Various Dates
In July 1966
Our Birth At Schofield
Headquarters and Headquarters Company
July 1, 1966
LT Colonel Edwin Beers was given the command of the 1st
Battalion 20th Infantry on July 1, 1966 and started to prepare for
the arrival of the first Officers and personnel in the Battalion. LTC Edwin
Beers set up a Headquarters with a S-1 and started interviewing his in coming
personnel. On 28 July 1966, thirteen (13) officers conferred in the 1st
Battalion, 20th Infantry Conference Room, located in building #449,
Quad D, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. The first key position where all Company and
Staff position where filled and the Battalion began to take shape. Battalion
Staff CPT Roger D. Harms S-1 and acting Executive Officer, S-2 1LT Robert L.
Hicks, S-3 Air Ernest L. Medina and S-4 CPT George F. Robb. 1LT James H.
Henderson became the Commanding Officer of Headquarters and Headquarter Company
with 2LT Tommy J Mitchell as the HHC Executive Officer who began to organize
cleaning and setting up Headquarters Company.
Alpha Company
July 28, 1966
Alpha Company is formed with mostly Vietnam Veterans just back from
Vietnam, getting the Company building in repair and ready to train the in coming
troops. 1LT Charles S. Seketa took command with 2LT Thomas M. Bordner as
Executive Officer.
Bravo Company
July 28, 1966
Bravo Company is formed with mostly Vietnam Veterans just back from
Vietnam, getting the Company building in repair and ready to train the in coming
troops. Capt. Rafael Grenier took command with 1Lt Chris M. Martin as Executive
Officer.
Charlie Company
July 28, 1966
Charlie Company is formed with mostly Vietnam Veterans just back from
Vietnam Veterans just back from Vietnam, getting the Company building into
repair and ready to train the in coming troops. 1LT Eugene J. Doll took command
with 2LT William J. Adams as the Executive Officer.
August, 1966
On 1 August 1966, The NCO to arrive in the battalion
was SSG Thomas J. Powell, who immediately assumed the duties of acting Sergeant
Major of “Sykes’ Regulars”, assisting CPT Roger D Harms, with the incoming
personnel. On 23 August 1966 Headquarters Headquarter Company opened their mess
hall. This mess hall continued to mess the Battalion until 27 September 1966
when Charlie Company opened their mess hall. At that time Company Alpha messed
with Headquarters Headquarter Company and Bravo Company mess with Charlie
Company.
September, 1966
On 16 September 1966 Sergeant Major Henry Lee arrived.
SGM Lee was welcomed at the Battalion’s first Command Retreat. SGM LEE served
with the same “Sykes’ Regulars” in Panama during 1957. Basic Individual Training
was conducted for the Brigade with each Battalion responsible for a part of the
training. A Brigade Advance Individual Training Program was being developed.
October, 1966
On 8 October 1966 the Battalion observed Organization
Day. Advance Individual Training was conducted for the Brigade with each
Battalion responsible for a part of the training.
Alpha Company opened their mess hall officially on 1 November 1966 and Bravo Company opened theirs on 12 November 1966, which means all mess halls where in operations. On 4 November the S-3 CPT Dale E. Davis was promoted to major, thus being the first Captain to be promoted in this battalion.
December, 1966
Total Battalion strength on 1 December 1966 was 559
Officers and EM. The Platoon Leadership exercise was conducted 12-17 December
1966. The leadership exercise was conducted by all Infantry and the
Reconnaissance Platoon. It consisted of a platoon size combat patrol, over
difficult terrain and extended distances, culminating in an attack on aggressor
supply base. The exercise was conducted at the 11th Brigade Infantry
Brigade level and Battalion control was not utilized during the exercise.
Early 1967
After the Brigade finished Basic and Advance
Individual and Small Unit Training continue. Unit training started with the goal
to be ready for the Advance Company training which began with the air movement
to the Big Island of Hawaii. The Pohakuloa Training Center consisted primarily
of live-five exercises and preparation for annual company tests. After
successfully completing the Army training tests with the highest praise coming
from the test umpires of the unit.
April 1967
Unit prepared and implemented an advance individual
training program in April for the personnel of the various units of the Brigade.
May 1967
Battalion begins training for Coral Sands II a joint forces amphibious operation. The Brigade would conduct a naval assault with the 1st Battalion 20th Infantry being the 1st Wave to hit the beaches, to be conducted on and using the island of Molokai. Along with the Regular training was the Command Level testing for the Company, the Battalion and Bridge Level with join Operations with the Navy.