COL ROBERT H. NEWBY

Col. Newby served in the Kansas Army National Guard, the U.S. Army Reserve, and on active duty for more than 40 years, rising in the ranks from private to colonel.

He enlisted with Headquarters Troop, 114th Cavalry, 24th Cavalry Division, Topeka, in 1934 and served with the Guard until 1938. He returned to the Guard in 1939 and was activated along with the remainder of the 35th Infantry Division in December 1940.

Newby achieved the rank of staff sergeant by 1942 but took a career turn and attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga. After commissioning, he became a platoon leader at the Branch Immaterial Training Center, Fort McClellan, Ala., followed by another stint as platoon leader in 1943, this time in Europe with Company A, 313th Infantry Division. In September 1944, he moved up to regimental headquarters as liaison officer/assistant S-1 (personnel officer) and liaison officer to the French 2nd Armored Division.

During his World War II service, Newby earned two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantry Badge, the French Croix de Guerre with palm, and several campaign medals and service ribbons.

Newby returned to the United States in June 1945 to serve a a company commander with a training battalion at Camp Robinson, Ark., and was assigned to the officer reserve corps by year’s end. He returned to the Kansas Army National Guard in 1947 with Headquarters, 137th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division.

Newby continued a distinguished career with the Guard for the next 20 years. He served in the G-4 (logistics), G-3 (training and operations), and G-1 sections at 35th Infantry Division headquarters and was the S-3 at the 137th Infantry Regiment before becoming executive officer of the 2nd Battle Group, 137th Infantry Regiment in 1959.

He played a critical role on state duty during the 1951 floods in Topeka, protecting the Topeka water works. He also served as an instructor for Class #1 of the Kansas National Guard Officer Candidate School.

Newby went on to command three battalions: the 135th Transportation Battalion; the 169th Support Battalion; and 2nd Battalion, 137th Infantry.

His command of 2nd Battalion, 137th Infantry came at a time when his unit and the rest of the 69th Brigade were chosen to be part of the Selected Reserve Force and was authorized to become fulled staffed, supplied, and trained in order to achieve and maintain mobilization and combat-ready posture during the Vietnam War. This proved to be critical because shortly after Newby transferred from the Guard, the brigade was mobilized for active duty.

With his promotion to colonel, Newby transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve and remained there until his retirement in 1976. In 1993, Newby was inducted into the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame at Fort Benning.

He is a lifelong member of the American Legion, the Retired Officers Association, the Reserve Officers Association, the National Guard Association, the 35th Infantry Division Association, and the Military Order of World Wars.

As a civilian, Newby served as a special agent for the intelligence division of the Internal Revenue Service from 1948 until 1973. He belongs to the National Association of Treasury Agents and is a member of the Masonic Lodge and a trustee with Grace Christian Church, Kansas City, Kansas.

CMSGT JAMES A. GOETZ

Chief Master Sgt. James A. Goetz grew up in Indiana and joined the U.S. Air Force in 1952. He received initial training on electronic fundamentals and upon graduation was selected for nuclear weapons electronics and mechanical training.

He came to Kansas as a member of the 36th Aviation Depot Squadron at Smoky Hill (later renamed Schilling) Air Force Base, Salina. He qualified in both nuclear and conventional weapons handling, including explosive ordnance disposal.

Goetz was discharged in 1957 and joined the Air Force Reserve while beginning what proved to be a 31-year career with the U.S. Postal Service. He came into the Kansas Air National Guard in 1965 with the 190th Tactical Reconnaissance Group in Hutchinson and ultimately became noncommissioned officer-in-charge (NCOIC) of the disaster preparedness section. He remained with the unit when it moved to Topeka.

Goetz served as first sergeant with the Supply Squadron, Group Headquarters, and the 190th Resource Management Squadron on five separate occasions among those units. His other assignments included supervisor of vehicle maintenance and a second tour as NCOIC of disaster preparedness.

In 1988, Goetz was promoted to chief master sergeant and was appointed senior enlisted advisor (SEA) for the Kansas Air National Guard, the top enlisted position in the state.

His tour as SEA was marked by his drive to improve NCO education and professionalism. He actively promoted resident school attendance of Professional Military Education (PME) courses such as Leadership School, NCO Academy, and the Senior NCO Academy. The Kansas Air National Guard became the leader in the number of PME graduates.

