University of Wisconsin Eau Claire - Periscope Yearbook (Eau Claire, WI)

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COLONEL SIMPSON 123th Infantry Colonel George L. Simpson, Commanding Officer of the 125th Infantry, a former Michigan National Guard regiment, is first in military rank among those who represent Eau Claire State Teachers College in the present war. On December 17, 1941 he was promoted from the rank of Lieutenant Colonel to that of Colonel. The regiment he commands has a distinguished history extending back to the Black Hawk and the Mexican Wars. In the Civil War. at Gettysburg, the regiment's organization at that time, the 24th Michigan Volunteers, suffered the severest casualties of all the regiments of the Union Army engaged in that battle. The 24th Michigan together with the 19th Indiana Volunteers and three Wisconsin Volunteer regiments constituted the famous Iron Brigade at Gettysburg. At the beginning of the First World War and after graduation from the Fort Sheridan Officers Training Camp with the rank of First Lieutenant, Colonel Simpson was sent to France where, as Captain, he commanded a company of the 338th Infantry, 85th Division. After more than a year of active service abroad, he returned to the United States late in 1919. In 1923 he joined the Wisconsin National Guard. He was advanced in rank until, several years ago, he became a Lieutenant Colonel in the Guard. During these years, he gained wide experience in military staff work. When the 32nd Division was ordered to Camp Beauregard in October, 1940, Colonel Simpson was granted leave-of-absence from the faculty, of which he has been a member since the college was founded in 1916, to accompany his organization. Before the Louisiana army maneuvers last autumn, he was made Commander of the 125th Infantry, retaining, however, his rank of Lieutenant Colonel until his promotion came last December. In December, 1941, the 125th Infantry left Camp Livingston for military duty elsewhere. SES and FACULTY