Mitchell's SD Guard company born 50 years ago

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In recognition of the South Dakota National Guard’s 150 years of service to the state and nation from 1862 to 2012, the Guard is publishing significant dates in the history of the organization all year long.

On this day in 1953, the birth of the 100th Ordnance Company took place in Mitchell, and Capt. James Zard, Warrant Officer Charles Summers, 1st Sgt. Ellis Egan, Sgt. 1st Class Arnold Bullis, Sgt. 1st Class Clarence Kapsch, Sgt. 1st Class Robert Rew, and Privates Warren Crowley, Ronald Nicholson, Lloyd Puepke, Faye Stumm and Richard Tracy were sworn in at their first drill.

Federal recognition of the 100th Ordnance Company was obtained when 10 percent of the authorized strength of the unit was met.

This provided a cadre for the unit.

Later in the year, several military technicians that had been working at the Combined Support Maintenance Shop (CSMS) in Rapid City transferred to Mitchell as soon as the new shop was completed. They included 1st Lt. Howard Nelson, Master Sgt. Robert Rothlisberger, Master Sgt. Clair Oleson, Master Sgt. George Drew, Staff Sgt. Francis Schaefer, and Staff Sgt. William Mahrt.

These soldiers had all just recently returned from Alaska, where they had completed their federal activation tour with the 196th Regimental Combat Team. The unit was reorganized on Nov. 1, 1956, and became the 665th Heavy Equipment Maintenance Company.

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