History of the Wisconsin National Guard in Watertown
During the summer of 1846, under the provisions of the territorial law, the voters of the Wisconsin Territory assembled at the county seats and organized military regiments by electing field officers of regiments. Meanwhile the militia of the Territory were being organized into divisions and brigades. There were three divisions (First, Second and Third) of two brigades each. The 1st Brigade of the Third Division was comprised of Walworth, Jefferson, Dodge and Columbia Counties.
In all probability, this process referred to the enrolled militia. There were two types of militia in the United States, dating back to colonial times. The enrolled militia was simply a list containing the names of all men of military age who would be obligated to take up arms in the event of a war (not unlike the Selective Service in existence today). The organized militia, on the other hand, was comprised of men (full time citizens, part-time soldiers) in organized units in their communities who would meet periodically for military training.
Watertown’s first active unit was formed in May of 1851 as the Watertown Rifle Company. The name was at some point shortened to Watertown Rifles. The original leaders of the Watertown Rifle Company included CPT Henry Boegel, 1LT Gotlieb Baumann, 2LT C. W. Schultz and 1SG John Reichert. The Company’s motto was “In time of peace, prepare for war.”
In 1853, a second unit was organized in Watertown, the Watertown Artillery. The original leaders of the Watertown Artillery included CPT Benjamin Campbell, 1LT John Williams and 2LT Henry Mulberger.
In 1859 the Watertown Artillery changed their name to Governor’s Artillery and they elected new officers; CPT Henry Mulberger, 1LT Jacob Hoeffner and 2LT Charles Riedinger.
On 17 February 1860, the Western Star Hotel, on the corner of W. Cady Street and N. Water St., burned to the ground. The Watertown Rifles conducted their drills at the hotel and all of the unit’s arms and equipment were lost in the fire. The owner of the hotel was Gotlieb Baumann, who was also the 1LT in the Watertown Rifles.
On 17 December 1860, the Adjutant General of the State of Wisconsin, James A. Swain of Mineral Point, filed a report to the Governor of Wisconsin detailing how the various companies of the militia were organized. On that date, the Militia of Wisconsin was comprised of 50 companies of volunteers with a combined strength of 1,993 men (the average strength of a company was about 40 men). Watertown still had two companies at that time; the Watertown Rifles, commanded by CPT Gotlieb Bauman, with a strength of 42 men and the Governor’s Artillery, commanded by CPT Mulberger, with a strength of 35 men.
In April of 1861, the Watertown Rifles HQ was in the Chappel Block on Main Street. On 12 May they were issued their uniforms and assigned to the 3rd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment of as Co. A. Their HQ was then moved to the Mud Tavern on W. Main Street, about a mile west of the heart of town. It was renamed Camp Bertram after Henry Bertram who managed the place and also served in the company (1LT and later CPT).
The 1861 Annual Report of the Adjutant General (Wm. L. Utley), includes information regarding the 3d Wisconsin Infantry Regiment and its organization for the Civil War. Co. A of the 3d Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was the Watertown Rifles, commanded by CPT Darius S. Gibbs, 1LT Henry Bertram and 2LT Louis H. D. Crane (Ripon).
In addition to Co. A from Watertown, the 3d Wisconsin included: Co. B, Scott’s Volunteers, Oshkosh; Co. C, Green County Volunteers, Monroe; Co. D, Waupun Light Guard; Co. E, Williamstown Union Rifles, Mayville; Co. F, Grant County Union Guards, Boscobel; Co. G, Neenah Guards; Co. H, La Fayette Rifles, Darlington; Co. I, Shullsburg Light Guards; Co. K, Dane County Guards. The 3rd Regiment had a total strength of 979 soldiers.
On about 15 June 1861, the 3rd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was called into camp at Fond du Lac (Camp Hamilton). The Regiment was placed under the Command of COL Charles S. Hamilton, a graduate of West Point and a veteran of the War with Mexico. The 3d Wisconsin mustered into U.S. service 29 June. Received marching orders 6 July. Started for Harrisburg 12 July. Initially stationed at Frederickstown, Maryland.
On 20 Sept. 1861, CPT Gibbs, resigned as Commander of the Watertown Rifles (Co. A, 3d Wis. Inf. Reg.). 1LT Bertram was promoted to CPT and replaced CPT Gibbs as Commander. Lt. Edwin E. Bryant, formerly of Co. C, 3rd Regiment, was promoted to 1LT and assigned to Co. A.
