126th Regimental Association April 2024 Newsletter

126th Regimental Association

Fall Meeting and Dinner

Our annual meeting and dinner will return once again to the Grand Valley Armory, 1200 44th Street SW in Wyoming, on Saturday evening, October 5, 2024. We’d love to see you attend and participate in all of the activities, so put this on your calendar:

1600 hrs – Historical archive room in the armory will be open for anyone interested in looking around and seeing what we’ve been working on

1700 hrs – Annual Business Meeting in the Red Arrow Room

1800 hrs – Social in the NCO Club

1845 hrs – Opening formalities followed by a delicious dinner in the NCO Club Freedom Room); drawings and other activities will follow

3rd Bn 126th Infantry Update Training for the Crucible

After completing XCTC 23-01 (eXportable Combat Training Capability) last year at Ft. McCoy, the IRON Battalion’s training schedule has not slowed down. In anticipation of conducting Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) Rotation 24-08 at Fort Johnson, Louisiana, with the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3-126 Inf soldiers have spent the last nine months preparing themselves, their equipment, and their subordinates for the tough task ahead.

The IRON Battalion soldiers began their train up last September and October, focusing on individual soldier tasks like land navigation and individual weapons qualification. The battalion has since focused on driver’s training and squad and the platoon situational training exercise (STX). Prior to conducting JRTC 24-08, the IRON Battalion will culminate its lead up training by conducting a force-on-force Company Field Training Exercise (FTX). This event, occurring during the April drill, gives the IRON Battalion soldiers a small taste of what force on force training will be like at JRTC. In addition to this FTX, the battalion will also conduct gunnery for the weapons company and consolidate mortar qualification during April in order to meet JRTC training prerequisites.

JRTC is the premier training center focused on training brigade combat teams to conduct large scale operations on a decisive action battlefield against a near-peer threat with multi-domain capabilities. This crucible begins 29 May and ends 27 June

April 2024 Newsletter

2024. The rotation includes rigorous deployment and redeployment operations exercising the logistical capabilities of the battalion, four days of company live fire exercises, and ten days of force-on-force training.

Completing the Army’s crucible training event is a necessary step for the battalion as it begins preparation for potential mobilization in Training Year 2025. The soldiers of the IRON Battalion are eagerly anticipating this rotation as an opportunity to prove their capabilities as the best warfighters in the Michigan Army National Guard.

Home Stations

A lot of changes have been made in National Guard force structure over the past 25+ years, so we thought we should bring everyone up to date on the current stationing of 3rd Battalion units:

HHC 3d Bn 126th Infantry – Wyoming GVA

Company A 3-126 Inf – Detroit Light Guard Armory

Company B 3-126 Inf – Wyoming GVA

Company C 3-126 Inf – Dowagiac

Company D 3-126 Inf - Cadillac

Company I 132nd BSB – Wyoming GVA

Regiment on Parade

The Grand Rapids-based regimental headquarters and several companies paraded up Monroe Avenue sometime around the Mexican Border War of 1916 (32nd Regiment) and World War I (126th Infantry Regiment) of 1917-18. The precise date is uncertain. Some of these buildings are still there including the Pantlind Hotel at the very back end of the parade which was built in 1913. The color guard is just left of center. The photo was taken by the Camera Shop which is no longer in business.

Secretary’s & Treasurer’s Reports

Active members: 395

Missing members: 293

Note: Membership cards are now available. If you would like one, contact our secretary, Jim Norton, at james.m.norton126@gmail.com and we will send it with our next mailing at the end of summer.

New member since last mailing:

Jennifer Bautista-Baldo Benjamin Hryciuk

Mickey Bost

Tommy Brann

Cameron Brauer

Jeremiah Bryant

Adrien Loiselle

Elijah Luneke

Robert Mason

Leo Moskowitz

Rollin Carter II Zachariah Parks

Stanley Colten

Adam Conrad

Veronica Cornejo

David Philo

Anthony Przybyla III

Benjamin Ray

Mitchell Dobson-Green Sullivan Runion

Dru Duffee

Samuel Fivecoat

Shelby Flory

Jason Slone

Jonathan Tacket

Moundamadou Tall

Soraida Garcia-Godinez Cole Truitt

Marshall Halas Jacob Yingling

Reported deceased since our annual meeting:

Glenn Dubbink

Elaine Buys

Hilding Peterson

Marion Lamb

Ray Hintz Jr.

