HISTORY OF COMPANY “E” 3RD REGIMENT

HAROLD MARTHENKE

The Sixth Corps Area Headquarters used judgment and discretion hitherto unknown to them when they selected the men of “E” Infantry. The seventy-five men included Reds, Whites and Blues, and all of the athletes in camp it seemed after our teams got started. “Bud” McCaw, a last minute arrival, because of his heft and personality was immediately appointed “top kick”. Platoon and squad leader were appointed from the ranks of the Blues and “Shorty” Ball promoted to the Blue Course. Then the company began to function properly????

The reveille walks of McCaw were featured daily to the accompaniment of one whistle and seventy-four grunts and groans of, “BRRRRRRR, it’s cold. OOOOH, WWWhy dddid IIII jjjoin ttthe arrrrmy”, from Fort Benning, Georgia, with all the latest tricks up his sleeve, together with Lieut. Stephens with his perpetual smile and well directed humor. With this leadership we progressed from an incongruous mass of Reds, Whites and Blues to a coordinating machine of sorts.

Company “E” Infantry is noted for several things and holds several coveted honors. The medal factories are working overtime to supply our quota of medals. But our heads didn’t swell although our chests did (whose wouldn’t?). Numbered among our victories is the heavyweight basketball championship. The whirlwind playing of our quintet swept all opposition before it. The lineup of the team was: “Red” Carroll, Captain and forward; “Dutch” Muenchow, forward; Blackman, center; Kloster, guard; McCaw, guard; Mabey, guard.

When Wisconsin played Michigan and Illinois, Co. “E” men were the mainstay of the team. Nine of the regulars and four of the substitutes hailed from “E”. Among our football notables are: “Red” Carroll, the shifty, smiling quarterback; “Bud” McCaw, whose grit and sure tackling kept the line morale at Other days (and there were many of them) the soft pitter-patter of the rain drummed sweet music to sleep-laden ears, “No drill this morning”. And then they turned us out in raincoats!

In close order drill, we had the other outfits guessing how we had such snap, such straight platoon fronts, such excellent manual of arms. Nothing mysterious, just like most puzzles, the solution is as plain as day, but you just don’t see it. Our success in close order drill was due to Captain Houck, fresh it’s highest pitch; and Kloster, whose bird-like dives over the line excited many astonished cries from the sidelines. Other “E” company personnel on the team was: Muenchow, center; Mabey, right guard; Hahn, left guard; Hayden, right end; Blackman, left end.

In track we were well represented. “Vic” Chapman, Wisconsin state champion in the mile and half-mile runs, ran away from a large field for first place in both events in the big CMTC track meet. Our first place in the medley relay race added further points to the Third Regiment’s overwhelming score. Peerenboom’s second in the 220 and Wallace’s second in the 440, won still more points.

Much of the success of our various teams was due to the persistent support of Captain Houck. He attended almost every contest and rooted for the team with as much pep as the rest of us. Nine ‘rahs for the Captain, he sure deserves them.

Our track lineup was as follows: 220 yard dash, Peerenboom; 440 yard dash, Wallace, I. G.; Mile, Chapman; Half Mile, Chapman; Relay Team, Bitman, (34 mile); McCaw, 440 yard

“E” Company had more Blue Course students than any other two advanced com­panies. Due to this our company was well disciplined and officered. During the camp, the two platoons were commanded by Wallace and Ferris, each of whom did good work.

Eleven of our twenty-three Blues qualified in the pistol course. Ferris was the only man who made sharpshooter. All the others have alibis telling why they didn’t make expert, but what’s the use. You can’t live on alibis.

First Battalion 3rd Regiment Company E

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