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Atchison's National Guard UnitThe follow ng, by (’apt. John F. Cogan, commander of Company E, Atchison’s National Guard unit, is a brief historical sketch entitled “Twenty Years of National Guard in Atchison.” ( apt. Cogan and his men are urging a “Yes’* vote in the April election for a new National Guard armory for Atchison.Due to the world situation in December. 1940. Atchison's Na tional Guard unit — known then as Company A — was mobilized for a vear of active duty train mg.In January. 1941. the unit departed for Little Rock, Ark., some 90-odd strong. Upon arrival there some of the men were transferred to other branches of the armed forces. Some time later, while training in California, part of the company was split up and sent to the Pacific theater of warEventually Company A w e n t with the 35th Division to the European theater and took an active part in the fall of Hitler's Germany. One action was the famous Battle of the Bulge.Of the original num!er of men who left Atchison that January day in 1941 lo gave their livesfor their country. Nine were killed in action and one in line of duty.They are the following: ElmoKoehler Richard Blair, ClintonEhret, Hayes Harmon, jr.. CarlRice, John Shrout, Ray Lyons, Chester Jessip, Charles Shoekey and Willie Weldon.1’he survivors of Company A wmn many decorations. Purple Hearts, and combat i n f a n try badges. They served their country for from three to five years.In 1947 the Guard unit was reorganized with the aid of some former Company A personnel and was redesignated Company E, commanded by U. F. Gardner.The company was alerted in 19 51 for the Kansas City flood and was on dutv for 11 davs again in 1952.The company was 50 alerted for the Missouri flood, and was on duty at edge of Atchison for fiveIn 1952 Dick Nashpercent river the cast days, assumed1956com-looting and to prevent the curious from being injured. The Guard also worked in conjunction with the local Red Cross chapter which furnished food. C o m pany E’s cooks prepared ard served over 1,100 meals to the public and provided 50 cots and blankets for needy residents. The Guard provided LFM Mfg. Co. writh a craneinrestoring* theplantcommand of the unit until when John Cogan assumed in and.Again in 1958 the company was alerted for the Atchison storm disaster and was on duty for three days assisting Atchison police in guarding the downtown area fromtruck to aid to order.Today the U.S. faces a world situation similar to 20 years ago—but on a much larger scale. In view of this all units of regular army and reserves have been switched to pentomic unit organt zat ion.Remembering 30 years ago, we had a year to prepare for World War 11 Today we may be lucky if we have a few days.A new- National Guard armory for Atchison would be a special purpose building designed by the Dept, of the Army for maximum efficiency.Atchison's Company E ri f 1 e company is presently rated as the No 2 rifle company in Kansas. It is a unit tlie community can be proud of. and is steadily growing in size. But it needs a d e quate training facilities It needs a newarmorv
Newspaper Details
Atchison Daily Globe
Atchison, Kansas, US
Thu, Mar 23, 1961
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
CO, USA 10 Dec 2024
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