The history of the Arkansas Army National Guard and the Cold War involves several statewide re-organizations that occurred as a result of the evolving structure of United States ArmyDivisions and Brigades. In 1959 the state re-organized and restationed units in response to the Army's adoption of the Pentomic Division, the structure which was designed to counter the Soviet threat in eastern Europe. Several Arkansas National Guard units were mobilized in 1960 as part of the Berlin Crisis. In 1963 the state reorganized again as the administration of President John F. Kennedy focused on "Flexible Response" and divisions reorganized to meet the challenged of numerous small wars such as the war in Vietnam. In 1967 the 39th Infantry Division was reorganized as the 39th Infantry Brigade (Separate) as a result of a plan to reduce the total number of National Guard Divisions nationwide. The state would eventually gain a new headquarters, the State Area Command in order to provide a higher headquarters for several units which were not assigned to either the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade or the 39th Infantry Brigade (Separate).
Reorganization of 1959
In 1959, the 39th Division was reorganized, along with all other National Guard divisions, in accordance with the new Pentomic Division Concept. This concept attempted to provide a new divisional structure to fight on the atomic battlefield. The reorganization resulted in the end of the Regiment as a tactical unit. Traditionally, regiments were the basic branch element, especially for the infantry, and their long histories had produced deep traditions considered essential to unit esprit de corps. The new divisional structure, replacing infantry regiments with anonymous battle groups, threatened to destroy all of these traditions. Secretary of the Army Wilber M. Brucker settled the question on 24 January 1957 when he approved the Combat Arms Regimental System.[1] Although regiments (armored cavalry notwithstanding) would no longer exist as tactical units, certain distinguished regiments were to become "parent" organizations for the combat arms. Under the new concept, the Department of the Army assumed control of regimental headquarters – the repository for a unit's lineage, honors, and traditions – and used elements of the regiments to organize battle groups, battalions, squadrons, companies, batteries, and troops, which shared in the history and honors of their parent units.[2][3] In place of the Regiment or Brigade, the new Pentomic Infantry Division fielded five Battle Groups, each containing 1,356 soldiers.[1]
The 153rd Infantry was reorganized 1 June 1959 as a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System, to consist of the 1st, and 2nd, Battle Groups, elements of the 39th Infantry Division.[4] The 445th Field Artillery Battalion, Arkansas National Guard, was re-designated as the 1st Battalion, 206th Artillery, and was organized as a composite battalion with one battery of 105 mm towed howitzers and one battery of 155 mm towed howitzers. The 437th Field Artillery Battalion, Arkansas National Guard, was re-designated as the 2nd Battalion, 206th Artillery[3] and was organized as a composite battalion with one battery of 105 mm towed howitzers and one battery of 155 mm towed howitzers. A new battalion was created in the Arkansas National Guard from existing units, 3rd Battalion, 206th Artillery was a composite unit with one 8-inch howitzer battery and one MGR-1 Honest John rocket battery. The 206th Tank Battalion, Arkansas Army National Guard, was reorganized to become the 1st Medium Tank Battalion, 206th Armor Regiment.[5]
This reorganization required a large scale restationing of units within the state:[6]
New Unit
Former Unit
Station
Federal Recognition Dates
HQ and HQ Company (Part), 39th Inf Div
HQ, 39th Div (Part)
Little Rock
26 August 1947
39th Administration Company
Ambulance Company, 125th Medical Battalion
Little Rock
26 August 1947
HQ and HQ Det (Part), 39th Inf Div Tn (-Band)
HQ and HQ Company, 153rd Infantry
Little Rock
20 November 1946
39th Aviation Company (Part)
Company A (FWD) 739th Ordnance Battalion
Little Rock
19 November 1952
HQ and HQ Company, 1st Battle Group, 153rd Infantry
Company B, 153rd Infantry (Company E 212th Sig BN)
Malvern
9 October 1947
Company A, 1st Battle Group (-Rifle and Wpns Platoons)
