Carrollton Armory

(The Carrollton National Guard Armory was named after SGM Robert John "Goose" Caldwell December 14, 2002.)

A National Guard unit has been stationed in Carrollton since the 1940s. [Editors Note: Company "A" 201st ENG BN was organized in Carrollton on 15 Decmeber 1946 from the "Kentucky Guardsman Armory Edition January 1956] The National Guard Armory at Carrollton is home to Battery A/ 2nd battalion of the 138th Field Artillery. Before that, the armory was home to the 201st Engineers. The unit was converted to artillery in the 1960s and Battery A/2nd Battalion has been in Carrollton ever since. The 138th Field Artillery can trace its lineage back to 1839, when it was part of the Kentucky Militia in the Louisville Legion.

Two other buildings in Carrollton have been used as armories prior to 1959. The first building, used from 1949-1951, is a narrow two-story brick structure that now houses a sheet metal shop. The second building, another two-story brick structure, now houses a NAPA auto parts store. The National Guard leased both of these buildings. The second building had a wooden elevator operated by rope pulleys, which the Guard used to bring vehicles and supplies up to the second floor. The second armory was used from 1951-1959, and is located at the corner of 7th and High streets in downtown Carrollton. This building was used until the new armory was built. The few motor vehicles owned by the Guard before 1960 were stored in a locked compound at the 7th Street site.

The 201st Engineers unit was deployed to Korea, where they served from 1950-51. Part of the unit went to Korea, while the other part went to areas of the United States for training. Everyone that went to Korea returned. "A" Battery, along with the rest of the 2nd battalion of the 138th Field Artillery went to Vietnam and served a one-year tour of duty. National Guard units provided support for the 101st Airborne. Of the 125 men from Battery A that went to Vietnam, 124 returned. The one exception was Luther M. Chappell, who lost his life in Vietnam. In the armory is a glass case displaying some of the weapons soldiers from the National Guard brought back from Vietnam and Chinese and Russian weapons used during Korea. The 2/138th is one of the most decorated National Guard Battalions, having a total of 55 streamers.

Of the 525 men in the battalion who served in Vietnam, only six are left in the National Guard today. Five men from A Battery went on to become Command Sergeant Majors, and five became Brigadier Generals - the most of any unit. Although the unit was not called up for service in Desert Storm, about 50 men volunteered and went to the Gulf War with men from the 623rd Field Artillery out of Glasgow.

The Guard has played an active role in the Carrollton community since its inception. The Guard assisted with the response to the blizzard of 1964 and the flood of 1964, as well as the tornado that touched down in 1974. The Guard also assisted with the Teamsters truck strike in the 1970s, protecting independent truckers from the striking union truckers. The Guard helped with the Prestonsburg bus crash in the 1960s and provided relief and assistance for the victims and families of the tragic bus crash of 1988. During the 1997 flood, the former cook for the National Guard returned to make between 5,000-6,000 meals in 3 weeks for flood victims. 1997, the National Guard unit at Carrollton won the Community Service Award given by the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce. The Carrollton armory is a true community and military center for the city.

This armory is situated on the outskirts of Carrollton, near General Butler State Park. The land for the armory was donated by the School Board, which received it from a war veteran. It was once called Memorial Park. The current armory is the only one ever built to serve that function in Carrollton. Two other buildings have served as armories, but these were leased facilities. A helicopter pad that is located in back of the armory was donated by the community in the event that might be needed in an emergency.

Photos and information courtesy Kentucky Heritage Council -- Report No. 25" Inventory and Evaluation of National Guard Armories in the State of Kentucky" - 1999 by Kate Carothers.