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April 2018
1
Fifteenth Infantry Regiment
“The Old China Hands” www.15thinfantry.org
Dear Fellow Old China Hands,
I hope all of you have survived winter and are enjoying spring weather, although in many parts of the country winter has
been reluctant to relinquish its grip.
I attended the 15th Infantry Regimental Ball hosted by 3-15 Infantry at the Savannah Marriott Riverfront on 6 April. It was
a great event and you will get the details and photos in the article from the battalion in this issue. I would like to thank
LTC Marks and his staff for organizing a wonderful evening that celebrated our Regiment’s unique history, traditions, and
heritage. Guest speaker LTG Stephen M. Twitty, former China Six and former B/3-15 IN commander, delivered
inspirational remarks on the 15th anniversary of the Thunder Run and TF 3-15 IN’s battles for Objectives Larry, Moe, and
Curly. We were joined by Vice President Tad Davis, Mike Horn, CSM Mark Baker, and Korean War veteran Mr. David
Mills and his wife Shirley.
We were very happy to meet the incoming battalion commander, LTC Arthur McGrue, III, who is coming from 1st Army
where he worked for LTG Twitty. He previously commanded B/1-15 IN during the Surge in Iraq in 2007! His military
biography is included in this issue. We also met CSM Higley and his wife, Jillian, newly arrived from the Sergeants Major
Academy. This command team promises to be another great tandem for the Association to work with.
The Ball also fell on the 156th anniversary of the Regiment’s first major battle of the Civil War at Shiloh. Listening to
General Twitty’s remarks, I was humbled to think of the long history of outstanding combat service the Regiment has
given our country over its 157 year history. We are privileged to be members of one of the Army’s truly great Infantry
regiments. I am including an article on one of our Civil War veterans who survived Shiloh and several other battles, as
well as Libby Prison where he was a POW. He was the Regiment’s last living Civil War veteran, passing away in
January 1939 at the age of 96!
We have received good news─LTC Marks has been selected to attend the US Army War College in Carlisle, PA
beginning this summer! Congratulations, LTC Marks and Vickie! The Army has recognized him as an up and coming
senior leader. We wish him great success at Carlisle and in the challenging assignments which will follow─we know he
will continue to exemplify the Can Do spirit that he has shown as 3-15 IN’s commander over the past two years. We owe
a great thank you to LTC Marks and Vickie who have done so much in their tenure to strengthen active duty ties with the
Association.
Our Association continues to have pressing needs for volunteers to fill many critical positions on its staff. Tom Heitzer is
doing a great job as our acting treasurer, but we need a long-term permanent treasurer to handle our fiscal affairs.
Please contact me to take on this critical position. I also ask you to recruit new members to the Association. There are
many Can Do veterans out there, please bring them back into the fold. We need them! Can Do! Tim
April 2018
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Association Officers and Staff
President Timothy R. Stoy 6531 Milva Lane Springfield, VA 22150 (703) 912-4218 [email protected]
Commander, 3rd Battalion LTC Arthur L. McGrue III 594 Vanguard Road Ste 3071 Ft. Stewart, GA 31314 (912) 435-7697 [email protected]
Editor, The Dragon Andrew G. Lerch 15302 Iris Lane Montclair, VA 22025 (706) 325-3705 [email protected]
