Co A, 2nd Battalion, 109th INF
1973 - 1976
On 27 March 1973 CPT Renna led the unit to Annual Field Training at Camp LeJuene, NC. The unit was used as an aggressor force against the 82nd Airborne DIV as part of Exotic Dancer VI. On 20 May CPT Robert V Barziloski received the Company Guidon at an Official Change of Command Ceremony from CPT Renna. 2LT’s Edward J Romanko and Allen W Steffy completed State OCS and were assigned to the unit. PSG John (Jack) Nealon replaced the retired 1sg Guitson. A Christmas dinner and party was held for mentally challenged children.
The Independent Truckers Association organized a strike which resulted in the unit being ordered to State Active Duty from 3 to 5 February 1974, with orders to provide static security posts, patrols, and reactionary forces along Interstate Highways. No major incidents were reported. Annual Training was conducted at Camp A P Hill, VA and included Rifle Company in attack on a live fire range, as well as other offensive and defensive operations, culminated by a 55 hour Brigade exercise and a river crossing operation.
1975 Annual Training was conducted at Fort Drum, NY and the unit participated in Tank/Mechanized Infantry team attack, Company in Night attack, river crossing, Anti-armor warfare techniques and Airmobile training. One again the river entered the Armory as a result of heavy rains from Hurricane Eloise, which left the Armory inaccessible for 3 days. The Pennsylvania Commendation Medal was awarded to PSG Ronald R Sherman for exceptionally meritorious service and devotion to duty upon his retirement. The Medals were also awarded to 1LT Gary Sowinski and 2LT Edward Romanko for exceptionally meritorious service in conjunction with the Team Handball Program for youths.
CPT Gary G Sowinski succeeded CPT Barziloski on July 2, 1976.Upon completion of Pennsylvania National Guard Military Academy (PNGMA) OCS 2LT’s Gary Jones and Ronald Mooney were assigned to the company. PNGMA NCO course graduates were SGT Fred Bankes , SGT Frank Rosato, and SSG Michael Cherochak. SP4 Larry Stefanelli was awarded a Certificate of Attendance from the school. A Rifle company Field Training Exercise and an Airmobile Raid were mainly the objectives of Annual Training at Fort Pickett, VA.
First Sergeant, I was with HHC, 2/109th Inf in Scranton after graduating from Federal OCS at Fort Benning in April 1973. I returned to Fort Benning and completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course and the Infantry Mortar Platoon Leader's Course. In late 1973 I was assigned to Co. A, 2/109th Inf, under Cpt Barziloski as the mortar platoon leader replacing Lt John Heil. I was in West Pittston with my platoon during the Independent Truckers strike in 1974 (I am on the company's PA Svc Ribbon orders) we patrolled and secured a number of bridges on I-81. I also attended AT at Fort AP Hill in 1974. The mortar platoon participated in live fire and fired a night illumination mission in support of an ongoing FTX. In late 1974 because of business I was living in Maryland and transferred to the inactive reserve until I went back on active duty in September 1975. I retired from the Army in August 1993.
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