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SALT LAKE CITY — Fifty years ago, the United States faced off with the Soviet Union over free access to Berlin in what became known as the Berlin Crisis.
Tensions ran high, and a Utah National Guard medical unit answered the president's call and prepared for the possibility of World War III.
"It was recognized by our defense department and our president that a crisis was about to occur," said Owen Minnick, second lieutenant and detachment commander of the 144th Evac Hospital.
In the summer and fall of 1961, the Soviet Union tightened its Cold War grip on Eastern Europe, and the part of Berlin that it occupied after World War II. The Soviets and their East Berlin allies built a wall around West Berlin, cut off traffic and demanded that the allied forces withdraw.
"The world news was that this was a significant struggle that took place between the two of us," Minnick said.
President John F. Kennedy told the American people we were not looking for a fight, but he called for more troops and activated national guardsmen and reservists.
The 200 Utah National Guardsmen of the 144th were ordered to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., to prepare for war. They loaded up and shipped out October 15, 1961.
Heading off to Fort Leonard Wood, none of them knew if it would just be a stopping point on their way to another war in Europe.
Eniss Berrett, Lon Pearson and Larry Nielsen were members of the 144th. Nielsen got married just one week before they mobilized.
"Our family, of course, was the unit," Nielsen said. "It was great. It was a good experience."
With 20 doctors, from surgeons to dentists, the unit's departure left a void in the Salt Lake Valley, but they did their duty.
"We did all our training," Minnick said. "We were prepared."
Their medical unit was similar to the MASH unit made popular in the hit TV series of the '70s and '80s. Had they deployed to Europe, they would have set up a similar field office.
"We never had to fire a shot, never had to kill anybody," Minnick said. "It's different, but it was necessary at the time."
Tensions eased in Berlin, the 144th went home the next summer, and the Guardsmen went on with their lives. Saturday, they'll gather again for their first full reunion in 50 years, and Nielsen will be wearing his dress blues.
"To be able to see them again and talk over what's gone on in their lives over the last 50 years; the reunion is going to be something fierce," Nielsen said.
They expect nearly 40 members of the unit to be there.
"Fifty years goes by so fast," Minnick said. "I can remember, and I think others can remember that day that we were called to active duty and how it upset our lives. But it will be great to see those fellow servicemen again."
They're still looking for members of the unit to invite to their reunion Saturday night. If you're one of them, contact Milo Lon Pearson at (801) 619-4143 for more details.
Email: jboal@ksl.com