George Anthony

Missing members since the last mailing:

Jeffrey L. Agnew-Chaffin

Robert Garcia

Gabriel Sanger

Treasurer’s “Snapshot” Report as of 29 February 2024:

Checking $ 3,898.91

Savings 5,014.13

CD 2,504.25

CD 2,254.81

Total $ 13,672.10

Legacy Fund Balance $ 8,342.63

General Fund Balance $ 5,329.47

Legacy Fund Donors

Our Legacy Fund exists to receive donations from our members that are used specifically to support the work in our archive room, collecting, identifying, preserving, and presenting on the many historical items and information we

have accumulated. It also goes towards efforts to maintain a high level of awareness as to the history of our regiment and its units.

We need the support of our membership to continue this journey. Our archive room is typically open on Wednesday mornings (9 am-noon) and during other special events. If you want to stop in but are not sure if we are open, give Bill Sobotka a call at the number, below.

Thank you to the 34 donors who contributed $4,180 to the Legacy Fund last year. Special thanks to 12 donors who gave multiple times.

Ben J. Landheer (2)

COL(ret) Bruce Whitman

William Streelman

Ruth Wierenga

Wellington (Bill) & Laurel Miller (2)

COL(ret) David Ratajik (2)

Vernia McCullough (2)

SGM(ret) Jerry H Kline (2)

Elda Jackson (2)

James Luce (2)

COL(ret) Howard Becker (2)

Mary Jacobs

Tom Wallace

Charles R Nagtzaam

Matthew Vanacker

John Voreis

MAJ(ret) Gerald & Delores Sadowski

Darle VanderSchuur

John & Loretta Johnson (2)

Walt Draeger (2)

BG Warren Lawrence

MSG(ret) Cliff Mulder (2)

COL(ret) Gary Wainwright

Paul Essenburg

CW4 Patrick J. Bourdon

William Stellin

Jim & Fran Norton

Nancy Durham

LTC Diana Sluhan

COL (ret) Ken & Theresa McCreary

SFC (ret) Calvin Wierda

BG (ret) Gary J. & Janet Tellier

MAJ (ret) Will Nieboer

LTC Anthony Przybyla III

Donations in memory of:

Capt Gerard A. Streelman

COL Mel Wierenga

Donald Gearhart (Korea)

Paul Fosburg

Robert F Strong

SFC Clayton Jackson

MG Cecil Simmons

Stephen M Jacobs

CWO Mike Haan

CWO Ralph Schmidt

LTC William Byl

CW4 John M. Miller, USMC

Rex Reinhart

CSM Lester Ott

Hilding A. Peterson

BG Charles Lamoreaux

COL Harry J. Sobotka

2023-24 Association Officers

President SFC Mark DeYoung

1st Vice President SSG (Ret) Cal Wierda

2nd Vice President BG (Ret) Phil Owens

Secretary 1SG (Ret) James Norton

Treasurer LTC (Ret) Bill Sobotka

Historian/Archivist LTC (Ret) David Britten

Historian Emeritus. CW4 (Ret) Darle VanderSchuur

Sgt-At-Arms SFC (Ret) Dean Crowell

Chaplain SFC (Ret) Bill Witte

Immed. Past Pres. 1SG (Ret) John Johnson

3-126 Bn Cdr LTC Anthony J. Pryzbyla

The 126th Regimental Association newsletter is published twice yearly and mailed or emailed to all active association members. Inquiries regarding the association and this newsletter should be made to:

LTC (Ret) Bill Sobotka (616) 531-3295

99 Skyline Circle NW BillSobotka@prodigy.net Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Purple Heart

Last year, Dr. Chris Petras appeared at the 126th Regimental Archive Room in the Grand Valley Armory in pursuit of historical details regarding Grand Haven’s Company F. He’s been back quite often in his quest to ensure that any soldier who earned the Purple Heart medal should receive one. We asked Chris to tell us more about his story, and he shared this online interview with us.

In 2019, Charles A. Conklin American Legion Post 28 Grand Haven celebrated their 100th anniversary. As a member of the Post’s Sons of the American Legion Squadron 28 Grand Haven, I wanted to learn more about the Post and the Post’s namesake. I began the journey of writing a book and coproducing and co-directing a documentary film on the 100year evolution of Post 28 and the life and military service of Charles A. Conklin. The documentary was broadcast on regional PBS stations.

