KYNG Mystery Pictures To Solve #1

We are looking for information on these pictures.

Please let us know if you can add any information about when, where and why the photos were taken and especially individuals and or equipment in the photos.

VIPs at Armory Dedication?

Best Guess:From left to right front row: BG William Buster, MG Jess Lindsay, Governor Chandler, Governor Wetherby, Ms Mildred Chandler and MG J. J. B. Williams. The exact event and location still a mystery.

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Adjutant General Jesse Scott Lindsay served from 1951 to 1955 under Governor Lawrence W. Wetherby. Adjutant General John Jacob Bethurum Williams from 1955 to 1959 under Governor Albert B. Chandler in his second term. Likely the only time these two Adjutant Generals would have been together with these two Governors would have been on inauguration day in 1955.

We have since found photos of the Frankfort Armory Dedication (Click here to view Frankfort Armory Dedication Ceremony Photos February 1958 ) and they are a different set of folks on the podium, dressed differently and more steps further supporting the idea that this is inauguration day. 

This location is not the front of Frankfort Armory on US 60 now used by the Kentucky State Police because that building was not dedicated until February 23, 1958.

Thanks to Mary Lou Watkins, Garnett Thurman, Col. (R) Don Armstrong, COL (R) Al Alfaro for assistance with this photo. 

There is still discussion at this point on whether the person to the left of the lady is Chandler's LT. Gov, Harry Lee Waterfield or Governor Lawrence Wetherby.

COL (R) Ralph Palmore reports that he believes he officer in the second rank, far right, is COL Edward H. Milburn.

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138th FA at Fort Knox Mystery Picture

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This photo is only labeled with the following: 138th FA at Fort Knox. We need help identifying the people, equipment and date the photo was taken.

John Trowbridge reports that this is a M-110 Howitzer (8 inch Self Propelled).

BG (R) Doyle reports that this is B Battery of 2-138FA Annual Training at Ft. Knox in 1972. The battalion went to AT with Charlie and Alpha batteries manned with the M109s. Bravo was the 1st battery in the battalion to convert to the M110.

COL (R) Jim Drake reports that this may have been 1st Battalion 623rd Field Artillery. As he believes that 1/623rd was the only KYNG Battalion to have the 8 inch artillery.

COL (R) Alfaro reports that his book says that the 441st FA Bn organized in 1947 was initially a 105mm Howitzer Towed Battalion. On 1 Sep 1955 the battalion was converted to an 8" Howitzer Self-Propelled unit. They maintained this status until 1 October 1959 when they were designated the 3rd Howitzer Battalion 138th FA and also were converted to 155-mm Howitzer Towed, until 1 May 1968 when the unit was terminated. From the history of the Service Battery located in Harrodsburg.Page 400 of "The Paper Trail of the Kentucky National Guard".

COL (R) Ralph Palmore reports "I have to agree with COL Drake. We got the M110's in 1971, but went to CP Pickett with truck drawn 8". Shot them there and turned them in. I left the Bn in fall of 1971. They went to AT in 1972 with the M110's. The 2/138th did help us convert since they had knowledge of the carriage etc. We knew how to shot, the moving we had to learn."

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149th Armor at Camp Shelby Mystery Picture

This photo is only labeled with the following: 149th Armor at Camp Shelby. We need help identifying the people, equipment and date the photo was taken.

Evan Miller reports that these are M-48 “Patton” Tanks.
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CO D 201st Engineers Grayling Michigan

This photo is only labeled with the following: CO D 201st Engineers Grayling Michigan. We need help identifying the people and date the photo was taken.

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SSG McDonald and Liberty Bell

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This photo is only labeled with the following: SSG McDonald and Liberty Bell. We need help identifying the people and date the photo was taken.

Lisa Estep reports that the person to the right of the bell is SFC (R) Suzanne McDonald Toler and that SFC (R) Toler believes that it was likely taken at an Inauguration Parade at the Capitol in the late 70s or early 80s.

