photograph
Catalog Number
2019.30.64Description
Photograph taken inside the Holland Armory, home of the National Guard unit Company D (renamed Company B in 1963). This black and white photo is of two men. Colonel Henry Geerds is on the right, 1958.History
Colonel Henry A. Geerds was born on 8-1-1894. At the age of 14 his family moved to Holland, MI. In 1917 Henry married Jean Brunick. They lived in Holland at 588 Central Avenue (1938 and 1960 city directories).Henry served in the National Guard during World War I. After this experience he was determined to have someplace where he could properly train young men to become soldiers. So, in 1921 he organized Company D (126th Infantry), the National Guard unit in Holland, MI.
During World War II Henry served as chief of personnel and administration in the South Pacific. He would later help found the Holland American Legion post. In 1945 Henry co-founded Holland Hitch.
Henry passed away in Holland on 8-2-1982. 1925.