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99th Infantry Battalion

By Joshua Cline

In January 1942, Army Chief of Staff George Marshall changed U.S. policy to permit naturalized foreign citizens from occupied Allied nations to serve in the armed forces. The 99th Infantry Battalion (Separate) were naturalized Norwegians who served in the U.S. Army to help free Europe from the Nazis. The 99th went on to train or fight alongside famous units like the 10th Mountain Division, the First Special Service Force, and Ranger battalions. The 99th’s missions included securing Cherbourg, France; combat in the Battle of the Bulge; supporting the Monuments Men”; the liberation of concentration camps; and last, but not least, the liberation and security of Norway.

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Johnson M1941 LGM Submachine Gun

DEVIL’S BRIGADE SECRET WEAPON: THE JOHNSON M1941 LMG

By Tom Laemlein

Despite watching from the sidelines for more than two years, America was surprisingly unprepared for the war that came on December 7, 1941. That is however, with the
notable exception of U.S. small arms. Compared to any other combatant nation, American infantry weapons represented an embarrassment of riches. Even some of our firearms kept in reserve were the envy of lesser military forces. Americans quickly came to expect nothing but the best from the Arsenal of Democracy.

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46th National POW-MIA Recognition Day to be commemorated on Friday, September 19, 2025

Montana has 53 Personnel Listed as Prisoners of War or Missing In Action (POW-MIA) from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War.  

 

FORT HARRISON/ HELENA: MT (September 15, 2025)      

 

Veterans, military personnel, and the public is cordially invited to participate in the 46rd annual National Prisoner of War and Missing Action (POW-MIA) Recognition Day at the Lewis and Clark County Veterans Memorial, Memorial Park, Helena, at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, September 19, 2025.

 

Those individuals who wish to read the 53 names of Montana POW-MIAs’ should gather between 7:30 and 8::00 a.m. to go over the process.  

 

This event is supported by the Fort William Henry Harrison Museum Foundation & Montana Military Museum, The American Legion Post #2 (Lewis & Clark) Voiture 718, 40 & 8 Society, Lewis & Clark County Veterans Memorial Foundation, and veterans at large.      

For questions or to volunteer call Ray Read at 458-9847/406-235-0290 or e-mail: myfun51@msn.com

 

Throughout American history, many men and women have bravely served in our military and sacrificed much to preserve our country and protect the democratic ideals that makes our Nation a beacon of hope.  Some of those who answered the call to service were captured in conflict and imprisoned by our enemies; and many remain missing in action. 

 

Each year on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor those Americans who were prisoners of war and recognize them for the courage and determination they showed in the face of unspeakable hardships. We also honor those who remain unaccounted for, especially remembering the sacrifices of their families who must courageously face each day without knowing the fate of their loved ones. 

  1. National POW/MIA Recognition Day is one of the six days specified by Public Law 101-355, passed by the 101st Congress which recognized the National League of POW/MIA Families POW/MIA Flag and designated it “as the symbol of our Nations’ concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia, thus ending the uncertainty for their families and the Nation”.
  2. Title 36, United States Code, Section 902, was added to the United States Flag Code into the year 2000 which states that National League for Families POW/MIA Flag shall be flown over federal facilities and cemeteries, post offices, and military installations.
  3. 80 years after the end of World War II, the fate of more than 72,000 Americans who fought in that conflict remains unknown. More than 7,800 from the Korean War are missing, more than 126 from the Cold War, and more than 1,500 from the Vietnam War.  These Americans, who dedicated their lives to preserving and protecting our freedoms, will never be forgotten. 

Montanans are asked to remember a very special group of veterans on Friday, September 20, 2018, specifically those Montana military personnel listed as Prisoners of War or Missing In Action (POW-MIA) including 8 from World War II; 27 from the original 28 in the Korean war; 16 of the 0riginal 22 from the Vietnam War and; 2 of the original 3 from the Cold War.          

More information is available at the Montana Military Museum, located at the Montana National Guard Training Center, Fort William Henry Harrison, Montana.  Telephone 406-324-3550 or e-mail:  info@montanamilitarymuseum.org .

 

First Special Service Force Association Reunion

August 13- 16, 2025 (Banquet – Evening of the 16th)

The First Special Service Force was comprised of Canadian and US soldiers and through the war and in the years since, no distinction was made between members from these two countries. The FSSF Association continues that legacy.

 

The 2025 Reunion is the first time in ten years that the reunion has been held at the home of the FSSF, Helena Montana. However, given the current economic climate, many of our Canadian members are finding it difficult to attend. The Board of Directors feel it’s important to do what we can to help make it possible for those in Canada to return to the home of the Force and attend the reunion. Given the uniqueness of the location and economic concerns, the Board recognizes that for this year only, we need to make some accommodation. Canadian visitors are urged to review requirements for access to Fort William Henry Harrison with Reunion organizers.

 

In the spirit of the FSSF brotherhood, registration fees for this year have been adjusted so that Canadian and US registration fees are equal. Registration fees this year are listed in US dollars and in the US dollar equivalent of that same amount in Canadian dollars. When registering please select the appropriate registration based on your residency.

 

In addition to adjusted registration fees, the Board is offering Canadian residents the opportunity to request a partial rebate on their hotel room to help equalize the room rate. Canadian residents may present their paid invoice from the Delta Hotels Helena Colonial for their stay between August 13th and 16th, 2025 to receive the rebate.

 

Let’s honor the spirit of this incredible group during the 2025 reunion. It’s for the Force.

