The 123rd QM Bn (Trk) was activiated on June 1, 1942, per par. 1, GO #18, dated 1 June 1942, Hq. NOPE, New Orleans, La., without personnel. On 11 June 1942, the first members of the new organization arrived. Hq. and Hq. Detachment were activited with a strength of four (4) officers and thirteen (13) enlisted men. The officers were assigned to duty as follows: Capt. Martin W. Sullivan, Battalion Commander., 2nd Lt. Robert J. Reynolds, Executive Officer and Adjutant, 1st Lt. William S. Wilder, Bn. Mess Officer, 2nd Lt. Stuart Haring, Bn. Supply Officer. These officers and enlisted men formed the nucleus from which has grown our present organization.
Company "A" was activated on the 23rd of June, 1942, and 1st Lt. William S. Wilder was assigned as Commanding Officer. Company "B" was activated on the 21st of July with 1st Lt. Stuart Haring in command. Company "C" was activiated on the 21st of July with Captain Henry Lamson commanding, and finally, Company "D" was activated on the 19th of August, 1942, with 1st Lt. Louis Grossman as its Commanding Officer.
Thus by August 18th, with the influx of new officers and enlisted personnel the organization had undergone many changes. It had completed the activation of its four (4) companies and was now beginning to function as a Battalion. Headquarters was set up as follows: Capt. Martin W. Sullivan, Battalion Commander, Capt. Henry Lamson, Executive Officer, 1st Lt. Robert J. Reynolds, Adjutant, and 2nd Lts. Earle J. Fortmann and Charles F. Kasischke, as Assistant Adjutant and Bn. Supply Officer, respectively. On 11 Sept. 42, Capt. Charles E. Emerson was appointed Executive Officer vice Captain Henry Lamson, transferred. Next change of importance is noted in November, 1942, with Major Sullivan commanding, 1st Lt. Reynolds, Executive Officer, 2nd Lt. Fortmann, Adjutant, and WO (jg) William C. Jones, Personnel Officer.
On 3 June 1943, 1st Lt. Fortmann succeeded Capt. Reynolds as Battalion Executive Officer and 1st Lt. Morton S. Fierman was appointed Adjutant. In August, 1943, the Battalion Staff was changed to its present status: Lt. Colonel Sullivan, Bn. Commander, Captain Fortmann, Executive Officer, Captain Norwalk, Adjutant, CWO Jones, Personnel Officer, and WO (jg) Caughman, Bn. Supply Officer.
DEO VOLENTE
