By Maj. William Carraway
Historian, Georgia Army National Guard
Brigadier General Andrew W.H. McKenna of Macon retired from the Georgia Army National Guard May 6, 1973 after more than 35 years’ service to the state and nation. A Soldier, World War II veteran, judge and state representative, McKenna left an enduring mark on the state of Georgia.
Early Life
Andrew McKenna was born in Macon, Ga. June 21, 1918.
His parents, William and Mary McKenna were first generation Irish-Americans who
married Oct. 24, 1905 in Macon,[1] William worked as a
bookkeeper in a Jewelry shop while Mary cared for their seven children of whom
Andrew was the youngest.[2]
In May 1927, Andrew’s older brother William McKenna
Jr. joined the local National Guard unit Company C, 121st Infantry
Regiment. This historic company, known as the Floyd Rifles, had served in the
151st Machine Gun Battalion in World War I. While still a student at Lanier
High School, Andrew joined Company C June 5, 1936, 16 days shy of his 18th
birthday[3]. At the time of Andrew’s
enlistment, William was a sergeant, and in three years would be company first
sergeant.[4] Under his brother’s
tutelage, McKenna found a home in Company C and served through the enlisted
ranks from private to platoon sergeant.[5]
On June 16, 1940, the 121st Infantry
Regiment was accepted into federal service as part of the 30th
Infantry Division and the McKenna brothers were soon on their way to Fort
Jackson, S. C. where the regiment underwent sixteen weeks of training. By June
the following year, the brothers were commissioned officers with William
serving as a 1st lieutenant in Company F and Andrew, a newly
commissioned 2nd lieutenant, as the executive officer of Company I.[6]
 |
| William and Andrew McKenna in the 121st Infantry Regiment in 1941. Georgia Guard Archives |
While William McKenna would deploy to Europe with the 121st Infantry, Andrew was promoted to captain Dec. 14, 1942 and assigned as commanding officer of Company A, 939th APS Battalion. The following December he was assigned as commander of Company M, 330th Infantry Regiment of the 83rd Division.[7]
Company M was less than four months old when McKenna
assumed command at Camp Atterbury, In. In the midst of live-fire training and
field problems, McKenna married Helen Klinefelter April 7, 1943. The unit
trained at Atterbury and Camp Breckenridge, Ky. before departing March 28,
1944, for Camp Shanks, N. Y. where the unit staged for one week before boarding
the H.M.S. Orion. The next morning, McKenna and his Soldiers sailed out of New
York Harbor passing the Statue of Liberty on their way to England. The Soldiers
debarked April 18 in Liverpool. On June 19, McKenna and Company M boarded a
Canadian LCT bound for Normandy Beach. The craft arrived off Omaha Beach the
next morning but was unable to unload the Soldiers for nearly a week due to
damage a storm had wreaked on the landing piers. Finally, the Soldiers went
ashore June 27, 1944.[8]
 |
| Position of 3-330 and Company M near Carentan https://83rdinfdivdocs.org/units/330th-ir/map-overlays |
McKenna’s first contact with the enemy came on July 4
in the Hedgerows of Normandy opposite the
17th SS Panzergrenadiers. Maneuvering
into an orchard the next day, Company M endured heavy bombardment from German
artillery. From then until July 25, Company M was in constant enemy contact
from Tribehou to Remily-Sur-Luzon some 50 kilometers from Omaha Beach.
After rest and refit, the 83rd Division was
on the move again, this time entering Brittany with the objective of taking the
port city of Brest. The 83rd was reinforced by the 121st
Infantry Regiment which was temporarily detached from the 8th
Division.[9] For the first time since
December 1942 Andrew was in the same division as his brother. Captain William
McKenna, commanding company F, 121st Infantry Regiment had waded
onto Omaha Beach July 4, 1944 the same day Andrew was engaged in his first
contact with the enemy. On July 8, 1944, near La Haye du Puits, William
perceived that hostile fire had ceased from a sector and moved forward to
investigate. He advanced to a hedgerow which concealed a considerable force of
German troops. Calling loudly for their surrender, he was rebuffed when the
German commander ordered his Soldiers to open fire. Calmly, William secured a
string of hand grenades and continued to advance within a few yards of the
enemy where he destroyed the German strong point with hand grenades. For his
actions, William was awarded the Purple Heart and Silver Star.[10]
Advancing to Brest, the 121st Infantry
Regiment was returned to the 8th Division. Andrew McKenna and
Company M assumed defensive positions across the bay from Brest and remained in
position until the port city’s fall on Sept. 20.
