NOTE: The Unit history starts off with the activation of the 543rd Field Artillery Missile Battalion (Cpl) on 1 Sept 1955 at Fort Bliss and continues with the initial training. We pick it up at the point after the Battalion has been notified that it will deploy to Italy.)

19 June 56 - 7 Sept. 56
The last days at Fort Bliss during the period 19 June to 7 Sept 56 were hectic ones. No one was quite sure if the unit was going overseas, whether they would go with it if it did go, or if the sun would rise the next morning. Colonel Land and Colonel Badger had a first class go-around with DA in an effort to reverse a decision that no personnel with less than twelve months remaining in the service could go overseas. Prior to the shipping date they did manage to get this reversed for the 543rd alone, but before the final word came down many officers and enlisted men were transferred due to current non-POR qualifications.

During the final days changes in the officers ranks for one reason or another went like this. CWO John L Francis, the Bn Maint officer, was released and went to the 247th Msl. Bn. for compassionate reasons. For the same reason WOJG Raymond Massey was released and went to the 1st GM Brigade. 2d Lt Jack D McClary was released to the GM school for the purpose of attending the GM Electronics course while 2d Lt Jack W Richardson was relased to become Cadre at the newly established Reserve Training Center at Bliss. WOJG James C. Sawyer left and joined the 3d Bn. To fill the gaps 1st Lt. David R. Hampton joined the unit on 11 April and became the unit S-2, CWO Gerald H. Mallory was transferred in from the 1st GM Brigade to assume the duties of Battalion Personnel Officer and CWO John J. Corboff filled the vacancy caused by the loss of Mr. Massey. Mr. Corboff came from the 1st GM Brigade Technical Assistance Team and took over the duties in the A & T section. 2d Lt. Ray Cross, who had recently graduated from the GM School, took Lt McClary's job. Lt Cross was promoted to 1st Lt. a short time later.

2d Lt Samuel Garcia became the unit's first Medical Officer and last officer to join the 543d in the United States. Lt Garcia had just graduated from the Medical Service School at Ft Sam Houston, Texas.

The only sports activity during the month of July was a Post Field Day. All units on Fort Bliss were called on to supply teams for such sports as softball, volleyball, tug-o-war, races, etc. Eliminations were held at Group level and the majority of the 543d teams met their Waterloo there. One team, however, coached by Lt Cross, did go on to bigger and better things. The tugo-war team went on to the final competition. On their way to the top the Tigers defeated the 259th FA Msl team, which had just returned from overseas where they were the European champs in the tug-o-war. The 259th team averaged well over 200 pounds. Never was there so much muscle and so little fat concentrated on the end of one piece of rope before as there was on the Tiger team. Muscles bulged and dirt flew as the "Tigers" became the 1956 Fort Bliss Tug-o-War champs.

The Fort Bliss News came out with a story the next week in which they referred to the 543d as "EVERY MAN A TUGGER", not too much of a pun.

The remaining days were devoted to the turn-in of station equipment prior to going overseas. The order of the day was, "If it doesn't move - paint it. If it moves - salute it." Project officers were designated for all tech services, but the biggest job fell on the shoulders of 1st Lt Ray Cross who was assigned as packing and crating officer. Lt Cross was aided by Ammo Train with Sgt England and Cpl Stuart accomplishing the impossible with their men. August came and approximately 76% of the command took off in all directions on the pre-embarkation leave. This put the tremendous strain on the 24%, that stayed behind. 2d Lt Gross and 2d Lt Siwak took early leaves in July and returned to spend the last days at Bliss. Colonel Land also remained behind to see the unit through the most difficult period. Those that went on leave had orders to report to the Brooklyn Army Terminal in New York on 5 September. Those that remained behind had the task of processing all the personnel records and equipment for overseas shipment. This group performed in an admirable manner and all deadlines were met and the move accomplished without serious problems. The battalion's work load was increased by the fact that the 7th Ordnance Direct Support Company and the 69th Ordnance Special Weapons Ammunition Company, who were to accompany the 543d overseas, elected to send 100% of their personnel on delay en route to the port. Last minute train loadings and blocking for these units had to be accomplished in some parts by the 543d personnel. Although aggravating, it did not materially affect our ability to do the job. TAT left Fort Bliss for New York on 25 August. Troops left Fort Bliss on 3 September. The personnel who performed the last minute preparation for overseas (the 24%) made it possible for the remainder of the battalion to take leave during this period.

