126th Regimental
Association
Wyoming, Michigan
Association
Wyoming, Michigan
| Association News & Rosters Active Membership Roster August 2009 Newsletter March 2009 Newsletter August 2008 Newsletter |
| Association Officers President....................................SFC Joe Levandoski 1st Vice President.................MSG (Ret) Jerry Groters 2nd Vice President.......................SFC (Ret) Bill Witte Secretary/Treasurer................LTC (Ret) Bill Sobotka Historian...................CW4 (Ret) Darle VanderSchuur Asst. Historian........................SFC (Ret) Earl Jenkins Sgt-At-Arms..........................SGM (Ret) John Kneibel Chaplain..................................CW4 (Ret) Frank Miller Immed. Past Pres........................MAJ Tim Densham Newsletter Editor..................LTC (Ret) David Britten 63rd Troop Command “Spartans” Commander…..................………...COL Phil Owens AGR OIC………...................………..LTC Mark Tellier CSM.......................................................CSM Lester Ott 1st Sqn 126th Cavalry “Hunters” Commander...................................LTC Clark Barrett AGR S3/OIC…….….....................MAJ Jeff Kinninger Cmd Sgt Major............................CSM Michael White |
| 126th Publications Courage Without Fear The Story of the Grand Rapids Guard by Lieutenant Colonel David G. Britten The Ghost Mountain Boys Their Epic March and the Terrifying Battle for New Guinea--The Forgotten War of the South Pacific by James Campbell The ‘Glorious Old Third' The History of the Third Michigan Infantry, 1855-1927 an e-book on CD by Steve Soper Show your support by purchasing these fine publications! |
| CAMPAIGN CREDITS CIVIL WAR – THIRD MICHIGAN Bull Run Peninsula Manassas Fredericksburg Chancellorsville Gettysburg Wilderness Spotsylvania Cold Harbor Petersburg Appomattox Virginia 1863 WAR WITH SPAIN – THIRTY-SECOND REGIMENT MEXICAN BORDER WAR – THIRTY-SECOND REGIMENT WORLD WAR I – 126th INFANTRY Aisne-Marne Oise-Aisne Meuse-Argonne Alsace 1918 WORLD WAR II – 126th INFANTRY Papua New Guinea (with Arrowhead) Luzon Leyte WAR ON TERROR - 126th CAVALRY Kuwait |
| E-Mail Contacts LTC (Ret) Bill Sobtka Association Secretary/Treasurer LTC (Ret) David Britten Newsletter Editor/Webmaster |
| Please sign our guestbook and leave comments for others to read. |
| The 126th Regimental Association is a tax-exempt 501(c)19 organization as determined by the Internal Revenue Service. All donations are tax-deductible and are used to help preserve the history of the 126th. We also accept donations of artifacts, documents and memorabilia related to the 126th and its predecessor and successor units. These items will be maintained by the association, used for future research, and displayed as practical. Please contact the association at the above mailing address or by email if you have questions concerning donations of personal property. |
| Grand Valley State University presents Nightmare in New Guinea The Men of the Red Arrow |
| Nightmare in New Guinea follows a group of young National Guardsmen from West Michigan across the Pacific Ocean to Australia and ultimately into the mountains and jungles of New Guinea. They struggled against disease, inadequate training and equipment, and above all the Japanese. These young men fought in one of the most difficult engagements of World War II, the Battle of Buna. They served in the 126th Infantry Regiment, part of the 32nd "Red Arrow" Division, the first army unit to engage the Japanese, and the one with the longest combat record of any army unit in the entire war. The men tell their own story in this documentary produced by students and faculty of the Department of History and the School of Communications at Grand Valley State University. The 50-minute program on DVD features: Martin Bolt, Ed Szudzik, Bob Hartman, Steve Janicki, Earl Smestad, Russel Prince, Erwin Veneklase, Jack Hill, Gordon Zuverink, Robert Van Hammen and Bill Sikkel. You can own a copy of this epic story by purchasing the DVD at Schuler Books in Kentwood, Michigan. |
| Mailing Address 126th Regimental Association 2820 Longstreet SW Wyoming, MI 49509 |
| Roster of Senior 126th Commanders 1855 to Present Click Here |
| This website is provided in honor of the 126th by Chapter 2, Disabled American Veterans Visit Chapter 2's Website |
| Get directions to the Grand Valley Armory in Wyoming, Michigan |
| Upcoming Association Events Annual Reunion Saturday, September 26, 2009 Historical Display Dedication - 1630 hours Business Meeting - 1700 hours Social Hour & Dinner - 1800 hours Third Michigan NCO Club Grand Valley Armory See the August 2009 Newsletter for details and registration. |
| Association Membership Application Print out an application, complete the information, enclose a check for $10 and mail today! |
| 126th Regimental Association Constitution By-Laws |
| Photos of historic displays located in the Grand Valley Armory, Wyoming, Michigan |
| 3rd Michigan officers in camp during the Civil War. |
| Dirk Vlug and his wife after arriving at Union Station in Grand Rapids, Michigan having just received the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Harry S Truman |