On 17 Oct. 1861, three companies (A (Watertown Rifles), C, H) participated in the 3d Wisconsin’s first skirmish of the Civil War at Bolivar Heights, West Virginia. Two soldiers from Co. A were KIA in this first engagement, they were Henry Clemens (Sheboygan) and F. S. Tuttle (Hustisford). The 3d Wisconsin’s total casualties that day were: 4 KIA, 2 WIA, and 1 soldier wounded, taken prisoner & died.
In the Fall of 1861, a second unit was organized in Watertown for the Civil War, the Union Guards, commanded by CPT Oliver D. Pease. This company was assigned as Co. D of the 16TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. After several weeks at Camp Randal in Madison, it started moving south along the Mississippi and on 1 April 1862 it was encamped at Savannah, TN.
After the Civil War, when the Grand Army of the Republic was organized, Watertown’s G. A. R. post, O. D. Pease Post No. 94, was named in honor of CPT Pease. The charter members (read Civil War veterans) of the Watertown G. A. R. post were Fred Kusel, Charles J. Wenck, John Muth, John Walter, L. Green, M. E. Monrean, Dr. Albert Solliday, Henry Bassinger, Jacob Ditschler, W. C. Spaulding, D. D. Scott, Amand Gritzner and John Habhegger.
On 11 August 1862, a third unit was organized in Watertown for the Civil War, the Watertown German Volunteers. On 15 August it was assigned as Co. E of the 20TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. On 16 August they boarded a train for Madison.
Also in August 1862, a fourth unit was organized in Watertown for the Civil War, the Watertown Irish Company (a.k.a. the Irish Brigade). It was assigned as Co. D of the 17TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment.
On 2 Sept. 1862, a fifth unit was organized in Watertown for the Civil War, the Watertown American Volunteer Company. It was later assigned as Co. B of the 29TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. It left Camp Randall and headed south on 2 Nov. It arrived in Helena, Ark. on 6 Nov. where it remained until April 1863.
On 5 July 1880 the Watertown Rifles were re-organized in Watertown.
On 28 May 1881, the Fourth Battalion (Wisconsin National Guard) was organized. The Watertown Rifles were part of the Fourth Battalion.
In 1881 the officers in the Watertown Rifles were CPT Geo. Henze, 1LT C. F. Zautner, 2LT Nic. Bruegger. The company had a strength of 63.
In 1882, the Wisconsin National Guard was organized into two regiments (the First and Second) and two battalions (the Third and Fourth) by Wisconsin Adjutant General Chandler P. Chapman (from Madison). The Watertown Rifles were Company D of the Fourth Battalion.
In 1882 the officers in the Watertown Rifles were CPT Geo. Henze, 1LT C. F. Zautner, 2LT Nic. Bruegger. The company had a strength of 66.
In 1883 the officers in the Watertown Rifles were CPT Albert Solliday, 1LT C. F. Zautner, 2LT Nich. Breugger.
CPT Solliday was a Civil War veteran, 114TH Ohio Infantry Regiment, who moved to Watertown at the end of the Civil War and established a dental practice.
In 1883 the Assistant Surgeon for the 4th Battalion was W. E. Spalding from Watertown.
In 1884, The Watertown Rifles were assigned as Company I of the 2d Wisconsin Infantry Regiment.
In 1885 the officers were CPT Albert Solliday, 1LT C. F. Zautner, 2LT Nicholas Breugger.
In 1887 the officers were CPT Albert Solliday, 1LT Nicholas Bruegger, 2LT Wm. Wurtzler.
On 4 May 1886, CPT Solliday was ordered to assemble his Co. I, 2d Wis. Inf., for active duty and move it to Milwaukee as soon as possible. Earlier that day, Milwaukee Mayor Emil Walber and Milwaukee County Sheriff Geo. Paschen had requested assistance from Governor Rusk to assist with labor troubles in Milwaukee. Several other units were also ordered to active duty and sent to various locations in the Milwaukee area. Co. I, 2d Wis. and two other companies were sent to the Allis Works. Co. I, 2d Wis., was released from duty and returned home to Watertown on 10 May. The last units were released from duty on 13 May.
In 1888, Company I, 2d Wis. Inf., the Watertown Rifles, was mustered out.
Watertown was without a military unit for several years until World War I.
