South Carolina National Guard announces next 1050th Transportation Battalion commander

Photo By Staff Sgt. Brian Calhoun | The 1050th Transportation Battalion, South Carolina National Guard, conducted a change of command ceremony at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina, May 2, 2021, to recognize the outgoing commander, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Denton W. Smith, and welcome the incoming commander, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Rudy E. Crumpton, Jr. The battalion was formed in 2008 and was federally recognized April 2009. The battalion’s mission is to conduct motor transport operations and provide transportation support to units across the state. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Brian Calhoun, 108th Public Affairs Detachment)  

COLUMBIA, SC, UNITED STATES

05.03.2021

Courtesy Story

South Carolina National Guard

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The 59th Troop Command, South Carolina Army National Guard, conducted a change of command ceremony for the 1050th Transportation Battalion, May 2, 2021, at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina, to recognize the outgoing commander and welcome the incoming commander.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Rudy E. Crumpton, Jr., will serve as the next commander of the 1050th Transportation Battalion. Crumpton is taking command from U.S. Army Lt. Col. Denton W. Smith.

“The most important part of being selected [for this position] is earning the opportunity to command Soldiers in a battalion I have served in for many years,” said Crumpton.

The 1050th Transportation Battalion plans, integrates, and directs the execution of transportation missions conducted by transportation companies located throughout South Carolina. The 1050th Transportation Battalion is headquartered in Varnville and includes Detachment 1, 1051st Transportation Company in Varnville, the 1051st Transportation Company in Beaufort, the 1052nd Transportation Company in Kingstree, the 1053rd Transportation Company in Bennettsville, and the 1055th Transportation Company in Laurens.

Crumpton will serve as the 1050th Transportation Battalion commander in a drill-status. In his fulltime capacity, he serves as the state deputy personnel officer for the South Carolina Army National Guard. Crumpton enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in 1994, before transferring to the South Carolina National Guard in 1999. He has held numerous positions in the South Carolina National Guard including the 751st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion operations officer and Headquarters and Headquarters Company commander, 1050th Transportation Battalion executive officer, 59th Troop Command assistant personnel officer, supply officer, and operations officer, Recruiting and Retention Battalion deputy commander, and the Joint Force Headquarters deputy Inspector General. Crumpton has also served on two combat deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004-2005 and 2009-2010.

“Serving the people of South Carolina and our nation is most definitely the main highlight of what we do, but the relationships and friendships I have built over the years have been priceless,” said Crumpton.

Crumpton is a current resident of Columbia, South Carolina. He is married to Latasha Crumpton and a proud father of two sons, Jalen, 17, and Devan, 15.

• Date Taken: 05.03.2021
• Date Posted: 05.03.2021 12:51
• Story ID: 395460
• Location: COLUMBIA, SC, US