The Commanding General of Fort Bliss presented letters of commendation to Lt. Colonel Land, Sp-3 Lawrence Kruger and Sgt Jose Hernandez. Col Land's commendation was for his outstanding job of commanding the unit from its birth to its graduation. Sp-3 Kruger's award came for driving a Jeep for the Colonel. Sgt Hernandez's award came for the 100% score achieved by his wire section on the ATT. Shortly alter, Sgt Hernandez was promoted to SFC, the first E-6 stripe received in the unit up to that time.

A farewell dinner for the 543d was presented by their arch rivals the 570th (FAM Bn). Colonel Doane really put on the feed bag for our troops and all rivalry between the two units was at the time forgotten. The 570th was to follow the 543d overseas in a matter of a few months.

A crowd of well wishers, including General and Mrs. Slayton; Colonel and Mrs. Badger; Colonel and Mrs. George; Lt Colonel Doane; and Major and Mrs. Baen were at El Paso Train station to see the battalion off on their long trip across the country to New York.

The battalion arrived at Brooklyn Army Terminal and boarded the USS General William O Darby shortly before noon on the 7th day of September. At 1300 hours after last words with friends and relations, the anchor was raised and the General Darby made its way slowly out of New York Harbor, past the Statue of Liberty and into the Atlantic with friends, families and Greggs waving goodbye from the dock. Many tears were shed from ship and dock and it is a small wonder that a tidal wave was not experienced.

6 Sept. 56 - 20 March 57
The broad Atlantic and Blue Mediterranean meant seasick pills and ills to many of the "Tigers" during the eight day crossing. Aboard ship life was of somewhat leisure for those that had families along. For those that didn't, there were the usual cleaning, KP, inspections and such. The General Darby had a local publication each day known as the "Darby Express". The 543rd had its representatives on the staff. They were Pfc Arnold Mende (News Editor), Sp-3 Edward Asato (Cartoonist), and Pfc Randy Reed (Sports Fditor). This staff did an excellent job keeping the passengers up to date on what was going on in the country they had just left, plus what was going on in the country for which they were sailing.

The first few days in Italy were for many a nightmare. The SETAF band started things off in Livorno very nicely with a rendition of "Tiger Rag", arranged for by Captain Booth of the advance party. But outside of Tiger Rag nothing was the same. The lack of available housing forced all off-post personnel to move into hotels in Recoaro, Italy, some 28 miles from Vicenza. The off-post people lived in hotels for as long as 50 days until new houses were completed. It wasn't easy to get used to the fact that Italian quarters come without heat, hot water, light fixtures or closets. The troops and bachelor officers living on post weren't any better off as heat, hot water and the majority of station property were non-existent.

The unit's arrival brought many problems to light that did not exist in Bliss. For the first time in its existence the battalion was in a completely tactical command. Many things that were simulated, such as logistic support in the field and AM and FM radio contact with higher commands, were no longer simulated and new problems arose with each day and situation. Infantry support was another of the non-simulated things in SETAF, which came as a pleasant surprise to the troops who were used to pulling perimeter guard in the field in addition to their normal jobs. The administration section such as supply and personnel packed up bag and baggage along with the rest of the battalion when a field problem took place and set up shop in the field. The 543d was assigned to TASK GROUP ALPHA (TGA), at Vicenza, Italy under the command of Colonel Norman Farrell. The task group was made up of the 510th FA Rkt Bn, the 543d FA Msl Bn and portions of the 52d Armored Infantry Bn. The 52d was spread thin in supporting three task groups. A second Missile Task Group was stationed with TGA at Caserma Ederle. TASK GROUP BRAVO (TGB), under the command of Colonel William M Lynn, Jr, consisted of the 570th FA Msl Bn, the 532d Combat Engineer Co., and portions of the 52d AIB. TASK GROUP SIERRA (TGS) was the logistic and support command, made up of ordnance and signal companies and parts of the 52d AIB. All three task groups were completely tactical and with the SETAF Support Command in Livorno made up the majority of the SOUTHERN EUROPEAN TASK FORCE. Upon arrival in SETAF Brigadier General Michaeles was commanding general. However, Brigader General Harvey H Fischer took command shortly thereafter.