Vice President Addison D. (Tad) Davis IV 2104 27th St S Arlington, VA 22206 (703) 772-4558 [email protected]
CSM, 3rd Battalion CSM Jerry J. Higley 594 Vanguard Road Ste 3071 Ft. Stewart, GA 31314 (912) 435-7698 [email protected]
Trustee Leonard L. Lassor 690 Salman Fall Road Rochester, NH 03868 (603) 335-3554 [email protected]
Secretary Sam Aarons 3966 Thompson Lake Buford, GA 30519 (678) 687-9189 [email protected]
Chaplain Charles C. Trout 10191 Birchwood Drive Huntington Beach, CA 92646 (714) 836-4981 [email protected]
Trustee Warren E. Sessler 4591 Bigford Street Las Vegas, NV 89122 (702) 617-7022 [email protected]
Treasurer (Acting) Tom R. Heitzer 231 Normandie Drive Bonne Terre, MO 63628 (314) 650-4692 [email protected]
China Room Custodian CPT Dennis K. Helms 1110 E Victory Drive Apt 2 Savannah, GA 31404 (706) 559-5535 [email protected]
Trustee Vacant
Membership Chairman John C. Campbell 760 Flatwood Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 (812) 949-2549 [email protected]
Webmaster Michael J. Horn 1833 Walker Ridge Drive Marietta GA 30064 (678) 581-0392 [email protected]
Trustee Vacant
HSGMOR Mark T. Baker 5415 Roaring Branch Road Columbus, GA 31904 (706) 566-5165 [email protected]
Historian Timothy R. Stoy 6531 Milva Lane Springfield, VA 22150 (703) 912-4218 [email protected]
Database Administrator Tom R. Heitzer 231 Normandie Drive Bonne Terre, MO 63628 (314) 650-4692 [email protected]
HCOR Jerry Bates 3017 Margaret Jones Lane Williamsburg VA 23185 (757) 645-4765 [email protected]
Public Relations Chairman John C. Campbell 760 Flatwood Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 (812) 949-2549 [email protected]
C & BL Chairman John C. Campbell 760 Flatwood Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 (812) 949-2549 [email protected]
The Dragon is the quarterly publication of the 15th Infantry Regiment Association. It is published in January, April, July, and October. Neither its editorial nor article content carries official endorsement of the Association. Input for the Dragon is due the 15th of each month prior to publishing to [email protected].
April 2018
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Taps
Lionel W. Barrick Ransomville, NY CPL, MED CO, REGT, KW DOD 10/24/2017 Reported by Tom Heitzer
John H. Wingle Schuylkill Haven, PA PFC, F CO, 2 BN, WII DOD 01/18/2018 Reported by Tom Heitzer
George H. Dittoe-LM Peninsula, OH SSG, I CO, 3 BN, WII DOD 09/24/2016 Reported by his son George Dittoe Jr. Marvin E. Pfannenstiel-LM
N. Arlington, NJ SGT, HHC, 3 BN, KW DOD 11/09/2015 Reported by Tom Heitzer
Walter C. Howland-LM Loveland, OH SGT, C CO, 1 BN, WII DOD 11/19/2017 Reported in the Watch on the Rhine
New Members
Kenneth Acoste Fort Stewart PV2, HHC, 3 BN, GWOT
Jessie Agnew Fort Stewart SGT, HHC, 3 BN, GWOT
Adam Armour Fort Stewart 1LT, HHC, 3 BN, GWOT Christopher Astrada
Fort Stewart PFC, HHC, 3 BN, GWOT
John Babauta Fort Stewart SPC, HHC, 3 BN, GWOT
Ryan Baur Fort Stewart SGT, B CO, 3 BN, GWOT Thomas Birdsone
Fort Stewart SPC, HHC, 3 BN, GWOT
Richardson Bowen Fort Stewart SPC, HHC, 3 BN, GWOT
Monrique Brooks Fort Stewart CPT, HHC, 3 BN, GWOT Daniel Carter
Fort Stewart 1LT, HHC, 3 BN, GWOT
Macki Castillo Fort Stewart PFC, A CO, 3 BN, GWOT
Malcom Chandler Fort Stewart SPC, HHC, 3 BN, GWOT Gregory Clardy
Fort Stewart PV2, C CO, 3 BN, GWOT
Bradly Cousino Fort Stewart, GA SPC, HHC, 3 BN, GWOT
Michael Fitzgerald Fort Stewart CPT, HHC, 3 BN, GWOT Justin French
Fort Stewart 1LT, HHC, 3 BN, GWOT
Goetsch Fort Stewart PFC, A CO, 3 BN, GWOT
Austin Green Fort Stewart PFC, A CO, 3 BN, GWOT Mario Guerrero
Fort Stewart PFC, B CO, 3 BN, GWOT
