98TH FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION WW2 (MULE PACK ARTILLERY)

Service Battery 98th Field Artillery Battalion (mule pack artillery), Captain Bert G. Shaw Commanding, Location: Camp Carson, Colorado. (R.B. Lawson Collection)

Note: The transcribed roster is at the bottom of this page.

Ralph B. Lawson is Guidon Carrier in the upper picture on the left. Ralph B. Lawson one of the few surviving horse-drawn artillery (74th Field Artillery Battalion) and mule artillery pack soldiers (R.B. Lawson Collection)

SGT Lawson requested a transfer and was sent to the 98th Mule Pack Artillery at Camp Carson, Colorado where they trained with the 10th Mountain Division. (R.B. Lawson Collection)

SGT Lawson served with the following units:

18th Field Artillery Fort Sill, Oklahoma
74th Field Artillery Fort Ord, California
183rd Field Artillery Fort Warren, Wyoming
98th Mule Pack Artillery Fort Lewis, Washington
Port Moresby, New Guinea
5307th Composite Unit India
Burma
1850th Service Command Unit Camp Chaffee, Arkansas

The 98th Field Artillery Battalion was a regular army mule pack artillery unit stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington and Camp Carson, Colorado in early 1940's. The unit consisted of three firing batteries plus headquarters and service battery. The unit had the 75-millimeter howitzer for firepower and nearly 1000 men and 800 mules.

The 98th Field Artillery (pack) Battalion was formed in 1940 at Fort Lewis. It was one of only five battalions in the U.S. Army that handled mules. The mules were used to transport artillery where mechanized units could not go. A mule is created by breeding a male donkey to a female horse, the resulting mule has greater endurance, is stronger and less excitable than a horse. The mules at Fort Lewis were used during World War II. The mules would also carry artillery and supplies for the troops fighting behind enemy lines. The unit was equipped with special .75 mm howitzers that disassembled. The battalion had 12 of these guns. Six mules were required to carry one of them. Other mules carried ammunition, supplies and bales of hay.

While on maneuvers with the Idaho National Guard at Camp Murray, Washington, Ralph visited the main post at Fort Lewis. He found himself at the stables inquiring about the unit and asking to speak with the commanding officer. After a brief informal interview, he asked to transfer into the unit. Ralph's request to transfer to the 98th Mule Pack Artillery was granted. The 98th was soon sent to Camp Carson, Colorado to train with the 10th Mountain Division. By order of General MacArthur, the 98th was transported by troop train to Newport News, Virginia to begin the journey to Port Moresby, New Guinea via the Panama Canal, the Society Islands, New Caledonia, and Australia.

Click on below link: 98th Field Artillery was formed at Fort Lewis. Look at pictures 4 to 13

The 98th Field Artillery (pack) Battalion was formed in 1940 at Fort Lewis

Ralph B. Lawson and buddy at the stable and picket line, Fort Lewis, Washington. (R.B. Lawson Collection)

98th Field Artillery Pack Gun Drill 1942 Fort Lewis Washington. It appears to be a Veterinary Hospital Ward like the A and B Wards at Fort Ord, Ca. Drawing 700-486. There was a C-6 Veterinary Surgical Clinic building at Fort Lewis also and is probably close by. (R.B. Lawson Collection)

98th Field Artillery Musical Chairs With Mules 1942 Fort Lewis, Washington. (R.B. Lawson Collection)

98th Field Artillery Musical Chairs With Mules 1942 Fort Lewis, Washington. (R.B. Lawson Collection)

98th Field Artillery Musical Chairs With Mules 1942 Fort Lewis, Washington. (R.B. Lawson Collection)

SERVICE BATTERY, 98 TH FIELD ARTILLERY ROSTER

First Row left to right:
T/5th Bruce L. Ross
Cpl. Vance Hill
T/5th Archie F. Bennett
Cpl. Wallace W Ames
Cpl. Fredrick O. Voss
Sgt. Bruno L. Reginatto
S/Sgt. Earle Abrams
1st Sgt. Herbert C. Lozier
2nd Lt. Leslie D. Christenson
Capt. Bert G. Shaw
Capt. Willard J. Longman
S/Sgt. Henry R. Kroeger
Sgt. Harry C. Killough
Cpl. Jessie M. Langley
Cpl. Gilbert R. Shelton
Cpl. Ralph L. Saffle
T/4th Gerald C. Halley
Pvt. John E. Reger
Pvt. Don J. Waddle

