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54th
Transportation Battalion (Hcptr) |
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| Battalion History | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 19.. - 1963 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
54th Trans Bn
(Hcptr) DUI |
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Redesignated
9 August 1955 as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 54th
Transportation Battalion (Helicopter) (Army) and activated on 27
August 1955 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
Moved to Germany. 54th Transportation Battalion (Helicopter) was inactivated 21 October 1963 at Feudenheim, Germany. |
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| If you have more information on the history or organization of the 54th Transportation Battalion, please contact me. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| MISCELLANEOUS
UNIT INFORMATION In 1958, the 54th Trans Bn comprised the following subordinate units: |
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| Probable organization of the 54th Trans Bn in 1962/63 just before the unit's inactivation: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| NOTE: 2nd Pltn, 26th Trans Co was located at Husterhoeh Kaserne in Pirmasens at this time. The unit provided airlift support to the US Army Advanced Weapons Support Command (special weapons support) in Pirmasens. Not sure if this Pltn was still assigned to the 54th or had been transferred to the control of the 4th Logistical Command or AWSCOM. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| (Source: Pocket patches submitted by Roy Harmon, 26th Trans Co (Lt Hcptr); Kent Sapp, Camp Zama, Japan; and Paul E. Bartlett, 26th Trans Co, Pirmasens) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| (Source: Email from Morris Edelson, 54th TC Battalion, early 1960s) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I was with the
54th Trans Bn in Hanau, served as Public
Information Officer, though only a E-4 - it was kind of a new thing.
I was in HQ Company under Colonel Michael Strok, and we did some training/promotion
things such as delivering Santa to a village, putting a bell tower
on a church, and doing a rapid midnight crossing of the Rhine (we
ferried them) with I believe the 1st Infantry. We did relief work in a flooded area near Hamburg, for which the German govt. awarded us commemorative medals - and we flew many many missions, of course. Most of my "news" is rather unofficial, but if you think it would add to the history, I will try to dig around and find what I can - I contributed articles to the Stars and Stripes and the NACOM News and put out a little mimeographed battalion newsletter, "The Clipper Intercom." I was transferred to 7th Aviation Group HQ in Ludwigsburrg in 1963 and came back to the States in 1963, also. I hope others will contribute to the page. Morris Edelson |
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| (Source: Email from Richard West, 54th Trans Bn and 41st Trans Bn) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| My first assignment
in the army was the 54th Trans in Hanau, Germany and the second, the
41st Trans Bn at Finthen, Germany. I was a supply clerk for the 524th Trans Co (Maint & Sup)(Lt Hcptr). During the early 60’s the 524th was an aviation maintenance company with CH-34, CH-37, H-13 helicopters and some small fixed-wing planes such as the L-19. We were located at Fliegerhorst Kaserne in Hanau, Germany, and the company was assigned to the 54th Trans Bn. President Kennedy visited the 54th while I was there but I was in the field at the time. There was a complete makeover of the post “Fliegerhorst Kaserne” for Kennedy’s visit. This was the visit where Kennedy made the famous speech, “I am a Berliner”. During my tour with the 54th we worked on CH-34 and CH-37 helicopters along with small choppers like the Bell H-13. While at the 41st I was assigned to S-4 of Hq Co., 41st Trans Bn, at at Finthen Army Airfield, near Mainz, Germany. While at the 41st I had a good job that allowed me to drive and fly to different locations throughout western Germany and the Bn had units in places like Coleman Barracks near Heidelberg and and Heidelberg itself. The Army had a lot of restrictions in the early 60’s but I had a good time. When I returned to Germany in the early 70’s I was assigned first to Company C, in Heilbronn, Germany, then HHC, and lastly Company A both at Wharton Barracks in Kornwestheim outside of Ludwigsburg, near Stuttgart, Germany. These were all companies of 2nd Bn, 4th Inf which was assigned to the 56th Fld Arty. Richard West |
