35th Division Hall of Fame

The 35th Division Hall of Fame is designed to recognize individuals who have had or have a service connection with the 35th Division at any time, beginning in 1917 with the initial activation of the 35th Infantry Division.

Such persons who become inductees into this Hall of Fame shall have made significant contributions to the achievement, tradition, or history of the 35th Division of the United States Army, the 35th Division Association, and their community, state, or nation.

The 35th Division Hall of Fame is located in the 35th Division Museum at the Museum of the Kansas National Guard, 6700 SW Topeka Ave, Bldg 301, Topeka, KS.

1952 WILLYS M-38 MODEL JEEP

1952 WILLYS M-38 MODEL JEEP TRUCK UTILITY 1/4 TON

4X4 DELIVERED - 4-52

MANUFACTURE MODEL # 62772

STOCK 13# 6795525 A

AFTER BEING USED BY THE MILITARY DURING THE KOREAN WAR, THIS JEEP WAS DESIGNATED "SURPLUS” AND WAS SHIPPED TO THE U.S. FORESTRY SERVICE. IT WAS SENT TO KANSAS TO BE USED BY THE RURAL FIRE DEPT’S. THIS JEEP WAS SENT TO TREGO COUNTY AT WAKEENEY, KS. IT WAS PAINTED YELLOWISH-GREEN

THE M-38 MODEL JEEP WAS THE FIRST POST WWII JEEP AND IT WAS BASED ON THE CIVILIAN MODEL CJ-3A JEEP, BUT UPGRADED FOR MILITARY USE. IT IS LARGER THAN THE WWII WILLY'S MB/FORD GPW JEEPS AND HAD BETTER SEATING IN THE FRONT. IT ALSO HAD LARGER TIRES; 24 VOLT SYSTEM AND TWO BATTERIES. THE ENGINE WAS THE L-HEAD, 4 CYL. 60 HP ENGINE. .

THE MILITARY PRODUCED 45,500 OF THESE M-38'S JEEPS FROM 1950 - 52.

THIS JEEP WAS RESTORED BY THE NATIONAL GUARD "MATES" LOCATED AT CP FUNSTON, FT. RILEY. IT WAS RESTORED BY KANSAS GUARDSMEN AND DELIVERED TO THE MUSEUM IN JUNE 2009.

Who Was the 35th Fighting in WWII and Why!

In 1944 practically all the countries in Europe were conquered by the Nazi Germans. These included Poland, France, Belgium, Holland, Norway, Czechoslovakia, Denmark and Greece. While all these countries had peacetime armies, the Nazis built up a tremendous war machine which they used to subjugate all their neighbors.

The Nazi’s treatment of the people in these countries was horrific. They literally murdered millions of defenseless civilians …yes millions! Even the word “EVIL” doesn’t begin to describe the Nazi’s barbaric, unbelievable cruelty.

If the German Nazi’s were successful we would be living in a world they dominated. With time they would have the productive capacity of all Europe to build their military machine. It would only be a matter of time before we faced this increasing threat! And we would be all by ourselves!

Model 1905 Three Inch Field Gun

First Modern Artillery Piece

Used In World War I and II

Drawn by Horses or Artillery Tractor

Range - 7,500 Yards

Weight- 3,400 Lbs

Over 21,000 Built

Formerly at Liberal, KS Armory

Restored by KSARNG MATES, Ft. Riley, KS

35th Infantry Division Freight Wagon

This freight wagon was built in the early 1900’s and is similar to those used by the 35th Infantry Division during World War I.

Freight was often hauled on the Santa Fe Trail, and to supply 35th Infantry Division units with supplies and ammunition. The 35th Infantry Division became knowns as the “Santa Fe” division, with the 35th Division patch being the wagon wheel and the unit crest the Conestoga wagon.

This wagon was used in the stage play “Stonega Run”in 2002 and then restored in Kentucky as the symbol of the 35th Infantry Division. The 35th Infantry at that time was headquartered at Fort Leavenworth, , with units in Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, and Illinois. The wagon accompanied the 35th Inf Div on their Deployment to Bosnia in 2003.

Items of Note

Santa Fe Division “Wagon Wheel” Patch

World War I “Doughboy” Ammo boxes, Freight Boxes, etc.

World War I Gas Mask Payroll Strong Box

Lahti L-39 Anti-Tank Rifle

The Lahti L-39 is a Finnish 20mm anti-tank rifle used during WWII. it had excellent accuracy, penetration, and range, but its size hindered its use. It was used for sniping, tank harassment, and as an anti-aircraft weapon.

Weighing 109 lbs, it could fire 30 rounds a minute from a 10 round box magazine.

ON LOAN FROM THE EISENHOWER MUSEUM

Kansas Guard in World Ward II

From 1939 to 1945, the world's nations were yet again, drawn into a state of global conflict. The Kansas Guard’s 35th Division was mobilized in December, 1940, serving first at Camp Robinson, Arkansas, then in California, Alabama, North Carolina, and England before landing on Omaha Beach, on July 5, 1944. Fighting its way across Europe, the 35th fought in battles at Saint Lo, Nancy, Orleans, the Bulge, the Rhine Crossing, and the Ruhr.

Kansas’ 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion landed on D-Day+1 and fought through the Normandy Invasion.

The Units received battle stars for Northern France, Central Europe, Rhineland, and Normandy. The 127th Observation Squadron, from the Wichita,Kansas Army Air Corps, was organized and mobilized in 1941and sent to the Paciﬁc Theater in the fall of 1944.

The 635th Armor Regiment

The 635th Armor Regiment was constituted on 15 January 1976 as the 1st Battalion, 635th Armor, a part of the 69th Infantry Brigade, with Headquarters at Manhattan, Kansas. The unit was equipped with M-60 “Slick 60” tanks, and later the M-60A3 tanks, which had thermal sights for locating targets at night.

In the early l980’s, the 2nd Battalion, 635th Armor was added, headquartered at Salina, Kansas. It was inactivated about ten years later.

In 1997, with the inactivation of the 69th Infantry Brigade, the 1st Battalion, 635th Armor became a part of the 40th Division of the California Army National Guard, and was equipped with the MIIP tanks,and later the M1A1 Abrams tank.

In 2004-05, the 1st Battalion, 635th Armor was mobilized for Operation Enduring Freedom and sent to Kosovo. In 2007 the 1st Battalion, 635th Armor was reorganized as a part of the 2d Battalion, 137th Infantry Combined Arms Task Force.

Items of Note

Photos Unit Personnel and Equipment

Order of St. George - Patron Saint of the Armor

Bataan Death March Fitness Competition Photo and Plaque

Mannequin — Tanker w/Armor Uniform

M-60 Tank (outside exhibit)

M-1 Abrams Tank (outside exhibit)

35th Division Artillery

The 35th Division Artillery was organized in 1917 at Camp Doniphan, Oklahoma, as part of the 35th Infantry Division for World War 1. Following campaigns in Europe at Alsace, Lorraine, and Meu'se-Argonne, the 35th Division Artillery was reorganized in 1923 as the 60th Field Artillery Brigade. Inducted into Federal service in 1940 and sent to Camp Robinson, Arkansas, it was reorganized as the 35 Division Artillery in 1942.

During the fight across Europe, the 35th Division Artillery earned campaign credit for Normandy,Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe. Inactivated in 1945 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky, in 1946 it was again activated as part of the 35th Infantry Division. In 1963, the 35th Division was inactivated until 1984, when it was reformed as a 5-state division—Kansas, Missouri,Kentucky, Nebraska, and Colorado. The 35th Division Artillery was then headquartered in Hutchinson,with battalions in Kansas, Kentucky, and Nebraska. In Kansas, this included the 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery and the 1st Battalion, 127th Field Artillery.

With reorganization of the 35th Division during the Iraqi War the 35th Division Artillery was again inactivated.

Items of Note

155mm Round, Fuse Setter, and Other Grenades, Rounds, and Mines

Models - M110 8 in. Self-Propelled Howitzer and M577 Command Track

Field Telephone

Ml09A6 155 mm SP Howitzer and M110 8 in. Self-Propelled Howitzer (outside exhibit)

137th Infantry Regiment

Organized in 1879 as the 1st Infantry Regiment, Kansas Volunteer Militia, soldiers of the 137th Infantry served as the 20th Kansas Volunteers for the Spanish American War. In 1899, it again became the 1st Infantry, Kansas National Guard, and saw service in the Mexican Border War of 1916.

In 1917, it became the 137th Infantry, a part of the 35th Infantry Division, and entered service for World War I, seeing action in the battles of Meuse—Argonne, Alsace, and Lorraine. Demobilized in 1919 at Camp Funston, Ft. Riley, Kansas, it again served as part of the Kansas National Guard.

On 23 December 1940, it was mobilized with the 35th Infantry Division for World War II,eventually participating in the battles of Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe. Inactivated in 1945 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky, in 1947 it again returned to the Kansas National Guard and became the 1st and 2nd Battle Groups, 137th Infantry, in the 1950’s. In 1963, with the inactivation of the 35th Infantry Division they became the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 137th Infantry, 69th Infantry Brigade. The 3rd Battalion, 137th Infantry was added in 1967.

The 1st and 2nd Battalions were mobilized for the Vietnam War in 1968, with the flag staying at Ft.Carson, Colorado, as part of the 5th Infantry Division. However, many members of the unit served in Vietnam. The 137th was activated for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005, serving in Iraq until 2006. It was reorganized into the 2d Combined Arms Battalion, 137th Infantry, and deployed to the Horn of Africa in 2010-11.

Items of Note

Plaque Honoring 137th Infantry Soldiers Killed in Vietnam

Photos of 137th Infantry from the early 1900’s, incl. COL Paul Fall Battle Field Commission-1945

35th Infantry Division

The 35th Infantry Division was organized in 1917 at Camp Doniphan, Oklahoma, from the National Guard of Kansas and Missouri. Principal units were the 69th and 70th Infantry Brigades, the 60th Field Artillery Brigade, the 128th Machine Gun Battalion, the 110th Engineer Regiment, the 110th Field Signal Battalion, Headquarters Troop, and Trains.

In 1918 the 35th entered World War I, participating in the battles of Alsace, Lorraine, and Meuse-Argonne. Returning in 1919, the 35th was inactivated until 1940, when it was mobilized for World War II at Camp Robinson, Arkansas. Following duty at Camp Robinson, the 35th participated in the Louisiana Maneuvers in 1941, then was sent to Fort Rucker, Alabama, and Camp San Luis Obispo, California.

They were deployed to Europe in 1944, where they participated in the Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central European campaigns.

Inactivated in 1945, the 35th Infantry Division was again made a part of the Kansas and Missouri National Guard in 1946. It was inactivated in 1963, and then reorganized in 1984 with Headquarters at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, with Brigades in Kansas, Nebraska, and Kentucky; the Division Support Command (DISCOM) in Missouri; the Division Artillery (DivArty) headquartered in Kansas, and the Aviation Brigade in Colorado. In 2005 the 35th Infantry Division served as the headquarters for U. S. operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Items of Note

World War II Photos, Uniforms, and Memorabilia

World War II Mannequin (on floor) — SSG Harold Volk, Lawrence, Kansas

Photos and Displays by Murray Leff

Photos and Displays

by Murray Leff E Company, 137th Infantry, WW II

Now of Bellerose, New York

(Murray traded his cigarette ration for a camera to take these photos.)

Murray Leff

69th Infantry Brigade

The 69th Infantry Brigade was organized in 1917 at Camp Doniphan, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, as part of the 35th Infantry Division. Serving in Europe in World War I, it won battle streamers at the battles of Meuse-Argonne, Alsace, and Lorraine. It was inactivated in 1919 following World War I.

