Four to be inducted into Wisconsin Army National Guard Hall of Honor

Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs Office

The Wisconsin Army National Guard Hall of Honor will expand its prestigious roster to 51 this Saturday (May 5) with the induction of four retired Guard Soldiers during a 10 a.m. ceremony in Witmer Hall at Joint Force Headquarters, 2400 Wright Street, Madison.

Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Kerry Denson of Lake Mills, Wis., Brig. Gen. (Ret.) James Krueck of McFarland, Wis., Col. (Ret.) Timothy Pfrang of Sussex, Wis., and Col. (Ret.) David Schumacher of Onalaska, Wis., will receive one of the highest recognitions the adjutant general of Wisconsin can bestow upon a former member of the Wisconsin Army National Guard.

Denson was drafted into the U.S. Army in December 1965, earning the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, 35 Air Medals and the Purple Heart during two tours in Vietnam as a UH-1 combat pilot. He joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard after completing his active duty service, and served in a variety of command and staff assignments. He commanded the 147th Attack Helicopter Battalion, was director of aviation for the Wisconsin Army National Guard, and in the final nine years of his career commanded the Wisconsin Army National Guard. Denson's military career spanned 40 years and 10 months.

Krueck enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard in 1966, became a warrant officer in 1975 and was commissioned a second lieutenant after completing officer candidate school in 1976. He held a variety of command and staff assignments as well as directorate posts before taking command of the 32nd Infantry Brigade in 2000. He was promoted to brigadier general in 2004, and deployed to Kuwait as commander of the 32nd Separate Infantry Brigade (Light) and deputy commander of the 377th Theater Support Command in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He capped his military career as commander of the Wisconsin Army National Guard from November 2006 until his retirement in February 2008. His military awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal and two Meritorious Service Medals.

Pfrang enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in 1971, and transferred to the Wisconsin Army National Guard in 1974. He received his commission in 1977 and, after graduating Infantry Officer Basic Course in 1978, was assigned as a platoon leader in Company B, 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry. He held a variety of staff and command assignments at the battalion and brigade level until assuming command of the 132nd Support Battalion in July 1996. He was assigned as the Wisconsin Army National Guard mobilization readiness officer in October 1998, the operations and training officer in late 2000 and the director of plans and operations in 2002. He was promoted to colonel in October 2002. His military awards include the Legion of Merit and two Meritorious Service Medals.

Schumacher joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard in June 1967 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1969. As training officer for the 426th Engineer Battalion he developed professional development programs for junior officers and was rated the top field grade officer in the 264th Engineer Group. During his time as commander, the 426th Engineer Battalion earned the Eisenhower Trophy and Superior Unit Award, oversaw the mobilization of the 229th Engineer Company and deployed to Panama in 1992 in support of Fortes Caminos. During this time Schumacher also served on the Fort McCoy Facility Review Committee, which eventually led to relocating the Wisconsin Military Academy from Camp Williams to Fort McCoy in 1995. He commanded the Wisconsin Military Academy and the 426th Regiment from 1992 until his retirement in 1997, and led the academy through a period of significant growth and transition. His military awards include the Legion of Merit and two Meritorious Service Medals.

Since its inception in 2000, the Wisconsin Army National Guard Hall of Honor program has recognized Wisconsin Army National Guard Soldiers who have distinguished themselves through exceptional achievement and devotion to duty. After Saturday's ceremony, the Hall of Honor members will boast more than 1,500 collective years of service in the armed forces, mostly with the Wisconsin National Guard.

Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, adjutant general of Wisconsin, and Brig. Gen. Mark Anderson, Wisconsin Army National Guard commander, will lead the induction. Attendees include family and friends of the inductees as well as current and retired Guard members.