MEDICAL SECTION

HEADQUARTERS BATTERY, 1ST BATTALION, 109TH FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT, DIVISION ARTILLERY, 28TH INFANTRY DIVISION (MECHANIZED), PA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

ABOUT HEADQUARTERS BATTERY

Headquarters Battery
1st Battalion - 109th Field Artillery
280 Market St.
Kingston, PA 18704
(570) 287-8406

Commander – Capt. William Feher
1st Sgt. – 1st Sgt. David Smith

READ OUR MISSION STATEMENT

The federal mission of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard is to provide combat-ready units for mobilization into the Armed Forces in time of war or national emergency, or at times as may be required by the President of the United States for the security of this nation.

The state mission of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, when summoned by the governor of the Commonwealth, is to provide trained personnel and units organized and equipped to function effectively in saving lives, protecting property and maintaining law and order and public safety when emergencies are beyond the capability of civil authorities.

Organized on 17 October 1775, the 109th field artillery battalion currently consists of five batteries, including three firing Batteries (A, B, C), Headquarters and Headquarters Battery (HHB), and Service Battery (SVC). We are one of three 155mm self-propelled howitzer battalions composing the 28th Division Artillery, headquartered in Hershey, PA. Our tactical mission is to provide direct support artillery fires to the 55th Brigade, 28th Infantry Division (Mechanized), headquartered in Scranton, PA. Our state mission is to provide community support under the direction of the Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and Task Force 55th Brigade (covering northeastern and north central PA).

The mission of the medical section is to provide medical support to the 1st Battalion 109th Field Artillery Regiment by providing both the first echelon of care. Members of the medical section act at Corpsmen for the batteries being present every time a battery fires, and also staffs the Battalion Aid Station, which provides the next level of medical care for the soldiers. and is prepared to evacuate them for further medical treatment.

HEAR THE UNIT'S HISTORY

Lineage: The 109th Field Artillery is one of the oldest units in continuous existence in the United States Armed Forces. It was organized under Colonel Zebulon Butler in the Wyoming Valley on 17 October 1775, nearly a year before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Wyoming Valley was then considered part of Connecticut, thus the unit was originally formed as the 24th Regiment, Connecticut Militia. Today, the regiment carries both the Connecticut and Pennsylvania state flags in its color guard. The unit continues to serve the Valley and is officially named "Wyoming Valley Guards".

Although founded as an infantry unit, the regiment alternated between infantry and artillery throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. The regiment, under various unit designations, fought in the Revolutionary War, mustered into service for the War of 1812, fought in the Mexican-American War, fought in the Civil War, and mustered into federal service for the Spanish-American War of 1898. The regiment also fought in various battles against the Indians. A dark day in the regiment's history occurred with its 3 July 1778 defeat at the Battle Wyoming, known as the "Wyoming Massacre". On 11 October 1917, the unit was designated the 109th Field Artillery Regiment and was assigned horse-drawn, 75mm howitzers. It fought in World War One under Colonel Asher Miner as part of the 28th Infantry Division on the Western Front in France.

In 1942, the unit entered World War Two as the 109th Field Artillery Battalion. The unit served in Europe from France to Germany. During the Battle of the Bulge, the battalion fought valiantly to halt the German Ardennes Offensive. Once its guns were destroyed, the 109th fought as infantry, often in vicious hand-to-hand combat. For its valor, the battalion was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation, the highest decoration a unit can receive. All current members of the battalion authorize it for wear.

On 5 September 1950, the 109th was mobilized for the Korean War. On 11 September, at Coshocton, Ohio, while en route to Camp Atterbury, Indiana, a civilian train struck the battalion’s troop train. Thirty-three soldiers were killed and scores wounded. A memorial is located at the Kingston Armory and a ceremony is conducted each year to commemorate the soldiers lost in the train wreck. For the remainder of the Korean War, the battalion, along with the 28th Infantry Division, served in Europe as part of the defenses against the Soviet Army.

On 1 September 1977, the unit assumed its current designation as the 1st Battalion, 109th Field Artillery. It is a component of the 28th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Pennsylvania Army National Guard. The battalion presently operates with three line batteries (A, B, C) of six 155mm self-propelled howitzers each, Service Battery (SVC), and Headquarters and Headquarters Battery (HHB). With an authorized strength of over 600 and over $50 million worth of equipment, the battalion is a crucial community asset for dealing with emergencies and natural disasters. It is also a key wartime resource, as the National Guard comprises over 65% of the entire Army's field artillery force. The 109th also pumps over $3 million dollars annually into the local economy.

Coat of Arms: Authorized by the Secretary of War on 15 April 1922. It is red for field artillery and blue for prior infantry service, and includes arrows representing service in the Indian Wars, a rattlesnake for Mexican War service, and a fleur-de-lis for WWI service. It also incorporates the Pennsylvania crest.

Motto: En Avant (French for "Forward").

Battle Streamers & Decorations: Twenty-seven battle streamers from five wars, Presidential Unit Citation (Battle of the Bulge, 1944/45), Governor's Unit Citation (Johnstown, PA, flood of 1977), Luxembourg Croix de Guerre (WWII), Meritorious Unit Commendation (HHB only for WWII).

Distinctive Unit Insignia: Authorized by the Secretary of War on 6 November 1929 for wear in lieu of the unit crest. The insignia is a red arrowhead commemorating service against the Indians.

Kingston Armory: Dedicated on 7 June 1929 as the "Riding Hall, 109th Field Artillery". At that time, the 109th was a towed field artillery unit with 173 horses. F.M. Kirby donated the land on which the armory sits to the City of Wilkes-Barre, thus the city limits actually encompass all armory property as well as Kirby Park. The Kingston Armory houses HHB, SVC, and Battery A, while Batteries B and C are located in separate armories in Nanticoke and Plymouth, respectively.

MEET THE SECTION

Captain John Matunis
Danville, PA

John, the battalion medical officer, works in Geisinger Medical Center's Critical Care Medicine Department as a physician assistant. He enjoys spending time with his wife Kim and their three children.

Staff Sergeant Joe Perugino
Dallas, PA

Joe, the section sergeant, is a paramedic, and works as the fire chief for Harvey’s Lake. He is also a safety coordinator for PG Energy. Joe and Lisa have two children. In his spare time he enjoys scuba diving, hunting and skiing.

Sergeant Roger Reed
Middletown, NY

Roger, the treatment and evacuation sergeant, has spent fourteen years with the Department of Corrections. He is married to Vikki and they have three grown children. In his spare time, Roger works as a medical technician in the prison's urgent care department.

Specialist Don Brenner
Wapwallopen, PA

Don, and Jaclyn have been married for just over a year. He works as a Graphic Artist at Bird Printing Co. and enjoys computers.

Specialist Chris Brown
Stroudsburg, PA

Specialist Travis Haldeman
Tunkhannock, PA

After serving eight years as a Navy corpsman, Travis moved to the Wyoming Valley and now works as a Lab Manager with Lenses Crafters. He enjoys spending time with his wife Wendy and their two children.

Specialist Chris Kachi
Weatherly, PA

Specialist Jeff Kwiecien
Dingmans Ferry, PA

Jeff works as a paramedic for the Pike Co. AIS. He has been married to Sara for six years and has a two year old daughter. He enjoys the outdoors and drums.

Specialist Jed Nolan
Cogan Station, PA

Specialist Bret Stemrich
Wapwallopen, PA

After serving as an Army Airborne Medic Bret returned to the Wyoming Valley and graduated from Kings College. He now teaches science. He enjoys spending time with his fiancé Cindy was well as volunteering as an EMT.

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