Page 94 - history-of-military-units-in-columbia-county-fl-(1970)-robert-gary-shields

History of Military Units in Columbia County, FL (1970) Robert Gary Shields

GENERAL ORDERS #79 20 November 1961
RETIREMENT

1. CWO W-2 Leonard Jasper Witt, W-2003592, upon his own application and
having more than 20 years service in the organized militia of the State of
Florida, is placed on the Retired List of the Florida National Guard effective

1 December 1961, in accordance with the provisions of Section 250.21, Military
Code, State of Florida, 1949, as amended.
2. CWO Witt was born in Mason, Florida on 6 October 1913, and is a graduate

of Mason High School, Mason', Florida. .
3. He began his military career 12 September 1933 be enlisting is Company H,

124th Infantry, Florida Army National Guard at Lake City, Florida. He
entered Active Federal Service with hi? unit 25 November 1940 in the grade of
Sergeant with duty as Platoon Sergeant and was first stationed at Camp Blandinc

Florida. Prior to going overseas, lie served tours at Fort Benning, Georgia and
Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He departed the continental United States 17
October 1944. During service in the European Theater of Operation he participai

in the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe Campaigns with duty as first
sergeant in Company H, 345th Infantry. He returned to the United States 4

October 1945 and was discharged at Camp Blanding, Florida 28 October 1945 in
the grade of First Sergeant. He re-entered the Florida Army National Guard
6 March 1947 in Anti Tank Company, 124th Infantry with duty as First Sergeant.

The unit was redesignated to Heavy Tank Company, 124th Infantry 1 November
1948. He was honorabley discharged as Master Sergeant 3 April 1950 to accept
appointment as Warrant Officer Junior Grade 4 April 1950. He served contin-
Tank (Med)
ously in the unit through its redesignation to Company (SbORuaxSHx) 124th Inf.
and latter to Tank Company (90mm Gun) 124th Inf. He was promoted to Chief
Warrant Officer, W-2 effective 1 June 1950 and served in this rank as unit

administrator until his transfer to the Inactive National Guard until his
*
discharge 30 November 1961.

4. His decorations and awards include the Bronze Star, The American Defense
Service Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Good Conduct
Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, with one hourglass,

Florida Distinguished Service Medal, Florida Active-Duty Ribbon, Florida Ser-
vice Ribbon and Drill Attendance Ribbon with six Bronze Clusters.

BY COMMAND OF THE GOVERNOR:
MARK W. LANCE
Major General
The Adjutamt General

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