With the exception of the month of January 57, there was either a Field or Command Post Exercise every month. The six month layoff, from training after the ATT at Bliss until the first exercise in Italy, took its toll and it was not too difficult to see that the layoff had greatly affected the unit's proficiency. After a few field problems, however, the kinks were ironed out in the unit and many of the growing pains of the newly formed SETAF were ironed out at the same time. SETAF itself was a new type of unit that the Army was trying out as an experimental command in anticipation of the impact of atomic warfare. The emphasis was placed not on great numbers of troops, but on ATOMIC capability weapons.

The battalion experienced its first death in December of 1956. Pfc James Steffes of H & S Battery passed away on 29 December at Landstuhl General Hospital, Germany. Mr. Steffes, father of the deceased, was flown from Iowa, USA by the Government to be present with the boy during his last moments. Mrs. Steffes, wife of the soldier, was not permitted to make the trip by rule of her doctors since she was due to give birth to her second child. Pfc Steffes was a radio-telephone operator driver in the Ammunition Train and highly thought of by everyone. The battalion sent flowers and an inscribed Bible to the family while the Ammo Train made their own personal gift.

The battalion wasn't off the ship in Livorno two weeks before the boys were looking towards basketball. A team under Lt Dunphy was formed right away. The team included Pfc Sanderson, Pfc Knoblaugh, Sp-3 Sammons, Sp-3 Deifendeifer, Pfc Jacobson, Pfc Reinke, Pfc Jensen, Pfc Strables, Sp-3 Tokheim, Pfc Steffes, Pfc Shelton, and Sp-3 Taam. The first game was held against the Italians in Padova, Italy and after the final whistle had blown it was the general opinion of the "Tigers" that these Italians could play ball. A rematch with the same team a month later brought the same outcome - another victory for the Padova team. About that time higher headquarters decided to do away with battalion level sports and formed a VVMP team. To this team, called the "RED KNIGHTS", the battalion supplied four players from their team: Pfc Sanderson, Sp-3 Sammons, Pfc Knoblaugh and Pfc Jacobson. The Knights had a very successful season beating all comers and producing a string of fourteen consecutive victories.

Intra-battalion sports again took the spotlight and with Capt Dewitt C Slaughter, Jr., as A&R officer and SFC Donald Morril as ARR NCO the battalion held its first organized athletic tournament. Sixteen volleyball teams were formed within the battalion and two matches were held every day. At the time of this writing the outcome of the tournament was unknown. Similar tournaments in basketball, softball and football were planned after the completion of the volleyball tournament.

In honor of SETAF's first birthday an Organization Day was held in September. Competition in both military and sporting events were held all day long. The top event that everyone was out to win was the platoon drill. The Infantry felt they had the inside track since this was their meat. The 543d, on the other hand, felt that they had had some experience in this type of work too. The time element was the big thing, since only three days' notice was given on the Field Day. Captain Hampton (then 1st Lt.) along with Sgt Joseph Capps formed a drill team and marched them until their feet about fell off. When the big day came the Infantry was a little surprised to find out that the Artillery could do more than move, shoot and communicate. The other big event won by this unit was the tug-o-war. As before every man was a tugger. The overall champions of the day were the Five and Dime (510th) artillerymen. We placed second.