Reorganized at Kansas City in 1935, it was mobilized in 1940 for World War II, during which it won battle streamers at Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes-Alsace, Rhineland, and Central Europe. Inactivated in 1945, it returned to the Kansas National Guard in 1946. In 1959 it became Headquarters Company, 35th Infantry Division, until the 35th Infantry Division was inactivated in 1963, and it became the 69th Infantry Brigade (Separate), Kansas Army National Guard.

In 1968 the 69th was ordered to active service at Ft. Carson, Colorado, for the Vietnam War. Major units were Hqs and Hqs Co., 69th Brigade; the 1st and 2d Bns.,137th Infantry; the 2d Bn., 133rd Infantry (Iowa NG); the 2d Bn., 130th Field Artillery; the 169th support Bn.; the 169th Aviation Co.; the 169th Engineer Co.; and Troop E, 114th Cavalry. Although the colors did not leave Ft Carson, the 69th set a distinguished record as part of the 5th Inf. Div., and many 69th members were levied for duty in Vietnam.

When the 35th Infantry Division was reactivated in 1984, the 69th was made one of its mechanized infantry brigades. In the 1990’s, the 69th Infantry Brigade was again inactivated.

Items of Note

Memorial Plaque - Showing 69th InfBde (Sep) Members Killed in Action in Vietnam —- 1968-69

Original Colors — 69th Infantry Brigade (Separate)

Fort Carson Memorabilia - 1968

161st Field Artillery Regiment

The 161st Field Artillery was organized in 1880 as the 2nd Infantry Regiment, Kansas National Guard and served in the Mexican Border War. During World War I it served as part of the 137th Infantry, and in 1921 was re-designated as the 161st Field Artillery, 35th Infantry Division.

It was mobilized in 1940 for World War II, and in 1942 divided into the 161st Field Artillery and the 195th Field Artillery. The 161st was demobilized in 1945. On 22 June 1946 it was re—designated the 161st Armored Field Artillery Battalion, a non-divisional unit, with the headquarters in Dodge City (beginning in 1948). It was equipped with the 105mm self-propelled howitzers called the “Priest.” In 1950 it was re-designated as the 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery and later equipped with the 8 inch and 155mm howitzers. Battery E (Target Acquisition Battery) was added in 1988.

The unit was activated for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2002, serving security duty at Ft. Riley and Ft. Leavenworth. Units of the 1-161 FA served in Iraq in 2007-08 and in the Horn of Africa in 2011-12. Today the 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery and the 2d Battalion, 130th Field Artillery are the only Field Artillery units left in the Kansas National Guard. Its headquarters is in Hutchinson, Kansas.

The unit has campaign credit for Meuse—Argonne, Alsace, and Lorraine in World War I and Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe in World War II.

Items of Note

Plaque Denoting Commanders of the 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery

M109A5 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (outside exhibit)

127th Field Artillery Regiment

The 127th Field Artillery Regiment was organized in 1916 at Ft. Riley, Kansas. Following service in the Mexican Border War, it was reorganized as Cavalry and then as Headquarters Troop, 35th Infantry Division, for World War 1, serving in Europe.

Following World War I, it was again Cavalry until 1940, when it became the 127th Field Artillery, 35th Infantry Division. Following mobilization in 1940, it was divided into the 2d Battalion, 127th Field Artillery and the 1st Battalion, 195th Field Artillery. After WW II, the unit was inactivated, but reorganized as the 127th Field Artillery Battalion at Ottawa in 1948. It became the 1st Battalion, 127th, Field Artillery in 1959, again a part of the 35th Infantry Division.

When the 35th was inactivated in 1963, it became 1st Bn, 127th Field Artillery (nondivisional).When the 35th Division was again activated in 1984, it became a part of the 35th Division Artillery.

In 2005 the unit was activated for Operation Iraqi Freedom, and served a year in Iraq, Upon its return in 2006, it was inactivated, and the units became batteries of the 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery and the 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery.

World War I campaign streamers include Meuse-Argonne, Alsace, and Lorraine. World War II campaign credits include Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe.

Items of Note

Model and Information on M1O9A6 Palladin 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzers World War I

Photos of the 127th Field Artillery in Action.

Peacekeeping in Bosnia

Headquarters, 35th Infantry Division, Kansas National Guard, served at Eagle Base, Tuzla, Bosnia in 2003 and 2007, providing command and control of Task Force Eagle, Stabilization Force 13.

The war between Muslim and Croat forces in Bosnia had gone on for several years until the Dayton Peace Accord was signed in 1995 by Croatia, Bosnia, and Serbia. The U. S. military deployed to the area to assist in keeping the peace as part of Operation Joint Endeavor. Task Force Eagle was the lead element of NATO’s Multi-National Division (North).

Task Force Eagle was commanded by the 1st Infantry Division, the 1st Armored Division, the 10th Mountain Division, the 49th Armored Division, the 3rd Infantry Division, the 29th Infantry Division, and the 28th Infantry Division. .

The 35th Infantry Division, Kansas National Guard, had command of the mission from April to September of 2003, under the leadership of BG Ron Mason, Asst. Division Commander.

The Covered Wagon on exhibit, symbol of the 35th “Santa Fe” Division, was posted in front of the headquarters at Eagle Base during that time.

The “Nun’s Flag” & Chaplain Harry Washburn

This exhibit features the most famous Regimental U. S. colors ever, the “Nun’s Flag,” made by Catholic Nuns at the end of WW II from red Nazi banners, white bed sheets, and the Nun’s blue habits.

It was made at the request of Chaplain Harry Washburn, battalion chaplain for the 137th Infantry Regiment, and flown first on Memorial Day, 1945, in Hamelin, Germany. It was later flown at many Memorial Day and other observances in the United States.

This exhibit also features Chaplain Washburn’s ﬁeld communion kit, his clerical stoles, photos and historical papers of his service in the 35th a Division in WW II, a collection of his pins and awards, seven (7) crosses (of which he made hundreds for distribution to patients, soldiers, and others), and other items from his service and life.

Chaplain Washburn died in California in 2002, and this exhibit was donated by his widow, Mrs. Winifred Washburn, his two sons, John and George, and his daughter Harriet Washburn Priska.

The Nuns Flag

“The Nun"s Flag”

“The Nun’s Flag” is a unique Regimental Flag created for the 137th Infantry Regiment during World War II.

As the 137th fought across Belgium, its whole Medical Section was captured and forced to care for wounded German soldiers. It was later rescued, and helped free the victims of Auschwitz. It wound up in Hamelin, Germany, the town famous for the Pied Piper of Hamelin.

Before Memorial Day, 1945, the Battalion Commander,COL Albert Butler, asked Chaplain Harry Washburn to locate a large flag for Memorial Day services. As one could not be found, Chaplain Washburn asked the Nuns from a local convent to make an American flag. This they agreed to do, using a foot-powered sewing machine. For the stripes and stars, they used bed sheets, for the blue background they used their blue surge habits, and for the red stripes, they used the red material from a captured Nazi banner. Stars were sewn on both sides of the Flag, and it was ready.

In appreciation for their work, Chaplain Washburn gave the nuns 20 lbs of sugar and 50 pounds of white flour,both of which they had not seen for over 5 years. .

The Flag was used by the 137th Regt for Memorial Days and special observances and later by Chaplain Washburn as he served as a parish pastor in various cities in California and Utah. Chaplain Washburn passed away in 2002.

Donated by Winifred Washburn (widow), Sons John & George. and Daughter Harriet Priska.

Peacekeeping in Kosovo

The 1st Battalion, 635th Armor and the 35th Military Police Company deployed to Kosovo in 2004-06 as part of KFOR-6. Kosovo Force (KFOR) was a NATO—led peacekeeping force for establishing peace and stability in war-torn Kosovo.

The military forces of Yugoslavia and the Kosovo Liberation Army had been in daily engagement. Serb forces had committed ethnic cleansing of Kosovo Albanians. The death toll was horrific and nearly 1 million people had ﬂed Kosovo as refuges.

Edged Weapons Collection

This exhibit includes a collection of edged weapons—bayonets and swords—used by military forces throughout the world from the 1800’s through the 1900’s.

The exhibit is on loan from Dan Ramlow, Topeka.

German 8mm Maxim Machine Gun

This Maxim 8mm machine gun was captured from the Germans by 35th Division troops in WW I. It is belt-fed, water-cooled, and has a rate of fire of 600 rounds per minute.

The German Army had over 100,000 of these killers by the end of WW I.

This machine gun was in the custody of the 130th Field Artillery for many years.

The Kansas Guard In WW I

From July 1914 to November 1918, the world was drawn into conflict. World War 1 proved to be a lengthy and costly "total war" that required the commitment of all of the Nation's State Resources.

All 10,000 men of the Kansas National Guard were called to Federal Service for World War I. Most of the men were assigned to the 35th Infantry Division, which was formed in 1917 at Camp Doniphan, Oklahoma. The rest were in an Ammunition Train assigned to the 42nd Division.

The units fought valiantly in France, and the 35th Division received campaign credit for the battles in the Muse-Argonne, Alsace, and Lorraine, with 1300 killed and 6000 wounded.

History was made the first time ever, when Erwin’s unit, the 50th Aero Squadron, attempted to resupply combat units on the ground from the air. 2nd LT Erwin Bleckley of Wichita received the Medal of Honor posthumously. He was killed in a plane crash serving as an Artillery observer and after he had found the "Lost Battalion,” pinned down by German forces.

Starbase Academy

The Kansas National Guard Museum is the host to the Topeka Starbase Academy, part of the DoD Starbase Program.

DoD STARBASE focuses on elementary students, primarily fifth graders. The goal is to motivate them to explore STEM as they continue their education. The program encourages students to set goals and achieve them.

The STARBASE program engages students through the inquiry-based curriculum with its "hands-on, mind-on" experiential activities. They study Newton's Laws and Bernoulli's principle; explore nanotechnology, navigation and mapping. They are captivated by engineering as they use the computer to design space stations, all-terrain vehicles and submersibles. Math is embedded throughout the curriculum and students use metric measurement, estimation, calculation geometry and data analysis to solve questions. Teamwork is stressed as they work together to explore, explain, elaborate and evaluate concepts.

The academies work with school districts to support their standards of learning objectives. A teacher whose class attended DoD STARBASE stated, "STARBASE teaches science and math in ways that we wish we had the time, resources and expertise to do in the regular classroom. It's experiential, exploratory learning with a direct tie to the standards.”

The Kansas STARBASE program is located in five different cities throughout the state including: Wichita, Topeka, Salina, Kansas City and Manhattan. For the past several years, Kansas STARBASE has partnered with western Kansas community colleges, Fort Hays State University, Kansas State University, Pittsburg State University and the Kansas Cosmosphere to provide summer academies in Pittsburg, Great Bend, Liberal, Garden City, Hays, Colby, Hutchinson and Pratt.

Learn More About Kansas Starbase Here !

The Origins of The Kansas National Guard

Citizen-soldiers began protecting Kansas homes and families when our state was still a territory, leaving farms, businesses and other work places when called to defend the state and nation.

As members of the National Guard of the United States, they trace their roots to the organized “militia” regiments formed in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in December 1636. “Militia,” from the Latin “miles,” means “soldier.” The concept of armed citizenry comes from the Greeks who required military service of free male citizens to defend their own land and the city-state, generally for short durations. That concept, which came to the colonies from England through the Saxons, brought with it an enduring fear of standing armies – the repressive forces of monarchs. The posting of British Regulars in the colonies reinforced that fear and distrust of full-time soldiers among Americans.

