Olson-Reid, Post 250, American Legion of South Dakota
The Castlewood, Olson-Reid Post 250 was founded October 6th, 1930 by founding members;
Bennie G. Boswell L. J. Plowmen Leo L. Preston
John J. Somsen Milton L. Hanson Torbjorn Anfinson
Harvey Somsen C. B. Chapin John Smunk
F. E. Davis Vance L. Burge Russell Ching
Hugh L. Carter J. B. Culey Arndt E. Dahl
H. A. Hoftiezer H. E. Christopherson William Kemink
Frank Raph Henry Leemhuis Clark L. Smith
Claud Parliament Melvin H. Ching Nick Kones
Harry M. Kemink Saber Ellefson H. Wiersma
R. H. Saathoff F. H. Aronson E. G. Clauson
Enoch Leemhuis C. L. Knuth Alex Bleeker
Neal Nagelhout Clarence Prange John Lammers
John L. Quick Clair Rounds

As approved by then Department Commander Larn and National Commander Bodenhamer.

The Castlewood Post was named after Pvt. Arne B. Olson and Lt. Richard Watt Reid, both from Castlewood.

Arne B. Olson was born June 20, 1889 in Castlewood to Ole and Thone (Brakker) Olson. Growing up Arne has many odd jobs, with no permanent occupation. He was most remembered as a good baseball player and was always interested in the local athletic events. Arne was a private in the Army in Company L 127th infantry of the American Expeditionary Force. Arne was twenty-nine years old when he scarified his life for his country on October 12, 1918 at the Meuse River in France. He was survived by his two brothers and five sisters.

Richard Watt Reid had the earnest desire that he might take an active part in the winning of the great battle for the freedom of the world even though he was summoned into the service. He was the first to make the ultimate sacrifice within Hamlin County. At the time of his funeral, it was largest attended funeral ever held in Hamlin County.

Early post meetings were held in the second floor of the old bank building, which is currently the Castlewood Public Library. In the early years, Post 250 had taken part in several local activities. Post 250 has sponsored a Junior Legion Baseball team every year, the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. They have had Memorial Day services including a speaker at the school auditorium, the decorating of crosses, school band, firing squad, city officials present at the cemetery, and the sounding of taps by the bugler. They have held a Legion picnic each year in June or July. In November, an open house poultry party is held. Flag raising ceremonies are held at the school on or before Veterans Day. The post has furnished military rites at all funerals when requested.

In the summer of 1946, Post 250 sponsored a drive to raised funds to purchase an old school house. The school house was originally located just two miles east of Castlewood, on Hwy 22. It was moved unto a full basement located just north of the Castlewood Co-op. This post home was used for the Legion and Auxiliary meetings, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scout meetings. Other organizations used the building for meetings and it was also used for family gatherings.

Legion Post 250 cooperated with the Booster Club, local firemen and city council to hire an athletic director for summer activities. These include Junior Legion baseball, Junior baseball, Pee Wee baseball, and Midget and girls softball. Once a year this group used to sponsor a banquet for the athletes who took part in the baseball, football, basketball and track programs, as well as the coaches, cheerleaders and their parents that wished to attend.

In 1976 the post moved into a new home on Main Street. This building is currently the Citizens State Bank in Castlewood. When the Legion Post purchased the building, there used to be a butcher shop located on the west side of building and a day care located in the east side of the building. When purchased, the Senior Citizens group equipped and remodeled most of the kitchen and the Auxiliary provided most of the money for the remodeling of the small meeting room.

In 1994 the Legion joined forces with the community and helped to build the current community center and fire hall in Castlewood. With the investments made, the Legion could call the community center home and can use the community center for events when needed. Events within the community are scheduled and verified with the Legion to ensure that no Legion events are taking place first. With this move, the Legion chose to give up their liquor license to the city golf course to help promote growth within the community.

Over the years there have been many Legion members within the Castlewood Post that have all served their Country and the Legion very well. I have been proud to hear their stories of courage and endurance. Members like;

- Carl Greenfield who risked his live to drive a Jeep back behind enemy lines after his company had to fall back from a forward position during a battle in World War II. During the initial retreat, Carl came upon a wounded member of his unit. Being ordered to retreat and unable to carry his wounded comrade, Carl moved the wounded soldier to a drainage ditch to hide him and promised him that he would be back to help him. Carl and the wounded soldier were not able to exchange last names when this incident occurred. Twenty year after the conclusion of the war, Carl’s unit held a reunion. Following a memorial service that was held during the reunion, the soldier that had been wounded stood up in the audience and began to profess that he was lucky to be alive and that he had regretted that he was never able to obtain the name of his fellow unit member had saved him. Hearing the story being told by the formally wounded soldier, Carl immediately knew that he was the one who had returned for the wounded soldier. Carl stood up to be recognized. The two had found each other for a long awaited introduction.

