A Brief History of the 648th MEB

By Maj. William Carraway

Historian, Georgia National Guard

 

Georgia Army National Guard Soldiers of the 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade stand in formation at the National Infantry Museum
at Fort Benning, Georgia April 11, 2015. Photo by Captain William Carraway.

The earliest elements of the 648^th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade formed Oct. 1, 2007[1] with an initial muster of 12 Soldiers. In the ensuing months, the initial command team of Col. Keith Knowlton and Command Sgt. Major James Nelson assembled personnel into a headquarters company and formed the 348^th Brigade Support Battalion in Cumming, Ga. The 648^th MEB officially organized Sept. 1, 2009 in Columbus, Georgia.[2] Under its original organization, the 648^th comprised the 348^th BSB; 878^th Engineer Battalion; 170^th Military Police Battalion;1^st Battalion, 214^th Field Artillery Regiment; and Joint Task Force 781.[3]

Colonel Keith Knowlton presents Col. Hall with a 648th MEB Challenge coin during the change of command ceremony for the 648th MEB
in Columbus, Georgia, August 8, 2010. Photo by Pfc. Ted Burzynski. 

Shoulder Sleeve and Distinctive Unit Insignia

Knowlton initiated the request for a distinctive unit insignia, coat of arms and motto for the 648^th MEB July 7, 2008. Of the three mottoes suggested by the 648^th, the U.S. Army approved, Freedom to Maneuver. Other suggestions included Freedom to Fight and Protecting the Battlespace.[4]

The shoulder sleeve insignia and distinctive unit insignia of the 648th MEB approved Nov. 24, 2008 by the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry.
Georgia National Guard Archives.

On Nov. 24, 2008, the United States Army Department of Heraldry authorized the shoulder sleeve insignia for the 648^th MEB. Authorized effective Sept. 1, 2009, the symbolism of the shoulder sleeve insignia was described thus”

“The shape of the insignia implies a strong defense and the symbol of the Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. The color divisions of the background associates the branches with the units that comprise the brigade – green indicates the Military Police duties, cobalt blue signifies the Chemical functions, and scarlet suggests the Engineering assets. The compass rose illustrates the influence in all directions and the nonlinear aspects of the Brigade. The sword symbolizes the ability to bring lethality on the battlefield. The lightning bold denotes the Brigade’s undertaking to strike throughout the area of authority and its communication responsibilities.”[5]

The 648^th MEB’s distinctive unit insignia was also authorized by the Institute of Heraldry on Nov. 24, 2008.[6]

Task Force Hydra commander, Col. Andy Hall and Afghan National Army officials participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for a school renovation in a
community near Camp Black Horse and the Afghan Training Center in Kabul, Afghanistan April 13, 2012. Photo by Capt. Jacqueline Wren.

The MEB

Units of the 648th MEB deployed overseas in support of contingency operations during the Global War on Terrorism from its formation to present day. In 2010, the 648th MEB received its first call to support forces in Kabul, Afghanistan. Nearly 200 personnel of the 648th MEB arrived in Afghanistan in January 2012 with the command team of Col. Andy Hall and Command Sgt. Maj. John Smiley and assumed command of the Kabul Base Cluster as Task Force Hydra. Over the next nine months, TF Hydra conducted base operations and force protection for eight bases within the Kabul Base Cluster, synchronized security efforts in the Kabul Province, partnered and mentored Afghan National Security Forcers mission. For its efforts, the 648^th MEB received the Meritorious Unit Citation which was presented during a ceremony in Columbus, Georgia in 2019.

The 648^th MEB Headquarters Company mobilized personnel throughout the Central Command area of operations in 2017 and conducted security engagements with multiple regional military partners before returning in 2018.

Soldiers of Headquarters Company, 648th MEB in Uijeongbu, South Korea Dec. 16, 2013. Photo by Captain William Carraway.

In addition to supporting contingency operations, the MEB conducted training across the globe. In 2014, nearly 80 personnel of the 648^th participated in a war fighter exercise at Camp Casey in South Korea and in 2017 the 648^th provided command and control for a multi-national river-crossing exercise in Vale Romania. Most recently, units and personnel of the 648^th supported Operation African Lion in Morocco.