“Minutemen” from that same colony’s militia fired the “shot heard around the world” at Concord River’s North Bridge on April 19, 1775, and began our nation’s struggle for independence from Britain. We gained that independence with the help of the Marquis de Lafayette, a volunteer commander for American troops, and on his return to America in 1824, members of a New York militia took the name “National Guard” in honor of the Marquis, who was the commander of a French militia unit called the “Garde Nationale de Paris.” By the end of the 19th century, militia units in nearly all states were designated “National Guard” and with the passage of the Militia Act of 1903, the name “National Guard” became official.

Founders Wall

Founders Wall

Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame Inductees

HOF_BANNER1

Established by the National Guard Association of Kansas to commemorate and recognize individuals who have served in the Kansas National Guard or its predecessor “Kansas State Militia” and who have made a significant contribution to the National Guard achievements, tradition, or history.

Click Here For List of Hall of Fame Inductees

Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor is the United States of America’s highest military honor, awarded for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty. The medal is awarded by the President of the United States in the name of the U.S. Congress to U.S. military personnel only. According to the Medal of Honor Historical Society of the United States, there have been 3,512 Medals of Honor awarded to the nation’s soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and coast guardsmen since the decoration’s creation, with just less than half of them awarded for actions during the four years of the Civil War.

Recipients of the Medal Honor who served in the Kansas National Guard.

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Mexican Border War - 1916

Mexican Border War - 1916 In 1915 a Civil War erupted in Mexico, spilling over into the United States. Pancho Villa, a regional warlord, attacked the 13th U. S. Cavalry at Columbus, NM on March 9, 1916, killing eight soldiers and nine civilians.

Pres. Woodrow Wilson ordered Gen. John J. Pershing to organize an expedition into Mexico and capture Pancho Villa. Villa and his force escaped the Army, and raided two cities in Texas in May, 1916. The Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona National Guards were mobilized. That was not enough, and Pres. Wilson mobilized the entire National Guard of the United States.

The Kansas Guard, with 2000 men, was asked to recruit 4000 more, train at home armories and a week at Ft. Riley, then depart for Texas.

The Kansas troops left Ft. Riley the end of June in railroad cars, with the 1st Kansas Infantry detraining at Eagle Pass, TX on July 2, 1916, and the 2nd Kansas arriving on July 4. Following were Btry A, Field Artillery; Co A, Signal Corps; Troop A, 1st Cavalry; and the Hospital Corps. Meeting with the Mexican commander across the border, Colonel Fernando Peraldi, they were assured there would be no further problems. Conducting daily patrols, the Kansans stayed on the border until mid-October, when the two Inf Regts left for Kansas, followed several months later by the other units.

Spanish American War - Exhibit 2

Kansas National Guard Museum Logo

Spanish American War - Exhibit 2

During the Philippine Insurrection, the 20th Kansas Volunteer Infantry Regiment, commanded by Colonel Frederick Funston, reported to the Presidio at Monterey, California, then was shipped to Manila in the Philippines in November 1898, to assist in keeping the peace after Commodore George Dewey’s victory against the Spanish in Manila Bay.

The Filipinos, led by Emilio Aquinaldo, were leading an insurrection to secure control of the Philippines for themselves.

The 20th was assigned to defend a sector of the city, and then to assist in the fighting on Luzon. During river crossing operations across the Rio Grande de Pampagna River against the Filipinos, three members of the 20th received the Medal of Honor for heroic actions. These included Corporal William B. Trembley, Private Edward White, and Colonel Frederick Funston, the commander. (See next exhibit.)

Colonel Frederick Funston, Corporal William B. Trembley, and Private Edward White are all members of the Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame.

Items of Note

1873 Springïfield Rifle — Used by the 20th Kansas in the Philippine Insurrection 1854 French

12mm Pin Fire Pistol — Used in the Spanish American War Items Used by Private Joseph Miller in the Spanish American War

Philippine Dagger - Captured during the Philippine Insurrection Discharge Papers - Wilbur and Joseph Miller, Spanish American War

Spanish American War - Exhibit 1

In 1898, President William McKinley asked for volunteer troops for the Spanish-American and Philippine Insurrection.

Kansas supplied four regiments - the 20th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd Kansas Volunteer Infantry Regiments, with made the 23rd made up of black soldiers.

The 21st and 22nd were on duty for a few months , and then released due to the shortness of the war. The 23rd served on garrison duty in Cuba. The 20th Kansas Volunteer Infantry Regiment fought in the Philippine Insurrection (see next display)

Items of Note

Book- History of the 20th Kansas, with Photos of Corporal William B. Trembley and Private Edward White, who received the Medal of Honor.

Framed Photo - Colonel Frederick Funston, Who Commended the 20th Kansas and received the Medal of Honor. He was later in charge of U. S. Army soldiers during the San Francisco earthquake of 1906

Webster Cannon - Used on a ship in Manila Bay as Commodore Dewey defeated the Spanish -Donated by the Leavenworth Junior ROTC

Kansas Militia in the Indian Wars

Kansas National Guard Museum Logo

Kansas Militia in the Indian Wars

The Kansas Militia was also called upon to defend settlers in central Kansas during the Indian Wars of 1866-1870.

The 11th,16th,18th, and 19th Kansas Militia Cavalry assisted in keeping the peace between Kansas settlers and Comanche, Cheyenne, Kiowa, and Arapaho Indians.

An extraordinary scout Alison J. Pliley saved the 18th Kansas From the Massacre at the Battle of Prairie Dog Creek in 1867.

The year 1878 saw the last skirmish between the Kansas Militia and the Indians, with the Dull Knife Raid in northwest Kansas.

In 1885 the Kansas Militia became the Kansas National Guard.

Kansas State Duty Photos 1919-2007

CQ-10A SnowGoose

This CQ—10A SnowGoose is a cargo delivery unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). It uses a parafoil (parachute not on exhibit) for lift and the propeller (on the back) for forward movement.

The SnowGoose was originally designed for leaflet dispensing, but, its six modular cargo containers (3 on each side) can also be used to carry cargo (rations, ammo, spare parts, etc.), electronic sensors, or fuel to extend the range of the aircraft. It can carry up to 600 lbs, and loads can be placed within 100 ft of the desired delivery point.

The SnowGoose has a speed of 38 mph and a range of 160 miles. It can be air dropped or launched from the ground using a launcher on a HMMWV vehicle.

A laptop computer is used to program the flight plan and upload the UAV’s guidance system before launch. It can be programmed to either land at its destination or drop supplies from the air and return to base.

This SnowGoose was used by the Kansas National Guard at the Smoky Hill Weapons Range at Salina.

Spanish American War — Exhibit 3

Spanish American War - Exhibit 3

During the fighting on Luzon, the 20th Kansas used Krag and Model 1873 Springﬁeld rifles against the superior Mausers of the Filipinos. When the insurrection was ﬁnally put down, thanks to superior training, artillery, and leadership Colonel Funston, a total of 34 men were killed, 122 were wounded, and 30 died from disease from the 20th Kansas.

After trips to Hong Kong and Yokohama, Japan, the 20th arrived at San Francisco on 10 October 1899, and mustered out on 28 October 1899.

The regiment returned to Topeka on 2 November 1899, where they were welcomed home and returned to service in the Kansas National Guard.

Items of Note

Original Muster Rolls - 20th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd Regiments, Kansas Volunteer Infantry - Spanish American War (Colonel Funston’s entry, and those of Corporal Trembley and Private White are found in the Muster Roll of the 20th Kansas.)

Flag from Reception on Return of 20th Kansas to Topeka on 2 November 1899 (See Exhibit 2.)

Photo of Joseph and Wilbur Miller in the Spanish American War Handwritten Special Orders, The Adjutant General of Kansas — Prior to Spanish American War

891st Engineer Battalion Exhibit

This exhibit features the 891st Engineer Battalion, originally located in central Kansas and headquartered in Manhattan. It later was relocated to southeast Kansas, where it had units at Iola, Fort Scott, Pittsburg, Cherryvale, Coffeyville, Chanute, Augusta, and Winfield.

The unit currently has the Headquarters at Iola, the 225th Engineer Company (Vertical) at Augusta and Pittsburg, the 242d Engineer Company (Horizontal) at Coffeyville, and the 772d Engineer Company (Mobility Augmentation Company) at Fort Scott.

The 891st Engineer Battalion served on Active Duty in Iraq during 2005 and 2006, providing security, convoy escort, and visitor coordination for coalition forces. It has constructed roads, parks, and other public facilities in the state of Kansas and schools, nursing care facilities, and roads in Panama, Costa Rica, and Belize.

The Kansas Guard previously had the 226th Engineer Battalion, headquartered at Wichita, and the 195th Engineer Group, headquartered at Iola.

Rifle , M-103 Springfield, Mark I

John D. Pedersen, an independent gun designer, developed a semi- automatic device, adaptable to the M-1903 Springfield rifle, in 1915.

In 1917, the U. S. Army Ordnance Department adopted the design and soon let production contracts for the weapon. To keep this device a secret from our WWI enemies, the production program was termed the U. S. Pistol, Caliber .30, Model 1918.

Production of special M-1903 Springfield rifles, slightly modified to accept the Pedersen device, began soon thereafter. The modified rifles identified as the Mark I, included a milled opening in the left side of the . receiver and removal of a small amount of the stock, just below the milled oval. This was for ejection of the small cartridge cases, which did resemble pistol cartridges. The Pedersen magazine held 40 rounds.

The sudden end to WW I caused the Army to scrap the whole program. The devices were destroyed, and the rifles reverted to routine usage.

Crew-Served & Individual Weapons

This exhibit features crew-served and individual weapons of the Kansas National Guard

M-60 Machine Gun W/Bipod — This is the current machine gun, and may also be vehicle or aircraft mounted. A 7.62 weapon, it has a range of 2.3 miles, a rate of ﬁre of 550 rounds per minute, and weighs 18 lbs.

M-37 Cal. .30 Machine Gun — This was the primary crew-served weapon of the U. S. Army World War I until replaced by the M—6O for the Vietnam War.

M-16 Riﬂe — The M-16 has been used from 1960 to the present. At 5.56, it may be ﬁred either in automatic or semi-automatic mode. It has a 750 rounds per minute maximum rate of ﬁre, with a maximum effective range of 600 yards.

M-1 Rifle — The M-1 Garand was the standard Infantry weapon from 1936 to 1957, with 4.5 million made. It is a .30 cal. riﬂe ﬁred from an 8-round clip. It weighs over 9 lbs, and could be equipped with a riﬂe grenade launcher.

AK-47 Rifle —— The AK-47 is a Soviet-made weapon used since 1949. At 7.62, it can ﬁre 600 rounds per minute from a 30-round box or 7 5-round drum. It has a maximum effective range of 300 meters.

Riot Control Shotgun -— Thirty of these shotguns were purchased for each of the 33 companies of the Kansas State Guard during World War 11. They were then maintained in the State Warehouse for possible domestic duty following World War II.

Early 20th Century Weapons

This exhibit features individual weapons from the first half of the 20th Century.

M1903 Springfield - This was the primary weapon of the U. S. Army from 1903 to the 1930’s, and during World War I. It is a bolt action, .30 cal. rifle, with a maximum effective range of 600 yards.

M1917 Enfield — The Enfield was used by British and some U. S. forces during World War I and II. It is a .30 cal. rifle, fired from a 5-round clip, and weighs over 9 lbs.

M1898 Krag — The Krag is a bolt action, repeating rifle weighing 7.5 lbs, which originated in Norway. It had a service history of 1886 to 1945, and was used by the 20th Kansas in the Philippine Insurrection in 1898-99. It has a maximum effective range of 300 yards

M-1 Rifle — The M-1 Garand was the primary rifle of U. S. forces rom World War II to the Vietnam War. A .30 cal. rifle, it is fired from an 8-round clip, and can be equipped with a grenade launcher.

