South Dakota National Guard
For Immediate Release:  Monday, April 29, 2002
For More Information: Maj. Mark Johnston, 737-6721

National Guard’s 842^nd named best unit in the country

SPEARFISH – The 842^nd Engineer Company (CSE), of Spearfish, Belle Fourche and Sturgis, has been selected as the best engineer company in the entire Army National Guard, winning this year’s distinguished Itschner Award.  

The Itschner Award is named for Lt. Gen. Emerson G. Itschner and is awarded to the best Active Army, Army Reserve and National Guard engineer units in the Army.  Unit leaders will receive the award at the Engineer Association Banquet in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., held May 3.

“This is the second time that we have won it.  There are six people still in the unit when we won it in 1977,” said Capt. Nick Krebs, commander of the 842^nd.

The company was first selected as the best engineer company in the state, then progressed through Fifth Army, which includes the 22 western states, then culminated with the top award. 

“These soldiers really deserve the recognition.  We have great NCO’s and enlisted soldiers in the unit,” said Krebs.  “They certainly aren’t afraid of tackling a tough project.” 

With its 174 members, the 842^nd is the largest National Guard company in South Dakota. Its headquarters is located in Spearfish, with detachments located in both Belle Fourche and Sturgis.  

The Guard’s premier horizontal construction company has a mission to provide heavy equipment support on the battlefield, such as bulldozers, scrapers, road grader, loaders, and 20-ton dump trucks.

Throughout last year, the 842^nd completed community projects to include: the Spearfish softball field, Belle Fourche Athletic Field, two bridges at Orman Dam, a new runway at the Sturgis Airport.   

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