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| 4th Transportation Company | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 19.. - 19.. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| (Source: Army Aviation Magazine, March 1961) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| CORRECTION: I'm curious why the 4th is not included in the breakdown of units at Hanau in '59 thru '61?? I was stationed there with an H-37A..... 58-993 and remember riding the guys in the 36th that their ships were nothing but APU's to start our BIG birds:):): We all know that if you wanted a helicopter "right now" it was best to call for an H-34!!!!!!! Jerry Hopkins |
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| 26th Transportation Company | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 19.. - 19.. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
26th Trans Co
(Lt Hcptr) Pocket Patch |
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| The USAREUR Station List for 30 Sept 1956 shows the 26th TC Company (Light Helicopter) located at Illesheim (where hqs of the 54th TC Bn was also located at that time). It is likely that the company was already attached to the 54th at that time. In the 1958/1959 timeframe, the 26th was tranferred to ComZ and relocated to Verdun, France. The company operated a detachment at Pirmasens, Germany. In September 1965 the 22nd Transportation Company was activated in Pirmasens, Germany and assigned to U.S. Army Communications Zone Transportation Command with attachment to the U.S. Army Advanced Weapons Support Command. The 22nd replaced the 26th Transportation Company which was inactivated. |
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| (Source: Email from Roy Harmon, 26th Trans Co (Lt Hcptr), 1957 - 59) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| In the fall of 1958 we flew two of our H-34's to Belgium for complete
overhauls. Myself and the other crew chief were to fly back via fixed wing
but after three days of fog we came back on the train. I was even allowed some stick time flying the H-34, when flying with only one pilot; I could ride in the copilot seat and a couple of times was allowed to take over the controls. While I was with the 26th we had one near serious accident, with one of our aircraft (not mine). While flying personnel out on a field trip the pitch control was lost to the tail rotor. The pilot kept up his foward air speed and with the large tail fin on the H-34 kept the tail from coming around, the pilot then made a running landing at the air strip, like a fixed wing aircraft. Practicing running landings was just one of many things the pilots practiced as part of their training. I never liked the running landings, because when we touched down the helicopter would really shake and the main rotor would go through some rough gyrations, but the training really paid off. I would say that all of our Warrant Officer pilots were great guys and excellent flyers, but a little like cowboys not spit and polish like Commissioned Officers. A couple of times we practiced flying the H-34's in formation with H-13's as gun ships to protect the cargo carring H-34's, but they found this didn't work very well because the H-34 was much faster. The best protection for the H-34 was to fly low close to the terrain and fast. One time while practicing close to the terrain flying, we were coming around a hill and met a British Vulcan jet coming the other way, it was quite a surprise. To avoid each other we went down and he went up. A little more information on the 54th Trans. Bn. - the 36th Trans. Co. joined the 26th Trans. Co. in the spring of 1958. Their logo was the face of a English bulldog painted on the H-34's vertical stabilizer. I don't have any photo's of this. I was with the 26th Trans. Co. (Helicopter) from the fall of 1957 until the spring of 1959. I was disappointed when I was transferred to the 246th Trans. Co. (TAAM) because it meant almost no flying. The 24th Aviation Co. that we provided maintenance for only had H-13 helicopters, L-19 and other fixed wing aircraft. Both companies were stationed at Infantry Kaserne and operated from the Messerschmitt airfield near Augsburg. While stationed in Augsburg I met a German girl, and we have now been married 46 years, so I guess it's worked out okay. I believe being in helicopter maintenance and a crew chief was the best duty a 19 year old soldier could have, but I'm sure glad I was out of the Army before Vietnam became serious. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION I don't know if this is of interest to you or anyone but here is a list of the aircraft numbers for nine H-34's of the 26th Trans. Co.  344874287642882428834288642887428904299554918It's nice to see your getting more contributors to the 54th Trans. Bn. web page they have some interesting stories and information ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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| (Source: Stars & Stripes) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Helicopters
