Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame

Brigadier General Leo P. Tritsch was born 27 October, 1924, in Colby, Kansas. He began his military career by enlisting in 1943, and serving in the AUS at Camp Plauche, LA, Ft. Leavenworth and the European Theater. Upon separation from active duty in 1945, he was assigned to the US Army Air Corp Enlisted Reserves. In 1947, he enlisted in Headquarters Battery, 154th Field Artillery Battalion shortly after it was reorganized. On 20 May 1949, he received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Kansas Army National Guard, beginning thirty-four years of commissioned service. In all, his career spanned forty years and three months total service, with duty in Europe during World War II, and the Republic of Vietnam in 1968-69.

Serving as a Field Artillery Officer, General Tritsch completed the Field Artillery Officer Basic, Officer Advanced and Special Weapons Schools. He completed communications training and a field artillery refresher upon mobilization with the 69th Brigade in 1968, and served as an Inspector General with Headquarters, United States Army Vietnam for 7 months. He completed Command and General Staff Officers Course in 1976. Throughout his career in the 154th and 130th Field Artillery, he was noted for his calm, caring leadership and personal commitment to the Guard. In 1971, General Tritsch was assigned to command his home battalion, the 2nd Battalion 130th Field Artillery. He served in several staff positions in the 69th Brigade and State Headquarters, until 1978 when he assumed command of the 130th Field Artillery Group. On 26 June 1979, he was assigned as the Director, State Area Command and appointed as Brigadier General, subsequently becoming the Assistant Adjutant General, Kansas Army National Guard. General Tritsch retired from military service in September 1983.





			BG LEO P. TRITSCH
	Brigadier General Leo P. Tritsch was born 27 October, 1924, in Colby, Kansas. He began his military career by enlisting in 1943, and serving in the AUS at Camp Plauche, LA, Ft. Leavenworth and the European Theater. Upon separation from active duty in 1945, he was assigned to the US Army Air Corp Enlisted Reserves. In 1947, he enlisted in Headquarters Battery, 154th Field Artillery Battalion shortly after it was reorganized. On 20 May 1949, he received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Kansas Army National Guard, beginning thirty-four years of commissioned service. In all, his career spanned forty years and three months total service, with duty in Europe during World War II, and the Republic of Vietnam in 1968-69. Serving as a Field Artillery Officer, General Tritsch completed the Field Artillery Officer Basic, Officer Advanced and Special Weapons Schools. He completed communications training and a field artillery refresher upon mobilization with the 69th Brigade in 1968, and served as an Inspector General with Headquarters, United States Army Vietnam for 7 months. He completed Command and General Staff Officers Course in 1976. Throughout his career in the 154th and 130th Field Artillery, he was noted for his calm, caring leadership and personal commitment to the Guard. In 1971, General Tritsch was assigned to command his home battalion, the 2nd Battalion 130th Field Artillery. He served in several staff positions in the 69th Brigade and State Headquarters, until 1978 when he assumed command of the 130th Field Artillery Group. On 26 June 1979, he was assigned as the Director, State Area Command and appointed as Brigadier General, subsequently becoming the Assistant Adjutant General, Kansas Army National Guard. General Tritsch retired from military service in September 1983. In his civilian endeavors, General Tritsch embodied the ideals of the citizen soldier. A father of nine, he was an active religious leader and youth volunteer. He initiated a little league baseball program in the community and was an active organizer of youth sports programs. He served on numerous county and community boards over the years and was an active volunteer with the Hiawatha Chamber of Commerce. In 1988 he ran for the office of Mayor and was elected twice. During his tenure, the city lake and park was renovated, emergency dispatch was consolidated county wide, and the 911 emergency systems were initiated throughout the county. The completion of these three contentious and divisive projects are testimony to his leadership abilities. General Tritsch was also an active participant in the National Guard Association of Kansas, serving on many committees, and was an active organizer of the Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame.. Brigadier General Tritsch’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Army commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal with three battle stars, European-African Middle East Campaign with battle star, Armed Forces Reserve Achievement medal with hour glass, World War II Victory Medal, Army Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with campaign bar, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with three awards, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Kansas State Service Medal. Brigadier General Leo P. Tritsch has been a leader in the military, the nation, his community and his family. He was truly a great National guardsman, Kansas and American. General Tritsch exemplified the role of the citizen-soldier. He was inducted into the Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame 5 November, 1994.