2nd Row left to right:
Ralph B. Lawson Guidon Carrier
Pvt. Carl B. Weaver
Pvt. Bernard E. Getten
Pvt. Floyd T. Wilemon
Pvt. Walter F. Hesterman
T/5th Robert C. Potts
Pvt. Loyd G. Powers
Pvt. James W. Jolly
Pvt. Joseph S. Armbrester Jr.
T/4th Andrew J. Hammond
Pvt. Harold L. Grover
Pfc. Antonio F. Pellicane
T/5th Robert H. Underwood
Pfc. Lawrence E. Henderson
Pvt. George E. Treece
Pvt. Theodore L. Sudbeck
Pfc. Raymond W. Chubbic
T/5th Elmer E. Berg
T/5th Alex J. Kukick
T/5th John Hurinenko

3rd Row left to right:
T/5th Olen H. Motley
Pvt. Charlie J. Ballard
Pvt. Robert H. Stevenson
Pvt. Oliver A. Kragness
Pvt. Harold H. Henninger
T/5th Orvil R. Roberts
T/5th Homer E. Britzius
Pvt. Nicholes S. Kozacik
Pvt. Ernest J. Schumann
Pvt. Clarence W. Heezen
Pfc. Eugene H. Davis
Pvt. Wayne Staples
T/5th Keith S. Anderson
T/5th Richard E. Cooper
Pfc. Chester J. Szuda
Pfc. Maynard W. Mitties
Pfc. Clayton I. Alrhjeld
T/5th George S. Anyan

4th Row left to right:
Pvt. James R. Ward
Pfc. Arthur C. Streitz
Pvt. Gerhard J. Tiede
Pfc. Leslie L. Gump
T/5th James R. Robbins
Pvt. Henry E. Popenhagen
Pfc. George Race Jr.
Pfc. Edward W. Kohout Jr.
Pvt. Carl E. Rosseen
T/5th Wilson Combs
T/5th Henneth W. Parsons
T/5th Arch T. Badley
Pvt. Narvel Allen
Pvt. Louis D. Vincent
Pvt. Raymond J. Heilmann
T/4th Charles H. Hman
T/5th Claude V. Wagstaff
Pvt. Willis H. Wilson
Pvt. Delbert W. Donoho

98TH FIELD ARTILLERY WAR BOND PARTY FORT LEWIS, WASHINGTON 1942

(R.B. Lawson Collection)

(R.B. Lawson Collection)

(R.B. Lawson Collection)

(R.B. Lawson Collection)

(R.B. Lawson Collection)

(R.B. Lawson Collection)

Note: I would like to thank Ralph's son Jerry and Charles E. Martin, President & Historian of the 18th Artillery Association Group who have made this post possible. The below links come from the 18th Artillery Association Group's Website and covers Ralph's Military History during WW2. Ralph is the oldest living member of the 18th Artillery Association.

Click on the below link SGT Ralph B. Lawson from Ralph's son Jerry

SGT Ralph B. Lawson from Ralph's son Jerry

Click on the below link:

18th Artillery Group Association Homepage

Click on the below link: SGT Ralph B. Lawson

SGT Ralph B. Lawson

Click on the below link: SGT Ralph B. Lawson Military History

SGT Ralph B. Lawson History

Note: On the above page you will find the "C" Battery Picture Roster of the 74th Field Artillery Battalion where you can see close-ups of the pictures of the men.

Return to The Fort Ord U.S. Army Station Veterinary Hospital (Horse) WW2 homepage:

FORT ORD U.S. ARMY STATION VETERINARY HOSPITAL (HORSE) WW2
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Fort Ord U.S. Army Station Veterinary Hospital (Horse) WW2

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11TH CAVALRY PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, 1919 TO 1940
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11th Cavalry Presidio of Monterey, 1919 to 1940

76TH FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, 1922 TO 1940
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76th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Battalion

EAST GARRISON/CAMP ORD 1940's ARMY BUILDING DOCUMENTATION
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East Garrison/Camp Ord 1940's Army Building Documentation 2013

FORT ORD U.S. ARMY POST STOCKADE IN IMAGES
Fort Ord U.S. Army Post Stockade in Images

BRIEF HISTORY GENERAL ROBERT C. RICHARDSON, COMMANDER: VII ARMY CORPS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA DEFENSE SECTOR AND CONNECTION WITH FORT ORD WW2
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General Richardson Fort Ord Defense of West Coast

7TH DIVISION HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, FORT ORD, 1941 WW2, GENERAL STILWELL
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7th Division Headquarters Buildings, Fort Ord, 1941, General Stilwell

FORT ORD BUILDINGS, COMPLETION REPORT IMAGES 1941-1942
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Fort Ord Buildings, Completion Report Images 1941-1942

250TH COAST ARTILLERY CAMP MCQUAIDE CALIFORNIA 1941
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250th Coast Artillery Camp McQuaide California 1941

THE ARMY VETERINARY SERVICE DURING THE GREAT WAR, WW1
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Veterinary Corps in WW1

LEONARD PATRICK MURPHY U.S. ARMY VETERINARY CORPS, A.E.F., WW1
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Leonard Murphy in WW1

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