Bio: Kieser, Donald - SFC (Receives Award – 1967)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Peterson, Kieser, Johnson, Conlee, Michaelis, Olson, Dunlap, Levine

---------Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 14 Dec 1967

SP4 James Peterson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Woodrow Peterson, City (Owen, Clark Co., Wis.), and SFC Donald Kieser, both of Abbotsford's national guard unit, were among the 79 enlisted soldiers of the Wisconsin Army National Guard and Army Reserves who received outstanding achievement awards from the Milwaukee Journal recently.

The awards are sponsored annually by the Milwaukee newspaper in cooperation with the Fifth U.S. Army, the Adjutant General of Wisconsin and the XIV U.S. Army Corps.

Each awardee received a gold medallion in a ceremony at Milwaukee. The ceremony was videotaped in color on WTMJ-TV.

Gen. Harold K. Johnson, chief of staff, U.S. Army, gave the main address and made the presentations.

C.R. Conlee, vice-president and director of public relations for the newspaper, was master of ceremonies and introduced Gen. Johnson. Other dignitaries present included Lt. Gen. John H. Michaelis, Fifth Army Commander; Maj. Gen. Ralph J. Olson, State Adjutant General; Maj. Gen. John A. Dunlap, 32nd Division Commander and Brig. Gen. William F. Levine, 84 Division Commander.

A concert by the Fifth U.S. Army Band preceded the awards ceremony.

Following the televised program, awardees and their families were treated to a buffet dinner at the Schlitz Clubhouse in Milwaukee, where Milwaukee Journal and military officials had an opportunity to informally meet with the honored soldiers.

The Journal outstanding achievement award is recognized as one of the highest awards for members of the guard and reserve. Enlisted men in both the upper and lower ranks are nominated by their unit commanders based on proficiency in their military jobs, competence with individual arms, attendance at unit training assemblies, leadership and citizenship awards.