Heavy Mortar Company, 153rd IN
DeQueen
26 June 1931
Det 1, Company A (Rifle and Wpns Platoons) 1st Battle Group
Company A, 153rd Infantry
Hope
3 Mar 1947
Company B, 1st Battle Group
HQ and HQ Company, 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry
Texarkana
19 November 194?
Company C, 1st Battle Group
Company C, 153rd Infantry
Prescot
19 November 1946
Company D, 1st Battle Group
Company D, 153rd Infantry
Arkadelphia
21 November 1946
Company E, 1st Battle Group
Company C, 217th Engineer Battalion
Magnolia
25 October 1946
Combat Support Company, 1st Battle Group
Battery A, 937th, (Service Company, 937th FA)
Mena
20 November 1946
HQ and HQ Company, 2nd Battle Group, 153rd Infantry
Service Company, 153rd Infantry (218th Med Company)
Searcy
29 January 1947
Company A, 2nd Battle Group
Company K, 153rd Infantry
Walnut Ridge
30 January 1947
Company B, 2nd Battle Group
Company L, 153rd Infantry
Batesville
21 November 1946
Company C, 2nd Battle Group
HQ and HQ Company, 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry
Beebe
24 December 1946
Company D, 2nd Battle Group
Company G, 153rd Infantry
Conway
20 November 1946
Company E, 2nd Battle Group
HQ and HQ Company, 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry
Morrilton
20 November 1946
Combat Support Company, 2nd Battle Group
Battery B, 437th Field Artillery
Newport
24 October 1946
HQ and HQ Battery, 39th Inf Div Artillery
HQ and HQ Battery, 39th Inf Div Artillery (Part)
Little Rock
22 October 1946
HQ and HQ Battery, 1st How Bn (105mm/155mm), 206th Arty
HQ and HQ SVC Company 875th Engr Bn (Hv Const)
Pine Bluff
25 November 1952
Battery A (105mm), 1st How Bn, 206th Arty
Service Battery, 437th FA BN
Sheridan
22 December 1949
Battery B (155mm), 1st How Bn, 206th Arty
Battery C, 437th FA BN
Dumas
9 October 1947
HQ and HQ Battery, 2nd How Bn (105mm/155mm), 206th Arty
Service Battery, 5th Battalion, (155mm)(SP) 142nd Artillery
Battery B, 326th AAA BN
West Memphis
14 February 1956
Headquarters and Headquarters Service Company, 875th Engineer Battalion
Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 327th Anti Aircraft Artillery Battalion
Jonesboro
22 September 1955
Medical Detachment, 875th Engineer Battalion
Medical Detachment, 327th Anti Aircraft Artillery Battalion
Jonesboro
20 October 1955
Company A, 875th Engineer Battalion
Battery A and Battery D, 327th Anti Aircraft Artillery Battalion
Jonesboro
22 September 1955
Company B, 875th Engineer Battalion
Battery B, 327th Anti Aircraft Artillery Battalion & Company I, 153rd Infantry Regiment
Jonesboro
20 November 1945
Company C(-), 875th Engineer Battalion
Battery C, 326th AAA BN
Harrisburg
21 December 1955
Det 1 (Gen Construction Platoon) Company C, 875th Engineer Battalion
Battery C, 326th AAA BN
Jonesboro
13 October 1955
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 212th Signal Battalion (Combat Area) (Army)
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 212th Signal Battalion (Corps)
Little Rock
3 May 1954
Company A, 212th Signal Battalion (Combat Area) (Army)
Battery A, 437th Field Artillery
Hot Springs
24 December 1946
Company B, 212th Signal Battalion (Combat Area) (Army)
Medical Detachment, 153rd Infantry Company
Benton
20 November 1946
Company C, 212th Signal Battalion (Combat Area) (Army)
Tank Company, 153rd Infantry Company
Pine Bluff
5 March 1947
Company D, 212th Signal Battalion (Combat Area) (Army)
Company D, 212th Signal Battalion (Corps)
Little Rock
3 January 1955
Company D, 212th Signal Battalion (Combat Area) (Army)
Company D, 212th Signal Battalion (Corps)
Little Rock
3 January 1955
Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 1?st Medical Battalion
Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 101st Medical Battalion
Booneville
2 December 1948
216th Medical Company (Clearing)
216th Medical Company
Lake Village
13 June 2 December 1955
219th Ambulance Company
219th Ambulance Company
DeWitt
3 October 1953
295th Medical Company (Holding)
295th Medical Company (Holding)
Dermontt
24 April 1956
296th Medical Company (Holding)
296th Medical Company (Holding)
Booneville
3 September 1949
148th Evacuation Hospital
148th Evacuation Hospital
Little Rock
29 March 1955
172nd Engineer Company
Company B, 875th Engineer Battalion
