{"id":2294,"date":"2015-03-26T09:18:05","date_gmt":"2015-03-26T02:18:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thewindmillrestaurant.net\/?page_id=2294"},"modified":"2022-09-02T01:37:27","modified_gmt":"2022-09-01T18:37:27","slug":"hqs-co-51st-inf-div-st-matthews-s-c","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/scarngavpicthistory.com\/?page_id=2294","title":{"rendered":"Hqs Co, 51st Inf Div, St Matthews S. C."},"content":{"rendered":"

Headquarters Company, 51st Infantry Division activated and located\u00a0in St. Matthews, South Carolina.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a01<\/strong>947 0917<\/strong><\/p>\n

The following article was extracted from The Calhoun Times courtesy Calhoun County Museum, St Matthews South Carolina:<\/strong><\/p>\n

“NATIONAL GUARD ACTIVATED HERE;<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0GEN. DOZIER, COL FIELD IN CHARGE;<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0GOV. THURMOND DELIVERS ADDRESS<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Headquarters Co., 51<\/em>st<\/sup><\/em> Infantry Division of South Carolina National Guard was activated at the Legion Hut Monday night.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

A Federal Recognition Board, with COL Field as president, examined local officers and some twenty other NG officers prior to the activation of Headquarters Co.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The activation ceremony was conducted by Brig Gen James C. Dozier, Adjutant General of South Carolina and COL Fields.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Gov. J Strom Thurmond, commander-in-chief of SCNG, was present and made a short address on the Aim and Purpose of the National Guard.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The following officers and enlisted men were sworn in to the SCNG and organized as Headquarters Co., 51<\/em>st<\/sup><\/em> Inf. Division by Gen Dozier:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Capt. W.T Oliver;\u00a0 1<\/em>st<\/sup><\/em> Lt W. Sadler and Robert E. Bynum, \u00a0Jacob B. Carroll, Jr., \u00a0William L. Dixon, Joseph G. Eckland, Kenneth D. Feryus, Ryan O. Kizer, Betran W. Oliver, William N. Robinson , Henry T. Rucker, Belvin L. Senn , Linwood G. Zeigler, and Richard Parler.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Headquarters Company has a\u00a0T\/O of 4 officers and 76 enlisted men which leaves vacancies for 2 officers and 64 enlisted men.\u00a0 All citizens of Calhoun County between the ages of 17 and 35 are urged to contact ant member of Headquarters Company for information on enlistment in the SCNG.\u00a0 Terms of enlistment are for one or three years and pay is based on grade and rank, one day pay for each drill period.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Headquarters Company will meet at 7 p. m. at the Legion Hut each Monday.\u00a0 Men interested in becoming members are urged to attend these meetings.”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

As part of the Army National Guard being reconstituted nationwide in 1947, Hqs Co, 51st<\/sup> Inf Div was being organized before receiving federally recognition\u00a0on 15 Sep 1947.\u00a0 One of the first new recruits of CPT William T. “Boots” Oliver, the Commander, was James Arant.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"James<\/a><\/p>\n

Mr. Arant said in an interview that he was 15 years old when he enlisted in 1947 and initially the members first met for 2 hours on Monday nights at the jail house on Mack Street in St. Matthews.\u00a0 This was the<\/strong> first of\u00a0four temporary meeting locations before the new armory was built on Bynum Street in St. Matthews, South Carolina. As the size of the unit grew the meeting place was moved to the commander\u2019s filling station on the\u00a0northeast corner of Hwy 601 and Hwy 6 (The Gulf Station).<\/strong><\/p>\n

He also said the general purpose of the company was to support the Division’s General Officers and also feed the Division Band while at Summer Camp. Mr. Arant spent his first few years driving for Generals Hennigan and McMillan.\u00a0 Gen McMillan was from Florida as\u00a0the General Officers for the Division changed out alternately between South Carolina and Florida as an arraignment between the two states adjutants general.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Division Air’s L-17 was also internal to Headquarters Company with the mission of supporting the Division’s General Officers and other VIP flights.\u00a0\u00a0 Additionally, the\u00a0mission for the L-17\u00a0was to provide VIP and other supporting flights for the State Headquarters.\u00a0 There were at least five pilots, 1LT Billy Dent, 1LT James E. Moore, 1LT John F. Barrie, \u00a01LT Ernest Lent,\u00a0\u00a0and one other, assigned along with mechanics, Ben Carroll, Furman Pricket, John P. Grant, and Charles M. Walker.\u00a0 Because the pilots and mechanics needed to stay with the airplanes located away from the rest of the unit they were considered an elite group of the company.\u00a0 The Air Section was always located in areas where the airplanes could operate and be maintained.\u00a0 During drill assemblies the pilots and mechanics were generally with the airplanes at Congaree Airbase or at the Ft Motte Airstrip.\u00a0 During Summer Camp they would bivouac at Hilton Field on Ft Jackson or the airfield on Ft McClellan, Alabama.\u00a0\u00a0 Hastily built airstrips were used for training during Summer Camp while training at Ft. McClellan to simulate combat landing scenarios.<\/strong><\/p>\n