Along the way, I discovered several soldiers who were raised in West Michigan and served in the courageous 126th Infantry/Regiment, 32nd “Red Arrow” Division which

was instrumental in breaking the German line and subsequent victory over the German forces in November 1918. Many of the West Michigan “Red Arrow” Division soldiers were either wounded in action, died of wounds received in action, or were killed in action.

Charles A. Conklin, was raised in Grand Haven but moved to Ohio after high school, enlisting in the Ohio National Guard. He died of wounds received in action. Digging deeper, I discovered 22 soldiers, including Sgt. Alvin Jonker VFW Post 2326 Grand Haven namesake, Alvin F. Jonker, who was raised in Grand Haven and enlisted in Michigan National Guard Company F Grand Haven. All served in the 126th Infantry/Regiment and were either wounded in action, died of wounds received in action, or were killed in action. I wondered if Conklin and the other 22 soldiers had ever received a Purple Heart medal.

The Purple Heart medal is awarded to U.S. military servicepersons who are either wounded in action, died of wounds received in action, or killed in action. I reached out to my U.S. Representative at the time, Bill Huizenga, who immediately offered to assist.

When Conklin’s letter of eligibility status arrived, it was disappointing. In 1973, the military service records of Conklin and thousands of other WWI soldiers were consumed in a major warehouse fire just outside St. Louis, Missouri. Things looked bleak, until a couple days later, when I remembered discovering a U.S. Army document noting Conklin’s cause of death died of wounds received in action. I circled back to Congressman Huizenga whose team submitted the new evidence. A week later, Conklin’s eligibility letter arrived. He was determined eligible for a Purple Heart medal. Of the remaining 22 soldiers, four had previously received Purple Heart medals.

That left Jonker and the remaining 17 soldiers.

Jonker was killed in action and determined eligible. Post 28 and Post 2326 accepted Conklin’s and Jonker’s posthumous Purple

Dr. Chris Petras is holding up Grand Haven's guidon he discovered in our archive room last spring.

Heart medals, respectively, from Congressman Huizenga, on behalf of the president of the United States. One year later, I finished researching the 17 remaining Grand Haven WWI Company F soldiers. They, too, were determined eligible for Purple Heart medals. This time, I personally facilitated the procurement and engraving of the 17 medals and donated them to the Tri-Cities Historical Museum (https://www.tricitiesmuseum.org) in Grand Haven for future generations to honor and enjoy. Congressman Huizenga presented the medals, posthumously, at the Tri-Cities Historical Museum.

Dr. Chris Petras worked diligently to find the documentation necessary to bring home twenty Purple Hearts to WWI veterans.

Later that year, I was beyond honored and humbled to receive the Tri-Cities Historical Museum’s “2023 Historian of the Year” award.

Most recently, the 93-year-old daughter of a World War I Company F, Grand Haven soldier contacted me about her father, whom I discovered was wounded in action. U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten and her team graciously facilitated during the eligibility process and on January 5, Congresswoman Scholten presented the Purple Heart medal, posthumously, to the daughter during a ceremony in Grand Haven. Officers and NCOs from the 126th were present for the ceremony, along with Brigadier General Ravindra Wagh, former 3rd Battalion 126th Infantry Commanding Officer and now Assistant Adjutant General-Army for Michigan.

My journey is a blessing, and it’s the least I can do for the sacrifices the soldiers made. In the words of the late Captain Emil Gansser of the 126th Infantry Regiment, World War I:

“Those of our number who are not privileged to return, become our most precious contribution to the onward march of democracy. They become, too, a heritage for those yet unborn, an inspiration for them to serve as they served to make this world what God would have it be. Though no longer able to contribute in the flesh, their deeds will form a chapter in the book of ideals that nourishes those who would be great. It is in

the memory of our glorious dead that we find those impulses that urge us onto better and more noble men.”

Chris Petras earned his doctorate in public administration/public policy from Western Michigan University. His late grandfather served in the U.S. Army overseas during WWII. Several of his ancestors served in various wars, including the Civil War and WWI. Dr. Petras lives in the Grand Haven-area and has published columns for the Grand Haven Tribune on the history of Grand Haven during WWI. Dr. Petras is a Life Member of the 126th Regimental Association, Wyoming, Michigan and the VFW Post 2326 Auxiliary, Grand Haven. He is also a member of the Charles A. Conklin Sons of the American Legion Squadron 28, Grand Haven.

