Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame - BG Harold D. Sommers

Brigadier General Harold D. Sommers was born on 21 April 1930 in Hiawatha, Kansas. His military career began when he enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard in 1951 and received a direct Commission to Second Lieutenant on 12 May 1952 in Headquarters Battery, 154th field Artillery Battalion in Hiawatha. He was ordered to active duty during the Korean War in March 1953. He remained on active duty until March 1956 having served in communications officers positions in the 2nd and 64th Field Artillery Battalions and the 25th Division Artillery. While on active duty, he completed his basic Field Artillery courses. Upon returning from active duty, General Sommers was again assigned to Headquarters Battery, 154th Field Artillery Battalion serving as Forward Observer, Radar Officer, and assigned as Battery Commander, Headquarters Battery , 2nd Battalion 130th Field Artillery (formerly the 154th Field Artillery Battalion) In may 1959 as a Captain. He continued to serve in the Battalion Headquarters as the Battalion Personnel Officer, Assistant Operations/Training Officer.

He was again activated for active duty during the Vietnam Conflict with his unit, a portion of the 69th Infantry Brigade with duty in Fort Carson, Colorado. During this tour of active duty, General Sommers completed his advanced Field Artillery Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and was sent to Vietnam where he served as the Artillery Liaison Officer to the US Military Assistance Command. Upon release from active duty, he returned to the 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery as the Battalion S-3 and Executive Officer. In March 1974, Sommers was promoted to the grade of Lieutenant Colonel and assumed Command of the 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery. In June of 979 he assumed command of the 130th Field Artillery Brigade and was promoted to colonel on 19 July.





			BG HAROLD D. SOMMERS
	Brigadier General Harold D. Sommers was born on 21 April 1930 in Hiawatha, Kansas. His military career began when he enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard in 1951 and received a direct Commission to Second Lieutenant on 12 May 1952 in Headquarters Battery, 154th field Artillery Battalion in Hiawatha. He was ordered to active duty during the Korean War in March 1953. He remained on active duty until March 1956 having served in communications officers positions in the 2nd and 64th Field Artillery Battalions and the 25th Division Artillery. While on active duty, he completed his basic Field Artillery courses. Upon returning from active duty, General Sommers was again assigned to Headquarters Battery, 154th Field Artillery Battalion serving as Forward Observer, Radar Officer, and assigned as Battery Commander, Headquarters Battery , 2nd Battalion 130th Field Artillery (formerly the 154th Field Artillery Battalion) In may 1959 as a Captain. He continued to serve in the Battalion Headquarters as the Battalion Personnel Officer, Assistant Operations/Training Officer. He was again activated for active duty during the Vietnam Conflict with his unit, a portion of the 69th Infantry Brigade with duty in Fort Carson, Colorado. During this tour of active duty, General Sommers completed his advanced Field Artillery Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and was sent to Vietnam where he served as the Artillery Liaison Officer to the US Military Assistance Command. Upon release from active duty, he returned to the 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery as the Battalion S-3 and Executive Officer. In March 1974, Sommers was promoted to the grade of Lieutenant Colonel and assumed Command of the 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery. In June of 979 he assumed command of the 130th Field Artillery Brigade and was promoted to colonel on 19 July. In April, 1981, Sommers was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Kansas Army National Guard as the assistant Chief of Staff, G-3 and also served as the Assistant Chief of Staff G-2. In September, 1981, he was appointed as the deputy Commander of the 69th Infantry Brigade. In September, 1983, he was reassigned to HQ, State Area command as the Operations and Training Officer and then as Deputy Commander in March of 1984. He was promoted to Brigadier General on 25 august 1984 continuing as the Deputy Commander, State Area Command until September 1986. He transferred to the Retired Reserve at that time. General Sommers is highly active in community affairs; a volunteer licensed Ham Operator, 4-H Group Leader, deacon and elder of the Highland Christian Church, Board member, Hiawatha Community Hospital, Member and Past Master of the Masonic Lodge in Highland, Private Instrument rated pilot who performed agricultural soil conservation services with aerial photography, Sunday school teacher and life member of National Guard Association of the United States and Kansas. He was awarded the ancient Order of Saint Barbara for Sustained outstanding Support of the Field Artillery Community. The General’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with oak Leaf Cluster, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Reserve Achievement Medal with Silver Hour Glass, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, national Defense Service Medal with Oak leaf Cluster, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. He was inducted into the Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame, 2 November 2003.