HISTORY OF HEADQUARTERS COMPANY

By

By Cpl F. T. Malone

Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Second Battalion, 196th Infantry Regiment, was activated at DeSmet, SD on 6 Sept. 47, with Capt. Maurice F Wika commanding.   Three officers and 16 enlisted men were sworn in that evening.  It was decided drills would be held on Wednesday nights.  Lt. Col. Lund was appointed battalion commander on 24 Sept. 47.

The company (four officers and 20 enlisted men) attended field training at Camp Rapid, Rapid City, SD form 13 June to 27 June 48.

The second year the company attended field training at Camp Ripley, MN from 11 June to 26 June 49 with five officers and 46 enlisted men attending.  The third year the company attended field training at Camp McCoy,WI from 11 June to 26 June 50.  Seven officers and 46 out of 47 enlisted men attended this camp.

On 1 July 48, Lt. Col. Francis C Bartle assumed command of the battalion, relieving Lt. Col. Lund, who was assigned a post with the South Dakota Adjutant General's Office at Rapid City.  A military ball was sponsored each year by this company while at it's home station to promote good will and as an incentive for future recruits.

By direction of the President of the United States and HQ 5th Army, General Order 119, dated 7 Aug. 50, the regiment was ordered on extended active duty beginning 1 Sept. 50.  The company's kitchen was set up on the school grounds next to the armory and put into operation 1 Sept.  While at the home station company personnel received physical examinations and completed other preparations for the movement to Camp Carson, CO.

An advanced detachment, composed of 2nd Lt. Merril V Ericson, Sgt. Lee R Burns and Sgt. James P Coughlink left on 4 Sept. for Camp Carson.  The motor convoy left on 8 Sept. and the main body  left on 8 Sept. by rail.

During the months of September and October ;the men received cadre training.  During the last part of October, 1st Lt. Howard W Whipple, from Newfane, VT was assigned to the company with duties as P&A platoon leader.  During the first part of November the company received the first filler personnel, bringing the company up to normal strength.  Since then, several groups of newly induced soldiers have taken their basic training with this company.  On 1 DEC Capt. Wika was assigned to HQ 2nd Bn with duties as S1 and Lt. Whipple assumed command the company.

The company had been bivouacking in the mountains and participating in daily maneuvers during the spring months.