45 Years Ago

On March 5, 1979, a memorandum from Hqs, 3rd Battalion, 126th Infantry announced that LTC (Ret) Herm Steenstra, MAJ Howard Becker, CW4 (Ret) Ralph Schmidt, and CW4 (Ret) Gordon Schoonover had recently met and laid the groundwork for forming the 126th Infantry Association. They set a date for the charter meeting and prepared an initial draft of a constitution and set of by-laws. Past and present members of the 126th Infantry were invited to attend. In the meantime, they established a membership dues schedule for anyone wanting to become a charter member.

A charter meeting was held at the Grand Valley Armory, Michigan National Guard, 1200 44th Street SW, Wyoming, Michigan on April 26, 1979, at 1930 hours. There were 44 people in attendance.

The meeting was chaired by Howard Becker. The purpose of the meeting was to adopt a proposed Constitution and ByLaws, elect officers for the year 1979-80, and set the annual meeting date. It was decided that the annual meeting would be held on the first Saturday following Mother’s Day, if possible.

The Constitution was discussed, and two changes were made. Following that, a motion was made by Erling Smestedt and supported by James Bono to adopt the Constitution and it was carried on a unanimous vote.

The By-Laws were discussed, and several changes made, after which a motion by Ed Woltjer and support by Harry Sobotka to accept the By-Laws as amended was approved.

In the election of officers, James Bono nominated Howard Becker for President. This was supported by Ed Woltjer and the motion carried. Herman Steenstra was nominated for 1st Vice President by Clarence Schnipke with support from William Sickle, and the nomination was approved. Robert Wills was nominated for 2nd Vice President by Harry Sobotka with support from Carl Grinnewald, and this was also approved. Robery Wills would resign his office on May 4, 1979, due to his many responsibilities as 46th Brigade Executive Officer and several other additional duties.

Gordon Schoolover was nominated for Secretary by Theron Rose with support from Bruce Moorman. Carried.

Ralph Schmidt was nominated for Treasurer by James Bono with support from Bruce Moorman. Carried.

William Sweeney was nominated for Chaplain by Herman Steenstra with support from Harry Sobotka. Carried by a unanimous ballot.

Norman DeLeeuw was nominated for Sergeant-at-Arms by Ralph Schmidt with support from James Lewis. Carried.

President Howard Becker was presented a gavel by Ralph Schmidt. Gordon Schoonover gave the history of the gavel which had been found at Fort Custer by the Commo Platoon, HHC 3rd Battalion. It appeared to be a tent stake mallet that was rebuilt and refinished and now became part of the history of this association.

President Becker concluded the business by making the following appointments:

James Klynstra, Assistant Secretary

Melvin Wierenga, Assistant Treasurer

Darle VanderSchuur and Wray Ertle, Assistant Historians

A motion was made by William Scott and supported by Earl Haan to adjourn. Carried. Adjourned at 2130 hours with refreshments served.

A roster of charter members shows there were 169 who signed up before or during that initial meeting. A handful are still with us today. In the next newsletter, we’ll publish the list of charter members.

Since its inception, the following have served as president of the association:

Howard A. Becker, Jr. 1979-81

Herman Steenstra 1981-82

Clinton L. Benedict 1982-83

Wesley J. Donovan 1983-84

Fred Rochalski 1984-85

Erling Smestad 1985-86

Dale Christiansen 1986-87

William H. Sobotka 1987-88

Robert Zylstra 1988-89

Michael A. Haan 1989-90

Harry J. Sobotka 1990-91

Gary Krueger 1991-92

Wray Ertle 1992-93

David G. Britten 1993-94

Frank M. Miller 1994-95

Brian Montague 1995-96

Burton Francisco 1996-97

Neal J. Wood 1997-98

Gary Sinclair 1998-99

Philip Owens 1999-00

David G. Britten 2000-01

Allan Malmquist 2001-02

Robert Roe 2002-03

David G. Britten 2003-04

Timothy Densham 2004-05

Jerry Groters 2005-06

Gregory Reedy 2006-07

Timothy Densham 2007-08 (Deployed)

Joseph Levandoski 2008-09

Jerry Groters 2009-10

Bill Witte 2010-11

David G. Britten 2011-12

Jerry Groters 2012-13

James K. Lewis 2013-14

Frank Miller 2014-15

Calvin Caverly 2015-16

Mark DeYoung 2016-17

Catalin Bugan 2017-18

Robert Scaia 2018-19

David G. Britten 2019-21 (no annual meeting and election in 2020 due to Covid)

Calvin Wierda 2021-22

John Johnson 2022-23

Mark DeYoung 2023-24

Huggins Roadblock

The following is from the U.S. Army Official History:

The Huggins Roadblock was located between Soputa and Sanananda near the junction of the Soputa Track and Sanananda Track and the second junction with the Cape Killerton Track to Cape Killerton. Also known as simply the "Roadblock", "Huggins Block" or by the 163rd Infantry Regimental code name "Musket" or "Old Huggins".

