Beatrice's Own - Company C 134th Infantry Regiment Nebraska Nati
We Answered the Call
Organized as a local militia, the Paddock Guards were named in honor of Nebraska Senator Algernon S. Paddock. Established June 9, 1875 to protect Beatrice from outlaws and bandits, the Guard furnished their own equipment; city residents furnished the required ammunition.
In 1879, the Paddock Guards were mustered to the newly organized State Militia as Company C of the First Nebraska Regiment. Personnel of Company C served overseas in the Spanish-American War, in World War I and World War II. They still stand ready to provide assistance during emergencies and disasters and are trained and ready for any call to serve state or nation.
Mobilized in 1940, the Nebraska National Guard was trained and ready when the U.S. entered World War II.
July 1944 found the 1st Battalion of the 134th Infantry on the front line in France and Company C in a fierce battle near St. Lo. In all, 10 men from Beatrice were to die in the four day battle; 20 were wounded in this opening encounter in Europe. In total, the Company suffered 60 percent casualties. Later, Company C led the way across the swiftly flowing Blies River into Germany to capture Habkirchen. They were awarded many Battle Honors including three Presidential Unit Citations for extraordinary heroism.
"We fought yard by yard through hedgerows that sometimes were not more than 20 yards apart and behind every one of them was a line of fanatical Germans. It was a rough go."
Capt. Lorin McCown
Courtesy hmdb.org