M-98 Mauser Carbine —- This was used by the German Cavalry during World War I, and by the Filipinos against the Americans in the Philippine Insurrection.

Japanese Type 99 Rifle — This bolt action rifle was used by the Japanese between 1939 and 1945. It weighs slightly over 8 lbs.

M-4 Sherman Tank (Model) — The M-4 Sherman was the primary tank used by the U. S. during WW II. It was used by General Patton on Third Army’s march into Germany.

Individual Weapons

The Kansas National Guard has been equipped with a variety of individual weapons over the years. These have included:

Browning Automatic Rifle M1918A2 - Used by the U. S. Army from 1917 to the 1960’s, the BAR, as it is known, is a 7.62 rifle weighing 20 lbs. It was used during World Wars I and II and Korean War. It has a maximum range of 600 yards, with a maximum effective rate of fire of 600 rounds per minute from a 10-round magazine.

M1911 Cal. .45 Pistol - Used from WWI through the Vietnam War, it has been replaced by the 9mm pistol. It is a semi-automatic, magazine fed pistol with a maximum effective range of 25 meters. Thompson & M-3 Machine Guns -The Thompson was the main weapon of the Kansas State Guard during World War II, with two authorized per company. It was also used by Army troops in World War II.

M-1 Cal. .30 Carbine - Used beginning in 1941, it is a semi-automatic weapon used in combat operations where mobility is required.

M-14 Rifle - The M-14 7.62 rifle was used by the U.S. Army and Kansas National Guard from 1957 to 1968, being replaced by the M-16 for the Vietnam War. Weighing 10 lbs, it I'm a maximum effective range of 500 yards and a maximum rate of fire of 600 rounds per minute.

M-79 Grenade Launcher —- The M-79 replaced rifle grenades primarily fired from M-1 rifles.

Marksmanship Exibit

Marksmanship Exhibit

Throughout its history, the Kansas National Guard has had Marksmanship Teams which competed among units and on the national level at the National Guard Bureau Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio and other places. Both rifle and pistol competitions are held.

Each year the annual Adjutant General of Kansas Rifle and Pistol Matches are held at the Kansas Regional Training Center, Salina, with all units both Army and Air Guard, encouraged to have competitive teams.

Several Armories across the state, including Nickell Armory, Topeka, had indoor rifle ranges, but for environmental and safety reasons, these have been shut down. Outdoor ranges are available at Ft. Riley, McConnell AFB, Ft. Leavenworth, the Kansas Regional Training Center (Salina) and at civilian facilities. For many years, Air Rifle Competitions were also held, with targets mailed in for scoring.

CW4 Carl Nelson, MSG Bob Lewis, SMSgt James Broadhead, SFC Robert Crumpton, and COL Ernest Peck were among the state's top shooters over the years.

Items of Note

M-14 Match Rifle

Cal. .45 Match Pistols

Spotting Scopes

Shooters Gloves and other Shooting Accessories.

The Origin of Shoulder Sleve Insignia

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The Origin of Shoulder Sleve Insignia

In 1918, when American Soldiers were leaving Hoboken in great numbers it was noted that all members of the 81st Division wore a cloth patch on their left shoulders featuring a silhouette of a wildcat. Much comment arose about the right of any unit to so distinguish itself above all others. The 81st left for France and upon arrival, this distinguishing insignia (unauthorized at that time) again caused comment and even orders for there removal. The matter came to attention of GHQ, which upon investigation, decided the morale and temper of this division was worthy of emulation. In a short time each division and finally each unit in the A. E. F. was ordered to devise its own shoulder sleeve insignia. Thus was born the present system of unit identity. The 81st (Wildcat) Division originated this system of shoulder sleeve identity in the U. S. Army.

Insignia_81st_(Stonewall)_Division,_American_Expeditionary_Forces,_France_1918-19

Hitler Painting

This original oil painting of Adolph Hitler, painted by Heinrick Betzold in 1942, was taken from a German Officer’s Club at Hammelberg, Germany by 1LT Stanley Casey, 35th Infantry Division, following his liberation from Offlag 13B, a German POW Camp, by the 14th Armored Division on April 6, 1945.

1LT Casey kept the painting until his death, when it passed to his Widow. Upon her death, the 15th Circuit Court of Arkansas directed that the painting be delivered to the Museum of the Kansas National Guard, home of the 35th Division Museum. The 35th was 1LT Casey’s unit. It is in no way intended to glorify Hitler nor the Nazi movement. It is simply a “war trophy,” like the Nazi Flags displayed with it.

Paintings By James Myrick Lawrence, KS

Original Paintings By James Myrick Lawrence, KS

Kansas Guard in Vietnam War

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Kansas Guard in Vietnam War

In an effort to prevent and contain communist rule from spreading to South Vietnam, the United States began deploying combat units to support operations in Vietnam in 1965.

The Kansas Army National Guard’s 69th Infantry Brigade (Separate), was mobilized for the Vietnam War in 1968. Deployed to Fort Carson, Colorado, it became part of the 5th Infantry Division (Mech). Over 2000 members of the 69th were levied as replacements into Vietnam, with 38 individuals paying the ultimate sacriï¬ce.

Also mobilized for the Vietnam War, was the 995th Maintenance Company, which remained at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Vietnam War

The Kansas National Guard had two units activated for the Vietnam War. They were the 69th Infantry Brigade (Separate) and the 995th Maintenance Company. The 69th Infantry Brigade was sent to Ft. Carson, Colorado, where they earned high marks as part of the 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized). The 995th Maintenance Company was sent to Fort Hood, Texas, where they assumed a Regular Army maintenance mission.

A total of 2,397 members of the 69th Infantry Brigade were levied to Vietnam and assigned to Regular Army units. A total of 38 members of the 69th died in action, while 11 men earned the Silver Star for gallantry. When the 69th was released from active duty on 12 December 1969, a total of 55 officers and 175 enlisted men remained on extended active duty.

Items of Note

Captured Viet Cong Flag, Weapons, Grenade, Sandals, etc. Photos of 60th Bde Units, Letters from Vietnam, Military Pay Currency, etc.

Framed Prints — U. S. Planes and Helicopters in Vietnam 819th

Red Horse Crest — USAF Stationed at Forbes Field, Topeka

SUU 23/A 20MM AUTOMATIC GUN POD

SUU 23/A 20MM AUTOMATIC GUN POD CONTAINING: GAU4 VULCAN GUN MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL ELECTRIC DESIGNED FOR AIR TO GROUND FIRING WITH AIR TO AIR CAPABILITY

WEIGHT - 1075 LBS EMPTY - 1730 LBS LOADED

LENGTH - 199S.25 IN.

AMMO TYPE - 2OMM TP,HEI, API, ETC.

AMMO CAPACITY - 1200 ROUNDS

RATE OF FIRE - 6000 ROUNDS PER MIN.

MUZZLE VELOCITY - 3380 FT. PER SEC. ROUNDS

ELECTRICALLY FIRED - 320 VOLTS D.C.

PODS USED ON F-4D SERIAL #0184 FORMERLY MAINTAINED BY 184TH CAM SQ, GUN SERVICES KANSAS AIR NATIONAL GUARD MCCONNELL AFB.

184th Intelligence Wing Exhibit

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184th Intelligence Wing Exhibit

Known as the “Flying Jayhawks,” the 184th Intelligence Wing is located at McConnell AFB, Wichita. After flying many different aircraft over the years, it now flies the Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) among its other missions.

Formed as the 127th Observation Squadron in 1941, Flying L-4’s, the unit saw duty in the India-Burma-Philippines Theater in WW II.

Following WW II, the 127th was reorganized at Wichita with a variety of aircraft—C-47 “Gooney Bird,” B-26 Bombers, F-51 Mustangs, L-5’s, and AT—6 Trainers. In 1949 it became the 127th Tactical Fighter Squadron and then the 127th Tactical Bomber Squadron, flying F- 84’s. Mobilized for the Korean War, the unit served in France. After the Korean War, they received prop-driven F -51’s before receiving the jet- powered F-80’s in 1954, which they flew until 1958. In 1957 they became the 127th Fighter Intercepter Squadron and in 1962 the 184th Tactical Fighter Group. They flew F-86 Sabres (1958-61), F-100 Super Sabres (1961-71), F-105 Thunderchiefs (1971-79), F-4 Phantoms (1979-87), and F-16 Falcons (1987-94). In 1994 they became the 184th Bomb Wing, flying the B-1B Bomber, in 2002 the 184th Air Refueling Wing, flying KC-135R Stratotankers, and in 2007 the 184th Intelligence Wing.

The exhibit includes information on the unit’s history, the aircraft it has flown, its mobilization for the Pueblo Crisis in 1968, the F-4D aircraft (outside), the F-4 Vulcan Gun Pod, and the large F-16 model (suspended from ceiling).

Munitions

This exhibit, as well as others in the Museum, features munitions used by the U. S. military, including the Kansas National Guard. Munitions is a generic term meaning the assembly of a projectile and its propellant. It includes small arms ammunition (5.56mm rounds used in M-16 rifles and 7.62mm rounds used in M-60 machine guns), as well as the 105mm, 155mm, and 8 inch shells fired by tube artillery. It includes bombs, missiles, and warheads dropped or fired by Air Guard aircraft, as well as mines, rocket artillery and tank rounds, and mortar rounds.

A round is a single unit of ammunition. For an artillery round, this includes the fuze,projectile, propellant, and primer. Design of the ammunition is based on its purpose.Anti-personnel shells contain shrapnel and are designed to explode in mid-air. Armor-piercing ammunition is hard, sharp, and narrow. Incendiary projectiles include a material such as white phosphorus (Willie Pete) which burns fiercely. Tracer ammunition emits light as it travels,allowing the gunner to see the path of the bullets.

Modern artillery ammunition is generally of two types: separate loading and semi-fixed.Semi-fixed rounds appear in the form of a projectile with a cartridge case which contains the propellant. The canister is outï¬tted with a primer on its base, which fires upon contact from the firing pin. Gunpowder, precision machined to burn evenly, is contained inside of cloth bags. For example, 105mm howitzer rounds contain seven power bags, referred to as increments or charges. Putting the powder in bags allows the crew to remove the increments when firing at closer targets.The unused increments are disposed of by burning in a powder pit at a safe distance from the guns.

Larger rounds (155mm, 8 inch) are separate loading. The projectile is rammed home in the chamber, the powder charges are loaded, the breech is closed, and the primer in inserted. Projectiles arrive at the weapon with a plug in the fuze well on the nose of the projectile. Using a special fuze wrench, the plug is unscrewed and a fuze is screwed in. Common artillery fuzes include point detonating, delay, time, and proximity (variable time).

190th Air Refueling Wing Exhibit

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190th Air Refueling Wing Exhibit

Known as the “Kansas Coyotes,” the 190th Air Refueling Wing is located here at Forbes Field, and currently flies twelve KC-135R Stratotankers.

Organized as the 117th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron at the Hutchinson Air National Guard Base (formerly the Hutchinson Naval Air Station) in 1958, it later became the 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in 1972, flying the RB-57A Canberra aircraft, as well as the B-57C. In 1967 the unit moved from Hutchinson to Forbes Field, and in 1972 received the B—57G. In 1974 the unit was re-designated as the 190th Defense System Evaluation Group, still flying the Canaberras.

In 1977, the 190th became the 190th Air Refueling Group, later renamed the 190th Air Refueling Wing, flying KC-135E Stratotankers. In 1991 the 190th was deployed to Saudi Arabia for Desert Shield, and stayed to coordinate refueling operations for all coalition forces during Desert Storm, which followed. Various sections of the unit have seen deployments in the Global War on Terrorism, and the unit has received several “Outstanding Unit” awards from the U.S. Air Force.

