brothers

1944 - After the hostilities of WW II ended the 28th Infantry Division was deactivated and the men returned to their families and homes. Early in 1946 Governor Martin reorganized the entire Division as the Pennsylvania National Guard. The Pitston unit received federal recognition on 9 May 1947 as Cannon Co. 109 INF commanded by CPT Ferdinand Endres Jr. The following year it was re-designated as Heavy Mortar Co 109 INF. In July 1950 the entire Division was ordered into active federal service and the soldiers trained at Camp Atterbury, Indiana and as part of Operation Southern Pines, in Fort Bragg, NC and then sailed to Europe to become part of the US NATO force. Cannon Company quartered and trained in Gablingen, Kaserne, and Augsburg Germany, still under the command of MAJ Endres. After completion of 2 years active service in 1952 the men returned to the families, homes and jobs. Governor Fine reactivated the Division on 22 May 1953, and on 20 July 1953 the Pittston unit was re-activated as Heavy Mortar Co. under the command of 1LT Alfred Dresch, and succeeded by 2LT Richard Carpenter and then 2LT Howard Jones. The first annual summer camp was conducted on 22 August 1954. 15,000 Guardsmen and a crowd of estimated at 50,000 witnessed the official return of the 28th Division colors. On 1 June 1959 it was again re-designated as Combat Support Co. 1st Battle Group, 109th INF commanded by CPT Anthony Bolcavage and followed by CPT Howard Jones and remained as such until 1 April 1963 when it was re-designated as Co A, 2nd Battalion, 109th INF.