Gregory Hallett Fort Stewart PFC, HHC, 3 BN, GWOT
Carson Hatchett Fort Stewart SPC, A CO, 3 BN, GWOT Trevor Heinen
Fort Stewart PFC, B CO, 3 BN, GWOT
Justin Hinton Fort Stewart PV2, C CO, 3 BN, GWOT
Dominique Jacobs Fort Stewart SPC, C CO, 3 BN, GWOT Jacob Kilgore
Fort Stewart PV2, C CO, 3 BN, GWOT
Jacob Klusman Fort Stewart SPC, C CO, 3 BN, GWOT
Thaddeus Knight Fort Stewart PFC, B CO, 3 BN, GWOT
Tavin Littles Fort Stewart SPC, B CO, 3 BN, GWOT
Erick Lopez Fort Stewart PFC, HHC, 3 BN, GWOT
Leo Lucas Fort Stewart SPC, HHC, 3 BN, GWOT Joshua Martinez
Fort Stewart PFC, A CO, 3 BN, GWOT
Michael McDaniels Fort Stewart SFC, C CO, 3 BN, GWOT
Braden McGregor Fort Stewart 1LT, HHC, 3 BN, GWOT Dakenn Park
Fort Stewart PFC, A CO, 3 BN, GWOT Dakenn Park Fort Stewart PFC, A CO, 3 BN, GWOT
Pearsall Fort Stewart PFC, A CO, 3 BN, GWOT
Andrew Pittman Fort Stewart SGT, A CO, 3 BN, GWOT
April 2018
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Elijah Reed Fort Stewart SPC, HHC, 3 BN, GWOT
Easton Ring Fort Stewart CPT, HHC, 3 BN, GWOT
Erich Roberts Fort Stewart MAJ, HHC, 3 BN, GWOT Branson Robinson
Fort Stewart SPC, B CO, 3 BN, GWOT
Chris Sanders Fort Stewart SGT, A CO, 3 BN, GWOT
Kevin Seibert Fort Stewart PFC, B CO, 3 BN, GWOT Dante Smith
Fort Stewart SPC, HHC, 3 BN, GWOT
Kyre Smith Fort Stewart SPC, HHC, 3 BN, GWOT
Ruben Soto Fort Stewart SGT, A CO, 3 BN, GWOT Christopher South
Fort Stewart PFC, HHC, 3 BN, GWOT
Justin Thompson Fort Stewart SPC, HHC, 3 BN, GWOT
Jacob Wasserman Fort Stewart SPC, HHC, 3 BN, GWOT
Membership Report
NUMBER OF MEMBERS BY PERIOD CURRENT MEMBERSHIP BY TYPE
NUMBER OF CHINA HANDS 0 REGULAR LIFE 241
NUMBER OF WWII MEMBERS 35 REGULAR ANNUAL 66
NUMBER OF KOREA MEMBERS 129 ASSOCIATE LIFE 18
NUMBER OF COLD WAR MEMBERS 83 ASSOCIATE ANNUAL 52
NUMBER OF PEACETIME MEMBERS 16 TOTAL MEMBERSHIP 377
NUMBER OF OEF FORCES 1
NUMBER OF OIF FORCES 8
NUMBER OF GWOT FORCES 82
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS 23
TOTAL MEMBERS 377
April 2018
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15TH INFANTRY REGIMENT ASSOCIATION
DUES NOTICE
Annual Members,
The annual membership fee for 2018 is due starting in the month of October. Check your mailing label and if you have 2017 after your name your dues need to be paid for 2018. Send your check or money order and the form below to Tom Heitzer at 231 Normandie Drive, Bonne Terre, MO 63628 or go online to www.15thinfantry.org and find the “Click Here to Pay Dues” button.
Regular annual membership dues are $10.00 (current Active Duty dues are $5.00). Multiple year payments are welcomed. Life membership rates are: Below 60–$150, age 60 to 69–$120; age 70 to 79–$100; age 80 and above–$50. If you are on active duty and deployed at this time contact us and we will extend your membership until you return, but you need to let us know of your deployment status. Email Tom Heitzer at [email protected] to let him know of your deployment and we will extend your membership.
Several members have recently sponsored memberships for active duty soldiers of the active battalion. This is an opportunity for all members to express their appreciation for the service to the nation of today’s Dragon Soldiers. The form below provides a space (Sponsor Active Duty) for sponsoring these memberships. A two-year membership is only $10.00.
Contributions to the Awards and Monument (A&M) Fund or General Fund are also always appreciated and may be included with your payment. Please complete and detach the form below and submit with your dues. For those with email capability, please provide the address to update the Association database.
