Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame - COL Clarence E. Weller

COL Weller was born July 21, 1909 in Hardtner, Kansas. He began his military career on April 11, 1927 by enlisting as a private in Troop E, 114th Cavalry, 35th Division, Kansas Army National Guard. On August 9, 1930, he was promoted to First Sergeant in Troop E, 114th Cavalry. He served in this position until November 10, 1939, when he transferred to the 110th Ordnance Company. On December 23, 1940, he was inducted into federal service as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 35th Division when it was mobilized for World War II. Weller moved rapidly through the ranks gaining greater responsibility along the way. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on Octeber 20, 1943 and serving as the 35th Division Ordanance Officer when the division was sent to Europe in June of 1944. The 35th Division landed on Omaha Beach, Normandy in July 1944 and fought tirelessly in numerous campaigns. Among their many battles was the rescue of "The Lost Battalion" of the 30th Division. Lt. Col. Weller returned to the states and was seperated from active service on January 31, 1946. When the Kansas National Guard was reorganized after the war, they called upon Capt. Weller to head the 110th Ordnance Company. He again excelled in his duties and progressed rapidly, being promoted to Colonel in September of 1954, as Commander of the 496th Ordnance Group. Weller's contributions to the citizens of Kansas included exceptional emergency service during the 1951 Flood and once again during the devastating Topeka tornado of 1966. Weller was Topeka Station Commander when the tornado struct and immediately established emergency operations, immeasurably aiding civil authorities during this tragic ordeal. Weller was an outstanding athlete who possessed great equestrian and boxing skills (he was the 35th Division boxing champion in the light weight class). Among his other accomplishments as a guardsman, he was a charter member of the National Guard Association of Kansas and twice served as its president. Weller's decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the American Campaign Medal, the European-African Middle-Eastern Campaign Medal with five Battle Stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Device, and the Army Commendation Medal.





			COL CLARENCE E. WELLER
	COL Weller was born July 21, 1909 in Hardtner, Kansas. He began his military career on April 11, 1927 by enlisting as a private in Troop E, 114th Cavalry, 35th Division, Kansas Army National Guard. On August 9, 1930, he was promoted to First Sergeant in Troop E, 114th Cavalry. He served in this position until November 10, 1939, when he transferred to the 110th Ordnance Company. On December 23, 1940, he was inducted into federal service as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 35th Division when it was mobilized for World War II. Weller moved rapidly through the ranks gaining greater responsibility along the way. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on Octeber 20, 1943 and serving as the 35th Division Ordanance Officer when the division was sent to Europe in June of 1944. The 35th Division landed on Omaha Beach, Normandy in July 1944 and fought tirelessly in numerous campaigns. Among their many battles was the rescue of "The Lost Battalion" of the 30th Division. Lt. Col. Weller returned to the states and was seperated from active service on January 31, 1946. When the Kansas National Guard was reorganized after the war, they called upon Capt. Weller to head the 110th Ordnance Company. He again excelled in his duties and progressed rapidly, being promoted to Colonel in September of 1954, as Commander of the 496th Ordnance Group. Weller's contributions to the citizens of Kansas included exceptional emergency service during the 1951 Flood and once again during the devastating Topeka tornado of 1966. Weller was Topeka Station Commander when the tornado struct and immediately established emergency operations, immeasurably aiding civil authorities during this tragic ordeal. Weller was an outstanding athlete who possessed great equestrian and boxing skills (he was the 35th Division boxing champion in the light weight class). Among his other accomplishments as a guardsman, he was a charter member of the National Guard Association of Kansas and twice served as its president. Weller's decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the American Campaign Medal, the European-African Middle-Eastern Campaign Medal with five Battle Stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Device, and the Army Commendation Medal.