Summer 2015

South Dakota State University

Army ROTC Alumni

West Point of the Plains

Inside this

issue:

2LT Profiles

MOH

Commissioning

Alumni Features

Throwback Pics

Would you consider

an alumni feature

article?

Email your stories,

accomplishments, and

pictures to:

Charles.green@sdstate.edu

Commanders Corner

Mark your calendars

Hobo Day 24Oct15

Army ROTC Turns 100

Sep 30-2 Oct 2016

Hello from the West Point of the Plains. I hope everyone is having a good summer with family and friends. We had a great 2014-2015 school year as we commissioned 4 new lieutenants during the school year. COL Lowell Kruse (SDSU 89) shared his Army experiences with the newest 2LTs in the U.S. Army. The new lieutenants are very excited for their future endeavors while they serve this great nation and serve the American people. We wish them all the best and you will never know when you run into a SDSU grad! Currently, cadets are attending training at Fort Knox, KY. Additionally, some are traveling abroad and attending other Army courses. These experiences help shape these young leaders as they return to campus in August. We have many staff personnel changes to Army ROTC. As most you know, Garnet Wosje retired in January 2015 and is greatly missed, but she is loving life with her family. MAJ Corey Norris will be the new PMS for SDSU Army ROTC. Corey is a Military Police Officer (AGR) with the SDARNG and is coming to Brookings from Rapid City, SD. CPT Tammy Newman is our new Assistant PMS. She is an active duty Logistics Officer coming from Fort Bragg, NC. Mr. Charles Green was hired as the new HRA. He is a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer and comes to SDSU from North Carolina as well. Feel free to stop by and visit with our new staff. They all arrive sometime this summer. Mr. Russ Chavez (Aka Smoke) has accepted a new position as an SDSU employee working with student veterans. He has supported our great program as a Soldier and DA Civilian. He will be missed, but his office is right across the parking lot and he will continue to support the military. Best of luck to Smoke! Thank you for your service to this great nation. I am very grateful to have spent three years at SDSU. This is my last column for the Alumni newsletter. I intend to retire and look forward to my next adventure in life. I have enjoyed my time in Brookings and look forward to my time with my family in Sioux Falls. Go Army ROTC! Go Jacks!

West Point of the Plains

2LT Jacob Kruse, Pierz MN, was branched Engineer. He will attend Engineer Basic Officer

Leaders Course at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. While at SDSU, 2LT Kruse participated in a CULP mission to Benin Africa, an Engineering Internship at JBER Alaska., Ranger Challenge, Rifle and Pistol Club,

served as the Drill Club President, and served as Cadet Battalion Commander, He earned a BS degree in

Architectural Studies at SDSU. 2LT Kruse is assigned to the 4ID 3ABCT 588th Brigade Engineer

Battalion at Fort Carson CO. His father COL Lowell Kruse (SDSU 89) swore him in during the May

2015 commissioning ceremony.

2LT Spotlight 2LT Jacob Kruse

2LT Dacey Beck, Pierre, SD, is branched Medical Service Corps with the South Dakota Army

National Guard. She will be a platoon leader with the 730th Area Support Medical Company, Vermillion,

SD. 2LT Beck is in the SDSU pharmacy program and earned her BS in pharmaceutical sciences. She will

complete her Pharm D in 2017. While at SDSU she worked as a peer mentor coordinator for the SDSU

Veterans Affairs Office and served as the Vice President of the Armed Forces Association.

2LT Spotlight 2LT Dacey Beck

West Point of the Plains

Willibald (Bill) C. Bianchi was born on March 12, 1915, in New Ulm, MN. He grew up on

a 72-acre poultry farm and assisted with farm chores. Responsibility was given to Bill early in life. While he was a sophomore at New Ulm High School, his father died and Bill had to take over the burden of farm work. At age twenty-one, Bill Bianchi enrolled at SDSU where majored in animal science and was active as an Army ROTC cadet and as a Jackrabbit football player. Upon graduation, Bianchi was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. He requested Foreign Service in order to see action at the earliest possible date. In 1941, Bill's first task was to convert Philippine natives into trained soldiers. Bianchi distinguished himself by transforming these natives into fearless jungle fighters.