While Watertown did not have an organized unit during the Spanish-American War, Soldiers from Watertown served with other Wisconsin National Guard units that did mobilize or deploy. One of which was COL Albert Solliday, who had served as Commander of the Watertown Rifles from 1882-88.
CPT (Dr.) Solliday was assigned adjutant of the 2d Wisconsin Infantry Regiment on 25 April 1888, promoted to major commanding 1ST Battalion, 2d Wis. Inf. 23 Feb. 1892, promoted lieutenant colonel 7 Jan. 1895. On 2 Jan. 1899, he was appointed quartermaster general W.N.G., and 5 Jan. 1899, received the commission with rank of brigadier general. He was a member of the Wisconsin National Guard for 27 years.
Then COL Solliday had the distinction of being the first man in the 2d Wis. Inf. Reg. to land on Puerto Rican soil during the Spanish-American war, he was the first to step out of the boat and onto the beach.
On 15 July 1917, the Wisconsin National Guard was activated for Federal Service. The unit in Watertown was Company E of the 5TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. Captain Albert F. Solliday, was in command, assisted by 1LT Jas. T. Hale and 2LT Lawrence W. Murphy.
CPT Albert F. Solliday followed in his father’s footsteps in both his civilian and military pursuits. Like his father, he became a dentist and had a practice in Watertown for many years. Born in Watertown 23 Oct. 1871, he attended Watertown’s Lincoln School, then attended St. John’s Military Academy in Delafield, then Shattuck Military Academy in Faribault, MN, and Northwestern University Dental College in IL. Upon his return home after his deployment to France with the 32d “Red Arrow” Division during WWI, he became the inaugural commander of Watertown’s American Legion Post in 1919. He passed away in Watertown on 12 May 1958 at the age of 86.
At this time, the unit’s armory was the old high school on E. Main St., where the Heritage Inn now stands.
On 17 August 1917, Co. E left Watertown and went to Camp Douglas, Wisconsin.
On 31 August 1917, the strength of Company E is listed at 3 officers and 86 enlisted men.
On 25 September 1917, Co. E was sent from Camp Douglas, Wisconsin to Camp MacArthur, near Waco, Texas.
The entire Wisconsin National Guard left the State and went to Camp MacArthur, near Waco, Texas. Once there, the Wisconsin and Michigan National Guards were consolidated to form the 32d “Red Arrow” Division. All of the Wisconsin National Guard units were reorganized and renamed to conform to the organization of Army Divisions at that time. The 5TH Wisconsin Infantry was no exception, it was broken up and parts of it assigned to the 57TH Depot Brigade. The 57TH Depot Brigade was only a temporary unit. Personnel assigned to the 57TH Depot Brigade were used to organize new units that were needed for the Division but were not in existence. Once all of its personnel were assigned to other units, the 57TH Depot Brigade ceased to exist. Many of the soldiers from Watertown were assigned to the 120TH or 121ST Machine Gun Battalions of the 32d “Red Arrow” Division.
Once training was completed at Camp MacArthur, the 32d “Red Arrow” Division was shipped to France to fight in World War I. See the 32nd Division Veteran Association web site for more information about the 32d “Red Arrow” Division in the World War.
After the Wisconsin National Guard was activated into federal service for World War I, the Wisconsin State Guard was created to take its place in the state for the duration of the war. The Wisconsin State Guard consisted of four infantry regiments (of 12 companies each) and a State Guard Reserve made up of 39 separate companies and 5 separate platoons. Watertown was home to the Ninth Separate Company and its officers were Captain Walter A. Simon, First Lieutenant August C. Henze and Second Lieutenant Albert R. Preusse. The Wisconsin State Guard was deactivated during 1920-21 as the Wisconsin National Guard was reactivated. See the Wisconsin Military History page of this web site for more information about the Wisconsin State Guard.
On 28 May 1920, Troop G of the 1ST Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment was organized in Watertown with Captain Jacob Sproesser in command.
Troop G’s horses were stabled near the west side fire station; later they were moved to stables in the area of the old fair grounds, the present site of the Watertown airport. During the cavalry troop’s existence, its members and their horses participated in every parade that Watertown held.
On 1 April 1921, Troop G of the 1ST Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment was redesignated as Troop D, 105TH Cavalry Regiment.
In 1927, the unit in Watertown is listed as Troop G, 2d Squadron, 105TH Cavalry Regiment. Troop G officers are listed as CPT Jacob Sproesser, 1st Lt. Edwin R. Kaercher and 2nd Lt. Bernard J. Richter.