.<\/p>\n

\"Early<\/a><\/p>\n

Early if not the first Hqs Co., 51st Inf. Div. photo<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

1948 09 –<\/strong> The following article was extracted from The Calhoun Times courtesy Calhoun County Museum, St Matthews South Carolina:<\/strong><\/p>\n

“GARAGE BEING BUILT FOR THE NATIONAL GUARD<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>According to Cpt. W. T. Oliver, construction of a garage for Headquarters Company, 51st Infantry Division, was begun the first of the month.\u00a0 The land on which the garage building is being built was given by the Town of St. Matthews and is said to consist of five acres.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The building will be 54 feet\u00a0by103 feet and contract work is being done by Cecil Smoak, local contractor.\u00a0 It is said the building will be completed in 90 days.\u00a0 It is being paid for\u00a0from a $30,000.00 Federal appropriation.\u00a0 A cyclone fence will surround the motor park where the garage is being built, the fence to cost approximately $400.\u00a0 The street in front the premises is being surfaced by the State Highway Department.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

At a date yet to be decided upon, an armory will be built on the grounds, the cost of which is said to be about $40,000.00.\u00a0 A part of this fund to be state\u00a0appropriation.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Headquarters Co., 51st Inf. Div., has besides regular equipment for\u00a0the men, ten vehicles — Six Jeeps and four army trucks.\u00a0 Water will be supplied by the Town of St. Matthews, while the South Carolina Electric and Gas Company will install the lighting system.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Guy Wannamaker is the caretaker for Headquarters Co.”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"1950<\/a><\/p>\n

1950<\/em><\/strong> – Hq. Co, 51st Inf Div. – Summer Camp at Ft Jackson, South Carolina – CPT William T. “Boots” Oliver, Commander, center front row.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

1st Row L\/R :\u00a0 SGT Ben Carroll – \u00a0SGT J.B. Alexander – 1LT James E. Moore – 1LT John F. Barrie – 1LT Bill Sadler – CPT William T. “Boots” Oliver – 1LT Ernest Lent – 1LT Waring DeMars – 1LT Billy Dent – \u00a01SG Kenneth Feryus – M-Sgt Henry Smith<\/strong><\/p>\n

2nd Row L\/R:\u00a0 Rct. James N. Shumaker – SGT Guy Wannamaker – SGT Ryan Kizer – Rct Willis C. Holford – Rct Darold Shuler – CPL O. A. Hicklin, Jr. – PFC Lanier Heckle – PFC Henry Amaker – PFC Bobby Carson – PFC Clyde Hair – SGT Rob Robinson<\/strong><\/p>\n

3rd Row L\/R:\u00a0 PFC Julian Rucker – PFC Julius Dantzler – Rct Millege Herlong – Rct J.T. Wannamaker – CPL Newman Wise – PFC Tally Culclasure – Rct Harry Hammon – CPL Wesley Dixon Jr – PFC Eugene Wannamaker – Rct Martin L. Hair – PFC Linwood Zeigler<\/strong><\/p>\n

4th Row L\/R:\u00a0 Rct Harry Inabinet – PVT Boyd Hammond – PFC Jack Bozard – PVT Bobby Bozard – CPL Julius Amaker – PVT Harry S. Dent – PFC Dewey Pete Edwards – PFC Dean Courtney Staley –\u00a0 PFC McClura Vice – CPL Jack Spigner – CPL James Arant<\/strong><\/p>\n

5th Row L\/R:\u00a0 Rct Herbert\u00a0 Corbett – PFC Alfred Ott – Rct John Wingard – CPL Herbert Inabinet – Rct Jennings Staley – CPL Sammy Kirven – PVT George Barber – Rct Robert Parler – Rct W.T. Martin – PFC Charles E. Stone – CPL John David Stack.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1954\u00a010 – The following article was extracted from The Calhoun Times courtesy Calhoun County Museum, St Matthews South Carolina:<\/strong><\/p>\n

“CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY;<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