The Congressional Medal of Honor was awarded to Bianchi after the famous Toul pocket on West Bataan on February 3, 1942. Bianchi volunteered to lead part of a rifle platoon that was ordered to wipe out two strong enemy machine gun nests. He was wounded early in the action when two bullets passed through his left hand. He didn't stop for first aid, but discarded his rifle and began firing a pistol. He located a machine gun nest and silenced it with grenades. After being wounded a second time by two machine gun bullets through the chest, Bianchi climbed to the top of an American tank, manned its anti-aircraft gun, and fired into the strongly-held enemy position until he was knocked off the tank by a grenade blast. Bianchi's actions succeeded in weakening the Japanese position so that it was later captured by infantrymen with minimal effort. Bianchi was captured with the main forces in the fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942. He was imprisoned with other troops for 24 hours without food or water, then started the infamous 65-mile death march from Mariveles to San Fernando. Despite hunger, thirst, and heat, Bianchi was up and down the line helping men, spurring them on, and sharing their burdens. Bianchi was moved to several camps, each with conditions worse than the one before. There were no medical supplies, clean clothes, or sanitary facilities, and little food. Prisoners slept on mud-floored huts, soaked by rain. Bianchi's reputation as a caregiver continued as he did what he could do to aid his fellow men who, like himself, were suffering from the effects of the starvation diet, work, and dreadful living conditions. Bianchi bartered with his captors and managed to obtain food from their mess halls and made numerous personal contacts to land aid for hundreds of prisoners. One of Bill's most difficult assignments was to provide the rather short rations that were issued by the captors honestly. All too often, those put in charge of food distribution used their position to better the lot of themselves and their friends at the expense of the overall group. This human weakness showed itself in all ranks and in people from all walks of life. It took a man of great character and determination, such as Bianchi, to first see that all men received a fair share. On October 16, 1944, Bianchi was transferred to Bilibid prison in Luzon, where conditions were even worse than at O'Donnell and Cabuanatuan. He left Bilibid on December 12, 1944, aboard the Japanese ship Orokyo Maru, where he again provided assistance to his buddies. A few days later he was transferred to an unmarked prison ship. The morning of January 9, 1945, an American plane, unaware the target was filled with American prisoners of war, dropped a 1,000-pound bomb into the hold of the anchored ship. Bianchi was killed instantly. He was 29. Carrie Bianchi (Bianchi's Mother) wrote that, "As a mother, I am proud to be able to give to this generation and to our beloved America the most precious gift that life makes possible, my only son."

Remembering, CPT Willibald C. Bianchi (MOH recipient)

West Point of the Plains

On 8 May 15, four Army ROTC Cadets

received their commission into the US Army. Dacey Beck, Justin Danielson, Alex Vos and Jacob Kruse were commissioned in a ceremony at Lincoln Music Hall on the campus of South Dakota State University. Colonel Lowell Kruse (Jacobs father), SDSU Army ROTC Class of 1989, was the guest speaker. The ceremony was well attended by the campus community, family and friends of the commissionees. These new officers are already in various locations:

2LT Beck is a member of the SDARNG as a Medical Services Corps Officer and is pursuing her Ph. D. in Pharmacy.

2LT Danielson will be an Engineer Officer in the USAR. 2LT Vos will serve as an active duty Officer in the Medical Service Corps pursing

his Ph. D. in Pharmacy. 2LT Kruse is serving on active duty as an Engineer Officer. Currently, he is

working with cadets at Fort Knox, KY, prior to reporting to EN BOLC at Fort Leonardwood, MO.

2LT Alex Vos and SFC (R) Chavez after his first salute.

May 2015 Commissioning

2LT Kruse with his parents & brother.

West Point of the Plains

Alumni and Friends of Army ROTC have been stopping by the office, calling and sending emails to stay in touch. Thats so much fun! Thank you for taking the time to stop by for the visit or attended one of our social events. Emails and phone calls are also appreciated. The Cadets and Cadre from the Department of Military Science sincerely thank Alumni and Friends who support the Army ROTC Program. We appreciate the connection between the current programs Cadets and Cadre and Alumni and Friends. Our Cadets and Cadre appreciate the various ways alumni can give back to the Army ROTC program. Plan to attend the 100 year Army ROTC Anniversary on September 30th through October 2nd, 2016!, stop by for a cup of coffee, teach a class or contribute financially to the program through the SDSU Foundation website http://www.sdsufoundation.org Contribute through the Foundations secure donation site or print and clip the contribution tab on the last page of the newsletter and mail your donation to our department. Our staff can deposit your contribution at the SDSU Foundation. All donations are tax deductible. The SDSU Foundation maintains an account for our department, the West Point of the Plains Account. Our department uses the funds to subsidize events such as paying for travel expenses when Cadets travel to Ranger Challenge or Buddy Ranger competitions, to cover the costs of a meal when the department hosts a welcome back activity at the beginning of a semester or cadet breakfast during finals week. There are many memories and stories to share between alumni and staff and Cadets. If you are interested in sharing a story, photos, or history of the program in an article for an upcoming newsletter, please contact charles.green@sdstate.edu Everyone has a story to tell; please consider sharing yours. Thank you to all Alumni and Friends of Army ROTC for your generosity. Together we can continue to produce the best officers in the US Army.

Alumni and Friends

DePuy Military Hall is all ours NOW! We have access to the drill floor after three years. The SDSU Architecture Department had been housed in the space while their new building was completed. Someday, lets hope we can get a new building! Go Army ROTC! Go Jacks! Also be on the look-out for new updates to Medal of the Honor Park.

