The Rhinelander Daily News - Online news and information for the Rhinelander, Wisconsin region

On Jan. 27, 1973, a peace accord was signed to bring America’s involvement in the Vietnam War to a close. On July 31 of that same year President Nixon signed off on an all-volunteer Army.

Whether in answer to the draft or a call for a volunteer Army, the men and women of the Northwoods answered. They would make history as members of the “Hodag Platoon.” Rhinelander’s biggest attraction, that famed green Hodag, was about to join the United States Army.

Plans got underway by the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce (RACC) and Army officials in March of 1972 to organize a Hodag Platoon which would become a part of the famous Iron Horse Division of the Fourth Infantry.

According to news reports at the time, “The platoon would be made up of volunteer enlistees from the immediate Rhinelander area, and would be adopted by the city of Rhinelander as its own, according to Mayor P.A. ‘Al’ Taylor and MSG Clayton Caywood, Army recruiting officer here.”

The adoption involved an interchange between the unit and the city in which a citation was presented designating Rhinelander as the Platoon’s official city. The platoon and the city had a mutual interest and vowed support of each other. The city and the unit exchanged appropriate flags and banners to be used in ceremonies.

In connection with the interest in establishing a Hodag Platoon, the Army volunteered to add to the pageantry of what was then called Hodag Holidays by providing a marching unit and other personnel and equipment for the proposed parade. The Army held up their end of the bargain, supplying tracked vehicles, a tank, helicopter, musical combo, various Army dignitaries and a special 21-horse cavalry group attired in vintage 1870 uniforms.

Thousands of spectators lined Rhinelander streets to applaud what observers said was the finest parade staged in the city. It was estimated that more than 12,000 spectators were present.

Claribel Prosser took over as Mayor of Rhinelander in the spring of 1972. She and Merlin Miller, retail division chairman for the RACC, oversaw the Hodag Holidays celebration and the swearing in of the first Hodag Platoon, more than 60 strong.

Sunday, June 25, 1972 saw 60 young men sworn into the Army during a special Hodag Holidays event. The first Hodag Platoon was made up of men from Wisconsin Rapids, Stevens Point, Minocqua, Woodruff, Pittsville, Marshfield, Wausau, Rhinelander and Ironwood, Mich. The platoon idea was conceived by recruiting Sgt. George Handrick, a native of Minocqua who was presented with the Army Commendation Medal at ceremonies preceding the swearing in ceremonies.

The Army, represented by Col. David Huges, a brigade commander from Ft. Carson, Colo., told spectators the Hodag Platoon, “represents a recovery of patriotism and reflects the military’s efforts to improve its image in the campaign to swell volunteer ranks.” The recruits were to remain as a unit under the Hodag label, training at Ft. Jackson, S.C. before transferring to Ft. Carson.

Army activities for the Hodag Holidays included a demonstration featuring helicopters and men over Boom lake. The parade took over an hour to pass the reviewing stand with helicopters barely clearing the buildings downtown.

This marked the first time the Iron Horsemen from Ft. Carson participated in a community event, and it was the first time so many men enlisted as a body for the volunteer Army.

It was the waning days of the Vietnam War, the early days of a volunteer Army. An article from The Daily News described the situation. “In contrast with the way Defense officials and recruiting efforts have met unfriendly receptions in some parts of the nation recently, the affair here met warm response from the community and although the largest crowds in years attended at Hodag park, it was orderly, friendly and law-abiding. Not an anti-war demonstrator appeared, and not a single arrest was made during Hodag Holidays.”

The Fort Carson paper had, on its editorial page, a two-column picture of a Hodag with the warning “Don’t Let The Hodag Scare You” and an editorial about the Hodag Holidays. The Hodag Platoon did their basic training at Ft. Jackson, S.C., and arrived in Ft. Carson on Sept. 15, 1972. There they were trained as mortarmen and in maintenance. Names of platoon members are hard to come by. John Grasso of Wakefield, Mich. was a member of the 1st Hodag platoon.

A second Hodag Platoon was formed in the summer of 1973. This group included 54 men and six women. Some of the women identified at the time were Jeanne Galland of Shawano, Dianna Towne of Rhinelander, Belinda Herring of Tomahawk and Lu Ann Gardner of Phelps. They and Robert Pudlowski of Rhinelander were part of the new volunteer Army.

Steve Grapentine of Kiel was a member of the 2nd Hodag platoon.

“I enlisted in 1973 out of Sheboygan High School. I trained at Ft. Jackson, then went to Ft. Dix and was stationed at Ft. Carson, Colo. I was in an armored battalion, drove a school bus and an armored vehicle. My Dad was a career soldier, so I enlisted. After I was honorably discharged I went to Lakeshore Technical College and became a mechanic. Army life made you grow up fast. It was my first time away. I had a great time in the service.”

New housing facilities, added educational opportunities, better pay and a chance to see the world were all incentives stressed by Army recruiters at the time. A private made a salary of $363 in 1974.

Beginning in 1975, members of the Hodag Platoon became part of the 1st Infantry Division, “The Big Red One.” It was also in 1975 that Mayor Prosser was presented a guidon, or triangular flag. From the 1st Infantry Division following the swearing in of the 4th Hodag platoon. Members included Paul Kosterman and Mark Hallisy of Antigo, Mike Budleski, Chuck Filipink, Joe Schreiber and Calvin Kloth of D.C. Everest High School, David Ruff of Fond du Lac and Scott Weissbrodt of Franklin.

The era of the Hodag Platoon lasted from 1972 to 1976. Events in Iraq and Afghanistan have shown that the young men and women of the Northwoods have carried forward the sense of purpose and patriotism shown 35 years ago by a different generation.

Join the community and say thanks to those who have served. It’s Veteran’s Day.

Tell us what you think...

Comments »

Brad Troemel wrote on Jul 3, 2009 10:20 PM:

" My grandmother was mayor of Rhinelander during the 1st Hodag platoon event. I would like to communicate with someine from that era. "

Jim Stiloski wrote on Jan 22, 2009 2:36 PM:

" I was a member of the first Hodag pl.Would like to get a reunion together. I live in Oconto WI. were I teach special needs students. If intrested in a reunion please contact me. "

John Hujet wrote on Nov 20, 2008 2:09 PM:

" Greetings Hodags,
While visiting with brother-in-law, Gary Dervetski this past week, he mentioned that there was an article on the Hodag Platoon. I enlisted with the original Hodag Platoon in 1972. Also, my nephew, Ernie Brooks enlisted with me. I was a 1971 and Ernie a 1972 graduate of Wabeno. I remember that hot day in June 72 well.. It was a wonderful day, in fact an incredable day for the community and a bunch of young men. I still think about that day and how it changed my life. I went on to serve my 3 years and Ernie 10. Now, along with my wife, call Menominee, MI home. What happened to Erine? He and his wife also call Menominee home and live just down the street. Thank you so much for the article.
Blessings, John M. Hujet (jhujet@new.rr.com) "

The comments above are from readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Rhinelander Daily News.