By J. Lindley

THOMPSON — U.S. Army National Guard veterans of C/101st Combat Engineers and B/242nd Combat Engineers, have scheduled their first reunion for at noon Aug. 13 at the West Thompson Dam. The reunion will be the first of its kind held in northeastern Connecticut for these two distinguished units.

Those wishing to attend the reunion can contact Joseph Lindley at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by visiting the “B Co. 242d Combat Engineer” Facebook page.

The 101st and 242nd Combat Engineers, both National Guard units, were stationed for decades at the Putnam armory. The 242nd assumed command of the armory around 1976 when the 101st Combat Engineers were reassigned to the Massachusetts National Guard. Most of the members of the 101st were administratively transferred to the 242nd.

Both units have distinguished histories. The 101st Engineers is one of the oldest units in American military history, with roots dating back to December of 1636. It was part of the famed “Yankee Division,” (26th Infantry Division) while it was stationed at the Putnam armory. 

The 101st saw action in the King’s Philip War (1675-1678), the French and Indian War (1754-1763), Revolutionary War (1775-1783), Civil War (1861-1865), WWI (1918) and WWII (1941-1945). More recently, members of the 26th Infantry Division saw action in Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003) and Operation Enduring Freedom (2001-present). During its recent history, the 101st Combat Engineers were used as direct combat support for the Yankee Division.

The 242nd Combat Engineers, part of the First Army, can trace its lineage to 1922 as an artillery unit. Since that time, the unit has been mobilized by both the state and federal government for disasters here in Connecticut and wars over seas. The 242nd Combat Engineer Battalion retired its colors in 2005 and  most of its members transferred to other units to include the 250th Engineers (Medium Girder Bridge) and the 248th Engineers (Heavy Construction).

National Guard troops are a reserved component of the U.S. Army and receive the same training and must meet the same requirements as active-duty soldiers. Thousands of Guardsmen from all over the country have served in every major conflict with a number of northeast Connecticut National Guard soldiers paying the ultimate price in combat. 

Other members of the reunion committee include Colonel Gary Thorstenson (RET), First Sergeant Steven Benoit (RET), Alf Anderson, Jonathan Dodge and William Dodge.