Take First Europe Test A V Corps cargo helicopter company recently became the first cargo "chopper" unit to take its Army Training Test in Europe. The 26th Trans Co from the 54th Trans Bn, stationed at Hanau, was tested here and passed the AAT with no difficulty. Although transport helicopter companies have been in Europe since 1954, the 26th was the first to be formally tested after arrival. Capt Robert B. Mowry, V Corps assistant aviation officer, wrote and planned the test, and Maj Robert K. Cunningham, V Corps aviation officer, was chief umpire and controller. Testing included all phases of helicopter operations. Missions were flown in marginal weather and tactical situation was maintained throughout. Ground operations were heavily emphasized and tear gas was used during a simulated CBR attack. The company conducted a night displacement under blackout conditions over a 15 mile route. |
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 26th Trans Co Pocket Patch |
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 26th Trans Co (Lt Hcptr) DI |
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| (Source: Email from Paul E. Bartlett , 26th Trans Co, 1964-66) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I was an enlisted member of the 26th Transportation Co. at Pirmasens, Germany, 15 Dec. 1964 to 24 Jan. 66 as 675.30 H-34 Mechanic/Crewchief. Following that I went to Ft Wolters for Helicopter Flight School Graduated 66-17 finished in 66-19. Asked for AMOC. On to Vietnam 71st AHC and 151st CHFM, then to Alaska with Trans Medium Helicopter Co. (North) Fairbanks, CO of the 18th CHFM supporting the CH-21’s . Ended my Army career Jan. 7th 1970. I have two patches I didn’t see on your site. 26th Transportation CO. in 1964, and the 87th CHFM. in 1964. I hope you can add them for the history of the unit. Some of the Officers I recall in the unit: CO Maj. George Cote, XO Capt. Gill, CWO4 Omar K. Kipe, CWO4 Hank Singer, CWO3 Bill Walton, CWO3 John Banks, CWO3 Bob Johnson, WO Jim Matthews, WO Paine, WO Maher. Enlisted Men: SFC Ernie Cantrell, SSgt Don Church, Sgt Sexton ,Sgt. Thomas W Pettit, Sp6 Benny Archeletta, Sp6 Carl Diggs, Sp6 Dave Hockett, Sp6 Carl Enriquiz, Sp6 Hightower, Sp5 (Pappy) Boggs, Sp4 Herbert Lynch, Sp John Greer, Sp4 Otto Snyder, Sp4 Paul E. Bartlett. The Bell OH-13 that was in our unit that I was crewing was SN58-5336 crashed Aug. 6th 1965 in the Canadian Officers Club, Zweibruecken parking lot after striking a light pole. Both persons on board survived, the ship was a total loss. It should be said that some of the information about names (about 50%) came from Tom Pettit who lives in FL. I just found Tom yesterday when I was searching for other named members of the unit. He is a member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Assn. I remembered from Germany that he went to flight school ahead of me. Thanks for maintaining this site. Paul E. Bartlett ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Hi Walter, I have been communicating with a long time member for the 54th from Ft. Sill, Ok. and Germany -- CWO John A. Banks who lives in Tuskegee, AL. in good health. John sent me six DA-759 his Individual Flight Records. John A. Banks flight class is 57-6; his information is available on the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Assn. website. John went on to fly three tour in Vietnam. 1965, 147th ASHC1966, 228th AVN 1st Cav1968-69, 242nd ASHCBecause of men like John A. Banks, I -- Sp4.Paul E. Bartlett -- was inspired to attend flight school and go on to a career in aviation in law enforcement. I had the pleasure to serve for a short time 1964-1966 in the 26th Trans. Det. in Pirmasens, Germany with John A. Banks John’s information form DA-759 sheet#13, shows him at Ft Sill, May – June 1960. Arriving at Sill John had a total of 388 flight hours. John flew H-37A’s, H-23’s, and H-13’s flying 44 hours. The unit operations officer was Kyle J. Spaulding, CWO-2 John’s 759 sheet #19 for May-June 1961, is from Germany 26th Trans Co APO189, Flying CH-34’s for 22 hours. The asst operations officer was Billy R. Prater CWO-2 John’s 759 sheet #25 for June 1962, from the same APO, Flying CH-34’s for 17 hours. The Asst. Operations officer was Cpt. Paul H. Jaenichen Inf. John’s sheet #32 for May-June 1963, from the same APO, Flying CH-34’s for 43 hours. The operations officer was Harold F. Johndrow CWO-2 John’s sheet #38 for May June 1964, from the same APO, Flying CH-34’s and H-13’s for 34 hours. The operations officer was Bill C. Walton CWO2 John’s sheet #62 for April-June 1968 From the 90th Aviation Company APO 09165, Flying CH-37’s for 27hours. The operations officer was Alvin T. Jones Cpt. Walter, I hope this information will inspire others to add more to this important part of history, Paul E. Bartlett |
