount of work with the crew-served weapons.  The machine gun platoon and 81 mm mortar platoon did enough firing to familiarize the members with some of the possibilities and limitations of their weapons.

The training at Camp McCoy, WI, in 1950, was of a more advanced type than any previously and several problems were conduced in company, battalion and regimental strength.

When the company was organized on 19 Nov. 46, Cpt Molstad was the CO and acted in that capacity until January of 1949 when he moved to Aberdeen, SD.  At that time 1st Lt Edward O Scharn became CO.  In July of 1949 Lt Scharn received his promotion to captain.

In May of 1949 the company was called out to search for the body of Mr Fred Barber.   His boat overturned during a squall while he was fishing on Lake Kampeska, near Watertown, SD.  The search covered a period of two days and three nights.  In appreciation for the Guard's effort and cooperation, Mrs Barber presented Co H with a memorial plaque.

By directive of the President of the United States and Headquarters Fifth Army, General Order 119, dated 7 Aug. 50, Co H was ordered into active federal service on 1 Sep 50.

At that time the company consisted of five officers and 68 enlisted men.  The first seven days after activation were spent at the National Guard Armory in Watertown.   A kitchen was set up and quarters were provided for the soldiers living out of town.  This time was spent making out reports and forms, taking examinations and other necessary actions required to enter active duty.  The supply section was busy getting the equipment packed and loaded on trucks.  The convoy of vehicles left Watetown for Camp Carson, CO on 6 Sep 50 with the remainder of the company following by train on 7 Sep.

The company arrived at Camp Carson on 9 Sep, assembled in the assigned area and immediately began setting up housekeeping.  The buildings hadn't been used for quite some time and consequently were run-down.  Within a week, the area was better looking, with grass and weeds cut,  buildings cleaned and the men of Co H beginning Army training.  The training consisted of basic soldiering for the new men of the company and advanced basic and cadre training for the NCO's and instructors.

In November of 1950, 93 filler personnel came in for training from Ft Ord, CA to bring the company up to T/O strength of six officers and 160 enlisted men.

Training progressed under adverse weather and consisted of basic squad and platoon training of the soldier.  Later, range firing of basic and crew-serve weapons, infiltration and overhead artillery fire, as well as squad and platoon tactics, continued for 14 weeks.

With the war in Korea taking  a heavy toll of casualties, men were being called as replacements, always leaving with the feeling that they had accustomed themselves to Army life and were ready and willing to fight for their country.