 |
| Martin Blumenson. Breakout and Pursuit. (Washington, D.C.: Center of Military History, U.S. Army, 1984.) Map VIII |
McKenna's company maneuvered from Northern France
into Luxembourg and to the Hurtgen Forest where it was engaged in
heavy fighting. On Dec. 10, 1944, Company M participated in the assault on the
town of Strauss amidst a blinding snowstorm. Entering Strauss at 7:00 in the
morning the 3-330th and Company M were encircled by the Germans. For
two days the Americans held out against punishing German infantry and armor
assaults before relief reached them. Instead of rest and refit the 83rd
was hastily dispatched to the Ardennes in response to the German offensive. The
330th was in combat for 21 continuous days and the mortar platoon of
Company M suffered severe casualties in the taking of Cherain Belgium.
For his actions in the Ardennes, Andrew McKenna was awarded the Silver Star.[12] That month he learned of the death of his brother William, who was felled by a sniper’s bullet while leading his troops on Christmas Day. William McKenna was posthumously awarded a second Silver Star in recognition of his bravery in the face of the enemy.[13]
McKenna led his company from the Rhineland to Central
Germany earning two Bronze Stars and receiving two Purple Heart Medals before celebrating
VE Day May 8, 1945 near Goslar. McKenna left active-duty Nov. 21, 1945 and
entered the Officer Reserve Corps.[14]
Post War Reorganization, the 48th
ID and the Georgia Assembly
Following World War II, McKenna was active in the
effort to reorganize the Georgia National Guard. On Nov. 18, 1946, following
the establishment of the 48th Infantry Division, McKenna received
command of the newly organized Company C, 121st Infantry Regiment,
his former unit.[15]
 |
| The 1948 MTOE of the 48th Infantry Division. |
In 1949, McKenna earned his law degree from Mercer University.[16] That year he was promoted to major and appointed executive officer of the 1st Battalion 121st Infantry. As executive officer, McKenna supervised the range training of 121st Infantry units that competed for the William A. McKenna Award which was presented annually to the unit in the state the highest score in rifle marksmanship.[17]
 |
| ATLANTA, December 10, 1953 - At the request of Maj. Gen. Ernest Vandiver, the Adjutant General of Georgia, Governor Herman Talmadge signed legislation authorizing commemorative license plates for the Georgia National Guard. Pictured at the signing are Lt. Col. Jack Murr, Vandiver, Brig. Gen. Jack Stoddard, Talmadge, and Lt. Col. Andrew McKenna. Georgia National Guard Archives. |
McKenna was appointed commander of the 1-121 June 25,
1951 and promoted to lieutenant colonel.[18] Later that year he was elected
to the Georgia Assembly, the first of four terms he would serve. McKenna was a
tireless advocate for the Ga. National Guard during his tenure as a state
representative. In 1953 he supported the efforts of Maj. Gen. Ernest Vandiver,
Georgia’s Adjutant General, in drafting a bill to establish a commemorative
license plate honoring the national guard.[19] During his tenure in the
Georgia General Assembly, McKenna served as chairman of the House Special
Judiciary Committee and vice chair of the House Defense and Veterans Affairs
Committee.[20]
On March 13, 1954, a tornado struck Macon destroying more than 400 homes, uprooting trees and carving an 8-mile path of destruction through Bibb County.[21] McKenna was one of the first Soldiers to arrive at the Macon Armory and over the next three days he directed the response efforts of the 1-121. Nearly 300 of Georgia’s Citizen Soldiers assisted in clearing wreckage, providing security and facilitating traffic flow.[22]
From Infantry to Armor and From Battalion
to Combat Command
In November 1955, the 48th Infantry
Division was converted to form the 48th Armor Division. As part of
the conversion, McKenna’s battalion was reorganized as the 162nd
Tank Battalion and was equipped with the M-47 Patton Tank.[23] He commanded the 162nd
until November 25, 1958 when he was named executive officer of the 48th
Armor Division’s Combat Command B.[24]
 |
| Honorable discharge signed by Lt. Col. Andrew McKenna, commanding 162nd Tank Battalion. Georgia National Guard Archives. |
Leaving the assembly in 1960 McKenna began a four-year stint as a judge in the Bibb County State Court and was a founding partner of the firm Melton, McKenna and House. On Nov 3, 1962 he was promoted to colonel and placed in command of the 1st Brigade, 48th AD.[25]
 |
| Colonel Andrew McKenna, 1962. Georgia National Guard Archives. |
Throughout his career in the Ga. ARNG, McKenna was an active member of the National Guard Association of Georgia. He served on the board of directors and numerous committees while authoring several resolutions. In 1964 McKenna was elected president of the NGAGA and served in that capacity for three years.[26]
Brigadier General McKenna and the
Emergency Operations Headquarters
Following a reorganization of the Georgia National
Guard on Jan 1, 1968, and the inactivation of the 48th AD, McKenna
was appointed to command the Georgia Emergency Operations Headquarters in
Decatur. With nearly 1,800 Soldiers, the EOH was the direct forerunner of
today’s 78th Troop Command and encompassed maintenance, signal, and
transportation companies along with two military police battalions and the 116th
Army Band.[27]
Subsequent to his appointment, McKenna was promoted to brigadier general.[28]
Following the April 4, 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., National Guard units were activated in multiple states. In Georgia, a task force of National Guard Soldiers was activated as part of EOH plans developed by McKenna.[29] Nearly 1,000 Georgia Guardsmen staged at Dobbins Air Force Base but were ultimately not called to respond.