Goetz strengthened senior NCO leadership by initiating the First Sergeants Council at the 184th Fighter Group, Wichita, and co-organized the council at the 190th Air Refueling Group, Topeka. At the Topeka Council, Goetz created the Airman of the Quarter Program. He also used his own funds to create an award of a plaque and membership in the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of Kansas to deserving graduates of the Kansas Air National Guard Leadership School.

During Operation Desert Shield in 1990, Goetz was diagnosed with cancer. In spite of this, he postponed his treatment and asked to be excused from his SEA duties to serve as first sergeant of the newly-created 1701st Air Refueling Wing, Provisional, in Saudi Arabia. He was responsible for managing a unit with a mix of active duty, reserve, and Guard airmen.

Goetz returned to serve the Kansas Air National Guard until his retirement in 1992. He worked closely with his Army National Guard equivalent, the state command sergeant major, to put into place many of the joint Army and Air National Guard projects in use today.

He is a lifetime member of the Enlisted Association of the Nation Guard of Kansas and the Air Force Association. Goetz also belongs to the Air Force Sergeants Association and the Air Force Sergeants Diamond Club. His leadership extended to the civilian sector as well. Goetz was United Way coordinator for the Postal Service for five years and assisted the Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon in Wichita for ten years. He continues to serve as chairman of the board of the Government Employees Credit Union in Wichita and acts as financial advisor for the Wichita Area Postal Employees Assistance Program.

Goetz is now retired from both the Air Guard and the Postal Service, living in Rose Hill with his wife, Marilyn.

CSM RALPH L. GEORGE

CSM Ralph L. George

CSM George first tasted military life during ROTC at Kansas State College, but he didn’t join until his enlistment with Battery C, 1st Battalion, 127th Field Artillery, Paola, in 1949. In 1953, he became a full time technician with the U.S. Property and Fiscal Office (USPFO) at Fort Riley and transferred to the 110th Ordnance Company.

George made his move with the USPFO to Topeka and joined the 714th Ordnance Company, a newly-organized unit. He played an important role as a section sergeant to help build unit personnel strength.

He became a part of another new unit, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 496th Ordnance Group, 19 1954. He was promoted to sergeant first class and given the position of group sergeant major with additional duties as detachment first sergeant.

When the 496th was activated at Fort Riley in 1961 during the Berlin Wall crisis, George ran the administration and supply line during mobilization and served as command sergeant major until the unit deactivated and returned to state service in 1962.

Though he continued to fill the position as sergeant major, George received the promotion commensurate with his duties in 1965. In 1966, he was appointed staff administrative specialist for the 496th , making him responsible for all administrative and supply technicians (ASTs) in the two battalions and eight separate units in the 496th.

When the 496th deactivated in 1967, George transferred to Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, State Area Command (STARC) as administrative noncommissioned officer-in-charge. He played a role in assisting the inauguration of Gov. Robert B. Docking in 1969 and served as an official staff member at the Midwestern Governor’s Conference in Wichita.

George spent many additional weekends during the 1960s and 70s assisting the Kansas Military Academy in the administrative office for Officer Candidate School.

Throughout his career, George made a reputation for outstanding supply and administrative discipline. He received numerous citations and commendations for outstanding inspections. Those efforts through his career earned him a nomination in the Outstanding Army Guardsman competition in 1976.

George remained at STARC until his retirement in 1988. He continued to assist STARC as a volunteer for another four years.

One of his most significant achievements was organizing the Kansas National Guard Enlisted Association and serving as the first acting president. He also organized the Topeka Armory NCO Club, which became well respected for its annual Christmas dinner for the youth of the Kansas Neurological Institute.

George chaired the Combined Federal Campaign for the Nation Guard in the Topeka area. He was also involved with youth activities during his career with the Guard as a Little League baseball coach and as a leader with the Boy Scouts of America.

George lives in Topeka with his wife, Maxine.

CSM JACK L. ELLIOTT

Command Sergeant Major Jack L. Elliott was born 9 February 1931 in Topeka, Kansas. He began his military career on 1 December 1948 when he enlisted in Company B, 174th Military Police Battalion, Kansas Army National Guard. He served as a Military Policeman and Squad Leader prior to being mobilized with the 174th Military Police Battalion for service in Korea.

CSM Elliott was ordered to active duty on 20 October 1950 as a Corporal with an initial assignment at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. His duties included training other soldiers to become Military Policemen. He was then assigned to the Republic of Korea from July 1951 through June 1952 where he served as a Military Policeman and Military Police Investigator in the 58th Military Police Company. He was released from active duty on 21 June 1952.