Army and Air Guard Medical Support

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Army and Air Guard Medical Support

This exhibit features surgical tools, equipment, scrubs, and other items land by Army and Air Force (including Kansas National Guard) medical personnel. The mannequins include an Air Guard doctor, Col Percival Pascua, and an Army nurse.

Military medical support is best known by the Field Medics, often stalled “Doc,” of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, as well as the MASH (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) of TV fame.

Combat medics are trained soldiers who are responsible for providing first aid and front line trauma care on the battlefield. They wear specific insignia, with a prominent red Cross on a white background. According to the Geneva Convention, knowingly firing at a medic wearing clear insignia is a war crime. During WW II this rule was carefully followed by both sides in the European Theater. However, Japanese Forces regarded medics as primary targets, resulting in Allied medics removing or covering their insignia.

MASH units were first commissioned in 1945, and the last one was decommissioned on 16 October 2006. Most MASH units were considerably larger than that depicted on the TV series,with the 8076th MASH having 10 doctors, 12 nurses, and 89 enlisted medics. They could handle up to 600 patients in a 24-hour period.

They have been replaced by the U. S. Army’s Combat Support Hospital and the Air Force EMEDS (Expeditionary Medical Support), which are the primary field hospitals in Iraq today.

The 190th Air Refueling Wing, Forbes Field, has two EMEDS, one of which operated continuously following the Greensburg tornado and following Hurricane Katrina. EMEDS include PAM (Preventive Aerospace Medical) teams, MFS (Mobile Field Surgical) teams, EMEDS Basic (medical, surgical, and dental) teams, EMEDS plus 10 (10 more beds), and EMEDS Plus 25 (still more support). They can also be equipped with Supplemental NBC (nuclear. biological. and Chemical) Treatment Modules.

174th Ordnance Battalion

Organized as part of the 2nd Infantry Regiment, Kansas Volunteer Militia, in 1880, and redesignated as the Kansas National Guard in 1885, the unit served during the Mexican Border War of 1916. Drafted into Federal service in 1917 it became a part of the 35th Infantry Division. Serving in the campaigns of Alsace, Lorraine, and Meuse-Argonne in World War I, it was reorganized as Field Artillery in 1921. Mobilized 13 1940 for World War II, it was re-designated the 2nd Battalion, 195th Field artillery in 1942, then the 997 Field Artillery Battalion in 1943.

Inactivated in 1945 at Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia, it was reorganized as the 197th Field Artillery Battalion, headquartered at Coffeyville, Kansas in 1953, Converted as the 174th Quartermaster Battalion in 1963 it became the 174th Supply and Service Battalion with separate companies in 1967. It was later reorganized as the 174th Supply and Service Battalion Headquarters. Units assigned to it were the 242d Engineer Company, the 9203‘ Medical Detachment (Air Ambulance), and the 137th Aviation Company (Heavy Helicopter).

Subsequent reorganizations resulted in the movement of the battalion headquarters to Hays, Kansas in the 1990’s, and conversion of the 174th to the 174th Corps Support Battalion, and later the 174th Ordnance Battalion, which included the 714th, 995th, and 170th Maintenance Companies. With the reorganizations of 2006, the unit was reorganized as the 287th Sustainment Battalion at Hays, Kansas.

Items of Note

174th Crest - “We Prepare the Way”

Ceremonial Sword — 170th Maintenance Company in Desert Storm

Photo — 731st Trans Co in Operation Iraqi Freedom & Plaque — 995th Maintenance Co. in Japan

2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery

Organized in 1917 as the 1st Field Artillery Regiment, it entered Federal Service in 1917 as the 130th Field Artillery, 35th infantry Division. Serving in the campaigns of Alsace, Lorraine, and Meuse-Argonne in World Ward II, it was demobilized in 1919 at Camp Funston, Ft. Riley, Kansas. In 1920 it was again reorganized as the 1st Field Artillery, then re-designated as the 130th Field Artillery in 1921.

Inducted in 1940 into Federal service for World War II with the 35"‘ Infantry Division, the 130th was broken into the 130th Field Artillery Battalion (1-130 FA) and the 154th Field Artillery Battalion (2-130 FA) in 1942. The 154 Field Artillery Battalion was relived from assignment to the 35th Infantry Division in 1943, and stationed in the Aleutian Islands for the remainder of World War II. It was released from duty in 1946 at Camp Stoneman, California.

Reorganized as the 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery at Hiawatha, it served as part of the 35th Inﬁntry Division until the 35th was inactivated in 1963, when the 2-130th became a part of the 69th Infintry Brigade. Mobilized with the 69th Infantry Brigade (Separate), it spent 18 months at Ft. Carson,Colorado as part of the 5th Infantry Division, although many members of the battalion served in Vietnam. The 2d Battalion, 130th Field Artillery has been equipped with 15mm towed howitzers, and Multiple Rocket Launch System. In 2004 it was mobilized for Operation Iraqi Freedom and spent a year in Iraq performing security missions.

Items of Note

“Lat Man” Bottle from World War II, Guidon from Btry E, Clippings & Documents from WWI M110 8 in. Howitzer (outside), M-I02 105 mm Towed Howitzer (outside), Exhibit Case Models

The 174th Military Police Battalion

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The 174th Military Police Battalion

The 174th Military Police Battalion was organized in 1936 as the 35th Military Police Company, 35th Infantry Division, located at Garden City, Kansas. It was inducted into Federal service for World War II in 1940, and sent to Camp Robinson, Arkansas. In 1942 it was re-designated the Military Police Platoon, 35th Infantry Division. Following duty at San Luis Obispo,California and the fight across Europe with the 35th Infantry Division in World War II, it was inactivated in 1945 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky.

In 1947 it was re—designated as the 174th Military Police Battalion, with headquarters at St. Marys. Ordered into active military service for the Korean War in 1950 at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, it was subsequently sent to Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, before being relieved from active duty in 1952. It remained a part of the Kansas National Guard in Topeka, Holton, and St. Marys until the unit was inactivated in 1959. In 1934, the 35th Infantry Division was again activated, and the lineage returned with the 35th Military Police Company. The 174th Military Police Battalion has campaign credits for Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe in World War II.

Items of Note

Unit Guidons - Co's A and B, 174th MP Battalion
Unit Photos from 1949 and 1956
Baton, Pistol, Brassard, Helmets - 174th MP Battalion
Drum - Used by CSM Jack Elliott While Mobilized with the 174th in 1950-52.
News Clippings on Unit Service

Operation Iraqi Freedom

M47 Dragon Medium Anti-Armor Weapon

This M47 Dragon Anti-Armor weapon was used by the 1st Battalion, 137th Infantry, Kansas Army National Guard The Dragon is a shoulder-ﬁred, medium-range,command wire-guided, antitank guided missile. To hit its target, the soldier must keep the weapon’s sights on the target and direct the missile’s flight. It is light enough to be carried and ﬁred by a single infantryman, particularly desirable in airborne and airmobile operations.

M22642 TOW Anti-Tank Guided Missile

This M220A2 TOW anti-tank missile was used by to train TOW crews of the of the 137th Infantry and 635th Armor Regiments, Army National Guard. TOW stands for “Tube—launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-Guided” Used initially in the Vietnam War, TOW missiles were used in Iraq in 2003 to kill Uday and Qusay Hussein. It is not a fire-and-forget weapon. It has Semi-autonmatic Command Line of Sight guidance, which means that the target must be kept in the shooter’s line of sight until the missile impacts.

Kansas Army National Guard Aviation

Beginning with light observation planes, used primarily by forward observers in Artillery battalions in World War I, the Kansas Army National Guard ﬂew a variety of aircraft in the early years. These included the L-4, L-5, L-13, Navion, and L-19 Bird Dog aircraft, with the L-19 being in use until the l960’s.

The Army Guard also ﬂew the “Beaver,” the U-3, the U-8 (Beech Queen Air), and the Beech King Air for personnel and equipment transport over the years.

The age of helicopters began in the 1950’s with the OH-23 Light Observation “Bubble” helicopter. These were followed by the Ch-37 Cargo Helicopter, the CH-54 Skycrane Helicopter, the OH-58 Light Observation Helicopter, and the UH-1 “Huey” Helicopter. A versatile helicopter, the “Huey” could be used for command and control, air assault, transportation, medical evacuation, and as a helicopter gunship. It has been replaced by the UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter, which can do all this and faster.

Army Aviation units have included the 137th Aviation Company, the 169th Aviation Company, the 920th Medical Detachment, Company D, 135th Aviation, the 1120th Medical Detachment, the 24th Medical Detachment, and the 1st Battalion, 108th Aviation. Army Aviation ﬂight facilities are currently maintained at Topeka and Salina.

Items of Note

Photos and Models of Kansas Army National Guard Aircraft and Pilots

Aviator Mannequin (ﬂoor in front of case) 137TH GUIDON PROVIDED BY LTC CHUCK MORROW

Parachute Emergency Decent Procedure Trainer

During a Unit Compliance Inspection at the 184th BW it was identified that aircrew had no way of practicing Emergency Egress Procedures for exiting the B-1 or to practice Emergency Parachute procedures. Using the aircraft and short of kicking a crew member out of a plane with a parachute was identified as dangerous.

After much research and contacting numerous companies an Emergency Egress Procedure trainer was designed and put to bid for the B-1 Cockpit. Due to the cost the Air National Guard never received one. However an Emergency Parachute Decent Trainer was located and the 184th BW became the first Air National Guard unit to own one in 2000. This trainer was designed originally designed for Smoke Jumpers due to the danger of practicing with all the gear Smoke Jumpers were required. The company Systems Technology developed software for the C9 canopy that the military uses. The system allowed the crew member to witness malfunctions that might happen during an ejection. Once the malfunction was identified the system allowed the crew member to try fixing the malfunction and prepare for landing. Aircrew members have a very important checklist to perform and with the fact they could be in the first stages of shock the checklist had to be performed to keep from harming the crew member before landing.

The system also allowed the crew member to learn how different aspects of the parachute operate after ejection/bailout. Crews learned how to deploy the steering devices on the canopy so they could turn into the wind to help reduce any further injuries.

This system was used by the 184th BW and later was converted over for bailout chutes used on the KC-135. Crew members continued to learn how to deploy the canopy by ripcord along with the Automatic Opening Device. Some unique items on the bailout chutes were aircrew had to learn how to deploy the oxygen that was installed in the pack of the parachute. This allowed the crew member to receive oxygen so if the need to open the parachute manually the crew member was aware.

The system has continue to be updated and different canopies were installed which allowed Special Forces to use the system so they could be familiar with turning and decent square parachute canopies.

Upon the loss of the flying mission at the 184th the unit was transferred to the 190th where it was used until the loss of parachutes on the KC-135R.

Sports Figures in the Kansas National Guard

Sports Figures in the Kansas National Guard This exhibit features sports ﬁgures who have or are serving in the Kansas National Guard. They include:

CPT James A. Naismith - Inventor of Basketball

LTC Dwight Davis - Tennis Champion/Davis Cup

MAJ William Gillis - Football Quarterback/West Point Fieldhouse

SGT Murry Dickson - Major League Baseball Pitcher

CPT Elbert S. Jemison - World Class Golfer

Bob Davis - Sportscaster/Voice of the KU Jayhawks

Gary Bender - NFL/NCAA Sportscaster

SP4 Delvy Lewis - KU Basketball Player

SP4 Ron Paradis - KSU Basketball Player/Sportscaster

LTC Monte Weathers - NFL Football-Seattle Seahawks

SGT Theresa Vail - Outdoor TV Channel Program Host

Army Food Service

Army Food Service An Army “marches on its stomach,” and this exhibit contains items of the Army Food Service program used by “mess” sections in the field. Today, most of the food service in garrison is done by private contractors. Types of rations on exhibit include:

Hard Tack - Cracker or biscuit, carried/eaten

1800’s A-Rations - Hot, cooked food, served in Mermites

B-Rations - Cold, non-perishable rations

C-Rations - Cold, individual packets of canned food

D-Rations - Emergency high calorie bars, HooAh’s

K-Rations - Individually boxed meals, WW II

T-Rations - Tray Packs of Perishable Food, 18 meals

MRE’s - Packaged meals now with ﬂameless heaters - used today

Military Food Slang

Cuppa Joe - Coffee (also called sludge, java, silt, mud, shot-in-the—arm, & battery acid)

Hardtack — Baked mix of flour water, soaked overnight, and fried in grease

Buzzard - Chicken or turkey

Tube Steak - Hot dog

Rabbit Food -Greens, especially lettuce

Canned Cow - Condensed milk

Repeaters or Bullets - Beans (You can ﬁgure that one out.)