Reunion Registration
Hotel Reservation
Become a Member or Renew Membership

Award ceremony for Army nurse Diane Carlson Evans

Montana Military Museum is proud to host an award ceremony for Army nurse Diane Carlson Evans, who served in Vietnam and was instrumental in the creation of the Vietnam’s Women’s Memorial in Washington, DC. Unfortunately, Diane Carlson will not be able to attend the ceremony in person,  COL Lennie Enzel, USA Ret., and COL Karen Gausman, USA Ret., will present the Awards:

Army Medical Department Order of Military Medical Merritt, 02M3   https://achh.army.mil/regiment/merit-o2m3

Army Women’s Foundation, U.S. Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame  2025  https://www.awfdn.org/hall-of-fame-and-special-recognition-awards/us-army-womens-hall-of-fame-inductees/

The ceremony will be held the morning of Thursday, June 19th. More details will be available at a later date.

Sanananda by Colonel (Retired) John B. Driscoll 

The Montana Military Museum is excited to share a new article by noted author and Museum volunteer COL John Driscoll (Ret.) on the actions of Montana’s National Guard 163rd Infantry Regimental Combat Team in the Battle of Sanananda.

 

Driscoll’s article identifies several Montanans who participated in this battle under hellish conditions in Papua, New Guinea. It is fitting after the celebrations of Memorial Day that we remember these heroes who have largely been unsung. Driscoll, a noted author of military history, has been researching the records of the 163rd archived in the Museum. It will appear in the fall/winter issue of the magazine Distinctly Montana.

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Memorial Week/ Day Activities Abound in Helena, East Helena, and Fort Harrison

May 23, 2025–Lewis and Clark County Veterans Memorial Foundation will conduct the traditional Memorial Day Ceremony at the Lewis & Clark Count Veterans Memorial, located in Memorial Park, Helena at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025. 

We invite all Gold Star families, area veterans, their families and the Citizens of the City of Helena and Lewis & Clark County to attend this 156th anniversary of Memorial day established in 1868.

This solemn ceremony is to recognize U.S., Montana and Lewis Clark County veterans who paid the ultimate price through their selfless service. The Lewis and Clark County Veterans Memorial was dedicated on August 15, 1949, by the Citizens of this County, to recognize their sacrifice and further resolve to honor their legacy through taking care of this community tribute to them.

In case of inclement weather, the Ceremony will be moved Lewis and Clark, American Legion Post 2 at the same time.

We will be privileged to hear from Sergeant Major (Ret) Mike Russell, a Vietnam Veteran.  SGM Russell comes from an extensive line of Montana Pioneers that settled in this State at Abe Lincoln Gulch, now known as Lincoln, Montana, back in 1863. He joined the US Army right out of high school in March of 1967. Taking basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas. Upon graduation, from Basic, Mike was shipped to Fort Rucker, Alabama, for his  advanced Individual Training (AIT).

When he joined the Army, his recruiter asked Russell what he wanted to do.  His reply  as a military photographer associated with Army aviation, therefore he was enlisted into the OV-1 Mohawk Training Program. Graduating second in his class he was transferred to the 1st School Support Company, at Fort Rucker, Alabama and had various duties supporting the training of new Aviation Officers and Enlisted Personnel.

In February of 1968 Russell was transferred to the Republic of Vietnam where he served from February of 1968 to October of 1969. Upon my Date Estimate Return Overseas Service DEROS) from Vietnam, he was then released from the Active Army and served out his commitment of service in the Inactive Ready Reserve.

In June of 1986 he felt needed to get his life in order and joined the US Army Reserves. He was then stationed in various training units and became an instructor and personnel Sergeant with a USAR School Support Company.

In 1990 he was asked to support the Montana Army National Guard in a program known as School House to the Soldier, where he served as the Liaison NCO for this program for a period of 6 months.

At the end of this tour, he was asked if he wanted to join the Montana Army National Guard as an Instructor and Personnel Sergeant, which Mike agreed to willingly as this was the  opportunity to return to Montana, the home of his father and ancestors.

Russell remained in the Service and transferred back to the US Army Reserve in February of 1996. He was immediately promoted numerous times and made the enlisted grade of 1st Sergeant and then later as a Sergeant Major. Upon that promotion he returned to his roots at Fort Bliss, Texas and attended the Sergeants Major Academy.

After completion of the academy, he was called to active duty after 9/11 and served as the Personnel G1 Sergeant Major for the 88th Ready Reserve Command, Blue Devils, out of Fort Snelling, MN., where SGM Russell oversaw deploying and processing personnel from the Ready Reserve to tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. Upon completion of that duty, he received 2 Meritorious Service Medals and the Legion of Merit. In the year 2005 he returned to Montana and rejoined the Army Reserves where he finished 28 years of duty in November of 2008.

ACTIVITIES:  ** Posting flags on veterans’ graves in local cemeteries on Saturday, 24 May.  This is being supported by the Americn Legion family, and the members of Scouting America.  Flags will be picked up on June 1.  Flags provided by Post 2. This will be followed by a road cleanup on Custer Avenue. Community is invited.  Meet us at Post 2 at 9:00 a.m.

**Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 10010, East Helena, will conduct their annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 26, 2025 (the observed Federally/State Holiday).  The Parade begins at VFW Post 10010 and proceeds  at 11:00 a.m.to JFK Park for a Ceremony.  Upon completion the Parade will return to the Post where a Luncheon will be served.   

**The annual  Memorial Day Ceremony will be conducted at the Montana Veterans Affairs Division, State of Montana Cemetery located at historic Fort William Henry Harrison at 9:00 a.m., May 26, 2025.  The guest speaker is Major General John P. Hronek, II, Adjutant General for the State of Montana.

**A new event will be a Sunrise Memorial Day Service observance at  Memorial Park at 8:00 a.m.  Mr. Rob Rule hosts this.  His number is. 406-410-1712.