Herber Springs
3 August 1955
121st MP (Escort Company)
39th MP Company
Fort Smith
4 February 1947
121st MP (Escort Company)
39th MP Company
Fort Smith
4 February 1947
176th Ordnance Company (DS)
176th Ordnance Company (DS)
Little Rock
1 June 1949
404th Ordnance Company (General Automotive Support)
Company B, 217th Engineer Battalion
Monticello
23 October 1946
106th Army Band
106th Army Band
Little Rock
22 October 1946
Berlin Crisis
In 1961, during a period of increased tension between the Soviet Union and the United States, certain Arkansas National Guard units were authorized additional training as part of a Mobilization plan from the National Guard Bureau. Eventually seven Arkansas National Guard units would be mobilized for a period of up to 12 months under Presidential Executive Order 10957. Units were mobilized at homestations and reported to their designated mobilization station in October 1961. Most units remained on Active Duty until August 1962.[7]
By 1963 the Army again changed the basic design for an Infantry Division. The Battle Groups of the Pentomic Division had proved to be unwieldy, and it was felt that their span of control was not sufficient to handle all of the various units and troops assigned to their command.[8] The army reverted to the infantry battalion as the basic building block and provided for additional command and control by providing a brigade headquarters. The 1st and 2nd Brigade, 39th Division were allocated to the Louisiana National Guard, while the 3rd Brigade was allocated to the Arkansas National Guard.[9] The 153rd Infantry was reorganized to consist of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions.[10] The 1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery was deactivated and the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery was added to the 39th Division Artillery. The 3rd Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery had previously been under the command and control of the 142nd Field Artillery Group.[11] The 3rd Battalion, 206th Field Artillery was reduced to one Honest John Rocket Battery, Battery A. The 206th Armor was expanded to consist of the 1st and 2nd Battalion, 206th Armor Regiment.[10] These changes, which were implemented on 1 May 1963, cause another massive restationing of units around the state:[10]
New Unit
Former Unit
Station
HQ and HQ Company (Part), 39th Inf Div
HQ and HQ Company (Part), 39th Inf Div
Little Rock
Company A, 39th Aviation Company
39th Aviation Company
Little Rock
HQ and HQ Company, 3rd Brigade, 39th Infantry Division
During the 1960s, the Department of Defense continued to scrutinize the reserve forces. It questioned the number of divisions and brigades, as well as the redundancy of maintaining two reserve components, the National Guard and the Army Reserve. In 1967, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara decided that 15 combat divisions in the Army National Guard were unnecessary. He cut the number to eight divisions (one mechanized infantry, two armored, and five infantry), but increased the number of brigades from seven to 18 (one airborne, one armored, two mechanized infantry, and 14 infantry). The loss of the divisions did not set well with the states. Their objections included the inadequate maneuver element mix for those that remained and the end to the practice of rotating divisional commands among the states that supported them. Under the proposal, the remaining division commanders were to reside in the state of the division base. No reduction, however, in total Army National Guard strength was to take place, which convinced the governors to accept the plan.[12] The states reorganized their forces accordingly between 1 December 1967 and 1 May 1968.[13]
On 2 November 1967, the Arkansas portion of the 39th Division was reorganized and redesignated as the 39th Infantry Brigade.[14] This change and significant changes in the 142nd Artillery Group (Loss of 3rd, 4th and 5th Battalions) resulted in a massive restationing within the state as follows:[15]
New Unit
Former Unit
Station
State Headquarters Detachment
State Headquarters Detachment
Little Rock
HQ and HQ Company, Emergency Operations Headquarters, Arkansas Army National Guard.