Moo Juice - Milk

Hooch — Hard liquor

MRE’s - Meals Rejected by Ethiopians or Meals Refusing to Exit

Bug Juice - Kool-Aid and other powder based drinks

Chow Down — To eat

SOS - Hamburger or dried beef gravy on toast (You can also ﬁgure that one out.)

Partnership for Peace

Partnership for Peace Partnership for Peace is a NATO program designed to create trust between NATO nations (including the United States) and the countries of the former Soviet Union. The program began in 1994. It builds relationships between partners through military-to- military cooperation on training, exercises, disaster planning and response, science and environmental issues, professionalization, policy planning, and relations with the civilian government.

The National Guard Bureau developed the State Partnership Program to assist in this, with each state assigned one or more countries.

Kansas initially was aligned with Ukraine, along with California. In 2003, Kansas was linked with the Republic of Armenia.

Mines & Mine Detectors

This exhibit features several types of land mines, both anti-tank and anti-personnel, as well as hand-held mine detectors.

Land mines are placed in the ground to explode when triggered by an operator or the proximity of a vehicle, person, or animal. Their use is controversial, because they remain dangerous after the conflict in which they were deployed is over, killing and injuring civilians and rendering the area unusable for years to come.

Land mines have two main uses - to create tactical barriers and to act as area-denial weapons. Anti-tank mines are designed to immobilize and destroy vehicles and their occupants. Anti-personnel mines are designed to kill or injure enemy combatants. They may be laid by engineers and others who bury the mines, by specialized mine-laying vehicles, by mine-scattering shells, by helicopters or airplanes, or they may be ejected from cluster bombs and cruise missiles.

Mine clearing (during combat) or de-mining (following combat) is done several ways. The main methods are manual detection, using metal detectors (on display, but which can’t pick up plastic mines) and prodders, detection by specially trained mine detection dogs, and mechanical clearance using armored vehicles fitted with flails, tillers, or similar devices. Mine rollers, mine flails, mine plows, and long-armed bulldozers are often used. Bangalore Torpedoes can be used to clear a path through a minefield. This can also be done by using the Antipersonnel Obstacle Breaching System, or Giant Viper, a hose-pipe ﬁlled with explosives and carried across a minefield by a rocket. Helicopters dragging a plow may also be used to overturn or detonate mines.

Detection methods currently under development include ground penetrating radar, acoustic detection (directed sound waves), use of honey bees and Gambian giant poached rats, and the spraying of bacteria over suspected mine fields.

Improved Explosive Devices

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IED’s

IED’s Improved Explosive Devices (IED’s) are bombs constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action. They are commonly called roadside bombs.

They have caused over 66% of casualties in Afghanistan and 63% of casualties in Iraq.

IED’s may be explosive, chemical, biological, radiological, or incendiary. They may be car bombs, letter bombs, nail bombs, pipe bombs, pressure cooker bombs, satchel charges, time bombs, etc.

IED’s may be emplaced in a static place or delivered by cars, boats, animals, humans (suicide bombers), or rockets.

IED’s may be detonated by physical contact, wire, radio, cell phone, infrared, or victim-detonated. Methods of detection and disarmament include physical efforts (use of detectors, armored vehicles, physical inspection and disarmament, etc.), use of unmanned devices (robots), and technological counter-measures.

IED’s have been used extensively in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, Chechnya (Russia), Somalia, & Lebanon.

LBE (Load Bearing Equipment)

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Try on this LBE (Load Bearing Equipment)

This is individual soldier equipment, & includes helmet, belt, suspenders, canteen & cup, first aid & ammo pouches,a holster, etc. You will also find WW 1, WW II, Kevlar, and Army Aviator helmets, a "flack jacket”,an entrenching tool, a field jacket, and an expended LAW (Light Antitank Weapon - which is "fired" once and discarded)

Army Field Desk

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Army Field Desk

This field desk is typical of those used by Kansas 7 Army National Guard units over the years. The desk portion was sturdy enough to support a manual typewriter, a field telephone, and a small radio.

The drawers were used for filing of official documents, duty rosters, storage of office supplies and blank forms, passes, and the many other things the soldiers needed.These included TM’s/FM’s), chap stick, mosquito repellent, C-rations, prescription lens inserts for gas masks, coffee cups, tools, and what was called “pogey bait.” That included candy, cigarettes, cookies,chips, etc.!

Kansas Militia in the Desert Shield /Desert Storm

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Kansas Militia in the Desert Shield /Desert Storm

In 1990 U.S and Coalition Forces from 34 Nations began operations for the Gulf War, a war waged in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.

Over 500 Kansas National Guardsmen and women of the 190th Air Refueling Group volunteered for active service and were the first to deploy to Ieddah, Saudi Arabia, in 1990, following Iraq's invasion into Kuwait. The unit was mobilized in December, 1990, and played a key role in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Airmen from the 184th Tactical Fighter Group were also mobilized in the United States.

The 170th Maintenance Company, Kansas Army National Guard, was also mobilized for Desert Storm in November, 1990, and deployed to Saudi Arabia after a short training period at Fort Riley, KS.

635th Tank Destroyer Battalion

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635th Tank Destroyer Battalion

The 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion was activated at Camp Robinson, Arkansas, in 1940, then sent to Fort Ord, California; Camp Hood, Texas; and then to England. On 1 June 1944 they sailed for Omaha Beach in LST’s (Landing Ship-Tank) 55, 381, and 393, not landing until 8 June 1944.

Attached initially to the 1st Infantry Division, they began the fight across Europe. During October, 1944, they were involved in 27 firefights while serving as flank guard for the VII Corps. On 22 December 1944, they entered the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium.

On 30-31 March 1945 the 635th crossed the Rhine with the 71st Division, then was transferred to XX Corps as it pursued the Germans into Austria. The war ended on 8 May 1945 as they 635th entered Lambach, Austria.

While capturing 4,639 prisoners of war, the unit suffered casualties of 231 enlisted men (37 killed) and 10 officers (2 killed) during World War II.

Following occupation duty, the 635th returned to the United States and the unit was inactivated.

Items of Note

World War II Photos, Medals, Uniform, etc.

Plaque - Honoring 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion Members Killed in Action in WW II Leaded Glass Unit Symbol

Bricks Commemorating the 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion Members (outside patio)

World War II - Pacific Theater

The Kansas National Guard’s 127th Liaison Squadron (Commando), Flying L-5 light observation planes, served in the India—Burma-Philippine Theater during World War II.

Other Kansas National Guard units did not see duty against the Japanese, although many World War II veterans of the Pacific Theater were both Pre- and Post-War members of the Kansas National Guard.

Donors in this case include Major Faustino Domingo (a member of the Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame), Sergeant Merwin Boggs, Colonel Paul Idol, David Totten, Don Nash, and others.

Major Faustino Domingo was born on Luzon, Philippines, and came to America as a child. He joined the Kansas National Guard in 1906, served in the Mexican Border Campaign, and with the 137th Infantry on World War I. He completed 38 years of service while on active duty in 1944 during World War II, due to respiratory illness brought on by exposure to poison gas during World War I.

Items of Note

Captured Japanese Samurai and Philippine Tribal Shark Tooth Swords

Japanese Model 99 Rifle and Bayonet (Used Against Allied Forces)

Binoculars, Compass, and Photos of Major Faustino Domingo

Forbes Field

Forbes Field, on which this Museum is located, is a joint—use civil-military airport operated by the Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority (MTAA).

The facility was established in 1941 as Topeka Army Air Field with three 7,000 foot paved runways. It was used for training B-24 Liberator crews by the 333d Bombardment Group. From 1943 until the end of WW II the 21st Bombardment Wing trained B-29 crews at Forbes.

In 1945 the Air Transport Command took over the base and used it for transporting cargo and personnel. In 1948 the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing was activated at Forbes, doing worldwide strategic aerial reconnaissance with the RB-29 and ERB-29 Superfortresses.

On 10 June 1949, the base was renamed Forbes Air Force Base in memory of Major Daniel Forbes, a native of Carbondale, who was killed on 5 June 1948 while testing the YB-49 flying-wing jet bomber. Also killed was Glen Edwards, for whom Edwards AFB was named.

On 14 October 1949 Forbes AFB was closed and turned over to Air Material Command. On 4 16 June 1959 the 90th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing returned to Forbes, receiving RB-47E aircraft. From 1961 to 1965 the 548th Strategic Missile Squadron at Forbes supported the deployment of nine Atlas—E missiles in a ring around Topeka. On 1 October 1964 the 313th Troop by Carrier Wing was placed at Forbes, ﬂying the C-130 Hercules aircraft during the Vietnam War.

In August 1967 the Kansas Air National Guard’s RB-57B’s were moved to Topeka from Hutchinson. The base was closed as an Active Air Force base on 17 April 1973. It then became a Kansas Air National Guard Base ﬂying the KC-135E air refueling tankers as well as a civilian-use base for private and commercial aircraft and commercial development.

In June 2007 the 190th ARW received the newer KC-135R tankers from McConnel. The base is also home to the Armed Forces Reserve Center (ARNG and USMC Reserve), ARNG Flight Facility #1 (Blackhawk Helicopters), and the Topeka Airport Terminal.

Desert Storm

This case is dedicated to the 170th Maintenance Company (Hays, Colby, Goodland) and the 190th Air Refueling Wing (Topeka), the two Kansas National Guard units which served in Desert Storm in 1991, as well as other members of the Kansas National Guard who served in Desert Storm.

Items in the exhibit are courtesy of ISG Joe Romans, a member of the 1st Battalion, 635th Armor, Kansas National Guard, who volunteered and participated in Desert Shield and Desert Storm as an M-1 Tank Commander in the 1st Cavalry Division. The Iraqi items were captured by ISG Romans’ tank crew and the Saudi items were obtained in Saudi Arabia.

Items of Note

ISG Romans’ Tanker Uniform w/Boots

Iraqi Republican Guard Uniform, Beret, Diary, Rice Bowl, Tank Round, Boots, etc.

Saudi Money, Scarf, Headgear, Newspaper

Allied Forces Surrender Leaﬂet

Kansas Guard in the Berlin Crisis

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Kansas Guard in the Berlin Crisis

In 1961, East Berlin was walled off and cut off. Tensions soon escalated and the United States began mobilizing troops for what would be known as the Berlin Crisis.

Mobilized for the Berlin Crisis in 1961 was the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 496th Ordnance Group, the 110th Ordnance Company, the 170th Ordnance Company, and Headquarter and Headquarter Detachment, 110th Ordnance Battalion. All units though, remained in the United States.

130th Field Artillery Brigade

Organized as part of the 35th Infantry Division on 22 September 1917 as Headquarters, 60th Field Artillery Brigade, at Camp Doniphan, Oklahoma, the unit served in France in World War 1, and was then demobilized on 19 April 1919. It received campaign credit for Meuse-Argonne, Alsace-1918, and Lorraine- 1918.