He reenlisted in the 174th Military Police Battalion upon release from active duty serving at the rank of Sergeant and later becoming company First Sergeant effective 11 July 1956. With the reorganization of the Kansas Army National Guard in 1959, he was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 35th Infantry Division as an Operations Sergeant. He was promoted to Master Sergeant on 19 October 1961.

Effective 1 April 1963 with another reorganization of the Kansas Army National Guard, he was assigned as the First Sergeant for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 69th Infantry Brigade (Sep). On 13 November 1967 he was assigned as Chief Operations Sergeant and promoted to Sergeant Major on 20 November 1967. He was assigned as the Brigade Sergeant Major on 1 April 1968. CSM Elliott was again ordered to active duty with the mobilized 69th Infantry Brigade on 13 May 1968 as a result of the Pueblo Crisis and conflict in Vietnam. CSM Elliott served as the Brigade Command Sergeant Major at Fort Carson, Colorado from 13 May 1968 through 12 December 1969 when the Brigade was released from active duty.

Upon return to state status, CSM Elliott was again appointed as the 69th Brigade Command Sergeant Major. He served in that position until 1 June 1985 when he was appointed Command Sergeant Major for the Kansas Army National Guard. He retired effective 8 February 1991 with over forty one years of military service. CSM Elliott was awarded the Legion of Merit upon his retirement. CSM Elliott has the distinction of having served as Command Sergenat Major for seven General Officers.

With the support and guidance of MG Phil Finley, the Adjutant General of Kansas, CSM Elliott recruited, trained and established the Governor’s Adjutant General Ceremonial Platoon.

Beginning in 1993, two years following his retirment, CSM Elliott spent continuing time leading the volunteer effort to construct the Kansas National Guard Museum and continued as Museum Curator and President of the Museum Board of Directors to preserve the Kansas National Guard heritage.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal W/2 OLC, Army Commendation Medal W/3 OLC, Army Achievement Medal W/OLC, Good Conduct Medal W/Clasps, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal W/3 OLC, National Defnese Service Medal W/Oak Leaf Cluster, Korean Service Medal W/3 Battle Stars, Armed Forces Reserve Medal W/3 Hour Glass Devices, NCO Professional Development Ribbon W/Numeral 4, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, United Nations Service Medal, Kansas National Guard Meritorious Service Ribbon, Kansas Emergency Duty Service Ribbon W/Sunflower Device, Kansas National Guurd Service Medal W/2 Sunflower Devices and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. CSM Elliott was inducted into the Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame on 5 November 1995.

BG LEO P. TRITSCH

BG Leo P. Tritsch

Brigadier General Leo P. Tritsch was born 27 October, 1924, in Colby, Kansas. He began his military career by enlisting in 1943, and serving in the AUS at Camp Plauche, LA, Ft. Leavenworth and the European Theater. Upon separation from active duty in 1945, he was assigned to the US Army Air Corp Enlisted Reserves. In 1947, he enlisted in Headquarters Battery, 154th Field Artillery Battalion shortly after it was reorganized. On 20 May 1949, he received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Kansas Army National Guard, beginning thirty-four years of commissioned service. In all, his career spanned forty years and three months total service, with duty in Europe during World War II, and the Republic of Vietnam in 1968-69.

Serving as a Field Artillery Officer, General Tritsch completed the Field Artillery Officer Basic, Officer Advanced and Special Weapons Schools. He completed communications training and a field artillery refresher upon mobilization with the 69th Brigade in 1968, and served as an Inspector General with Headquarters, United States Army Vietnam for 7 months. He completed Command and General Staff Officers Course in 1976. Throughout his career in the 154th and 130th Field Artillery, he was noted for his calm, caring leadership and personal commitment to the Guard. In 1971, General Tritsch was assigned to command his home battalion, the 2nd Battalion 130th Field Artillery. He served in several staff positions in the 69th Brigade and State Headquarters, until 1978 when he assumed command of the 130th Field Artillery Group. On 26 June 1979, he was assigned as the Director, State Area Command and appointed as Brigadier General, subsequently becoming the Assistant Adjutant General, Kansas Army National Guard. General Tritsch retired from military service in September 1983.

In his civilian endeavors, General Tritsch embodied the ideals of the citizen soldier. A father of nine, he was an active religious leader and youth volunteer. He initiated a little league baseball program in the community and was an active organizer of youth sports programs. He served on numerous county and community boards over the years and was an active volunteer with the Hiawatha Chamber of Commerce. In 1988 he ran for the office of Mayor and was elected twice. During his tenure, the city lake and park was renovated, emergency dispatch was consolidated county wide, and the 911 emergency systems were initiated throughout the county. The completion of these three contentious and divisive projects are testimony to his leadership abilities. General Tritsch was also an active participant in the National Guard Association of Kansas, serving on many committees, and was an active organizer of the Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame..