On 9 March 1928, the Watertown National Guard unit again lost all of its arms and equipment to fire when the old Turner Opera House burned to the ground. Reconstruction began several months later and the new (and current) Turner Hall was completed by Jan. 1929.
On 20 March 1928, the 105TH Cavalry Regiment Band was transferred to Watertown from Eau Claire. Warrant Officer Edwin J. Woelffer became the band leader.
On 15 June 1929, Troop D, 105TH Cavalry Regiment was redesignated Troop K, 105TH Cavalry Regiment. Captain Edwin H. Kaercher had assumed command of the unit on 29 March 1929.
On 17 February 1937, CPT G. O. Lewandowski assumed command of Troop K, 105TH Cavalry Regiment.
During 1939, Troop K, 105TH Cavalry conducted its drills at Turner Hall in Watertown. Captain J. G. Richter assumed command of the unit on 24 February 1939 and was assisted by Lts. M. Rohr, Jr. and P. E. Wiley.
Early in 1940 the cavalry units of the Wisconsin National Guard were converted to artillery units. Troop K, 105TH Cavalry became Battery F, 2d Battalion, 126TH Field Artillery Regiment of the 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Division. The 105TH Cavalry Regiment Band became the 126TH Field Artillery Regiment Band. The 126TH FA Band was commanded by Warrant Officer W. Hart.
On 15 October 1940 the 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Division was mobilized into Federal Service in preparation for World War II.
On 22 October 1940 Battery F and the Band left Watertown for Camp Beauregard, Louisiana.
Early in 1942, when the 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Division was converted from a “square” division with four infantry regiments into a “triangular” division built around three infantry regiments, the existing three artillery regiments (120TH, 121ST and 126TH) were converted into four separate battalions (120TH, 121ST, 126TH and 129TH). The now excess batteries and Soldiers were transferred to other units. Most of the Watertown Soldiers of Battery F, 126TH FA Regiment were assigned to a different unit and served in the European theater in World War II. Others, including CPT J. Richter, Lt. L. Reinhard, Lt. M. Rohr, Lt. O. Crocker and Lt. H. Behling stayed with the new 126TH FA Battalion of the 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Division. CPT Richter later was promoted to LTC and became commander of the 120TH FA Battalion of the 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Division in the Philippines Campaign. See the 32d “Red Arrow” Veteran Association web site for more information about the 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Division in World War II.
Most of the members of the 126TH FA Band went to New York in World War II (while the 126TH FA Regiment was authorized its own band, when it became the 126TH FA Battalion it was not authorized its own band). Band members were assigned to the Brooklyn Army Base, N. Y., at the port of embarkation. The band combined with a band from Fort Hamilton, as one unit, with a new bandmaster, Warrant Officer O. Thomson. It was then designated the New York Port of Embarkation Band. The band provided entertainment for such events as visits to veteran’s hospitals, bond rallies, embarkation dances, ticker tape parades for returning heroes and the parade review for President Roosevelt. It also served as a dance orchestra at the Waldorf Astoria, for Jimmy Durante and many others. The band was deactivated in 1946.
In 1955 the unit in Watertown was Company M, 3d Battalion, 426TH Infantry Regiment of the 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Division.
Prior to the end of World War II, the 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Division had been comprised of Wisconsin and Michigan National Guard units. When the Division was reactivated after World War II, it was entirely a Wisconsin National Guard unit. New units had to be created in Wisconsin to replace the Division units that were part of the Michigan National Guard. On 3 June 1946, the 426TH Infantry Regiment was reconstituted as a Wisconsin National Guard unit and assigned to the 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Division to replace the 126TH Infantry Regiment which stayed in Michigan. The original designation of the 426TH Infantry was held by an Organized Reserve Regiment in Ohio, and existed there from 1930 until 1946, when it was disbanded.
On 27 July 1955, the new (and current) Watertown armory was officially dedicated for Company M, 3d Battalion, 426TH Infantry Regiment. The corner stone was laid in 1954. Lt. William Dittmann was the Commander at the time.
The current armory is the first building that was purpose built to serve as an armory for the Wisconsin National Guard unit in Watertown. Prior to that, the local unit had rented space to use as their armory at various local buildings, including the Western Star Hotel, the Chappel Block, the old high school, the Turner Opera House, and Turner Hall.
