SDNG Units in Vanguard of 1991 Desert Storm Invasion

by Duke Doering

     On February 24, 1991, two South Dakota National Guard Transportation units entered Iraq at the start of the ground war in Desert Storm.

      At approximately 1800 hours on the invasion day the 747th Transportation Detachment consisting of Commander 2nd Lt. Joe Bungert and three enlisted soldiers, Sgt. Orris Peterson, Spec. Linda Hager, and Spec. Shawn Leinen,  entered Iraq.  In the early morning of February 24th the 747th Transportation Detachment was well inside of Iraq directing logistics travel. This date was the official start of the ground war in Iraq during Desert Storm.  

      Spec. Linda Hager reported, “Our pickup was loaded with concertina wire, a small tent, all our duffle bags and rucksacks, two weeks’ worth of water, MREs and several cases of light anti-tank weapons (LAW), flares and grenades.  We looked like a pack of gypsies by the time we got on the road. It was a very dark night and shortly after we entered Iraq the pickup dropped into a big hole.  That bump sent everyone flying and caused Sgt. 1st Class Orris Peterson to hit his head on the roof of the pickup with such force that it busted his helmet’s chin strap.”

     Sam Harkin reported that the 1742nd Transportation Company [photos] crossed the berm the same day as part of the logistical train supporting the 1st Armored Division and the 3rd Infantry Division. Capt. Scott Jensen said, “The preparation on January 21st was probably the toughest day ever. Clothes, food, water, sandbags, and ammunition were loaded onto 44 of our trucks for this journey into the unknown.”

     This assault of the coalition ground forces entered Iraq through openings in berms created by the Engineer units, commanded by the 109th Engineer Group.