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| 36th Transportation Company | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1957 - 19.. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| (Source: Letter from John LaMontia, Hq/Hq Co, 54th Trans Bn and 36th Trans Co, 1957-1959) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I was with the 36th Trans Co and Hq/Hq Co, 54th Trans Bn for about 3 years covering the period 1957, '58 and '59, both at Fort Sill, Okla. and Germany. I joined the 54th in early 1957 and was assigned as CO of Hq & Hq Company, 54th Trans Bn. For several months we did routine training while we awaited orders to deploy the entire battalion to Fliegerhorst, (Hanau,) Germany. The orders finally came and I was assigned officer-in-charge (OIC) to take an advance party well ahead of the entire battalion to prepare for their arrival a months later. The battalion began packing, crating, and getting home and family matters in order in preparation for the movement to Germany. We in the advance party were doing the preparation of quarters, drawing of vehicles and all of the other routines for accepting the arrival of the battalion. We were assigned to a former German air base named Fliegerhorst which is located just a short distance from Frankfurt (near Langendiebach, north of Hanau). Some of the pilots' names (if my memory is still working): |
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| Ed Whitney was the Bn Commander George Singley, 36th Trans Co CO (later Bn Exec Officer) John LaMontia, 36th Trans Co CO after George Singley R. Dismuke, 36th Trans Co Exec Officer Art Langlois, 36th Trans Co Bob Denny, 36th Trans Co Ops Officer |
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| I must apologize - after fifty years have passed and being retired from the military with its many assignments, remembering names is my shortcoming. Decca Navigation Evaluation |
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| I couldn't write about the 36th Trans Co without commenting on this: the 36th Hcptr Co has been recognized as one of the premier elite helicopter units in the European Theater. The men and officers of this unit had pride and integrity in their company. The pride and loyalty of the officers and men was recognized after just a few minutes conversation with anyone in the unit. The 36th pilot was unique in the way he carried himself. The 36th pilot wore black leather gloves and carried a black leather Swagger stick to display his pride in belonging to the 36th. Major George Singley should be given credit and recognition for his leadership in commanding an elite military unit such as the 36th Transportation Company (Light Helicopter). John LaMontia |
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| (Source: Email from James Bell, 36th TC Co, 1959) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I was stationed
with this unit on 1 Jul 1959 from the 24th ID Trains in Augsburg as
a CW2 H-34 pilot. The unit performed a myriad of missions in Hohenfels, Baumholder, Grafenwoehr, etc. We also retrieved SS11 guided missiles from France. The 4th Trans Co (H-37) unit was also in Hanau with the Bn. Also of note: I believe the 26th Trans Co had only a platoon in Hanau and the rest of the unit was in Verdun, France. Some interesting names from this time include: |
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| LTC
Richard L Long was the Bn Commander CPT William F Kinn
was the Flight Surgeon Some of the pilots in the unit at the time were: CPT Edward S Hawkins
CPT Walter W Jackson
CPT Jerry W Robinson
CPT Charles A Benedict
CPT Richard L Dismuke
CPT John C Neamtz
CPT Charles M Priem
1LT John L Middleton,
Jr CW2 Ellis E Brabec
CW2 Charles W Beaman
CW2 Donald H Bishop,
Jr CW2 Robert E Dixon
CW2 James I Goff,
Jr CW2 Steven P Govin
CW2 John W Patterson
CW2 Barbee F Upchurch
CW2 Bill C Walton
CW2 Billy E McGlothlin
CW2 Lawrence J Lisonbee
CW2 James A Bell
CW2 Robert E Denney
CW2 Everett A Eastman
CW2 William M. Hack,
Jr CW2 Curtis R. Hayter
CW2 Hadley F Kittredge
CW2 Walter P McAnerney
CW2 James L McCullough
CW2 Fritz J McDonald
CW2 Frank H Price
CW2 James H Simpson
CW2 Arthur Ulm,
Jr CW2 Bennet G Wilder
CW2 Robert G Frank
CW2 William L Thornton
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| (Source: Email from Alfred Lankford, 36th Trans Co and 90th Trans Det, 1961-62) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 90th TC Detachment (Cargo Helicopter Fld Maint) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Source: Email from Bob Winkler, 90th TC Det and 524th TC Co) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I served with Al Lankford and am in the picture with him. I served in the 90th TC Detachment from 1960 till it broke up. I went back to the States in 1964. (All H-34 units in Germany used a broad colored stripe across the front of the helicopter to identify the unit.) Yes, the stripe (for CH-34's of the 36th Trans Co) was green with yellow edging (both sides of the green stripe about 1 inch wide; the green part was about 4 inches wide).