Soldiers of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade reconnoiter possible bridging sites on the Olt River July 7, 2017 in
Ramnicu Valcea, Romania in preparation for Exercise Saber Guardian 17. Photo by Capt. William Carraway.

 

Strategically located in southwest Georgia, the MEB headquarters is ideally located to forward-stage response capacity for hurricanes and its units have contributed forces to severe weather responses ranging from the ice storms of 2014 and Hurricanes Matthew, Irma, and Michael in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

 

Command Sgt. Major Timothy Baker, senior enlisted leader of the 878th Engineer Battalion addresses Soldiers at the Augusta armory before departing for
Louisiana in support of Hurricane Ida recovery operations Sept. 1, 2021. Photo by Maj. William Carraway.

In September 2021, the 648^th MEB’s 878^th Engineer Battalion mobilized to Louisiana following the impact of Hurricane Ida.

Soldiers with the 420th Network Support Company and Headquarters Support Company, 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade
conduct a road march during African Lion 2021 in Tan-Tan, Morocco, June 15, 2021. Photo by U.S. Army Spc. Nathan Smith.

 

Current Composition

The 648th MEB is one of 19 maneuver enhancement brigades in the total Army force structure. With an authorized strength of more than 1,600 Soldiers, the 648th MEB is structured to support combatant and joint task force commanders with specialized support units.

 Lieutenant Colonel Charles Newton and Command Sgt. Major William Scaggs case the colors of the 348th Brigade Support Battalion during the unit’s
inactivation ceremony at the Clay National Guard Center in Marietta, Ga. Aug. 22, 2020. To the right, Capt. April Johnson and 1st Sgt. Eric Yates
case the colors of Headquarters Company, 348th BSB. Photo by Maj. William Carraway.

On Aug. 22, 2020, the 348^th Brigade Support Battalion inactivated during a ceremony at the Clay National Guard Center. The inactivation was part of the divestment of BSBs in MEB structures Army-wide.

 

The battery guidon of the Ellenwood-based Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 214th Field Artillery, 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade
stands at the ready during M109A6 Paladin howitzer training during African Lion 2021 at Cap Draa, Morocco, June 16, 2021. photo by Sgt. Nathan Baker.

In addition to its headquarters company and the Augusta-based 878^th Engineer Battalion, the 648^th MEB is composed of the 1-214th Field Artillery Battalion with headquarters in Elberton and the 1^st Battalion 54^th Security Forces Assistance Brigade based at Fort Benning.

Soldiers of the 1st Battalion 54th Security Forces Assistance Brigade prepare a simulated casualty for medical evacuation during 48-hour
field operations at Fort Benning Nov. 13, 2019. Photo by Maj. William Carraway.

 The 420^th Signal Company, based in Cumming, Georgia, provides robust communications capability for the MEB during domestic and overseas operations.

 

Soldiers of the 3rd ID MCPOD return to Fort Stewart April 11, 2018 following a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan. Photo by  Shye Wilborn.

Activated at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Aug. 20, 2016, the 3^rd Infantry Division Main Command Post Operational Detachment deployed personnel to Iraq in 2018. The following year, personnel deployed overseas in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel.

 

 

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[1] "Georgia Department of Defense Annual Report, 2010." 15.

[2] "Georgia Department of Defense Annual Report, 2010." 15.

[3] "Georgia Department of Defense Annual Report, 2010."15.

[4] Keith E. Knowlton. “Request for Design of Coat of Arms and Distinctive Unit Insignia for the 648^th MEB, Georgia Army National Guard. July 7, 2008.

[5] Department of the Army Institute of Heraldry. “Shoulder Sleeve Insignia for the 648^th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard.” November 24, 2008.

[6] Department of the Army Institute of Heraldry. “Distinctive Unit Insignia for the 648^th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard.” November 24, 2008.