ESTAMATED COST $140,000<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>Construction\u00a0began last week on the National Guard Armory for Headquarters Company, located here\u00a0at St. Matthews.\u00a0 It will cost approximately $140,000\u00a0and will be completed in approximately 6\u00a0or 8 months.\u00a0 Site for the new armory is several 100 yards in front of the garage now being used by the\u00a0National Guard as a temporary armory.\u00a0\u00a0Upon completion of the new armory the garage will be used for storage of equipment.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The new structure will contain an assembly room 100′ by 150′, a 1000″ indoor firing range, 5 offices for officers, and enlisted men’s locker room, officers and enlisted men’s restrooms, 3 classrooms, supply room.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

It will be brick and concrete construction and will have radiant heat in the floor.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Architect for the building is Heyward Single and his associates Parrot, Riley and Pearlstine.\u00a0 George A. Creed\u00a0& Son is general contractor and plumbing sub-contractor is E. J. McMahon of Augusta”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The following\u00a0paper was\u00a0written\u00a0in 1961\u00a0by Jeanne W. Ulmer, Executive Secretary of the Calhoun County Historical Commission.\u00a0 It is being added here because its title and content:<\/strong><\/p>\n

“THE CALHOUN COUNTY ARMORY<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Calhoun Armory is headquarters for 51st National Guard Division which was activated September 15, 1947.\u00a0 Officers sworn in on this date included Capt. W. T. Oliver; First Lt. W. M. Stabler; Robert E. Bynum; Jacob B. Carroll, Jr.: William L. Dixon: Joseph Exklund; Kenneth Feryus; Ryan Kizer; Betran Oliver; William Robinson; Harry Rucker; Linwood Zeigler; and Richard Parler.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Construction of the Armory Garage begun September 1948 on land given by the town of St. Matthews and comprised of five (5) acres.\u00a0 Contactors of the garage Craig and Roberson, Columbia.\u00a0 Sub-contractor was Cecil Smoak, St Matthews.\u00a0 The garage was built at a cost of $30,000.00.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The construction of the Armory itself was\u00a0begun\u00a0the first week in October 1954 and completed in the spring of 1955 at a cost of $140,000.00.\u00a0 The armory contains an assembly room (100X150); a 1000′ indoor firing range; five (5) offices; locker rooms and restrooms for enlisted\u00a0men;\u00a0three (3) classrooms; and a supply room.\u00a0 it is built of steel, brick and concrete with radiant heat in the floor.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Architects of the armory were Heyward, Single, Parrott, riley, and Pearlstine.\u00a0 George A. Creed and Son were the general contractors with sub-contractor, E. J. McMahon of Augusta, Ga.\u00a0 The County delegation was comprised of\u00a0Senator L.\u00a0Marion\u00a0Gressette and Representative Henry L. Lake.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The 1954 Company Commander\u00a0of the 51st National Guard unit was Cpt. John W. S. DeMars.\u00a0 The unit at this date was comprised of eight (8) officers; one (1) Warrant officer; and 95 enlisted men.”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"1973<\/a><\/p>\n

1955 – South Carolina received its first L-20, 55-694 in 1955 to replace the L-17 in the 51st Div Air Section.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\"1954<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>1956 <\/em>–<\/em> Headquarters Company, 51st Infantry Division<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

1959 0401 – Headquarters Company, 51st Infantry Division was reorganized as 51st Aviation\u00a0but remained organic to the 51st Infantry Division.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Company Commanders:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1st<\/sup> Commander was CPT Boots Oliver \u2013 1947-1950<\/strong><\/p>\n

2nd<\/sup> Commander was CPT Billy Sadler \u2013 1950 \u2013 1952<\/strong><\/p>\n

3rd<\/sup> Commander was CPT Waring DeMars — 1952 \u2013 1954<\/strong><\/p>\n

4th Commander was CPT John W.S. DeMars – 1954 – 1958<\/strong><\/p>\n

5th Commander was CPT Billy Dent\u00a0\u00a0 — 1958 – 1959 0401\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (He became the 1st Commander of 51st Aviation Company 1 Apr 1959.) Click Here<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Headquarters Company, 51st Infantry Division activated and located\u00a0in St. Matthews, South Carolina. \u00a01947 0917 The following article was extracted from The Calhoun Times courtesy Calhoun County Museum, St Matthews South Carolina: “NATIONAL GUARD ACTIVATED HERE; \u00a0GEN. DOZIER, COL FIELD IN CHARGE; \u00a0GOV. THURMOND DELIVERS ADDRESS Headquarters Co., 51st Infantry Division of South Carolina National Guard […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2294","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/scarngavpicthistory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2294","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/scarngavpicthistory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/scarngavpicthistory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scarngavpicthistory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scarngavpicthistory.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2294"}],"version-history":[{"count":37,"href":"https:\/\/scarngavpicthistory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2294\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5380,"href":"https:\/\/scarngavpicthistory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2294\/revisions\/5380"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/scarngavpicthistory.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2294"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}