Brigadier General Tritsch’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Army commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal with three battle stars, European-African Middle East Campaign with battle star, Armed Forces Reserve Achievement medal with hour glass, World War II Victory Medal, Army Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with campaign bar, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with three awards, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Kansas State Service Medal. Brigadier General Leo P. Tritsch has been a leader in the military, the nation, his community and his family. He was truly a great National guardsman, Kansas and American. General Tritsch exemplified the role of the citizen-soldier. He was inducted into the Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame 5 November, 1994.

COL CLARENCE E. LAUGHON

COL Clarence E. Laughon

Colonel Clarence E. Laughon was born 18 November 1917. A native of Kansas, he began his military career by enlisting as a Private in the Kansas Army National Guard on 1 August 1939 and was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment as a Finance Clerk. On 10 October 1940, he was ordered to active duty with the State Headquarters and assigned as Fiscal Accounting Clerk in the office of the United States Property & Fiscal Office. On 5 September 1943, he was assigned as a Cadreman in the 611th Grave Registration Company, Francis E. Warren Army Base, Cheyenne, Wyoming and in May 1944, was transferred to the Eurpoean Theater of Operations for duty in England, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He returned to the United States and was released from active duty 19 October 1945 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. After his release from active duty, he was instrumental in the reorganization of and finding a suitable location for the United States Property and Fiscal Office, the Maintenance Shops and warehouse.

On 9 September 1947, he received a direct commission to Second Lieutenant, serving as Assistant Finance Officer. Promoted to First Lieutenant on 1 November 1949, he was the Finance Officer and Officer in Charge of the Finance Corps. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel 18 November 1962, and assigned as the Budget and Fiscal Office for Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment. LTC Laughon was reassigned as the Comptroller, Finance Corps, 15 December 1967 and promoted to Colonel on 10 February 1970. He became the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4, Logistics, Headquarters, Kansas Army National Guard on 1 March 1971. COL Laughon had advanced through the ranks from Private to Master Sergeant, then Second Lieutenant to Colonel. He retired from the Guard on 10 February 1977 with over 37 years of service.

Colonel Laughon’s awards and decorations are many. He earned the Meritorious Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Medal, American Campaign, American-African-Middle East Campaign with three battle stars, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation with German Bar, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two Hour Glass Devices, Army National Guard Achievement Medal, Medal of Liberated France and the National Guard Association of Kansas Distinguished Service Medal.

Other achievements include assisting in the formation of the National Guard Association of Kansas and becoming a Charter Member, providing training for all the Guard Finance Section Personnel in Kansas, and assisted the Michigan National Guard USP&FO in mechanizing their civilian payroll. One of his most signifcant contributions to the Kansas was as an additional duty. Colonel Laughon, as a young officer, maintained the plans, specifications and supporting documents to control state and city funds for the Adjutant General to build 59 armories throughout Kansas in the 1950s and 1960s. He maintained bank accounts, received and disbursed funds for construction and processed final payments. This job was absolutely essential to the growth of the Kansas National Guard.
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Colonel Laughon has been a leader and instrumental in the building program that made the Kansas Army National Guard what it is today. He is a great Kansas National Guardsman, Kansan and American. He was inducted into the Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame on 6 November 1994.

SGM George J. Perry

SGM George J. Perry

Sergeant Major George J. Perry began his military career in 1943 by enlisting in the U.S. Army. He attended Basic Combat Training at Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Arkansas. He trained as a Medical Technician at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Hospital in Colorado. In late 1943, he was shipped to Camp Ellis, Illinois to await his next duty assignment. His new assignment took him to Kickatan, Virginia to a veterans Hospital to work as an Aidman and eventually working in the mess hall. Next, he was shipped to Newport News, Virginia and assigned to the USS Gideon Wells, a Liberty Ship and sailed to Excabier, Africa, a Submarine Base. Later, he sailed to Oran, Africa. As rumors and tension mounted about the invasioin of Sicily, his ship was completely unloaded and with him aboard, sailed to Hoboken, New Jersey. SGM Perry’s next duty station was back to Kickatan, Virginia where he became Second Cook and promoted to E-4, then promoted to First Cook and E-5. In 1944, he shipped to Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia and promoted to Mess Sergeant where he served until being discharged in 1946 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Upon release from active duty, he was assigned as a Military Policeman in the Army Reserve in Manhattan, Kansas. An Army National Guard Armory was being constructed at St. Marys, Kansas and he was approached about the need for five people to start the unit there. He accepted the challenge and became the First Sergeant of the Headquarters Company, 174th Military Police Battalion. The unit also needed a Mess Sergeant and he was sent to the Advance Camp Mess Sergeant School where he became in instructor. In October 1951, he was mobilized and assigned to Fort Sheridan, Illinois and was selected as the new Sergeant Major. In 1952 the unit was released from active duty and sent home. At home he reverted to the First Sergeant and in 1954 was approached by the Company Commander to be the Administrative Supply and Maintenance Technician. He served in this capacity until his retirement. In 1968, he was mobilized again and served as the Sergeant Major for the Operations Section of the 69th Infantry Brigade at Fort Carson, Colorado during the Pueblo Crisis.