 |
| Brig. Gen. Andrew McKenna at Fort Stewart, 1968. Georgia National Guard Archives. |
Just three days later, McKenna executed an airlift of 402 Soldiers of the 170th and 176th MP Battalions from Fort Stewart to Dobbins Air Force Base. The July 9, 1968 airlift was conducted by seven C-124 Globemaster aircraft of the Georgia Air National Guard’s 165th Military Airlift Group. In addition to the military police, the aircraft delivered 35 military vehicles. Arriving at Dobbins, the MPs conducted riot control training and a capabilities demonstration for media representatives.[31]
The experience gained from the airlift was soon
pressed into service as the Georgia National Guard was called to respond to
civil unrest in Augusta. More than 2,000 Guardsmen were called to state active
duty May 11-18, 1970 following furious protests and rioting that erupted over a
130-block area.[32]
Three Ga. ANG C-124 transports delivered the 2nd Battalion 214th
Field Artillery under the command of Col. John McGowan to Augusta May 12. The
2-214 joined Soldiers of the 878th Engineer Battalion and 1148th
Transportation Company who had responded the previous day.
 |
| Georgia National Guard Soldiers of the 214th Field Artillery Regiment on duty in Augusta, Ga. May 11, 1970. Augusta Chronicle file photo. |
Hearn dispatched Brig. Gen. McKenna to Augusta to take command of the growing response effort. Operating out of the 878th’s armory, McKenna quickly established a command center, communication network and a schedule of patrols to augment the Augusta Police Department. The response peaked May 13 as Soldiers of the 176th MP Battalion, 1-121st and 138th Medical Company arrived in support. When unrest erupted in Athens, more than 200 Soldiers of the 176th MP Battalion were redirected to the city along with the 1-214th Field Artillery. By May 14, the Georgia Guard began redeploying personnel to their home units though more than 1,500 remained on duty through the weekend. By May 18, all Guardsmen had returned home.
On May 1, 1971, the EOH was redesignated the 122nd
Support Center, Rear.[33] On that day, McKenna was
additionally assigned to command the newly created Alternate Command Section of
the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment of the Ga. ARNG in Atlanta.[34] While the Alternate
Command Section appointment ended in 1972, McKenna remained in command of the EOH
until his retirement May 6, 1973.[35] During his retirement
ceremony, McKenna was awarded the Georgia Commendation Medal promoted to the
state rank of major general.
Returning to civilian life, McKenna continued to serve
as a senior partner in the law firm of Melton, McKenna and House, Attorneys at-
Law in Macon. His life was tragically cut short by a heart attack March 5, 1981.
He is memorialized in Riverside Cemetery in his hometown of Macon. His beloved
wife Helen died in 2002 and is also memorialized in Riverside
Cemetery.
[1] Ancestry.com, Bibb
County Georgia Court of Ordinary Marriages Book L 1905-1909 &1913. 34.
Retrieved from https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/4766/images/40951_294487-00065?usePUB=true&usePUBJs=true&pId=124499
[2] Ancestry.com, 1920
United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA:
Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Retrieved from https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/6061/images/4295804-00038?usePUB=true&usePUBJs=true&pId=7250017
[3] United States
Army, Official Army National Guard Registry. (Washington D. C.: National
Guard Bureau: 1966) 592.
