Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame

Colonel Rex H. Bartlow was born on 7 August 1932 in Aline, Oklahoma. His military career began when he enlisted in the Oklahoma Army National Guard on 23 May 1950. In September 1950 his unit, part of the 45th Infantry Division was mobilized. He served with the 45th Infantry Division through Basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and in combat in Korea. He was released from active duty on 12 June 1952. He continued to serve in the Oklahoma Army National Guard until 22 May 1953. On 10 October 1956, he enlisted in Company B, 226th Engineer Battalion, Harper, Kansas as a Charter Member of this newly formed Engineer Battalion. He served as an Engineer Platoon Sergeant. In May 1957 he entered the Kansas Army National Guard Officer Candidate School and graduated in July 1958. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Engineer Branch on 21 July 1958 in Company B, 226th Engineer Battalion. He served as a Platoon Leader and Executive Officer. In May 1963 he assumed command of Company C, 226th Engineer Battalion and served as Commander until July 1965. He served on the staff of the 226th Engineer Battalion as S-2 and Later S-4 until February 1968.

Colonel Bartlow then transferred to the 891st Engineer Battalion, Manhattan, Kansas where he served as S-1, S-3 and Executive Officer until April 1974 when he assumed command of the Battalion. He served as the 891st Engineer Battalion Commander until he was transferred to Headquarters, Kansas Army National Guard in October 1977. He served as Facilities Officer, Adjutant and Inspector General. On 30 September 1983 he was appointed Chief of Staff of the 35th Infantry Division (Mechanized) Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He served as the first Chief of Staff of the Reactivated Division until 1 April 1985, when he returned to Headquarters, State Area Command, KSARNG as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel (G-1). He continued to serve in this capacity until his retirement on 28 May 1986.





			COL REX H. BARTLOW
	Colonel Rex H. Bartlow was born on 7 August 1932 in Aline, Oklahoma. His military career began when he enlisted in the Oklahoma Army National Guard on 23 May 1950. In September 1950 his unit, part of the 45th Infantry Division was mobilized. He served with the 45th Infantry Division through Basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and in combat in Korea. He was released from active duty on 12 June 1952. He continued to serve in the Oklahoma Army National Guard until 22 May 1953. On 10 October 1956, he enlisted in Company B, 226th Engineer Battalion, Harper, Kansas as a Charter Member of this newly formed Engineer Battalion. He served as an Engineer Platoon Sergeant. In May 1957 he entered the Kansas Army National Guard Officer Candidate School and graduated in July 1958. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Engineer Branch on 21 July 1958 in Company B, 226th Engineer Battalion. He served as a Platoon Leader and Executive Officer. In May 1963 he assumed command of Company C, 226th Engineer Battalion and served as Commander until July 1965. He served on the staff of the 226th Engineer Battalion as S-2 and Later S-4 until February 1968. Colonel Bartlow then transferred to the 891st Engineer Battalion, Manhattan, Kansas where he served as S-1, S-3 and Executive Officer until April 1974 when he assumed command of the Battalion. He served as the 891st Engineer Battalion Commander until he was transferred to Headquarters, Kansas Army National Guard in October 1977. He served as Facilities Officer, Adjutant and Inspector General. On 30 September 1983 he was appointed Chief of Staff of the 35th Infantry Division (Mechanized) Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He served as the first Chief of Staff of the Reactivated Division until 1 April 1985, when he returned to Headquarters, State Area Command, KSARNG as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel (G-1). He continued to serve in this capacity until his retirement on 28 May 1986. Colonel Bartlow served on many committees in the National Guard Association of Kansas throughout his career. He served with great distinction as the first Secretary and Interim President of the Kansas National Guard Museum Board. He also served two terms on the Hall of Fame Nomination Committee, one as president. He served as a volunteer reservist for the Kansas Division of Emergency Preparedness during the 1993 Flood, which included four months of work with the citizens of Elwood, Kansas. He continues today as a Volunteer Host at the Kansas National Guard Museum each month. He also continues to serve at the Museum and various other boards and committees. Colonel Bartlow possessed a commitment to service that extended beyond his military assignments to include Past President of the Pamona Lyons Club International, Chairman, Faith Fund, Franklin County Gideon’s International, Deacon/Trustee, North Ottawa Baptist Church was the National Guard Coordinator for the President Dwight D. Eisenhower funeral and volunteer, for the Elderly and Handicapped transportation in Franklin County. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Japan Occupation Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Second Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Reserve Components achievement Medal with 4th Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Commendation Medal and the Kansas national Guard Service Medal with 10 and 20 year devices. He was inducted into the Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame, 7 November 1999.