HOME AGAIN—After their most strenuous encampment in years, the members of Co. E. First Battle Group Group, 101st Infantry, arrived back at the local Armory at 11:30 am. last Saturday Some of the “glad to be back’ Guardsmen are shown above. (Eugene McLean Photo)
The officers and men of Co. E 1st Battle Group 101st Infantry have again earned the distinction of being named by Active Army Evaluators as the highest-rated company in the battle group.
During summer training in 1960 Company E was also rated as the best rifle company in the 26th (Yankee) Division. This year as yet the. final figures are not in so the men of the company eagerly await their standing with regards to the rest of the division.
The unit was constantly checked on such items as training, military courtesy, mess management, administration, supply and personal hygiene.
A tactical movement by Armored Personnel Carriers to a bivouac area at Camp Drum on Sunday, July 23, marked the start of the most intensified week of training conducted by a National Guard Unit during peacetime.
As soon as the unit had moved into the area the men began to set up the bivouac under the direction of Platoon Sergeant Oscar F. Magnuson and the rest of the Company Non-Commissioned Officers.
At the same time the machine gunners and rocket gunners of the company moved to the rocket launcher range where they were given practical work in firing high explosive ammunition under the able guidance of Lt. Louis Bruno, assisted by Sgt. John F Carney. Jr and Sgt Norman C Cherella. After this the men took the opportunity to retire to their tents for the only full night’s sleep they would have for the next week After this night they would be training from about 4 in the morning until about 12 midnight everyday.
Early Monday morning training began in earnest with the rifle squads of Ihe company receiving refresher training In squad unit tactics by Platoon Sergeants Janies D. Pitt and John M. Fnmolle. -Mortar Squads also were given refresher training in squad tactics by Corporals Joseph Zilfi and Vincent J. Van Neste. The 106 mm recoilless rifle squads moved to a range where they conducted practical work in firing all types of ammunition under the direction of Sgt. Jnnics IV. Galvin and Louis R. Santoro. Night training was then conducted with emphasis being placed on the actions of the Individual during the night combat patrol.
The next day platoon tactical training began in preparation for Army Training Tests which were to follow.
During the remainder of the week the Anti-Tank squads and the Mortar Section were tested in their tactical support roles for the company.
Early Wednesday morning the rifle platoons of the Company under the direction of Lt. Peter F. Connor broke camp and moved to a site some 20 miles away where for two days the members of the platoons were put through a rigorous Army Training Test to determine the efficiency of the unit under combat conditions.
As a result of this test, during which live ammunition was used and fired in all individual and crew-served weapons, it was determined that the men of Company E were one of the two top units in the Battle Group in platoon tactics.
After having completed the tests the platoons rejoined the remainder of the company at the base bivouac area and after a morning of training the Company under the direction of its Commanding Officer, Lt. Joseph F. Murphy, moved back to base camp and prepared for an inspection of nil weapons and equipment on Saturday morning.
Monday, the 23rd of July was a big day for the members of the 1st Squad of the 1st Platoon of Company E. For today they under the command of their squad leader, Sgt. Joseph W. Sullivan, were to take part in an Army Training Test conducted by the Active Armys’ 2nd Infantry Brigade. This Test was ordered by Lieut. Gen. Edward O’Neil, the Commanding General of the 1st U. S. Army. The results of these tests are not yet known, but unofficially this writer was told that the three squads of this 101st Infantry that were tested that day were the best-rated so far of all the squads that had been tested from Y-D..
During the first few days of this week the Mortar Section of the company under the direction of Platoon Sergent Donald E. Phillips conducted field firing. As was expected the squads of company E set the pace for the other units to follow. For with the combination of Forward Observers such as Sp 4 Michael W. Burke and John J. Goonan, and Fire direction computors like Corporal Robert Guerrini and Sp 5 Donald M. Puffer handing firing information to gunners Robert E. Brace and Louis Coburn Jr the team worked like clockwork.
During the week the company received intensive train-Personnel Carriers during ing in the use of Armored tactical maneuvers. For the first the unit was mobilized in carriers for an attack on a strong enemy position. A reinforced / rifle platoon led by Lt. William V. Brady conducted an all-day problem under the direction of Lt. Connor During the problem mistakes were corrected on the spot and at the end of the day all agreed that a lot had been learned.
For the remainder of the second week many more tactical problems with a reinforced rifle platoon were conducted by Lt. Francis S. Spano and other officers already mentioned.
During the entire Field Training Period an all out effort to be the best was exerted by every member of the outfit from the CO down to the lowest private. Credit must also be given to those people who supported the training personnel such as the Mess Section under the direction of 1st Cook, Sp 5 Richard D. Famiglietti, the Communications section commanded by Sgt. Robert M. Leary and supply with SFC Vincent J. Saccone in charge.
For without the combined effort and teamwork of all of the members of the unit, it would not be where it now stands, the top-rated company in the 101st infantry.
By LT. PETER F. CONNOR
(All articles originally appeared in the Norwood Messenger unless otherwise noted)