During 1961-62, when the 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Division of the Wisconsin National Guard was ordered to active duty because of the Berlin Crisis, the unit from Watertown was Company C, 3d Battle Group, 127TH Infantry Regiment of the 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Division. The 32d Division deployed to Fort Lewis, Washington and trained there for about a year.
In 1964, two units are listed for Watertown; Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 32d Aviation Battalion of the 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Division and Company B of the 32d Aviation Battalion.
From at least January 1971 to 1 February 1980, Company C, 2d Battalion, 128TH Infantry Regiment was in Watertown. For some or all of this time, the unit in Watertown was Company C (-) with a detachment of Company C in Hartford.
From about 1 February1980 to about 1992, Company C, 2d Battalion (TLAT), 128TH Infantry Regiment was in Watertown. For some or all of this time, the unit in Watertown was Company C (-) with a detachment of Company C in Hartford. (These dates are rough. I will add more specific information when I find it.)
From about 1993 to about 1994, Company D, 2d Battalion, 127TH Infantry Regiment of the 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Brigade was in Watertown. (These dates are very rough. I will add more specific information when I find it.)
For some time around 1995 until October of 1996, the unit in Watertown was Detachment 1, Company E, 2d Battalion, 127TH Infantry Regiment (M) of the 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Brigade. Company E (-), 2d Battalion, 127TH Infantry Regiment (M) was located in Appleton. (These dates are very rough. I will add more specific information when I find it.)
In October of 1996, Company E (-), 2d Battalion, 127TH Infantry Regiment (M) was moved to Watertown from Appleton and combined with the detachment to reform Company E, 2d Battalion, 127TH Infantry Regiment (M), 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Brigade.
From 7-22 July 2000, Company E, 2d Battalion, 127TH Infantry Regiment (M) went to Gowen Field, Idaho, as part of Task Force 632 for annual training. TF 632 consisted of several units from the 2/127TH Infantry and the 632d Armor BN of the 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Brigade. This was a unique AT because we rarely conduct AT anywhere other than Fort McCoy.
In November of 2000, the 2/127TH Infantry conducted an Infantry platoon exchange with the Chilean army for two weeks. Chile sent an Infantry platoon to Wisconsin to train at Fort McCoy and the 2/127TH Inf. sent a platoon to Chile to train with the Chilean army. The platoon from the 2/127TH Inf. was comprised of Soldiers from several different companies in the Battalion. Company E, 2/127TH Infantry (M) in Watertown sent several Soldiers to Chile with the platoon from the 2/127, including SGT T. Orlowski, SPC M. Haack and SPC J. Wolff (I think there were other Echo Co. soldiers too, but I’m not positive).
COMPANY E, 2/127th INFANTRY
Watertown, Wisconsin (2001)
On 1 October 2001, Co. E, 2/127TH Inf. (M) was reorganized as Company D, 2d Battalion, 128TH Infantry Regiment (L), 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Brigade.
On 23 January 2003, about 100 Soldiers from various 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Brigade units began active duty with Task Force Red Arrow in support of Operation Noble Eagle (ONE). Task Force Red Arrow supplemented security at three of Wisconsin’s airbases, the 440th Air-lift Wing in Milwaukee, the 128th Air Refueling Wing in Milwaukee, and the 115th Fighter Wing in Madison, for two years. Nine Soldiers from Company D, 2d Battalion, 128TH Infantry Regiment (L) volunteered, some for one year, some for two years, those soldiers were SFC Bruss, SSG van de Vyver, SGT Wolff, SPC Desmith, SPC Hughes, SPC Firary, SPC Graham, SPC Schroeder, SPC Thomas.
On 18 March 2003, the 724TH EN BN of the Wisconsin National Guard was mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Many 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Brigade Soldiers volunteered to backfill the 724TH EN BN because they were understrength. Eight soldiers from Company D, 2d Battalion, 128TH Infantry Regiment (L) volunteered to mobilize with the 724TH EN BN, those Soldiers were 1LT Straseskie, SSG R. Smithson, SGT W. Smithson, CPL J. Smithson, SPC Haack, SPC Remus, SPC McPhillips, SPC Schuett. They returned to Wisconsin from Iraq on 29 March 2004.
