Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame - COL Verlyn W. Steinkruger

Colonel Steinkruger was born on 26 March 1928 in Franklin, Nebraska. His military career began when he enlisted in the US Army Reserve program and attended the South Dakota State College in the Army Specialized Training Reserve Program. Upon graduation, he was ordered to active duty from 19 July 1946 to 21 April 1947. He returned to Kearny State College, Kearny, Nebraska in 1950 and participated in the ROTC program at the University of Nebraska until 1953. After completing his internship as a Medical Doctor, he joined the Kansas National Guard as Battalion Surgeon of the 728th Field Artillery in 1956. He transferred from the 1st Battalion 235th Field Artillery of the 35th Infantry Division on 1 May 1959 as Battalion Surgeon. In April 1963, he was assigned as Surgeon of the 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery. He was named Brigade Surgeon of the 69th Infantry Brigade on 1 August 1966.

On 13 May 1968, then Major Steinkruger was mobilized with the 69th Infantry Brigade for the Pueblo Crisis. He continued to serve as Brigade Surgeon until September 1968 at which time he was assigned Chief, Department of Clinics MEDDAC, Fort Carson, Colorado. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on 18 November 1968 and transferred to Camp McCoy, Wisconsin as Post Surgeon. He was released from active duty on 12 December 1969 and returned to Kansas to his former position as Brigade Surgeon with the 69th Infantry Brigade.





			COL VERLYN W. STEINKRUGER
	Colonel Steinkruger was born on 26 March 1928 in Franklin, Nebraska. His military career began when he enlisted in the US Army Reserve program and attended the South Dakota State College in the Army Specialized Training Reserve Program. Upon graduation, he was ordered to active duty from 19 July 1946 to 21 April 1947. He returned to Kearny State College, Kearny, Nebraska in 1950 and participated in the ROTC program at the University of Nebraska until 1953. After completing his internship as a Medical Doctor, he joined the Kansas National Guard as Battalion Surgeon of the 728th Field Artillery in 1956. He transferred from the 1st Battalion 235th Field Artillery of the 35th Infantry Division on 1 May 1959 as Battalion Surgeon. In April 1963, he was assigned as Surgeon of the 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery. He was named Brigade Surgeon of the 69th Infantry Brigade on 1 August 1966. On 13 May 1968, then Major Steinkruger was mobilized with the 69th Infantry Brigade for the Pueblo Crisis. He continued to serve as Brigade Surgeon until September 1968 at which time he was assigned Chief, Department of Clinics MEDDAC, Fort Carson, Colorado. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on 18 November 1968 and transferred to Camp McCoy, Wisconsin as Post Surgeon. He was released from active duty on 12 December 1969 and returned to Kansas to his former position as Brigade Surgeon with the 69th Infantry Brigade. In November 1973, Colonel Steinkruger was appointed as the State Surgeon of the Kansas Army National Guard. He held this position until February 1988. He continued to serve on the Adjutant General’s Staff until his retirement in March 1995 with almost 50 years from the time he entered service in 1945 with over 41 years credible service to his state and nation. His service to the military continued as a Contract Doctor with the Irwin Army Hospital in Fort Riley, Kansas where he served and treated many Guardsmen during his tenure in civilian status. Colonel Steinkruger has always been an active supporter of military and civic organizations with membership in the National Guard Associations of Kansas and the United States, Retired Officers Association, Kiwanis International, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Rotary Club, Kansas Academy of Family Practices, American Academy of Family Practices and Riley County Medical Society. Colonel SteinKruger’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Kansas National Guard Service Medal. He was inducted into the Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame, 5 November 2000.