New Unit
Little Rock
HQ and HQ Company (w/CA Sec Aug), 39th Infantry Brigade (Sep)
HQ and HQ Company (Part), 39th Inf Div
Little Rock
Troop E, 151st CAV
Company C, 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry
Conway
239th Engineer Company (Minus Equipment Maint Section, Bridge Platoon, and 2nd Engineer Platoon)
Company A, 217th Engr BN
Clarksville
Det 1, 239th Engineer Company (Equipment Maint Section, Bridge Platoon, and 2nd Engineer Platoon)
Company E, 217th Engr BN
Russellville
39th Aviation Company
Company A, 39th Aviation Battalion, and HQ and Company A, 739th Maintenance Battalion
North Little Rock
HQ and HQ Detachment, 39th Support Battalion
HQ and HQ Battery, 2nd Battalion (105mm) (Towed), 206th Artillery
Hazen
Company A (Admin) (with IG, Postal Division, Replacement Detachment, Chaplin Section), 39th Support Battalion
39th Admin Company (Minus), & Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 39th Infantry Division Support Command
Little Rock
Company B (Medical) (Minus Clearing Platoon), 39th Support Battalion
Company B, 125th Med BN
Lonoke
Det 1, Company B (Medical) (Clearing Platoon), 39th Support Battalion
Company C, 125th Med BN
DeWitt
Company C (S&T) (Minus Petroleum Platoon, FLD SVC Platoon and General Transportation Platoon), 39th Support Battalion
222nd Engineer Company (Dump Truck)
Stuttgart
Det 1, Company C (S&T) (Petroleum Platoon, FLD SVC Platoon and General Transportation Platoon), 39th Support Battalion
New Unit
Hazen
Company D (Maintenance) (Minus Mech Maint Platoon HQ, Armament Maintenance Section, 4 Mobile Maintenance Section), 39th Support Battalion
176th Ordnance Company (DS)
Little Rock
Det 1, Company D (Maintenance)(Mech Maint Platoon HQ, Armament Maintenance Section, 4 Mobile Maintenance Section), 39th Support Battalion
Det 1, HQ and Company A, 739th Ordnance Battalion
Perryville
HQ and HQ Service Battery (Minus Radar Section, Metro Section, Communications Platoon, 5th Battalion, 206th Artillery
HQ and HQ Battery, 5th Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery (With Aviation Section) & Service Battery, 5th Battalion, (105mm)(SP) 142nd Artillery
West Memphis
Det 1, HQ and HQ Service Battery (Radar Section, Metro Section, Communications Platoon, 5th Battalion, 206th Artillery
HQ and HQ Battery, 3rd Battalion, 206th Artillery (Honest John)
Marianna
Battery A, 5th Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 206th Artillery
Battery A, 5th Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery
Company B (Minus 2nd and 3rd Rifle Platoons, Plus Company Mess Team), 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry
Company B, 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry
Batesville
Det 1, Company B (2nd and 3rd Rifle Platoons), 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry
Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 206th Artillery
Augusta
Company C (Minus 2nd and 3rd Rifle Platoons and Weapons Platoon, Plus Company Mess Team), 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry
Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 206th Artillery
Brinkley
Det 1, Company C (2nd Rifle Platoon), 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry
Battery A (Honest John Rocket)(SP), 3rd Rkt How BN, 206th Artillery
Helena
Det 2, Company C (3rd Rifle Platoon), 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry
Battery C (105mm)(Towed) 2nd Battalion, 206th Artillery
West Helena
HQ and HQ Company, (Minus Ground Surveillance Sec. BN Recon, BN Mortar Platoon, BN Anti Tank Platoon, Battalion Medical Platoon and 3 Company Mess Teams), 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry
HQ and HQ Company, (Minus Ground Surveillance Sec. HQ Tank Sec, BN Armd Cav, BN Mortar & Davy Crocket Platoon, Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge Section, 1st Battalion, 206th Armor
Warren
Det 1, HQ and HQ Company, (BN Recon, BN Mortar Platoon), 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry
Det 1, HQ and HQ Company, 1st Battalion, 206th Armor
Magnolia
Det 2, HQ and HQ Company, (Ground Surveillance Sec. BN Anti Tank Platoon, Battalion Medical Platoon ), 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry
295th Medical Company (Holding)
Dermontt
Company A (Minus 2nd and 3rd Rifle Platoons, Plus Company Mess Team), 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry
Company A, 1st Battalion, 206th Armor
El Dorado
Det 1, Company A (2nd and 3rd Rifle Platoons), 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry
Company C, 1st Battalion, 206th Armor
Crossett
Company B (Minus 2nd and 3rd Rifle Platoons, Plus Company Mess Team), 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry
Company C, 2nd Battalion, 206th Armor
Fordyce
Det 1, Company B (2nd and 3rd Rifle Platoons), 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry
Company B, 1st Battalion, 206th Armor
Camden
Company C (Minus 2nd and 3rd Rifle Platoons, Plus Company Mess Team), 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry
Company A, 2nd Battalion, 206th Armor
McGehee
Det 1, Company C (2nd and 3rd Rifle Platoons), 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry
Company B, 2nd Battalion, 206th Armor
Dumas
HQ and HQ Battery, 142nd Artillery Group (With Aviation Section)
HQ and HQ Battery, 142nd Artillery Group
Fayetteville
HQ and HQ Battery (Minus LN Section, Commo Platoon, and AVN Section), 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery
HQ and HQ Battery, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery
Fort Smith
Det 1, HQ and HQ Battery (LN Section, Commo Platoon, and AVN Section), 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery
Service Battery, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery
Charleston
Battery A, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery
Battery A, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery
1967 was the last whole sale reorganization of the Arkansas National Guard with virtually every unit being reorganized and restationed. Prior to 1967, reorganization and restationing occurred at the state level every few years (1946, 1959, 1964) After 1967 reorganizations and restationing occur much more often but involved fewer units on a yearly basis. This article will only refer to reorganizations after 1967 that affect a brigade or battalion headquarters.