A blackout of all news releases on the unit was enforced when we first arrived due to classification on our movement. For the first time since activation, the 543d did not dominate the weekly press. By late February the ban was lifted and the Tiger Battalion once again started to appear in the papers.

The presence overseas of the unit brought the battalion its first Master Sergeant stripes. This was a rare breed of animal that had received three up and three down in the past few years. The honor of being the first SFC promoted in the 543d went to SFC Merle McConaughy late in December of 56. In January an unheard of second Master Sergeant levy came down and SFC George R. Bowles received it. To make the people onestep lower on the ladder feel better there came three more promotions to Sergeant First Class. Those that received them were Sgt William J. Barcomb, Sgt Byron L. Lockhardt and Sgt Donald Morrill.

Three men went from the enlisted ranks to the corps of officers during this time. SFC John D. Georing was called to active duty on 1 February 57 as a 2d Lt. Sp-3 Ross M. Gwynn received his appointment to warrant officer while in the 510th and was transferred to the 543d on 17 Nov. The recently promoted Master Sergeant Bowles received his appointment to Warrant Officer on 20 March and was transferred to the 570th.

All of the original lieutenants and junior warrant officers became first Johns and chiefs during this period. Lt. William P. Putorek, Lt. Robert W. Gross, Lt. Edward J. Ehrmann, Lt. Alvin L. Siwak and Lt. Arthur L. Dunphy were all promoted to 1st Lt. The lone Junior Warrant, Mr. Weinberg, pinned on his chief's bars in February.

The battalion received many letters of commendation from the Commanding General of Fort Bliss after they arrived in Italy. These certificates were all issued for the outstanding score received by the battalion at Fort Bliss in their Army Training Test. Those that received these letters were: Capt. Hilditch, M/Sgt Heaten, SFC Lattie, SFC McConaughy, SFC Dunn, Sgt Coker. Letters were also received by Capt. Slaughter and Capt. Pickering, as well as Lt. Gross and CWO Eggan.

At the close of this writing the jobs of the battalion officers were as follows. This list does not reflect many changes that took place during the first two or three months of this period. Again it would almost be impossible to reflect them all without a day-by-day journal.

Lt. Colonel LEROY C. LAND, Commanding

BATTALION STAFF
Major LEON CRENSHAW, Bn Exec O.
Capt. EDGAR R. HILDITCH, Bn S-1, En MTO
Capt. HILDEN D. PICKERING, Bn S-3
Capt. DEWITT C. SLAUGHTER, Bn S-2, A&R O
1st Lt. DAVID S. THOMAS, Ln O, Bn I & E O
2d Lt. SAMUEL GARCIA, Bn Medical O

HEADQUARTERS AND SERVICE BATTERY
Capt. RICHARD A. ROOTH, Commanding O
1st Lt. ROBERT W. GROSS, Exec O.
1st Lt. JACK N. SHELL, Ammo Train Cmdr
1st Lt. ARTHUR L. DUNPHY, Commo O, PIO
1st Lt. ALVIN L. SIWAK, Bn Rcon & Surv O
2d Lt. JOHN D. GEORING, BN Maint. O.
CWO W-2 RICHARD L. DEKENO, Bn Supply O
CWO W-2 GERALD H. MALLORY, Bn Personnel O

FIRING BATTERY
Capt. DAVIS S. HAMPTON, Commanding O
1st Lt. RAY CROSS, Guidance Plt Cmdr
1st Lt. WILLIAM P. PUTOREK, Firing Plt Cmdr
1st Lt. EDWARD J. EHRMANN, Assy & Test O
CWO W-2 JOHN W. EGGAN, SSM Maint O
CWO W-2 ARTHUR B. STEVENS, Gm Material Asst.
CWO W-2 JOHN J. CORBOFF, Gm Material Asst.
CWO W-2 RAYMOND WEINBERG, GM IFC Asst.
WO W-1 ROSS M. GWYNN, Fwd. Assy Test 0