COL (R) Alfaro reports -- "the Kentucky Liberty Bell is mounted on a 2-1/2 ton truck (in the photo). It was placed to the left of the large front doors of the Old Capital for many years. When they started remodeling the Old Capitol Nicky Hughes called me and asked if I would like to take care of it while construction was going on. We used it for many years for recruiting. The bell was on the road sometimes gone for two or three days into eastern, central and western Kentucky areas. The bell was taken to elementary, middle and high school campuses. Specialist Fourth Grade James Allison was the driver and historian of the bell for many years. It always went with the 202nd Army Band on their Annual 2 week tours. I know that when I left in 1980 it was mounted where the artillery piece is now placed (near the Frankfort Armory on Boone National Guard Center). After Old Capitol Construction was completed - they came back and got. It was placed behind Old Capital on left side." Editor's Note: In 1971 then LTC Alfaro became the first Recruiting and Retention Officer for the Kentucky National Guard and served in this capacity until September 1978
Bill Bright reports that the Liberty Bell was used during the one year commemoration (held in 2002) of the attacks of September 11th, 2001 to symbolize our liberty. The bell rang four times, once for each attack. The first was made by a representative of the Kentucky firefighters. The second by General D. Allen Youngman, TAG, to represent the military. Then by a representative of the airlines to represent those that lost there lives. The fourth by a child to represent hope for the future.

Mary Lou Watkins also confirms the identity of Suzanne McDonald Toler in this photo and believes that the event could be Governor's Inauguration parade in Frankfort.

Tom Fugate reports that the plaque on the bell, now in storage at the Kentucky History Center, reads as follows:
DEDICATED TO YOU, A FREE CITIZEN IN A FREE LAND

This reproduction of the Liberty Bell was presented to the People of Kentucky by direction of the Honorable John W. Snyder Secretary of the Treasury. As the inspirational symbol of the United States Saving Bonds Independence Drive from May 15 to July 4, 1950; It was displayed in every part of this state. The dimensions and tone are identical with those of the original Liberty Bell when it rung out our independence in 1776. In standing before this symbol you have the opportunity to dedicate yourself, as did our founding fathers, to the principles of the individual freedom for which our nation stands. This bell is one of fifty-three cast in France in 1950, and given to the United States government by: American Smelting and Refining Company; Anaconda Copper Mining Company; Kennecott Copper Corporation; Miami Copper Company; The American Metal Company, Limited; Steel supports by U.S. Steel Corporation's American Bridge Company. This plaque donated by Revere Copper and Brass Incorporated. This bell is number 36 of the 53.

Mr. Fugate also reports that it has a smaller brass plaque that reads: Refurbished by the employees of CSMS 1998. (NOTE: Kentucky National Guard Combined Support Maintenance Shop Boone National Guard Center)

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Parade utilizing the search lights with MG Lloyd and Governor Combs

This photo had no label but has been tentatively identified as a parade utilizing the search lights with MG Lloyd and Governor Combs. We need help identifying the people and date the photo was taken.

Mary Lou Watkins reports that this appears to be a military review most likely at Camp Breckinridge, western Kentucky, July 1960 or 1961. The review was held at night with the Searchlight Battery from Lexington lighting the parade field. That is definitely MG Arthur Y. Lloyd and Governor Bert Combs. They also held a day time review at Fort Knox where the tank battalions were located.

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Mitch McConnell visits OMS

This photo is only labeled with the following: Mitch McConnell visits OMS (Organizational Maintenance Shop) shop at Louisville. We need help identifying the people and date the photo was taken.

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Banyan tree III Panama 1962

This photo is only labeled with the following: Banyan tree III Panama 1962. We need help identifying the people, Equipment and date the photo was taken as well as its connection to the KYNG. It was found with a batch of National Guard photos but we are unsure what connection it may have. Steve Collier reports that the aircraft are Fairchild C-119's ("Flying Boxcars") and may be C or G models.

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