History of the Ga. ARNG’s Boar’s Head Shoulder Sleeve Insignia

 

By Maj. William Carraway

Historian, Georgia Army National Guard

Left:  A 1970 concept sketch for the boar's head insignia. Right:  Fort Gordon, April 12, 1970 - Pfc. Asa Leverett of Battery A, 1st Battalion,
214th Field Artillery wears the Third Army patch which would be replaced by the boar's head patch the following year. 

The boar’s head shoulder-sleeve insignia was approved for wear by non-divisional troops of the Georgia Army National Guard October 18, 1971. Prior to that date, Soldiers not assigned to the 3^rd Brigade, 30^th Infantry Division wore the patch of the 3^rd Army with the exception of cadets of the Georgia Military Institute who had their own shoulder sleeve insignia.

Arthur J. Ridley of GMI Class 1 wears the distinctive SSI
of GMI in Forsyth in  1961.

In 1970, the Georgia National Guard initiated the request for its own distinctive shoulder sleeve insignia based on the boar’s head distinctive unit insignia that was established for the National Guard of the State of Georgia March 20, 1922. By May 28, 1970 the patch design had been approved by the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry. The authorization letter described the symbolism of the insignia:

“The boar’s head on the wreath is an adaptation of the crest authorized for the color bearing units of the Georgia Army National Guard. The wild boar symbolizes courage and ferocity. The boar’s head, from the arms of James Oglethorpe, founder of the Colony of Georgia is also an emblem of hospitality. The colors red, white and blue are the official colors of Georgia.”[1]

The initial design of the boar’s head authorized by the Institute of Heraldry was revised upon request of Brig. Gen. Charlie Camp, Assistant Adjutant General-Army for the Ga. ARNG.[2] The changes concerned alteration of the design of the boar tusks. The Institute of Heraldry incorporated the final design requests in August 1970.[3]

The publication of Ga. NG Regulation 670-5 Oct. 15, 1971 established the effective wear date of the boar’s head insignia and prescribed the means by which units were to procure the patch. 

The 48^th Brigade and the Boar’s Head Patch

The Macon, Ga. based 48th Brigade was established in the Georgia National Guard by National Guard Bureau Reorganizational Authority 153-73 effective December 1, 1973 from units previously assigned to the 3^rd Brigade, 30^th Infantry Division. While the 48th Brigade’s patch design was approved in 1974 it had not entered production by the time of the brigade’s first annual training. Thus, when the 48^th Brigade traveled to Fort Stewart for annual training in July 1974 its 3,500 Volunteers wore the boar’s head shoulder sleeve insignia.[4]

 

Second Lt. John E. Paulk, Spc. 5 Patrick Ashley and Spc. 5 Joe Young of the Thomaston-based Company B, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment
plot an indirect fire mission during annual training at Fort Stewart in July 1974. Photo by 124th Public Information Detachment.

On December 30, 1983, the boar’s head insignia was authorized for Headquarters, State Area Command personnel. Today more than 2,200 personnel of the Ga. ARNG wear the boar’s head insignia.

 

A color guard of the Tifton based 110th Combat Service Support Battalion wearing the boar’s head patch April 19, 2021.
Photo by Sgt. 1st Class R.J. Lannom Jr.

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[1] United States Army Institute of Heraldry. “Memorandum for Record: Shoulder Sleeve Insignia for the HHD, Georgia Army National Guard.” May 28, 1970.

[2] Georgia Army National Guard. “Memorandum for Record: Shoulder Sleeve Insignia for the HHD, Georgia Army National Guard.” June 29, 1970.

[3] United States Army Institute of Heraldry. “Memorandum for Record: Shoulder Sleeve Insignia for the HHD, Georgia Army National Guard.” August 5, 1970.

[4] William Carraway. “The Creation of the 48th Brigade and its Shoulder Sleeve Insignia.” Georgia National Guard History. December 1, 2019. http://www.georgiaguardhistory.com/2019/12/the-creation-of-48th-brigade-and-its.html

October 17, 1955: Birth of the 48th Armor Division

By Maj. William Carraway

Historian, Georgia Army National Guard

Left: M-48 Patton Tanks of the Georgia Army National Guard's 48th Armor Division staged at Fort Stewart. Right:  Shoulder Sleeve Insignia of the
48th Armor Division. The patch became available in March 1956.