The 90th had no permanently assigned choppers as we were 3rd Echelon Maintenance assigned to the 30th Trans Co (Army Aircraft Maintenance) and lived on the top floor of their Bldg. The main choppers we maintained belonged to the 30th TC. We were attached to them but had our own CO and Ex Officer. That is what comes to mind but I wouldn't swear to it. We had an extra chopper that they found out about when they broke up the company up. The chopper (a CH-34) had been air lifted by a CH-37 from where it went down in France. That was a big deal back then. The hook from the rotor of the 34 to the 37 broke in front of a big crowd at the airfield as it was coming in. The Army wrote off the chopper but we salvaged it and requisition parts against other choppers in the Co. Sure helped our Maintenance record a lot though. The 90th became the 524th TC Co (3rd Echelon) and was greatly expanded. We stayed in Hanau at Fliegerhorst but had our own building and had a Major for a Commander. Carter was his name (made Major while CO.) Every one who re-uped around 1964 got a free ride to the 1st Air Cav when it was formed up stateside. |
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| 59th Transportation Company | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| (Source: Email from Carlton Bledsoe, 59th TC Co (Lt Hcptr), late 1950s) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| (Source: Email from David Niederloh, 59th Trans Co, 1960-63) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
I never really knew what our job over there was except to keep as many H-34's in the air as we could. I remember one tough assignment when we had all 20 of our planes in the air. I don't know how many days, weeks we worked our asses off so that our company commander could take off with a full flight, just so that they could fly over some of the other Trans. Co.'s, with their, "noses in the air."
We herded many foot soldiers from one field exercise to another, with crew chiefs having to spend hours just cleaning up the mud tracked into their spit shined interiors.
We trained at Ft. Eustis for six months, right through the summer of 1960. Seven of us shipped out together for Wertheim. We were there until Jan-Apr 1963, as we seven then returned stateside for discharge. All in all, I'd have to say that my Army tour was fairly good. I got some experience working with the machinist assigned to our company, working as a fill in clerk for our Tech Inspection Team and, of course, a good amount of time doing the heavy maintenance that our platoon was assigned to do for the 59th. Except for damaged main rotor tips when two pilots got too close, we had a perfect no accident record for the 26 months that I was there.
Most of maintenance crews did ride-alongs during test flights . . . got our jollies shooting auto-rotations and the pilots showed us a great deal of respect for us wanting to see how our work paid off. There was another guy with whom I've written for awhile, a Ronald Giamberdini, we called him "Jabo." A sharp guy who got the Spec. 5 in our group because of his level headedness and his ability to adjust those tricky throttle boxes.
Literally, my last night there, I was helping to reinstall a fuel bladder, while the fuel was still in the bladder. We were trying to do that in the dead of winter, with all of this fuel, so the hanger door had to be open with us in the opening, well, it was miserable. Nothing to what are buddies went through in Viet Nam and other "conflicts," later, however, David Craig III, being one of those fallen comrades. I don't remember any of the pilots names from the 59th, except for our own Capt. Bisch, who was our platoon leader, but with the war raging in those years that followed, others must have given their lives, as well.
I only did a three year tour in the Army but I used the knowledge I learned there to work in civilian aviation for six and half years while I finished college. My training and the German family that I met in Wertheim were highlights. The officers and crews worked well together, each respecting one another for the unique talents used to accomplish our mission. I'm excited about the possibility of returning to Peden Barracks to see the transition from military use to civilian control.
Thanks for the web site and the chance to share some of my memories of working with the 59th during those years.
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| (Source: Author's private collection) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 99th TC Detachment (Cargo Helicopter Fld Maint) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This is the only picture I have of this aircraft, it was taken in Feb. 1958. It's not a very good picture I needed to use a magnifying glass to read the serial number. 