Some of the highlights of his career included maintaining over 100% authorized personnel strength and his units never received an unsatisfactory on his Annual General Inspections or Command Maintenance Management Inspections. SGM Perry was so dedicated to the National Guard that three of his seven children followed in is footsteps, all three now serving in the Kansas Army National Guard full time force.

Service to his community has always been a high priority of Sergeant Major Perry. He served as a Reserve Officer of the St. Marys Police Department for seven years, Fireman on the St Marys Fire Department for 16 years, Quartermaster/Founder of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and has been a very active member of the American Legion. He is also very active in the activities City of St. Marys, Kansas.

Serving for over 40 years in the military, Sergeant Major Perry is the epitome of a leader. He was inducted into the Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame on 7 November 1993.

LTC WILLIAM J. L. PORTER

Lieutenant Colonel William J. L. Porter began his military career on 23 July 1949, enlisting in the 140th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division at Cape Giradeau, Missouri. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1952 and assigned as Infantry Platoon Leader, Company E, 140th Infantry Regiment. He was promoted to Captain in 1957 and assigned as Company Commander, Administrative Company, 35th Infantry Division and later commanded the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 69th Infantry Brigade. Promoted to Major in 1964, he was assigned as Assistant S-3 for the 69th Infantry Brigade with the additional duty as Assistant Commandant, Kansas Army National Guard Officer Candidate School. Upon call of the 69th Infantry Brigade to active duty in May 1968, Major Porter became Executive Officer, 2nd Battalion, 137th Infantry, 69th Infantry Brigade and stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado until his assignment to the Republic of South Vietnam in December 1968.

In Vietnam, Major Porter was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and assigned to the Military Assistance Command with duty as Advisor to the Vietnamese Armed Forces as an Information Officer. He was released from active duty in Vietnam in December 1969 and assigned as Brigade S-3 (Operations) of the 69th Infantry Brigade (Separate). On 1 August 1972, he assumed the duties as Brigade Executive Officer and on 24 December became Battalion Commander, 2nd Battalion, 137th Infantry, 69th Infantry Brigade (Separate). On 9 January 1977, he was reassigned as Civil Affairs Officer, Headquarters 69th Infantry Brigade. LTC Porter retired form the Kansas Army National Guard on 14 June 1977.

In addition to having a distinguished career as a Traditional National Guardsman, Lieutenant Colonel Porter has served his community through his civilian occupation in several states. He began his career as a sports writer in 1956 for the Topeka Capitol-Journal. He was Editor and Publisher of Shawnee, Oklahoma New-Star from 1977 to 1982 and then Editor and Publisher of the Ardmore, Oklahoma Daily Ardmoriete from 1982 to 1986. He became Editor and Publisher of the Topeka Capitol-Journal in 1986.

He received the National Newspaper Association Award for Best Editorial in the Nation in 1986. He received an award for Best Editorial of the Year in Oklahoma Press Association competition. His expertise in the military was recognized when he was chosen to testify before a House Armed Services Subcommittee of the United States House of Representatives, studying Reserve Component field training. His military decorations include the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnamese Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievment Medal, National Defense Service medal, Vietnamese Honor Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal and the National Guard Service Medal.

Lieutenant Colonel Porter’s faithful service embodies the best of the true “Citizen Soldier”. He was inducted into the Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame on 7 November 1993.

BG Alonzo D. Dougherty, Jr.