On 4 November 1921 it was organized as the 130th Field Artillery, 35th Infantry Division. It was mobilized on 23 December 1940 with the 35th Infantry Division, and reorganized as Headquarters & Headquarters Battery, 35th Division Artillery on 3 February 1942. During WW II, the unit received campaign credit for the battles of Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe. It was deactivated on 5 December 1945 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky. It was reorganized as Headquarters & Headquarters Battery, 35th Division Artillery, on 1 April 1963, and Federal recognition was withdrawn on 15 December 1967 as the result of a reorganization.

The unit was reconstituted as Headquarters & Headquarters Battery, 130th Field Artillery Brigade,on 2 September 1997, with headquarters at Topeka. Assigned battalions were the 2d Battalion, 130th Field Artillery (MLRS) and the 1st Battalion, 127th Field Artillery (Paladin). The 130th Field Artillery Brigade was a command headquarters at Camp Victory, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom during 2006-07. Federal recognition was withdrawn in 2007, as a result of a reorganization.

The unit was reconstituted in 2013 as the 130th Field Artillery Brigade, with headquarters at Manhattan, Kansas. Units assigned were the 2d Battalion, 130th Field Artillery (HIMARS) and the 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery (Paladin).

Items of Note

Crest and patch of the 130th Field Artillery Brigade

Models of M109A6 Paladin howitzer and MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System)

Battery E (Target Acquisition), 161st Field Artillery

Battery E (Target Acquisition), 161st Field Artillery, is currently stationed at Great Bend, Kansas. Its lineage is that of the 161st Field Artillery Regiment, a part of the 35th Infantry Division in both World War I and II. The Target Acquisition Battery was added in 1988, equipped with radars for the tracking of artillery and small arms fire. With the radars, the unit can determine the source of hostile fire so that it can be neutralized.

Formerly located at Great Bend and Larned, the unit was mobilized and sent to Bosnia-Herzegovina in march of 1996 as part of Operation Joint Endeavor, assisting in settling the unrest in the former Yugoslavia, returning later than fall. During that tour, the unit was lauded for their ability to “fight” with radar. The unit returned to Great Bend in the fall of 1996 on a Kansas Air National Guard KC-135 tanker, which was able to pull right up to the Great Bend Armory, which is located on the Great Bend Airport. The unit was again mobilized for a tour in Kosovo in 2000, and many unit members served a later tour with the Texas TAB Battery.

The unit has campaign credit for Meuse-Argonne, Alsace, and Lorraine in World War I and Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe in World War II.

Items of Note

U. S. Flag Which Flew over Their Sarajevo Headquarters in 1996

Photos, Cards, Plaques, and Other Memorabilia from the 1996 Activation

Mortars

The mortars in this exhibit are 60mm (2.36 inch) mortars. The mortar on the right was donated by COL Robert Dalton, and was used against the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War in the 1960’s. The one on the Museum floor was also used during the Vietnam War and was donated by COL Gary Allen. The mortar on the left was donated by the 169th Support Battalion, Kansas Army National Guard and was used by the Iraqi Army against them in 2005. Note the similarity, Another 60mm mortar stands in the corner of the case.

A mortar is a light, portable, indirect fire weapon which can be carried by one or more soldiers or transported in a vehicle. It is able to fire from the protection of a trench or defilade, and is primarily an infantry support weapon. A mortar consists of a tube, into which gunners drop a shell, a sight, and a base plate. A firing pin at the base of the tube detonates the propellant and fires the shell.

Mortars used by the United States ranged in caliber from 60mm to 120 mm. The most common ones used were the 60mm, the 81mm, and the 4.2 inch (Four Deuce). Ammunition for mortars may be either fin-stabilized or spin-stabilized. Spin-stabilized mortars require a rifled barrel. Both types may fire illumination, smoke, or high explosive rounds.

Initially used during sieges in the 1600’s, mortars were especially effective during World War I, as the high angle of fire allowed soldiers to lob shells into the trenches. Improvised or homemade mortars are often used by insurgent groups, and were effectively used by the Provisional Irish Republican Army during the late 20th century. Currently they are being used by the Palestinian militia against Israeli targets.

REPUBLIC F-105D THUNDERCHIEF

DEDICATED TO THE MEMBERS OF THE 184TH TACTICAL FIGHTER TRAINING GROUP, KANSAS AIR NATIONAL GUARD, McCONNELL

REPUBLIC AIRCRAFT DESIGNED THE F-105 IN THE 50’S TO DELIVER A NUCLEAR WEAPON AT HIGH SPEED/LOW ALTITUDE. IT WAS THE HEAVIEST SINGLE ENGINE, SINGLE SEAT U.S. COMBAT AIRCRAFT AND CARRIED 14,060 LBS OF ORDNANCE AT MACH 2. THE THUNDERCHIEF FLEW 75% OF ALL US STRIKES AGAINST HEAVILY DEFENDED NORTH VIETNAMESE TARGETS AND DROPPED 202,596 TONS OF BOMBS. OVER 350 OF 833 BUILT WERE LOST IN ACTION. IN AIR-TO-AIR COMBAT,F-105s LOST 22 OF THEIR OWN WHILE SHOOTING DOWN 27.5 ENEMY MIG FIGHTERS.

F-105S IN THE KANSAS AIR NATIONAL GUARD ESTABLISHED IN 1941, THE 127 TH OBSERVATION SQUADRON BECAME THE 127TH FIGHTER SQUADRON IN 1946 WITH NORTH AMERICAN P-51 MUSTANGS. IT BECAME THE 184TH TACTICAL FIGHTER GROUP IN 1962. THE 184TH CONVERTED FROM NORTH AMERICAN F-I00 SUPER SABRES TO F-105 THUNDERCHIEFS IN 1971 AND BECAME THE 184TH TACTICAL FIGHTER TRAINING GROUP. THE FLYING JAYHAWKS OPERATED 30 F-IOSS TO TRAIN THUNDERCHIEF PILOTS FOR THE AIR GUARD,AIR FORCE RESERVE AND THE AIR FORCE. THE 184TH OPERATED THUNDERCHIEFS UNTIL 1979 WHEN THEY CONVERTED TO THE MCDONNELL-DOUGLAS F-4D PHANTOM II.

F-105D 61-0106 THE AIR FORCE RECEIVED F-105D 61106 IN EARLY 1962 AND IT WENT TO THE 49TH TACTICAL FIGHTER WING IN GERMANY. IN 1967, 6I~O106 TRANSFERRED TO THE 23RD TACTICAL FIGHTER WING AT MCCONNELL AFB. THE 23RD TRAINED F-105 PILOTS BEFORE THEY DEPLOYED TO SOUTHEAST ASIA. THE 184TH TFTG TOOK OVER THE F-105 TRAINING MISSION IN 1971 AND 61-0106 TRANSFERRED TO THE 184TH IN EARLY 1972. WHEN THE 184TH CONVERTED TO THE F-4 PHANTOM IN 1979, 61-0106 FLEW WITH ANG AND AIR FORCE RESERVE UNITS UNTIL IT BECAME A GROUND TRAINER AT LACKLAND AFB, TEXAS IN 1983.MUSEUM OF THE KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD OBTAINED 61-0106 IN 2012 AS A TRIBUTE THE 184TH FLYING JAYHAWKS.

Republic F-105D Thunderchief [LIMITED to 500px]

EB-57 Canberra Bomber

Flown by 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron Kansas Air National Guard

Weight — 27,000 lbs

Maximum Speed—575mph

Range-1300 Miles Wingspan- 64 ft

Engine-2 Wright J65, 7200 lbs Thrust Each

Martin B-57 Canberra [LIMITED to 500px]

M38A1 4X4 Utility Truck

THE MILITARY PRODUCED 45,500 OF THESE M-38'S JEEPS FROM 1950 - 52.

Jeep CJ-2A Universal [LIMITED to 500px]

Hughes OH-6 Cayuse

The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (nicknamed "LOACH", after the requirement acronym LOH - Light Observation Helicopter) is a single-engine light helicopter with a four-bladed main rotor used for personnel transport, escort and attack missions, and observation.

This OH-6 Cayuse is painted in the Army Silver eagles paint scheme and served as one of the original Silver Eagles.

Hughes OH-6A Cayuse [LIMITED to 500px]

F4-D Fighter Aircraft

F4-D Fighter Aircraft Mig Killer-Vietnam War

Flown By 117th Tactical Brig Gen Steve Ritchie

Maj Larry Pettit

First Flight Nov 66

Transfered Davis-Monthan 4 Apr 89

Refurbished By ARW KSANG-2004

McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II (USA) (1958) [LIMITED to 500px]

Main Battle Tank M60

Main Battle Tank

M60

105mm Main Gun

.50 Cal Machine Gun

.62 Machine Gun

Weight 35 Ton

Crew 4

Used By 635th Armor Regt Units

Take a Look Inside!

M60 A1 [LIMITED to 500px]

1790 Engine

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Continental AV1790 Engine

Powered the M-60 Tank and M-88 Tank Retriever

700 HP

Diesel, 12 Cylinder, Opposed

Make a Donation

The Kansas National Guard Museum exists due to the generosity of people just like you who believe in the preservation of our military history.

Click Here to Make a Donation

" Private Wood "

"Private Wood"

Replica of Civil War Soldier

Kansas Volunteer Infantry

Carved by Jim Hale from Museum Grounds Tree 1998

M115 8 Inch Howitzer

Towed Howitzer

Range 16,800 Meters

Crew 14

Used in WWII and Later

Rate of Fire-1 roud per minute

Weight- Over 15 Tons

Used by KSARNF Artillery Units

AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopte

AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopter

Used for Attack on Armored and Other Targets Personnel

Speed- 195 MPH

Range 315 Miles

Crew 2

20mm Cannon

TOW Missiles

Hydra 70 Rockets

CH-54 Skycrane " Tarhe "

CH-54 Skycrane "Tarhe"

Speed 203 Km/h - 106 mph

Rotor Dia 72'

Length 70'3"

Gross Wt 42,000 lbs

Lift Cap 20,000

Sikorsky CH-54 Skycrane [LIMITED to 500px]

UH-IH Hughes

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UH-IH Hughes "Iroquois" "Huey"

Speed 120 Km/h - 134 mph

Rotor Dia 48'

Length 57'

Gross Wt 9500

Range 230 miles

Seats 13 with Crew

Take a Look Inside!

Bell 214 UH-1H Heuy [LIMITED to 500px]

OH58A Kiowa Helecopter

Two Seat Scout Helicopter

Troop Transportation

Emergency Medical Evac

Command and Control

Forward Observer

Used By KSANG Aviation Units In Salina and Topeka

Bell 206 OH-58A Kiowa [LIMITED to 500px]

M-1 Tank

120 mm Gun,

M2 50 Cal. Machine Gun,

M240 7.62 mm Crew-4 ,

Top Speed - 41 mph,

Weight - 68 Tons,

Length - 31 Feet,

Height - 8 Feet ,

Used by KSARNG and 1-635 Armor

Take a Look Inside!

M1 Abrams [LIMITED to 500px]

M110A2 8 Inch Self-Propelled Howitzer

Rate of Fire - 1 Rd Per 2 Minuite

Crew - 13

Weight - 13 Tons

Range - 16.800

Nuclear Capable Replaced by MLRS

Used By 35th Division Artillery 130th FA Group

M110A2 203mm SPG [LIMITED to 500px]

M109A5 155 SP Howitzer

Highly Mobile

Air Transportable

M284 155mm Cannon

M2 50 Cal. Machine Gun

Weight - 26 Tons

Used By KSARNG Field Artillery Units, 35 Div Arty, 130 FA Gp and Bde

M109 155mm SPG [LIMITED to 500px]

42A1 40mm Duster Anti Aircraft Artillery

M42A1 40mm Duster Anti Aircraft Artillery

Six Man Crew

Weight- 25 Tons

360 Degree Turret

40mm Dual Automatic Gun

On Loan From Hell on Wheels Chapter Military Vehicle Preservation Association

Take a Look Inside !