- Bill Jansen who served many years in the United States Navy. During his time in the service, he served at a few duty stations but the most prominent duty station he served on was the USS South Dakota which use to be the Flag ship for both Admiral Halsey and Admiral Nimitz. The USS South Dakota was the most decorated battle ship ever during World War II. Commissioned in June 1941, she steamed 246,970 miles, destroyed 64 enemy planes, was involved in every major Pacific battle from 1942 through 1945 and was awarded with 13 Battle Stars. Known as Battleship X, the Japanese had thought they had sunk the battleship. She was given the nick name to prevent the Japanese from discovering they had not actually sunk her. The Battleship became a legendary ship and was adored by Americans who read about her heroics in the papers under the title of “Battleship X”. For more information about the USS South Dakota and its history, please see the following website link, http://www.usssouthdakota.com/.

- Donald J Goldhorn, Major General (US Army Retired) A native of Castlewood, South Dakota and the highest-ranking Officer to be a part of the Olson-Reid post of Castlewood, Major General Donald J. Goldhorn retired in January 2011 with over forty-two years of active and National Guard military service. Throughout his career he has served at every level of command, to include commander of the 51st Medical Company, Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation. Major General Goldhorn has also served as a Battalion and Brigade Commander for the 147th Field Artillery, as well as, the Assistant Adjutant General for the South Dakota Army National Guard. Following completion of the U.S. Army War College, Major General Goldhorn served as the Chief of Staff for the Guam Army National Guard. During his tour as the Chief of Staff he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his actions in saving the life of a Soldier, and the Guam Commendation Medal and Humanitarian Award for his action in recovery efforts of victims from the crash of Korean Airline Flight 801.

o Major General Goldhorn was appointed as the Adjutant General for the Guam National Guard in 2005. As the Adjutant General, he was responsible for the readiness and combat effectiveness of more than 1400 men and women of the Guam Army and Air National Guard. In support of deployed Guam National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, General Goldhorn conducted repeated command visits to Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, and the southern Philippines. For his leadership and initiatives in enhancing the State Partnership Program with the Republic of the Philippines, General Goldhorn was awarded the Philippine Outstanding Achievement Medal by the Philippine Secretary of Defense. Upon his retirement, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by the U.S. Army Chief of Staff.

o Prior to entering military service in 1969, Major General Goldhorn served as a Civil Rights worker in the mid 1960’s. He has also been an elected school and hospital board member, and an educator at the middle, high school, and university levels. He is an active long-time member of Rotary International. General Goldhorn is also a member of the American Legion Post 250, the Veterans’ of Foreign Wars and Vietnam Veterans of America.

o Major General Goldhorn, and his spouse, Jan, have three children and four grandchildren. The Goldhorns spend time between living aboard their sailboat, Carpe Diem, which is berthed on Guam and at their farm, near Castlewood, South Dakota.

- Krisma (Westgard) DeWitt, LTC US Army Ret, is the daughter of the late Edward and Racheal Westgard and widow of Lloyd DeWitt, all past members of Post 250 Legion and Legion Auxiliary. Krisma graduated from Castlewood HS, SDSU, KSU, and USD with degrees in Chemistry and Education. She retired in 2000 from the US Army after 22+ years of active duty as a Chemical Officer. She served various assignments with the 1st, 2nd, and 6th Infantry Divisions, US Army Chemical School, United States Military Academy, and retired as Professor of Military Science at USD. Following active duty, she taught and served in various administrative positions at Mount Marty College in Yankton and Watertown. She currently lives in Watertown where she is active in her church, quilting guild, and teaches as an adjunct at LATI.

- District Officers, over the years, the Castlewood post has had a few members that stepped up to help serve the State by serving as a District Commander. At least two members have served at the District Level Robert (Bob) Ching and Harry Boner.

- State Officers, starting in the summer of 2017, one of the newest post members to the Olson-Reid Post 250, Travise Frisrand will start to serve as State Adjutant.

There are more untold stories yet to be shared. If you are a Legion member of Castlewood Olson-Reid Post 250 and you wish to share your story about the post or about your history within the military, please reach out to a current, active Legion member to help put you in contact with the post historian. This is your Legion and your story.

View more history for Post 250 in Castlewood, South Dakota