Brigadier General Alonzo D. Dougherty Jr. was born 19 July 1936 in Leavenworth, Kansas. He began his military career by enlisting in 1955 with Company A, 174th Military Police Battalion, in Leavenworth. In 1962 he was selected as the second African American to attend and graduate from the Kansas Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 18 June 1962. During the next six years he attended various schools and served as Platoon Leader and Executive Officer of Company A, 2nd Battalion, 137th Infantry. In April 1968, he was called to active duty, became a Company Commander and successfully commanded an Infantry Rifle Company in combat in Vietnam. He also served in the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Birgade as S-3 and S-3 (Air) before returning to Kansas in 1969.

In 1974 Major General Edward Fry, the Adjutant General of Kansas, chose him to develop and implement the Race Relations/Equal Opportunity Program for the Kansas National Guard. He remained in this fulltime position until 1977 before returning to the infantry as a Lieutenant Colonel, becoming the Battalion Commander of the 2nd Battalion, 137th Infantry in Kansas City, Kansas. He then served as Deputy Training Officer, State Area Command in Topeka. In 1981 he was promoted to Colonel and became the G-2 Intelligence Officer, then was assigned as Deputy Brigade Commander, 69th Infantry Brigade from 1983 to 1984. On 19 November, he made history when he became the first African American in the Kansas National Guard to be promoted to Brigadier General of the line and Commander fo the 69th Infantry Brigade. His career culminated as the Assistant Division Commander (Maneuver), Headquarters, 35th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He retired in 1987.

Bridadier General Dougherty’s awards, decorations and accomplishments are many. He graduated in the top five percent of his Command and General Staff College course. He has received the Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Air Medal (Third Award), Meritorious Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge and Bronze Star with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters.

Among his other achievements is working three years as Program Analyst in the Force Design Directorate, Combined Arms Combat Development activity, Fort Leavenworth, where he worked for General Colin Powell, designing the current Army Force Structure and Equipment that proved so effective in Operation Desert Storm. He has a “Doctorate of Humane Letters” from Benedictine College, was Past President of the National Guard Association of Kansas, Grand Marshal of the Famed Exoduster’s Parade and a key advisor to the Buffalo Soldier Monument Committee, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Brigadier General Dougherty has been a leader in the military, the nation, his community and his family. He is truly a great Army National Guardsman, Kansan and American. He was inducted into the Kansas National Guard Hall fo Fame on 7 November 1993.

CMSGT MELVIN D. SIMPSON

CMSgt Melvin D. Simpson, Overbrook, began his military career in 1952 when he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and went through basic training at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. He became a personnel specialist and then first sergeant servingin Tennessee and Oklahoma. He joined the Kansas Air National Guard as the first sergeant with the 117th Fighter Intercepter Squadron in March 1957 at the Hutchinson Naval Air Station, later becoming the first sergeant, personnel superintendent, and chief of personnel for the 190th Tactical Reconnaissance Group and the 190th Bombardment Tactical Group (forerunners of the 190th Air Refueling Group). On May, 1974, he became the personnnel superintendent of Headquarters, Kansas Air National Guard, until his retirement in May 1988 as a full-time employee and a Guardsman. During his tenure, the 190th moved from Hutchinson to Topeka in 1967 and through his efforts most of the unit was retained.

In 1966, Simpson performed Guard disaster duty following the Topeka tornado of June 1966. He received the Governor’s Commendation for Exceptionally Meritorious Service for his efforts.

Simpson was always recruiting airmen for the Guard. His biggest recruiting achievement was getting Col Joe Engle, the former astronaut, into the Kansas Air National Guard.

He has been involved in many community activities to include being chairman of the Combined Federal Campaign for the Adjutant General’s Department to raise money for the United Way. After three years of work for the United Way, he received the United Way Volunteer Award for Outstanding Service to the people of Topeka.

He also He also was involved with the Overbrook Rotary Club since 1972, being elected president twice, Rotarian of the Year 1976-77, hosted seven foreign students in his home and in 1988 was named the “Paul Harris Fellow” for substantial charitable service to Rotary International.

Simpson is a life member of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of Kansas serving as vice president (Air), chairman of the resolutions committee, 1983-89.

Among his many awards and decorations are the Meritorious Service Medal; Air Force Commendation Medal; Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon; Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Ribbon; Kansas National Guard Meritorious Service Ribbon, and the Kansas National Guard Longevity Service Ribbon.

In addition to organizations mentioned, he also has served with the National Guard Association of Kansas receiving the National Guard Association of Kansas Distinguished Service Award in 1980; National Guard Association of the U.S.; Enlisted Association of the Nation Guard of the U.S.; Air Force Association; Air Force Sergeants Association; American Legion; and Masonic Lodge.