In August 1955, the units of the 48th Infantry Division completed annual training maneuvers at Camp Stewart, Ga. and Fort McClellan, Ala. The next month, the National Guard Bureau approved a radical redesign of the primary combat unit of the Georgia Army National Guard. On October 17, 1955, the National Guard Bureau officially ordered the reorganization of the 48^th Infantry Division as the 48^th Armor Division effective November 1, 1955.[1]

Brief History of the 48th Infantry Division[2]

Maj. Gen. Henry Russell, commander of the 48th Infantry Division
in 1949. To Russell's right is Maj. Homer Flynn, public affairs 
officer and future commander of the Ga. Air National Guard. 
Georgia Guard Archives.

The 48th Infantry Division was constituted July 3, 1946.[3] At the time, the units of the 48th ID were split between Georgia and Florida, with two thirds of the division’s troops in Georgia. Maj. Gen. Henry D. Russell, former commander of the 30th Infantry Division, was appointed commander of the 48th ID when the division was constituted.

The establishment of the 48th ID saw the return of decorated World War II units to the Georgia National Guard. The 121st and 122nd Infantry Regiments were incorporated into the division and the 118th Field Artillery played a key role in Division Artillery along with the 230^th and 179^th FA Battalions who, like the 118^th had served in the European Theater during World War II.

Russell commanded the 48th ID from 1947 to March 1951 whereupon Maj. Gen. Joseph Hutchinson of the Florida National Guard assumed command of the division. Hutchinson presided over the first division annual training event at Fort McClellan, Ala. He retired in 1952 and command was passed to Maj. Gen. Joseph Fraser.

The Fraser Era

Fraser enlisted as a private in The Liberty Independent Troop in 1915 at the age of 19. He would remain in the military for 38 years. During World War I, Fraser, then an artillery officer, served with the 129th Field Artillery Regiment alongside future president Harry S. Truman. Returning from France, Fraser rose through the ranks and in 1936 was placed in command of the 108th Cavalry Regiment. At the time, Fraser was the youngest regimental commander in the U.S. Army.

In 1941, Fraser commanded the 101st Coast Artillery Battalion comprised of former elements of the 108th Cavalry. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the 101st CA was sent to Australia, then Papua New Guinea where, as the first U.S. combat troops on the island, they defended Port Moresby against relentless Japanese bombing raids. Transitioning to the European Theater, Fraser commanded the 23rd AAA Group.

Returning from the war, Fraser assumed command of the 108th AAA and was promoted to brigadier general. During the Korean War, Fraser, and two battalions of the 108th AAA mobilized to Chicago with the mission of providing antiaircraft defense. At the conclusion of the Chicago mobilization, Fraser was given command of the 48th ID taking charge of the division in May 1952.

Observing tank fire of the Georgia Army National Guard's 190th Tank Battalion at Camp Stewart in August 1954 left to right: Lt. Col.
Wesley D. Willingham, commander, 190th Tank Battalion; Maj. Gen. Joeseph B. Fraser, commanding general, 48th Infantry Division; Maj. Gen. George Hearn,
Georgia's Adjutant General and Brig. Gen. Richard Mayo, commanding general, of Camp Stewart. Georgia National Guard Archives

Less than one year later, the 48^th responded to its first large-scale domestic emergency following the April 18, 1953 tornado that struck Columbus, Ga. Elements of the 48^th ID, to include the 560^th Engineer Battalion and 3^rd Battalion 121^st Infantry Regiment responded within 24 hours.

Within two weeks, Warner Robins was struck by a tornado that killed 18 and injured 300. Once again, within 24 hours, Macon Soldiers of the 121^st Infantry Regiment and the heavy mortar company from Perry, Ga. were onsite assisting with recovery operations.

