By: Mark Holtsberry
Factual History of Company A. 148th National Guard up to 1938
Company A. 148th Infantry was first organized in 1907 as Company B. 2nd Ohio Infantry, with Captain Alfred N. Wilcox commanding, John N. Miller 1st Lieutenant and Dorr I. Gasser 2nd Lieutenant.
Captain Charles A. Musgrave assumed command in 1910 and commanded the organization at Dayton, Ohio, during the flood of 1913. Captain Raymond C. Leslie, 1st Lieutenant David O. Mellinger and 2nd Lieutenant Stephan S. Beard, with 55 enlisted men, left for the Mexican border in June 1916. They returned to the home station March 24, 1917, and on July 15, of the same year were recalled to the service for World War I duty. The unit was ordered to Montgomery, Alabama, where it was demobilized for incorporation in various other units.
On December 22, 1920, the present Company A. 148th Infantry was Federally recognized. Captain Edward Finan commanded the Company until 1922, at which time command of the Company was given to Captain Frank E. Huston, 1st Lieutenant August F. Ptak and 2nd Lieutenant Andrew Hancher. Jr. Ptak was added to the roster early in 1923 and assumed command in October of that year.
The Company was reorganized by Captain August Ptak and Captain Emil F. Marx, who became Adjutant General of Ohio. Andrew Hancher was made 1st Lieutenant and Paul H. Underhill was appointed 2nd Lieutenant. In 1926, Henry J. Donnell was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant. With the resignation of Lieutenant Underhill in 1932, Lieutenant Donnell was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and Marcus E. Ptak was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant.
Captain August F. Ptak was promoted to Major in December 1936, and Captain Henry Donnell was given command of Company A. 148th.
Under the command of Captain August Ptak, Company A. developed a “Very Satisfactory” rating, and has maintained that rating until the present, (1938). The Company is at all times ready to answer the call of duty in preserving peace and safety of the state.
…Until Next Time
