Iowa
Old Press
Daily Freeman Journal
Webster City, Hamilton co., Iowa
January 16, 1945
11 Original Members
[Photo]
Out of 63 charter members of Company F, Iowa State Guard unit
which was organized here just three years ago, only the above 11
men are left. These members who were sworn into the company Jan.
16, 1942 in a mass ceremony at the American Legion hall include,
back row: left to right: First Sgt. Meyer Yonover; First Lt. John
Dodge; Capt. W. C. Fastenow; Second Lt. John Whaley and Mess Sgt.
Bert McCollough. Front row: Clyde Burr; Sgt. Seymour McComb; Cpl.
Claude Burr; T5 Maris Johnson; Cpl. Carl Palmer and Cpl. Max
Maxon. -Freeman-Journal photo
[Photo]
The three commissioned officers who have guided Company F
practically since its origin three years ago are, left to right,
First Lt. John Dodge, Capt. W. C. Fastenow and Second Lt. John
Whaley. When the company was first organized, C. D. Moody was
commissioned as captain but resigned in May 1942, to accept a
state office in Des Moines. -Freeman-Journal photo
Company F Observing 3rd Year
Three years ago today—on Jan. 16, 1942—one of
Webster City’s most unique organizations, and one of which
the community may well be proud, was officially “born”.
For on that occasion in a mass ceremony at the Legion hall, 60
enlisted men and three commissioned officers were sworn into
membership of Company F, Iowa State Guard.
Since that date more than 200 men have belonged to Company F, a
number which testified to the ability of the company to keep
going despite tremendous losses in its forces to the various
branches of the armed services, despite setbacks suffered when
members moved from the community or found that hours on their war
jobs prevented them from attending regularly.
Rapid Turnover
So great has been the turnover in those three years that
on Jan. 16, 1945, only 14 Guardsmen remain who were sworn in
during the mass ceremony at the Legion hall. Those 11, some of
whom have missed only two or three drill nights during their 36
month service, include Capt. W. C. Fastenow, First Lt. John
Dodge, Second Lt. John Whaley, First Sgt. Meyer Yonover, Mess
Sgt. Bert McCollough, Sgts. Clyde Burr and Seymour McComb, Cpls.
Claude Burr, Carl Palmer and Max Maxon and T/5 Maris Johnson.
Recruiting for Company F started by state order Dec. 29, 1941,
and the ranks were soon filled by residents of this city and
neighboring communities. The company at that time was under the
direction of Capt. C. D. Moody who resigned that office May 23,
1942, to accept a state office in Des Moines. W. C. Fastenow and
John Dodge were advanced in rank from first and second
lieutenant, respectively, to captain and first lieutenant. John
Whaley, who had been top sergeant, was commissioned as second
lieutenant, and the three commissioned officials have efficiently
guided the destinies of the company ever since.
When it is considered that company members receive absolutely no
pay for their services until they go to guard camp once a year
for two weeks, the steady attendance and the fairly constant
membership total is remarkable. At the present time, the company
strength is down to 53, but officers are hoping that new recruits
will help boost that total back up to 60.
One of the biggest handicaps to overcome in maintaining a full
strength company is the constant demand of the armed forces. Each
month several members leave for duty in some branch of service.
More than 70 members have been discharged to accept commissions
or to take training in the army, navy, marine corps or the coast
guard. Of more than 70 other members discharged for other
reasons, enough have eventually entered the service to boost the
company’s service star record to near the 100 mark.
Beneficial Training
All former members who have entered service have found
State Guard training to be a definite benefit in their
indoctrination courses. Many have written back to company
officials expressing their appreciation of the fine training they
received in Webster City. All are agreed that their experiences
in Company F have made it easier for them to win advancement in
rank or in completing their indoctrination schedules after having
received commissions.
Among former Guards now holding commissions are Maj. Arnold M.
Oosterhuis of the army medical corps; Lt. Willard Thompson of the
marines, Lt. (j. g.) George Selby, of the navy, 2nd Lt. Lawrence
Kayser of the army engineers, and Ensigns Carlton Crosley and
John McMurray of the navy.
Veterans Re-enlist
As an indication of their desire to keep the company
going, all of the original members, whose enlistment time is now
up, have re-enlisted for another three years. They form a nucleus
for the future operations of the Guard unit which will be needed
more and more as the nation heads toward peace and defeat of
armed aggression.
Members of Company F are constantly being trained in guard duty,
handling of rioters and unruly crowds, bayonet maneuvers, unarmed
defense tactics and marksmanship—training which will prove
invaluable should the company be called to a strike or trouble
zone to prevent mob violence and to protect property.
That is the chief end towards which the Iowa State Guard is
working—to keep the home front secure until the Hawkeye
state’s fighting men have completed their job overseas and
have returned to Iowa and will be able to take over. Until that
time comes—and so that it will come as soon as possible—Company
F of Webster City is going to be in there drilling regularly and
always on the alert for ways it can help the community and the
state.
[transcribed by P.H.J., May 2017]