Call to Duty: Outagamie County in World War II
1942 BackBack

Company B

Company B replaced the local National Guard after the Guard left for training in 1940. Company B offered protection to Appleton and area communities in case of natural disasters and civil disturbances. The Company also provided color guards and firing squads for the burials of servicemen.

Men of Company B first trained with broomsticks before World War I-vintage Enfield rifles became available to them. Over 800 men volunteered as guardsmen for Company B over its six-year life. Many of these men had fought in the First World War or had been deferred from the Second. Company B mustered out in 1947 when the Wisconsin National Guard returned from service.

Company B men, Bill Nowell (center) and George Kerrigan (right), practice preparedness at the Appleton Armory, circa 1941
Company B men, Bill Nowell (center) and George Kerrigan (right), practice preparedness at the Appleton Armory, circa 1941

OCHS # P83-39-27-1

Lieutenant Raymond Bentz (saluting) leads Company B down an Appleton street, circa 1943

 

Lieutenant Raymond Bentz (saluting)
leads Company B down an Appleton street, circa 1943

OCHS # P83-39-27-3

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Introduction Pre-1941 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 Resources Introduction Pre-1941 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 Resources