-----------------------------------------------Detach---------------------------------------------------
NAME: (PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY)
E-M ail Address: (to update Association database)
Dues Amounts: Payment: Regular Annual $10.00 Dues $---------------------------
Associate Annual $10.00 Sponsor Active Duty $---------------------------
Active Duty Annual $ 5.00 A&M Fund $---------------------------
Life See above General Fund $---------------------------
Total Payment $---------------------------
Make check or money order payable to the Treasurer, 15th Infantry Regiment Association and mail to Tom Heitzer at 231 Normandie Drive, Bonne Terre, MO 63628
April 2018
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Active Battalion Update
Fellow Soldiers, Friends, and Family,
It has been a true honor and a privilege for me to command this battalion for the past two years.
Vickie and I are grateful and blessed for the opportunity to meet and serve with some of the best Soldiers, leaders, and families in our Army. We wouldn't trade our experiences in the Marne Division for the world. -LTC Fran & Vickie Marks Incoming China 6
Arthur L. McGrue III began serving as the Executive Officer to the First Army Commanding General on January 8, 2016. Arthur is a second generation Army Soldier growing up in different places across the world, but he calls Seaside, California, home. After completing ten and a half years of enlisted service where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Fayetteville State University, he graduated from the Officer Candidate School December 16, 1999.
Arthur has served in every key leadership position along his career to include two different platoon leadership positions with 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; two different platoon leadership positions with 3rd United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), Military District of Washington; troop commander and company commander with 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Georgia; and Squadron S3 and Brigade S3 with 4th Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas. Major McGrue has also served as the Senior Infantry Advisor and Battalion Operations Officer while assigned to 3rd Battalion, 196th Infantry Brigade, partnered with all the reserve component units located on Guam and Saipan; and he has served as an OC/T at the National Training Center located at Fort Irwin, California, performing the duties as Cobra 03 and as Dragon 02. Arthur has graduated from multiple military schools to include the Joint Firepower Course at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada; the Intermediate Level Education Course at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; the Cavalry Leaders Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky; the Infantry Captains Career Course, the Infantry Officer Basic Course, and Ranger School all located at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Farewell CSM Dow and Welcomed CSM Higley
On January 9th, CAN DO Soldiers said farewell to CSM Tom Dow and welcomed CSM Jerry Higley as the new 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment Command Sergeant Major
Since February, 2016, CSM Dow mentored our Soldiers to achieve exceptional results, which included multiple deployments to the Ukraine, the Joint Readiness Training Center, Panama, and Djibouti Africa. CSM Dow also assisted in the Battalion's successful conversion from a Light Infantry Battalion to a Combined Arms Battalion.
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Command Sergeant Major Jerry Higley entered the Army in 1996 out of Largo, Florida, and attended Infantry Basic Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He has served in every position ranging a Rifleman to Command Sergeant Major. He is a combat proven leader who comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and we’re overly excited for him to lead our Soldiers. Command Sergeant Major Higley is married to Danielle Higley and they have two children, Hunter and Cara.
Incoming China 7
Fellow Soldiers, Family, and Friends,
I am honored to be China 7 and I look forward to serving with each member of the team. Danielle and I could not be happier to be in the Marne Division, it is truly humbling to be part of such a historic unit.
We wish CSM Tom Dow and Jessica the best in their next assignment.
Battalion Run
On 10 January, Soldier of the China Battalion conducted a Battalion run and small group exercises in order to increase unit morale and esprit-de-corps. The China Battalion continues to focus on physical fitness, operational readiness, and developing leaders to lead others. We are looking forward to the next unit run which is set for April.
Hellraiser Company Receiving New Equipment
The CAN DO Battalion has been in the process of converting from a light infantry to a Combined Arms Battalion. Over the last three months, the Battalion has been trained on and issued M88’s, M113’s, M1068’s, and M2A2’s. Our motor pool is beginning to fill up with all different types of tracked vehicles. Our master gunners are very busy preparing for gunnery tables and ensuring that we will
emerge from our conversion as a lethal and cohesive fighting force. After divesting most of our equipment for the conversion we focused on individual training. Leaders throughout the Battalion are now actively planning collective training with our eyes set on the National Training Center and an eventual deployment!