[4] War Department, Official
National Guard Register. (Washington D. C.: National Guard Bureau, 1943)
784.
[5] “Two Guard BG’s
Retire.” The Georgia Guardsman, May-June 1973, 7.
[6] Historical and
Pictorial Review 121st Infantry, 30th Infantry Division
(Baton Rouge, La: Army & Navy Publishing Company, 1941) 82 and 92.
[8] History of Company “M” 330th Infantry
Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division. Retrieved from https://83rdinfdivdocs.org/documents/330th/various/330th_CoM_History.pdf
[9] The Gray Bonnet:
Combat History of the 121st Infantry, 33.
[10] William Carraway. “In Memoriam: Capt. William McKenna,
121st Infantry Regiment.” Georgiaguard history.com, Dec. 25, 2019.
[11]
History
of Company “M” 330th Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry
Division. Retrieved from https://83rdinfdivdocs.org/documents/330th/various/330th_CoM_History.pdf
[12] GO +7 January 20,
1945.
[13] William Carraway.
“In Memoriam: Capt. William McKenna, 121st Infantry Regiment.” Georgiaguard
history.com, Dec. 25, 2019.
[14] United States
Army, Official Army National Guard Registry. (Washington D. C.: National Guard
Bureau: 1966) 592.
[15] “Company C, 121st
Infantry Regiment.” The Georgia Guardsman, November 1950, 9.
[16] “’Andy’ McKenna
Becomes Newest Ga. NG Brig General.” The Georgia Guardsman, Jan.-Apr.
1968, 9.
[17] “Vandiver,
McKenna Trophies Awarded to 121st Inf Units at Big Fort Jackson
Review.” The Georgia Guardsman, July August 1950, 13.
[18] “Lt. Col. Holden
West Commands 162nd Tank Bn Replacing Lt. Col. Andrew McKenna, New
CC B Exec.” The Georgia Guardsman, January, February 1959, 3.
[19]“Special National
Guard Auto Tags Authorized Ga. Guardsmen in 1955.” The Georgia Guardsman,
December 1953, 3.
[20]
“Biography:
BG Andrew W. H. McKenna.” Georgia National Guard Archives.
[21] “Macon Guardsmen
Respond to Tornado Disaster Call.” The Georgia Guardsman, May, June
1954, 1.
[22] “Macon Units
Answer Tornado Call.” The Georgia Guardsman, April 1954, 3.
[23] “Shift To Armor
Provides New Assignments and Promotions.” The Georgia Guardsman, Oct,
Nov, Dec 1955, 15.
[24] “Lt. Col. Holden West Commands 162nd Tank Bn
Replacing Lt. Col. Andrew McKenna, New CC B Exec.” The Georgia Guardsman,
January, February 1959, 3.
[25] “McKenna, Evans
Elevated to Colonel; Hutson, Haar, Genone get Commands.” The Georgia
Guardsman, Sept.-Dec. 1962, 10.
[26] “NG Association
Installs Rhodes, Names McKenna President-elect.” The Georgia Guardsman,
Sept Oct 1964, 2.
[27] "Reorganized and
Re-trained Army Guardsmen Gird for Summer Training After Winter of Intensive
Drills.” The Georgia Guardsman, Jan.-Apr. 1968, 3-4.
[28] “’Andy’ McKenna
Becomes Newest Ga. NG Brig General.” The Georgia Guardsman, Jan.-Apr.
1968, 9.
[29] “Georgia
Guardsmen on Standby Alert as Civil Disturbances Loomed.” The Georgia
Guardsman, Jan.-Apr. 1968, 5.
[30] “Ga. Emergency
Operations Headquarters Conducts Successful Airlift of MP’s.” The Georgia
Guardsman. May-Aug 1968, 5.
[31] “Ga. Emergency
Operations Headquarters Conducts Successful Airlift of MP’s.” The Georgia
Guardsman. May-Aug 1968, 4.
[32] “Governor Sends
2,000 Ga. Guardsmen to Augusta and Athens to Restore Calm in Wake of May Civil
Disturbances.” The Georgia Guardsman, Apr.-Jun. 1970, 8-9.
[33] NG ARO-207-02 RA
Number 21-71, March 16, 1971.
[34]
“Biography:
BG Andrew W. H. McKenna.” Georgia National Guard Archives.
[35] “Two Guard BG’s
Retire.” The Georgia Guardsman, May-June 1973, 7.