On 20 June 2004, the 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Brigade’s 1ST Battalion, 128TH Infantry Regiment, was mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Many 2/128TH Inf. Soldiers were assigned to backfill the 1/128TH Inf. because they were understrength. Eighteen Soldiers from Company D, 2d Battalion, 128TH Infantry Regiment (L) mobilized with the 1/128TH Inf., those Soldiers were SFC Tennies, SSG Fahney, SSG Long, SGT Heller, SGT Johnson, SGT Schmidtkunz, SPC Giesecke, SPC Green, SPC Hibbs, SPC Hughes, SPC Larson, SPC Nehring, SPC Sahf, SPC White, PFC Braunschweig, PFC Lasco, PFC Meixner, PFC Whitman. They left Wisconsin on 23 June for training at Camp Shelby, MS, and Fort Irwin, CA, before being deployed to Iraq.
On 17 August 2005, the 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Brigade’s 2d Battalion, 128TH Infantry Regiment, was mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Forty-four Soldiers from Company D, 2d Battalion, 128TH Infantry Regiment (L), mobilized with their Battalion. However, due to the nonsensical reorganization of the Battalion for the deployment, the Watertown Soldiers did not serve with Company D, they were reassigned to Co. A, Co. B, and HHC (the majority served with Co. A). Ten Soldiers from Co. D had been mobilized earlier with other units and, although they were not required to, they volunteered for a second mobilization so they could deploy with Co. D.
Between 25 Oct. and 3 Nov. 2005, the 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Brigade’s 1ST Battalion, 128TH Infantry, (which included 18 Soldiers from Company D, 2d Battalion, 128TH Infantry Regiment (L)) returned to Wisconsin at the conclusion of their mobilization and deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After several days of demobilization processing at Fort McCoy they were released to return to their homes, Families and friends.
Between 9-11 Nov. 2006, the 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Brigade’s 2d Battalion, 128TH Infantry, (which included 41 Soldiers from Company D, 2d Battalion, 128TH Infantry Regiment (L)) returned to Wisconsin at the conclusion of their mobilization and deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After several days of demobilization processing at Fort McCoy they were released to return to their homes, Families and friends. Two soldiers from Company D, 2/128th Infantry volunteered to extend their deployment, they redeployed to Afghanistan from Kuwait and returned home in the spring of 2007.
On 8 Sep. 2007, Company D, 2-128TH Infantry began its transition to Troop B, 1-105TH Cavalry. The 2-128TH Infantry was reorganized to become the 1-105TH Cavalry as part of the 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Brigade’s reorganization to the 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
On 2 Dec. 2007, Troop B, 1-105TH Cavalry received an alert notification for possible mobilization in early 2009 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
On 29 Sep. 2008, Troop B, 1-105TH Cavalry received a mobilization order for mobilization in early 2009 to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
On 10 Jan. 2009, Troop B, 1-105TH Cavalry departed Watertown bound for Camp Blanding, FL, for 21 days of pre-mobilization training. The entire 32d “Red Arrow” Infantry Brigade Combat Team was sent to Camp Blanding. The unit returned to Watertown on 31 Jan.
On 1 Feb. 2009, Troop B, 1-105TH Cavalry reported for mobilization at the Watertown armory. The unit continued pre-mobilization preparations at the armory for 18 days. Bravo Troop participated in the 32d IBCT send-off ceremony at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison on 17 Feb. At the conclusion of that ceremony they returned to Watertown to attend a local send-off ceremony, planned and executed by the Watertown Veteran’s Council, at Watertown High School.
On 19 Feb. 2009, Troop B, 1-105TH Cavalry departed the Watertown armory to go to Fort McCoy to prepare for movement to its mobilization station. Bravo Troop left Wisconsin on 22 Feb. when they took off from Volk Field; they landed at Fort Bliss, TX, a couple of hours later to begin their pre-deployment training.
On 1 May 2009, after completing pre-deployment training, Troop B, 1-105TH Cavalry departed Fort Bliss, TX, bound for Kuwait for several days of in-theater training before deploying to Iraq. The unit’s main body landed in Baghdad, Iraq, on 13 May to officially begin its deployment mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom at FOB Cropper, Victory Base Complex, Baghdad, Iraq.
On 13 Jan. 2010, after successfully completing its mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Troop B, 1-105TH Cavalry left Iraq to return to Wisconsin and begin the demobilization process at Fort McCoy. The unit was officially released from Fort McCoy on 18 Jan. and the Troopers returned to their homes, Family, and friends.