April 2018
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Scouts Conduct Crew Gunnery
The HHC Scouts were the first platoon in the CAN DO Battalion to conduct M2A2 gunnery. During this time they trained and tested on gunnery skills tasks (GST); spent numerous hours in the simulator learning about safety procedures and engagement techniques; trained on digital systems and tasks such as “call for” tasks and FBCB2; and conducted gunnery which included scan techniques, live fire engagements at multiple ranges and targets from offensive and defensive postures.
Mortar Platoon Fields the 120 MM
The Mortar platoon began fielding the M1064A3 mortar carrier and 120 MM mortar system that allows the Battalion to rapidly place effective indirect fires across the battlefield. The platoon continues to train for their first mortar certification training event which is scheduled for the later part of April. If your schedule permits, we'd like to extend an invitation for you to observe this training event.
Apache Company Conducts Advanced Rifle Marksmanship Training
Apache Company conducted Advanced Rifle Marksmanship training to enhance their ability to engage the enemy from known and unknown distances, and using an assortment of firing positions. This training event, led solely by Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) greatly enhanced our junior leader's knowledge and understanding of the weapon system. NCOs focused on classroom instruction, glass house drills, and alternate firing positions in order to refine Soldier's abilities to engage and destroy any enemies in support of combat operations. This event ensured that our Soldiers are better trained, more lethal, and stand ready to close with and destroy any enemy.
Charlie
Company Update
On February 1, 2018, Charlie
conducted a company change-of-
command from CPT Jarrid Luete
to CPT Michael Fitzgerald. CPT
Leute and Katy will be missed,
and we wish you the best of luck in your next
assignment.
April 2018
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CPT Fitzgerald is a proven leader. He was commissioned as an Armor Officer after earning his
Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management from the United States Military Academy in May
2012. His previous assignments and positions include: Scout Platoon Leader in 1st Squadron, 10th
Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, a 9 month deployment to Qatar, and
Company Executive Officer, 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat. He
is also a graduate of the Maneuver Captain's Career Course, Army Reconnaissance Course, Cavalry
Leader Course, Basic Airborne Course, and Air Assault School.
Charlie Rock continues to prepare for our M1A1 fielding
by completing countless hours of simulator training to
sharpen our skills. The company conducted two weeks
of training in the Close Combat Tactical Trainer (CCTT)
from 27 Feb-8 Mar. Due to the current lack of tanks,
the CCTT provides a great opportunity for Charlie Rock
Soldiers to improve technical knowledge of the platform
and train in a tactical environment.
The company executed a CCTT mission focused on a
movement to contact into a deliberate attack to seize an objective. Once on the objective, the
platoons established a hasty defense in order to repel an enemy counterattack. The company made
vast improvements from the beginning of the training to the end. Crews improved in command and
control, movement techniques, mounted navigation, and crew level gunnery skills.
Charlie Rock will continue to focus on simulator training throughout the month of April. The company
will train on the Advanced Gunnery Training System (AGTS). The AGTS trains tank commanders
and gunners on the crew skills that will be tested during gunnery. The simulator presents targets as
they would typically appear on a gunnery table, allowing crews to practice target acquisition, fire
commands, and engagement.
Charlie Rock has seen great improvements in both individual and crew skills due to simulator
training. Each iteration provides Soldiers with an opportunity to hone their skills and prepare for
M1A1 fielding and this coming June.
Spearhead Company Update
On 21 March, 2018, India Company welcomed CPT
Jayme Spell and 1SG Osborn Scales as the new
command team of Spearhead Company. We look
forward to her leading the company through the
remainder of conversion and to the National Training
Center next summer.
CPT Spell is a graduate of North Carolina State
April 2018
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University and was commissioned as an Ordnance Officer in 2012. Her previous assignments
include: Ammunition Platoon Leader, Maintenance Platoon Leader in 189th Combat Sustainment
Support Battalion, 82nd Sustainment Brigade (Fort Bragg, North Carolina), HHC Company Executive
Officer and a Support Operations Transportation Officer (264th Combat Sustainment Support
Battalion, 82nd Sustainment Brigade), Plans Officer (3rd Sustainment Brigade). She has also
deployed to Afghanistan and Kuwait. CPT Spell is a graduate of Ordnance Basic Officer Leader's
Course, CBRN Defense Course, Combined Logistics Captain's Career Course, and holds a
Bachelors of Arts in International Studies: Middle East and Southeast Asia with concentrations in
Arabic, Egyptian dialect, and Spanish, and a Masters of Science in Kinesiology.
