News from
The Adjutant General's Department

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE       Nov. 4, 2004

No. 04-124

CHANGE OF COMMAND CEREMONY SET FOR 69th TROOP COMMAND

A change of command ceremony will be held for the Kansas Army National Guard’s (KSARNG) 69th Troop Command on Saturday, Nov. 6 at the KSARNG South Armory, 3617 S. Seneca in Wichita.

During the 10 a.m. ceremony, Col. John Davoren, Lansing, will accept command from Col. Robert “Lyn” Smith, Wichita, who is retiring.

“The soldiers of the 69th Troop Command have met the challenges presented during these changing times for the state of Kansas and our nation,” said Davoren. “I am pleased that I have the opportunity to succeed Col. Smith and proud of all that our soldiers have accomplished.”

“It has been my honor to command an organization made up of such great soldiers, noncommissioned officers, leaders and families. I am humbled by their dedication to duty and their commitment,” said Smith. “I know the organization will be in good hands under the command of Col. Davoren.”

69th Troop Command provides administrative command and control of infantry, armor, aviation, engineer, transportation and quartermaster units across the state. It makes up a little more than half of the Kansas Army National Guard’s force structure. Approximately 1,200 soldiers from subordinate units of 69th Troop Command are currently deployed on overseas duty. However, there are still more than 4,200 Kansas Army National Guardsmen that remain in Kansas to provide disaster assistance and homeland security, as needed.

Col. John Davoren

Davoren, 51, is the chief of the Standardization, Analysis, and Integration Branch in the Transformation Division as part of the U.S. Army Force Management Support Agency, Fort Leavenworth.

Davoren began his military career in 1976 when he graduated from University of Kansas and became a platoon leader in Company A, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry in the 101st Division at Fort Campbell, Ky. He was then assigned as the assistant operations officer at Fort Campbell. After qualifying in the Rotary Wing Course, he was a section leader and platoon leader and finally the executive officer for Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry. He finished up his active duty tour as the executive officer and then operations officer of Company A, 1st Aviation Battalion.

Davoren joined the Kansas Army National Guard in 1985. He served as the Commander of Company A, 2nd Battalion, 137th Infantry. He later became the battalion operations officer and then battalion commander. He served as the 69th Brigade intelligence officer, the assistant training officer - Air and the assistant plans, operations and training officer and civil affairs officer in the 35th Infantry Division headquarters. His assignments at State Area Command (STARC) include state training officer, director of Plans, Operations and Training, and, most recently, as the training officer in the Joint Forces Headquarters Kansas – Land Component.

Davoren is a graduate of the University of Kansas, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Business. He also earned a Master of Arts degree in Personnel Management from Central Michigan University and a Master of Science degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pa.

Davoren’s military education includes Infantry Officer Basic Course, Infantry Ranger School, Rotary Wing Aviation Course, Infantry Officer Advanced Course, the Command and General Staff College, the Army War College and other military schools.

Davoren’s military awards include Army Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge, Aviation Badge, Parachute Badge, Air Assault Badge and many other awards.

Davoren is married to former Debra Thompson of Lawrence. They have one daughter, Jennifer, and one son, Kyle.

Col. Robert L. Smith

Col. Robert “Lyn” Smith is a native of Wichita. He is a graduate of Wichita High School North and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Administration from Newman University.

Smith enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard in 1965. He graduated from the 1st Battalion, 137th Infantry Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Academy in 1968 and was mobilized with the 69th Infantry Brigade to Fort Carson, Colo. He was subsequently assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in the Republic of Vietnam, where he served as a forward observer, squad leader and rifle platoon leader.

After his return to the Kansas Army National Guard, Smith served in various NCO leadership positions until 1974, when he received a direct appointment to second lieutenant because of his service in Vietnam. He was assigned as scout platoon leader in the 1st Battalion, 137th Infantry. This was the same position held by his father, 2nd Lt. Robert D. Smith, when he was mobilized for World War II. 2nd Lt. Smith was killed in action Sept. 11, 1944, in Belgium.

Smith has served on State Active Duty as the commander of ground troops when the Kansas National Guard responded to the tornados in Hesston and Andover. He was the Senior Army National Guard liaison officer during the Kansas City flood and the Haysville-Wichita tornado.

Smith is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Command and General Staff College and other military schools.

His assignments include command of infantry units at the squad, platoon, company and battalion levels. He commanded the 1st Battalion, 137th Infantry from 1988-1991. His staff assignments include intelligence officer and operations officer at battalion and brigade level, operations officer for the STARC Corps Exercise Cell and Special Assistant to The Adjutant General. He served as Executive Officer of the 69th Infantry Brigade (M) and the 69th Troop Command.

Smith’s awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Kansas National Guard Medal of Excellence, Kansas National Guard Meritorious Service Ribbon and other awards.

Smith is the disaster recovery coordinator for Cargill Meat Solutions in Wichita where he recently completed his 35th year of employment.

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