Transition to Armor

Fraser guided the 48th ID through its transition to an armored division in 1955. Under Maj. Gen. Fraser’s guidance, nearly 100 Georgia Guard units were reorganized and redesignated. Prior to the conversion, the 48th ID had an authorized strength of 9,803 officers and enlisted. The 48th Armored Division would be authorized 7,727 officers and enlisted, but the creation of a non-divisional Armored Combat Group would provide slots for 2,911 personnel. This group, designated the 160th Armored Group, would be commanded by Lt. Col. Wesley Willingham and comprise eight new units. In addition to the establishment of the 160th Armored Group, the two infantry regiments of the 48th ID were designated as combat commands. The 121st Infantry was designated Combat Command B while the 122nd Infantry was designated Combat Command C. The 124^th Infantry Regiment, Florida Army National Guard constituted Combat Command A under the command of Col. Robert Harkness.[4]

New Commands, New Commanders[5]

Col. Roy Hogan, commanding, 
121st Infantry Regiment in 1955.
Georgia National Guard Archives

The shift to armor prompted new assignments and major staff changes. While Maj. Gen. Joseph Fraser retained overall command of the division, the creation of the combat commands created new opportunities for combat-tested senior leaders of the division. Colonel Roy Hogan assumed command of Combat Command B and Col. Edward Mackey was placed in charge of Combat Command B.

Colonel Roy Hogan commanded the 3rd Battalion 121st Infantry Regiment in World War II and received the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge during his service with the regiment. Prior to his appointment as commander of Combat Command B, Hogan served as regimental commander of the 121st Infantry Regiment. Combat Command B headquarters remained in Macon, home of the 121st Infantry.

Colonel Edward Mackey, former executive officer and commander of the 122nd Infantry Regiment was placed in command of the Atlanta-based Combat Command C. Mackey enlisted as a private in Company B, 122^nd Infantry Regiment in 1929 and advanced to the rank of master sergeant before commissioning as a 2nd lieutenant in 1939. During World War II, Mackey commanded Headquarters Company, 30th Infantry Division. As a member of the 119th Infantry Regiment, Mackey served in the European Theater campaigns from Normandy to Germany. He was awarded two Bronze Stars and the Combat Infantry Badge for his service. After the war, Mackey rejoined the 122nd Infantry Regiment.

Colonel Wesley Willingham assumed command of the 160th Armored Group headquartered in Forsyth. Willingham enlisted in the Georgia Guard’s 30th Tank Company in 1924. He commanded Company A of the Georgia Guard’s 193rd Tank Battalion in 1940 and served as a tank battalion commander during World War II. Returning from the war, Willingham was promoted to colonel. He accepted a one-grade reduction to lieutenant colonel In order to serve as battalion commander of the 190th Tank Battalion. Upon assuming command of the 160th Armored Group, Willingham was again promoted to colonel.

Equipping the Division

In the intervening months between the conversion and the 48th Armored Division’s first annual training in 1956, units across the state received hundreds of M-41 Walker Bulldog light tanks and M-47 Patton medium tanks. Drivers, gunners, and vehicle commanders trained on new tanks, self-propelled howitzers and artillery pieces. In November 1955, curious attendees of the Coastal States Fair in Savannah could view the first M-7 tank-mounted 105 mm self-propelled howitzers assigned to the 118th Field Artillery and Division Artillery.[6] Massive self-propelled 155 mm howitzers would add additional firepower and range at a cost of $194,000 per howitzer.[7]

M-41 Walker Bulldogs of the 48th Armor Division. Georgia National Guard Archives.

Infantry Soldiers of the former 121st and 122nd Infantry Regiments adapted to their new mechanized role as armored infantry battalions. They were joined by the 171st AIB and 144th AIB.[8]

By July 1956, the division’s transition was complete. But more changes would follow. The division upgraded to M-48 Patton heavy tanks in 1958.[9] In 1963, the division reorganized into a three-brigade structure with all units belonging to Georgia. The 121st Infantry expanded to four battalions and the 108th Armored Regiment was composed of five battalions. The 748th Cavalry Squadron, 560th Engineer Battalion and 148th Aviation Battalion rounded out the division while Division Artillery was composed of three battalions from the 118th Field Artillery, and a battalion each from the 179th and 214th Field Artillery. For the remainder of its existence, the 48th Armored Division conducted annual training at Fort Stewart.