On 21 March, the Spearhead Company said farewell to
SFC Antwain Stokes and welcomed Master Sergeant
Scales as the new Company First Sergeant.
SFC Stokes will be missed, we thank him for his
leadership throughout his tenure and we wish him the
best of luck in his next assignment.
1SG Scales is a native of Holly Springs, MS. His most
recent assignment was with the 3rd Infantry Division
Office of Inspector General and United States Forces -
Afghanistan Office of Inspector General NCOIC.
He has served in every company leadership position
from Team Leader to Company 1SG. Some of his
previous duty stations include Irwin, CA; Schofield
Barracks, HI; Fort Sill, OK; Fort Bragg, NC; and Fort
Campbell, KY. He's a graduate of the Basic Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Senior
Leaders Course, US Army Recruiting School US Army Inspector General Course, the US Army Air
Assault School, and Air Assault School. He is also a member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.
3rd Battalion Hosts the 2018 Regimental Ball
The China Battalion had the distinct honor and privilege of hosting this year's 15th Infantry
Regimental Ball on April 6. Our Regiment has a long and decorated history. This year we
commemorated the 15th Anniversary of 3rd Battalion conducting the famous "Thunder Run" to
Baghdad, and its ability to seize Objective Curly, Larry, and Moe. For six days, these battles tested
the battalion and challenged its skills. The battalion’s efforts resulted in the Spartan Brigade and the
Marne Division seizing Baghdad.
Our keynote speaker for the event was none other than, LTG Stephen Twitty, Commanding General,
1st Army, who was the Battalion Commander of 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment during
Operation Thunder Run. LTG Twitty's moving speech highlighted the Battalion's actions during
Thunder Run and what it means to be a member of the 15th Infantry Regiment.
April 2018
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April 2018
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Historian’s Corner
Samuel B. Hanson, Oldest Living Civil War Veteran of the 15th Infantry, dies on 3 December 1938
Submitted by Tim Stoy
Several years ago while I was conducting research into the Regiment at the National Archives in College Park, MD when I found a historical file which contained the obituary (included here). There was also a letter from COL Joseph A. McAndrew, Commander of the 15th Infantry Regiment at Fort Lewis, WA responding to a letter from Hanson’s son informing the regiment of Hanson’s death on 3 December 1938 in Philadelphia at the age of 96. It appears that Samuel B. Hanson was most likely the regiment’s oldest remaining Civil War veteran at the time of his death.
Doing more research I was able to locate Hanson’s grave in Leverington Cemetery in Roxborough, Philadelphia County, PA. I was very happy to find his marker includes his service with the 15th US Infantry! I learned he mustered in in August 1862 and mustered out on August 12, 1865. He was captured by
Confederate at the Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia on September 20, 1863 and was held prisoner until May 8, 1864, when he was exchanged for a Confederate soldier. This is how he was able to rejoin the Regiment and fight again at Kennesaw Mountain! Here is a picture of Hanson as an older gentleman, with his grown son:
Finding his enlistment record I learned he was a 21 year-old laborer at the time of his enlistment with light grey eyes, black hair, and was 5 feet, 8 1/2 inches tall. The Regiment was garrisoning at Lookout Mountain/Chattanooga at the time of his discharge. Checking census records he worked at a paper mill after the war and after retiring from that he worked as a watchman for a
bridge, perhaps the Delaware River Bridge? It is tremendously gratifying to be able to put faces to names and events
from our Regiment’s early history. I hope you enjoy getting to know a little bit
more about one of our Civil War ancestors!