On November 30, 1942, U. S. Army soldiers from the 32nd Infantry Division, 126th Infantry Regiment's I Company under the command of 1st Lt. Hershel G. Horton plus the Anti-Tank

Company under the command of Captain John Shirley reached a position on the trail to Sanananda by 6:30pm and established a roadblock to prevent the Japanese from advancing and enveloped their forward positions.

On December 1, 1942, a relief column led by Captain Meredith M. Huggins, S-3 from the 3d Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment attempted to reach the roadblock with supplies and rations but had to fight their way into the roadblock perimeter, arriving safely at 11:00am. Soon afterwards, the Japanese launched a heavy counterattack and occupied to within 50 yards from the northeastern perimeter. On December 2, 1942, at 12:40 pm Captain John Shirley was killed. After his loss, Captain Huggins took command, and the position was named "Huggins Road Block" in his honor. During the attack, 1st Lt. Hershel G. Horton who later was wounded in action outside the perimeter and died of his wounds days later.

During December, Japanese attacked the area from all sides and attempted to isolate it from resupply and overcome the roadblock.

After the fall of Buna on January 3, 1943, the 1st Battalion, 163d Infantry, and regimental headquarters took over complete responsibility for the roadblock area that was now a well-developed defensive position with inner and outer perimeter in square or circular formation for rifle and automatic weapon pits connected with trenches. Each squad was spaced approximately 15 yards apart. At the center of the position was a field kitchen, headquarters, switchboard, aid station, water purification, ammunition dump and supporting 81mm mortars plus two 37mm guns firing canister shot. Supplies were delivered by natives working in shifts and evacuating the wounded.

On January 4, 1943, the 1st Battalion, 163d Infantry Regiment began clearing of the area between Huggins and Kano. The 2d Battalion, 163d Infantry Regiment captured position along the Cape Killerton Trail to the west of Huggins. The Australian Army 18th Brigade was tasked with clearing enemy opposition south of Huggins.

By January 16, 1943, the positions between Huggins and James were reduced as the last major Japanese resistance along the Sanananda Track.

An inscribed American Legion roadside metal marker about 6 feet tall mounted on a concrete pedestal, the plaque reads:

"Capt. Meredith M. Huggins, USA

3rd Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment

32nd Division "Huggins Road Block"

November 1942 - December 1942

After his commanding officer was killed, Capt. Huggins assumed command of companies of the 126th Infantry, 32nd

Division, tasked with securing a tactical choke point to thwart a rapid Japanese advance across the Kokoda Trail. Huggins' bravery under fire and his ability to hold a numerically superior Japanese force at bay, laid the groundwork for an American victory in New Guinea. The place where he fought and was wounded on 5 December 1942, now bears the name "Huggins Roadblock" in honor of his valor.

With grateful appreciation the American Legion remembers Capt. Meredith M. Huggins."

Captain Huggins was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart. Born in 1915 in Oakes, North Dakota, he died in Hawaii on November 27, 1997. His DSC citation can be read at:

https://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/people_details.php? PeopleID=25330

The marker is located between Soputa and Sanananda near the junction of the Soputa Track and Sanananda Track and the second junction with the Cape Killerton Track to Cape Killerton.

Parting Shot

MG Cecil L. Simmons, Michigan's 46th Division Commander, who previously had commanded the 126th Infantry Regiment and all three battalions, is trooping the line at Camp Grayling sometime in the 1960s during the Review and Memorial Ceremony. A member of the 126th since 1933, he decided to join the parachute infantry while in Louisiana in 1942 After jumping into Normandy with the 101st Airborne Division in ‘44, the following January he was placed in command of the 3rd Bn 502nd Parachute Infantry and led it through Belgium, Germany, and Austria. Learn more about General Simmons’ incredible military and civilian careers in the next edition of this newsletter.