After months of conversion, training, equipping and planning, Maj. Gen. Joe Fraser commanded the 48^th AD’s first annual training at Fort Stewart in July 1956. At the conclusion of AT, Fraser retired with the rank of lieutenant general passing command to Maj. Gen. Patrick Seawright, former commander of the 48^th ID Artillery.[10]

  

Units of the 48th Armored Division, October 17, 1955 with previous 48th ID designations

 Headquarters Company, Band, and Medical Detachment – Macon HQ, Band Med Det, 48th ID

 Headquarters Company, Combat Command B –Macon- HHC 121st Inf Regt

Headquarters Company, Combat Command C – Atlanta – Formerly Headquarters, 122nd Inf Regt

48th Armored Signal Company – Atlanta – 48th Signal Company

48th Military Police Company – Atlanta – Service Company, 122nd Inf Regt

48th Replacement Company – Newly created unit

 

48th Reconnaissance Battalion

48th Recon Bn 

Headquarters and Service Company – Jackson

Company A – LaGrange – 48th Recon Company

Company B – Newnan – Company C, 122nd Inf Regt

Company C – Griffin – HQ Company, 48th ID

Company D – Marietta – Tank Company, 122nd Inf Regt

Medical Detachment – newly created unit

 

121st Armored Infantry Battalion

121st AIB

Headquarters Company – Albany – HHC 3-121st Inf Regt

Company A – Dawson – Company I, 121st Inf Regt

Company B – Albany – Company B, 121st Inf Regt

Company C – Thomasville – Company F, 121st Inf Regt

Company D – Bainbridge – Tank Company, 121st Inf Regt

Medical Detachment – newly created unit

 

162nd Tank Battalion 

162nd Tank Bn

Headquarters and Service Company – Macon – HHC 1-121st Inf Regt

Company A – Perry – Heavy Mortar Company, 121st Inf Regt

Company B – Thomaston – Company K, 122nd Inf Regt

Company C – Macon – Company C, 121st Inf Regt

Company D – Montezuma – Company B, less Sep Det, 121st Inf Regt

Separate Detachment, Company D – Reynolds – Sep Det, Company B 121st Inf Regt

Medical Detachment – Macon – Separate Detachment, Company B, 121st Inf Regt

 

163rd Tank Battalion 

163rd Tank Bn

Headquarters and Service Company – Calhoun – HHC 2-122nd Inf Regt

Company A – Rome – Company E, 122nd Inf Regt

Company B – Cedartown – Company F, 122nd Inf Regt

Company C – Canton – Company G, 122nd Inf Regt

Company D – Dalton – Company H, 122nd Infantry Regt

Medical Detachment – Calhoun – Med Det, 122nd Inf Regt

 

190th Tank Battalion 

190th Tank Bn

HQ and Service Company – Americus – Company C, 190th Tank Battalion

Company A – Hawkinsville – Company M, 121st Inf Regt

Company B – Fitzgerald – Company B, 190th Tank Battalion

Company C – Cordele – Company K, 121st Inf Regt

Company D – Moultrie – Battery C, 250th AAA Battalion

Medical Detachment – newly created unit

 

48th Armored Division Artillery

Headquarters and Headquarters Battery – Savannah – HQ and HQ Battery, 48th ID Arty

Medical Detachment – Savannah – Med Det, less 3 BN Dets, 48th Div Arty

 

179th Armored Field Artillery Battalion

179th AFA Bn

HQ and Service Battery – Atlanta – HHB and Service Battery, 179th FA

Battery A – Atlanta – Battery A, 179th FA

Battery B – Atlanta - Battery B, 179th FA

Battery C – Atlanta – Battery C, 179th FA

Medical Detachment – Atlanta – Med Det, 179th FA

 

118th Armored Field Artillery Battalion

118th AFA Bn

Headquarters and Service Battery – Savannah – Headquarters and Service Battery, 118th FA

Battery A – Savannah – Battery A, 118th FA

Battery B – Savannah – Battery B, 118th FA

Battery C – Savannah – Battery C, 118th FA

 