M42A1 Duster SPG AA [LIMITED to 500px]

M2A1 Half Track Car

World War II Era Personnel and Mortar Carrier

Artillery Prime Mover

Anti Tank/Anti-Aircraft Gun Carrier

Weight - 9 Tons

Speed 40 mph

Range 200 Miles

Engine White 147 HP

Provided By Fort Riley Museum

M2A1 Half Track (1942) [LIMITED to 500px]

M54A2 5-Ton Truck

Cargo Truck

Personel, Equipment, Supplies

Cargo Excess of 5 Tons

Deisel-196 HP

10 Wheels 3 Axels

Max Speed 84 MPH

Used By KSARNG Units

M35A1 2.5 Ton Truck "Duece and a Half"

6X6 Cargo Truck Fielded in 1950's

Load 5000 lbs Cross Country Load- 10,000 lbs Road

6 Cylinder Multi-Fuel Engine

Used by Many KSARNG Units

Refurbished By KSARNG MATES, Ft. Riley

M135 2.5 Ton Truck "Duece and a Half"

6X6 Cargo Truck with Winch

Engine - GMC- Gasoline

Top speed 50 mph Automatic Transmission

Used By KSARNG Units

Donated By Scott Crawford and Michael Dittmer

Take a Look Inside!

Kansas National Guard Museum Logo

M5A4 High Speed 13 Ton Tractor

WWII and Korean War Era Artillery Prime Mover

Weight - 13 Tons, Fuel Gasoline w/ Winch

Used by KSARNG Field Artillery

Donated By Dr. C.M. and M.S. Keyes Tyrone, Oklahoma

Take a Look Inside !

M-577 Command Track

Mobile Command Post

Expanded M-113 Carrier

Amphibious

May Include .50 Cal. or M-60 Machine Gun

Used by Battalion and Higher Units if the KSARNG over 4000 Built

M113A2 Armored Personel Carrier

Troop Carrier, Weapons Platform, Comand and Control, Ambulance

Used By KSARNG Infantry and Artillery Units

Take a Look Inside !

M7 "Priest" Howitzer

105mm Self Propelled Artillery

Weight - 50,640 LBS, Ammo Capacity - 69 Rounds,

Speed - 15 mph Off Road,

Crew - 7ea

Used by Many KSARNG Units WWII and later

This Howitzer was located in front of the Troy, Kansas Armory for many years.

Take a look Inside !

M-4 High Speed 18 Ton Tractor

Gasoline

Winch 30,000 lbs Rubber Tread, Artillery Prime Mover

Used By KSARNG Field Artilery

Donated By Dr. C.M. Keyes, M.S. Keys Tyrone, Oklahoma

M2 155mm Howitzer "Long Tom"

6.1 inch-155mm

Weight 30,536 lbs

Barrel length - 22.86 Ft.

Effective Range 25,395 Yards, Muzzel Velocity - 2,800 FPS ,

Traverse60 Degrees

Provided by Fort Riley Museum

ZSU-23-4 SP Anti-Aircraft Radar Guided Weapon System - Russian

Nicknamed "Zeus"

Four 23mm Guns

In Use 1962 to Date

Weight - 19 Tons

Captured in Iraq During Desert Storm by 1st Infantry Division Ft. Riley

L-5 105mm Pack Howitzer

Captured From Iraqi Army by 2-130th FA, KSARNG

Build in Italy Designed for Mountainous Terrain From 1957 to 1984

Crew of 7

Max range 10,750 Meters Short Barrel

2S1 Govodzika (Carnation) Russian Howitzer

122 mm Self-Propelled

Tracked and Amphibious

V8 300hp Diesel Engine

Max Speed - 60mph Max Range 15,399 Meters

Captured in Iraq During Desert Storm by 1st Infantry Division Ft. Riley

M-561 Gamma Goat 1/4T 6X6 Cargo Truck

Used by KSARNG in 1960's and 1970's

Used for Ammo Transport Supply Hauls and Medical Missions

Highly Mobile in Rough Terrain

" HUMVEE " High Mobility Multi Purpose Wheeled Vehicle Engine - 8 Cylinder Diesel, 4 wheel Drive,

" HUMVEE " High Mobility Multi Purpose Wheeled Vehicle

Engine - 8 Cylinder Diesel, 4 wheel Drive, Top Speed 65 mph

Used as Cargo and Troop Carriers, Weapons Platforms, and Ambulances

used from 1984 to Date by all KSARNG Units

"HUMVEE"

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"HUMVEE"

High Mobility Multi Purpose Wheeled Vehicle

Engine - 8 Cylinder Diesel, 4 wheel Drive, Top Speed 65 mph

Used as Cargo and Troop Carriers, Weapons Platforms, and Ambulances

used from 1984 to Date by all KSARNG Units

M-38A1 1/4 TON JEEP

Schneider Howitzer

155mm

Heavy Field Howitzer

Towed

In Used 1917-1945

Rate of Fire- 3 Rounds Per Minute

Max Range-11300

Formerly at Garden City Armory

M102 12mm Howitzer

Lightweight Towed Howitzer

Direct Support Fires

Air Transportable

Weight - 1.5 Tons

Crew - 8

Range - 11.500

Used By KSARNG Artillery Units

Including 2/130 FA

M1A1 75mm Pack Howitzer

Used WWII and Later

Range - 9600

Rate of Fire - 6 Rounds per Minute

Weight of Rounds -15 Pounds

Now used For Ceremonial Salutes

History of The Swamp

History of “The Swamp”

by David Dilday

Swamp Donated by Bill & Nancy Smith

My name is David Dilday and I am a film maker and set designer. I have been fascinated with every aspect of film making since early childhood. At thirteen. I decided to make an 8 mm home movie of the last episode of M*A*S*H. and built a small crude replica of the Swamp to use as our set. My home movie version of M*A*S*H's “Goodbye. Farewell. Amen.“ was the spark that set the full size Swamp replica in motion.

Fast forward to 2001. my best friend Brandon Crisp and his wife Amy decided to move to Florida and he suggested we build a full—size version of the Swamp. We then set about finding the basics. Brandon searched for items in Virginia and l scoured Military surplus. and antique stores. in Florida. I wanted to make the set as accurate and authentic as possible. using props books and postcards that were made before 1953. I also wanted to add as many hidden modern conveniences as possible. One of my first ideas was to hide a television in Winchester‘s officers desk using a false front. From there we added a CD player to the radio case. the exact radio was researched and found after searching through around five thousand radios on eBay‘. l made the “still" myself using surplus plumbing parts and medical supplies . The hardest item to locate was center piece of the still the large boiling flask which after years of searching for the right size l eventually found in Canada.

Over the years the Swamp and compound grew. We added a Mess Tent. Jeep. Ambulance. Latrine. and Col. Potter‘s Tent. Every three years I would have to replace the tent canvas as it would eventually dry rot or stop repelling water. l would then use the old tent to cover Col. Potter's tent frame. The construction of the Swamp took us two days to build and one day to paint and distress the frame and other items.

The set as you see it today, was the product of years of replacing items with more accurate pieces and constant detailing. The Swamp was a favorite spot for Thursday night poker games for over six years, and was somewhat of a tourist attraction for our street. Neighbors would ask to bring family over to see the set and take photos quite often. The cost of maintaining the compound and the time needed for constant upkeep was the reason we decided to sell our much loved Swamp. I was very lucky to find two wonderful people Bill and Nancy to take care of her. and and give her a new home. Now I am very happy and proud to find that this creation of ours. that meant so much to us and our family and friends. has found a home where it will be enjoyed by so many others.

Kansas Guard in the Korean War

In June of 1950 the North Korean People's Army, lead by Kim ll-sung, crossed over the 38th parallel and attacked South Korea and started the Korean War.

The Kansas Air National Guard’s 127th Fighter Squadron out of Wichita, was called for duty during the Korean War.

The unit served in France and was released after 21 months on active duty.

Activated from the Kansas Army National Guard was the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 130th Field Artillery Group; the 174th Military Police Battalion; and the 195th Field Artillery Battalion.

All units remained in the United States, with many soldiers levied into units in Korea. In 1953 the Armistice Agreement was signed and effectively ended the Korean War.

Kansas National Guard Museum Logo

KC-135 STRATOTANKER

DEDICATED TO THE MEMBERS OF THE 19OTH ARW IN MEMORY OF COL MICHAEL J. O'TOOLE, WING COMMANDER, 190TH AIR REFUELING WING,2002-2003

THE KC-135 THE AIR FORCE's FIRST ALL-JET INFLIGHT REFUELING TANKER AIRCRAFT. BOEING BUILT OVER 820 STRATOTANKERS BETWEEN 1956 AND 1965. THE FIRST KC—135A FLIGHT OCCURRED ON JULY 20, 1956,AND STRATOTANKERS BEGAN THEIR AIR FORCE SERVICE ON APRIL 30, 1957. THE STRATOTANKER CAN CARRY UP TO 31,275 GALLONS OR OVER 209,000 POUNDS OF EUEL WHICH CAN BE TRANSFERRED TO A RECEIVER AIRCRAFT THROUGH THE REFUELING BOOM UNDER THE TAIL OR USED BY THE KC-135 ITSELF. A CARGO DECK ABOVE THE REFUELING SYSTEM CAN ACCOMMODATE A COMBINATION OF PASSENGERS AND CARGO.

STRATOTANKERS IN THE KANSAS AIR NATIONAL GUARD

KC-135'S HAVE SERVED BOTH KANSAS AIR NATIONAL GUARD UNITS. THE 184TH AIR REFUELING WING AT MCCONNELL AFB IN WICHITA OPERATED KC-135R AIRCRAFT FROM 2002 TO 2007. THE 190TH BECAME AN AIR REFUELING GROUP IN 1978 WHEN KC-135A STRATOTANKERS REPLACED THE UNIT'S MARTIN EB-57B CANBERRAS. THE 190TH TRANSITIONED TO D AND E MODELS IN THE 198OS AND THEN GAINED R MODELS IN 2007.

KC-I35E 57-429

BOEING DELIVERED KC—135A 57-1429 TO THE USAF ON JULY 16, 1958. IT SERVED THREE STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND UNITS ON MULTIPLE DEPLOYMENTS AROUND THE WORLD OVER THE NEXT TWENTY YEARS, INCLUDING TWO DEPLOYMENTS TO THAILAND DURING THE VIETNAM WAR. THE 190TH BECAME AN AIR REFUELING GROUP IN JULY 1978 AND 57-1429 WAS ONE OF THE FIRST STRATOTANKERS ASSIGNED TO THE KANSAS AIR NATIONAL GUARD. IN 1984, BOEING CONVERTED 57-1429 TO A KC-135E BY REPLACING THE. ORIGINAL TURBOJET ENGINES WITH MORE POWERFUL AND FUEL EFFICIENT TURBOFANS. SIX YEARS LATER, 57-I429 DEPLOYED TO SAUDI ARABIA DURING OPERATION DESERT SHIELD. 57-I429 HAD FLOWN A TOTAL OF 17,671 HOURS IN ITS 49 YEARS OF SERVICE WHEN IT MADE ITS FINAL LANDING AT FORBES ANG BASE ON MAY 8, 2007.

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Museum Of The Kansas National Guard

6700 SW Topeka Blvd
Topeka, KS 66619

www.kansasguardmuseum.com

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