April 2018
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From North Carolina to Vladivostok from Cook to Colonel Submitted by John Campbell
Printer's assistant Leroy F. Johnson of North Carolina enlisted in the U.S. Army on September 7, 1919. Recruit Leroy was sent to Fort Slocum, New York for basic training and for Cook and Baker school. His first assignment as cook was for Company E of the 27th Infantry Regiment in Vladivostok, Siberia. Three months after his arrival in Siberia the regiment returned to the Philippines in 1920, then on to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. During his tour of duty there he was promoted to Sergeant, skipping Corporal, in April 1921. When he was due for transfer back to the United States, the 27th Infantry Regiment asked him to extend his tour at Schofield. In May 1922, Leroy was promoted to First Sergeant of Company E, 2th Infantry Regiment. Following the one year extension he was transferred to Service Company of the 38th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Douglas, Salt Lake City, Utah and arrived there January 31, 1924. In March 1925, Leroy earned a reserve commission as a Second Lieutenant and then as a First Lieutenant in November 1929: renewed 1934 and 1939. While stationed in Utah with the Service Company, Leroy married Lee Marshall on June 30, 1926 in Pocatello, Idaho. Leroy, his wife, and their three children sailed for China in February 1933. They made port at Chin Wang Tao, 3 March, and from there were transported to Tientsin via railroad. On 30 May 1933, Leroy Johnson, Jr was born in the base hospital.
Leroy joined Service Company commanded by Captain Charles Bolte. The company executive officer was first Lieutenant William Dean (Major General William Dean during World War II and the Korean War when he was captured by the North Koreans). Leroy was member of all of the regimental weapons teams. The teams were provided M22 rifles and Springfield 30.06s. Tientsin was a very large city and the post was closely surrounded by population. Because of their long range, the rifle teams had to travel north 180 miles to Camp Burrows to practice. Because of their short range, the pistol teams practice and competition shooting was held on post. Leroy fired expert with all infantry weapons and earned a gold medal in the pistol competition.
On 2 March 1935, Leroy, Sr. left China again to report for duty stateside. He arrived in April 1935 where he was assigned to 4th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Company F, Fort George Wright at Spokane, Washington. After two years at Spokane, Leroy was sent to Hawaii to become First Sergeant of A Company, 35th Infantry Regiment in September 1937. On November 23, 1941, Leroy was discharged for the convenience of the government and was activated the next day as a First Lieutenant assigned as Personal Officer in the Hawaiian Air Corp stationed at Hickham Field. In February 1942, this organization became the 7th Air Force.
April 2018
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The Johnson family was quartered at Hickham Field, about one and a half blocks from the hangers at the time the Japanese bombed Hickham. Leroy's family and other dependents were shipped back to the states December 26th with other dependents aboard the luxury liner, SS Mariposa, and with destroyer escort, arrived in San Francisco on January 1, 1942. Leroy was assigned as Unit Personnel officer of the 4th U.S. Army Air Corps in the Adjutant Generals office where he remained for the duration of the war. By August 1944, he had reached Lieutenant Colonel, Adjutant General of the 7th Air Force.
In May 1944, Headquarters 7th Air Force moved to Kwajalein Atoll, then to Saipan in July 1944. He left Saipan in January 1945 for Denver where he was assigned to Headquarters, Western Technical Training Command. The first of April 1945 Leroy was assistant adjutant General of Headquarters, Western Training command at Denver. While serving in the Pacific theater, Leroy earned the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service and the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. The command moved to St. Louis, MO then on to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, where they remained until 1949, and then on to Warren Air Force Base, Cheyenne. In October 1949, Leroy was assigned to Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming as Group Adjutant of the 3450th Technical Training Wing and promoted to full Colonel in 1951. In October 1951 Leroy was in Gulf Port, Mississippi as Deputy Chief of Staff for Air Force Technical Training. On December 31, 1952, Colonel Leroy Johnson retired at Biloxi, Mississippi after 33 years and 4 months military service and moved to Seattle, Washington to live out his life. The "travelin' man", Col. Leroy Johnson, Sr. died June 22, 1968. His son, Leroy, Jr., also volunteered for military service in the army and received basic training at Camp Gordon, GA. After graduating from six months of training at the radio repair school in Fort Monmouth, NJ, Leroy, Jr., served with the 28th Signal Co. of the 28th Infantry Division in Goppingen, Germany. Following his discharge in December 1954, he returned to college and graduated with a degree in electrical engineering. Leroy, Jr. is a life member of the 15th Regiment Association.
April 2018
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15th Infantry Regiment Association Tom Heitzer, Database Administrator 231 Normandie Dr
Bonne Terre, MO 63628
Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid
Permit #111 Bonne Terre, MO
Address Service Requested