230th Armored Field Artillery Battalion

230th AFA Bn

Headquarters and Service Battery – Savannah – HQ and Service Battery, 230th FA

Battery A – Savannah – Battery A, 230th FA

Battery B – Savannah – Battery B, 230th FA

Battery C – Springfield – 48th MP Company

 

560th Armored Engineer Battalion

560th En Bn

Headquarters and Service Company – Columbus – HHC, 560th Eng Bn

Company A – Columbus – Company A, 560th Eng Bn

Company B – newly created unit

Company C – Reidsville – Company C, 560th Eng Bn

Company D – Columbus – Company D, 560th Eng Bn

Company E (Bridge) newly created unit

Medical Detachment – Columbus – Med Det, 560th Eng Bn

 

122nd Armored Infantry Battalion

122nd AIB

Headquarters and Service Company – Atlanta – HHC, 122nd Inf Regt

Company A – Atlanta – Company A, 122nd Inf Regt

Company B – Atlanta – Company B, 122nd Inf Regt

Company C – Gainesville – Company L, 122nd Inf Regt

Company D – Douglasville – Company D, 122nd Inf Regt

Medical Detachment – Atlanta – Medical Company, less 3rd BN Platoons, 122nd Inf Regt

 

160th Armored Group (Non-Divisional)

Headquarters Company, 160th Armored Group – newly

created unit

 

160th Tank Battalion (90 mm)

Headquarters and Service Company – Dublin – HHC, 286th Infantry Battalion

Company A – Lyons – Company A, 286th Infantry Battalion

Company B – Sandersville – Company B, 286th Infantry Battalion

Company C –Louisville – Company I, 122nd Inf Regt

Company D – Eastman – Company A, 190th Tank Battalion

Medical Detachment – Dublin – Med Det, 190th Tank Battalion

 

161st Tank Battalion (120 mm) 

161st TB

HQ and Svc. Company – Milledgeville- HHC, 3rd Bn 121st Inf Regt

Company A – Covington – Heavy Mortar Company, 122nd Inf Regt

Company B – Forsyth – HHC, 190th Tank Battalion

Company C – Eatonton – Company D, 190th Tank Battalion

Medical Detachment – Milledgeville – Med Det 3-122nd Inf Regt

 

144th Armored Infantry Battalion 

144th AIB

HQ and Svc. Company – Brunswick – HHC 2-121 Inf Regt

Company A – Brunswick – Company H 121st Inf Regt

Company B – newly created unit

Company C – newly created unit

Company D – newly created unit

Medical Detachment – newly created unit

 

171st Armored Infantry Battalion

Headquarters and Services Company – Waycross – Company G 121st Inf Regt

Company A – Valdosta – Company E, 121st Inf Regt

Company B – Douglas – Company B, 560th Eng Bn

Company C – newly created unit

Company D - newly created unit

Medical Detachment - newly created unit

 

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[1] NG-AROTO 325.4 30 Sep 55 – Ga. National Guard Bureau, Washington DC, October 17, 1955.

[2] The 48^th Armored Division Georgia Army National Guard, 1946-1965 Scrapbook. Georgia National Guard PIO, Atlanta, 1965.

[3] The 48^th Armored Division Georgia Army National Guard, 1946-1965 Scrapbook provides July 3, 1946 as the date of activation for HHC, 48^th ID. July 11, 1946 is given as the activation date in “Allotment of National Guard Ground Force Units for the State of Georgia” War Department, Washington D.C. July 11, 1946 as amended August 8, 1946.

[4] “Sikes to Speak at NG Banquet.” Tallahassee Democrat, December 18, 1955, 13.

[5] “Shift to Armor Provides New Assignments and Promotions.” Georgia Guardsman, Oct.- Dec. 1955, 15-16.

[6] Georgia Guardsman, Oct.-Dec. 1955, 1.

[7] Georgia Guardsman, May-June 1956, 1.

[8] “New Armor Units,” Georgia Guardsman, Aug. – Sept. 1955, 14.

[9]“Newer M-48 Tanks Replacing M-47s. 256 ‘Iron Monsters’ Authorized.” Georgia Guardsman, March-April 1958, 1.

[10] Scrapbook, 9.