West Point of the Plains

BG Jill K. Faris is a member of the Ohio Army National Guard. She assumed her duties as the Assistant

Surgeon General for Mobilization, Readiness and National Guard Affairs on June 23 2014. As Assistant Surgeon General, she assists the Deputy Surgeon General in providing consultative services and strategic planning in all aspects of medical readiness, health care, medical personnel, medical operational and training issues that comprise the critical medical readiness indicators pertaining to the Army National Guard. She began her military service as a Private in the South Dakota Army National Guard, and upon graduation from South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota, in 1987 received her commission. She has served as a member of the South Dakota, Minnesota and Ohio Army National Guard, respectively, during her 33 years of service. She served in all medical operations positions from, company through Division and Joint Force Headquarters. Recent assignments include Deputy State Surgeon for Minnesota and Ohio, Division Medical Operations Center Chief, Deputy Commander Medical Detachment, Deputy J-1 Mobilization Readiness, and Deputy Surgeon for the Army National Guard. BG Faris received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism from South Dakota State University and a Master of Business Administration from Trident University. She is also a graduate of the United States Army War College, Command and General Staff College, Combined Service Arms Service School, Medical Service Corps Advance Course, Adjutant General's Officer Basic, Support Operations Course, Joint Senior Medical Leaders Course, Medical Strategic Leadership Program, and Global Health Strategies for Security Course. Her military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (1 silver Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (3 bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (1 silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 3 bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), National Defense Service Medal (Bronze Service Star), Humanitarian Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (Gold Hourglass Device), Army Reserve Components Overseas Training ribbon (with Numeral 3), Army Service Ribbon, Ohio Distinguished Service Ribbon, Ohio Service Ribbon (with Numeral 2), Ohio Faithful Service Ribbon, and Minnesota Service Ribbon (4 bronze Oak Leaf Clusters). Colonel Faris has been awarded the Department of the Army Staff Identification Badge. She is a life member of the National Guard Association of Ohio and the National Guard Association of the United States. Currently she resides in Arlington, VA. Her husband Steve Webber, is an LtCol in the Air Force and works for DTRA as a nuclear physicist. BG Faris & her husband have two children: Faris is 11 and going into 6th grade. Geneva is 9 and going into 4th grade.

Alumni Feature BG Jill Faris

West Point of the Plains

Army ROTC Throwback Pictures

West Point of the Plains

Governors Day was introduced on the SDSU campus in 1960 under Colonel Frederic D. Ray,

PMS. He traveled here primarily for the purpose of

taking part in the awards ceremony by presenting the

Governors Cup and was seated on the reviewing stand as the Cadets marched in review. Initially, the

ceremony was held on the campus green with

inclement weather moving it to the Barn for a few years. The Governors Day ceremony has been held in the Coughlin Alumni Stadium, Lincoln Music Hall

and in Frost Arena.

Years ago, the Governor hosted a noon luncheon attended by the

college president and various VIPs as well as the Army and Air Force Cadre,

spouses and Cadet Colonels. In the 1970s, other departments wanted to

become part of the Governors visit to campus and the military significance decreased. In recent years,

the Governors busy agenda has made it difficult to fit the ceremony into the Governors schedule. In the years that the Governor could not attend the

ceremony, the ceremony has been called Military Appreciation Day. Governor Dennis Daugaard attended the ceremony at Frost Arena in 2015.

A Governors Day Tradition

West Point of the Plains

Professor of Military Science corey.norris@sdstate.edu MAJ Corey Norris Senior Military Instructor kevin.staddie@sdstate.edu MSG Kevin Staddie Assistant Professor of Military Science tammy.newman@sdstate.edu CPT Tammy Newman Recruiting Operations Officer troy.ness@sdstate.edu Mr. Troy Ness Human Resource Assistant charles.green@sdstate.edu Mr. Charles Green

South Dakota State University Army ROTC Alumni

Newsletter

Department of Military Science South Dakota State University

Box 2236 Brookings, SD 57007-1597

PHONE:

(605) 688-6151

FAX: (605) 688-6372

EMAIL:

charles.green@sdstate.edu

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See us at:

http://www.sdstate.edu/msl

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SDSU

Alumni!

HOW CAN YOU HELP ARMY ROTC? 1. The West Point of the Plains Foundation Account provides financial support to the overall Army ROTC program. Please make donations payable to the SDSU Foundation account 70423. 2. The Greater State Fund was established by the SDSU Foundation in recent years to provide another opportunity for donors to support Army ROTC. Please make donations payable to the SDSU Foundation account 70967. 3. The Colonel Dwight L. Adams Scholarship was established several years ago in honor of COL Adams investment in Army ROTC. He was PMS for several years and supported the program for many more years while he lived in Brookings. The scholarship fund is nearly depleted, and the account will be closed without additional support. The fund has provided one Cadet a $500 scholarship each year. Please make donations payable to the SDSU Foundation account 80009. Your donations to any of the great programs listed above will ensure that the West Point of the Plains Battalion Cadets will carry on your legacy and that the SDSU Army ROTC remains Army Strong! To access the SDSU Foundation website, please follow the link to http://www.sdsufoundation.org/ and click on the How to Give tab or mail donations to the SDSU Foundation, Box 525, Brookings, SD 57007. See us at FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/SDSUArmyROTCAlumni