Egerman, Virgil, papers

Virgil Egerman joined the Minnesota National Guard for a three year enlistment in April 1947 right when they were being first reorganized after World War Two. In 1951 he was activated to federal service with the 47th Infantry Division for the Korean War, and was sent to Camp Rucker, Alabama. It was at this time Virgil as the regimental wire chief in charge of telephone and switchboard communications for three battalions and special companies. After Camp Rucker, he was ordered to go to Germany and serve as the wire chief in an artillery battalion. When he was discharged from federal service he still had an obligation to the National Guard since he had signed up for another three year enlistment in 1950. Once these period was completed he was out of the National Guard before signing up again as a platoon sergeant in a communications platoon, holding the rank of master sergeant. In 1958 he received a commission as a second lieutenant, making his way through the ranks he became the First Brigade Signal Electronics Officer holding the rank of major. In April 1972 Virgil resigned from the Minnesota National Guard and joined the Army Reserves. During this time he attended many different schools and assignment, which included working at the Pentagon and attending the Command and General Staff College. In 1978 Virgil was promoted to lieutenant colonel and retired from the military the following year. Virgil attended reunions of the 136th Infantry Regiment that were federalized and sent to Camp Rucker for the Korean War. The first official reunion was in 1980, which was held in the VFW club room in St. Cloud. Another reunion was held five years later where Vigil served as the Master of Ceremony. In 1995 a group of enlisted men from the group organized another reunion held at the Persian Club. The last and largest union was held in 2000 at the Eagles Club in St. Cloud. This reunion included all the draftees that filled the 136th Regiment’s ranks at Camp Rucker.