Creation of the State Area Command (STARC)
In 1983, National Guard Bureau, in Memorandum, NGB-ARO-0 207-02, Organizational Authority 27–83, authorized the creation of the State Area Command which incorporated the State Headquarters Detachment, the Command and Control Headquarters and the Camp Robinson Training Site.
New Unit
Former Unit
Station
Headquarters State Area Command, Arkansas Army National Guard
HQ and HQ Detachment, Arkansas Army National Guard
N. Little Rock
Det 1, Headquarters State Area Command, Arkansas Army National Guard
Command and Control Headquarters, Arkansas Army National Guard
N. Little Rock
Det 2, Headquarters State Area Command, Arkansas Army National Guard
Army National Guard Training Site, Camp Robinson
N. Little Rock
References
^ abWilson, John B. The Search for Atomic Age Division, Maneuver and Firepower, the Evolution of Divisions and Separate Brigades, Army Lineage Series, Center of Military History, United States Army, Washington, D. C., 1998, CMH Pub 60-14, Chart 32, page 383. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 April 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^Memo, Sec of Army for Sec of Defense, 31 Jan 57, sub: Combat Arms Regimental System (CARS), and Fact Sheet, undated, sub: Combat Arms Regimental System, both CARS files, and News Release, Historic Traditions of Regiments to be Preserved in Pentomic Army, 7 Feb 57, Division General file, all DAMH-HSO.
^ abLineage and Honor Certificate for the 5th Battalion, 206th Field Artillery
^Lineage and Honors Certificate, 153rd Infantry Regiment
^1967–2002, 39th Infantry Brigade (Separate), The Arkansas Brigade, 35 Years of Excellence, A Brief History of the 39th Infantry Brigade (Separate) See Also, General Order Number 4, dated 29 May 1959, Arkansas National Guard
^Smith, Harry (1962). Arkansas Army and Air National Guard: A History and Record of Events, 1820–1962. Arkansas Military Department. pp. 65–67.
^Wilson, John B. Maneuver and Firepower, The Evolution of Divisions and Separate Brigades, Army Lineage Series, Center of Military History, United States Army, Washington, D. C., 1998, CMH Pub 60-14, p.297. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 7 September 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^Smith, Harry (1962). Arkansas Army and Air National Guard: A History and Record of Events, 1820–1962. Arkansas Military Department. p.86.
^ abcSmith, Harry (1962). Arkansas Army and Air National Guard: A History and Record of Events, 1820–1962. Arkansas Military Department. p. 86.
^Mckenney, Janice E., Field Artillery, Part 2, Army Lineage Series, Center of Military History, United States Army, Washington D.C., 2010, page 1165.
^DA, Why Merge (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1965); Ltr, TAG to CinC, USAREUR, and other addresses, 14 Jun 67, sub: Reserve Component Reorganization, AGAM-P (M) (13 Jun 67) ORC-OPT-OP, Ltr, TAG to CinC, USAREUR, and other addresses, 20 Jul 67, same subject, AGAM-P (M) (20 Jul 67) ORC-OPT-OP, and News Release, 27 Nov 67, Anny Reserve Components Will Commence Reorganization, all Army Reserve file, DAMHHSO; "The President Reports to the 89th General Conference," National Guardsman, 21 (Oct 1967): inside front cover and pp. 36–39; "Division Command Rotation Plan Set Aside," National Guardsman, 22 (Mar 1968): 16; James F. Cantwell, "A Salute to the Lost' Divisions," National Guardsman, 22 (Feb 1968):
^Wilson, John B., Maneuver and Firepower, the Evolution of Divisions and Separate Brigades, Army Lineage Series, Center of Military History, United States Army, Washington, D. C., 1998, CMH Pub 60-14, Chart 30, p.340. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 April 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
