Figure 1.--

Throughout the 19th century except for the Civil War, the regular United States Army was a very small force. The militia provided the bulk of the men used in the wars Ameruca fought, beginning with the War Of 1812. This was also true at the onset of the Civil War. Militia units provided the bulk of the troops used in the Mexican War abd the Spanish-American War. The term National Guard was, however, not used until the 20th century. Militia units were federalized and called the National Guard (1903). It was organized as a Reserve force for the U.S. Army. This essentially was the founding of the National Guard. The Guard would play a major role in World War I. The National Guard made up 40 percent of the U.S. combat divisions deployed to France. The Guard would also play a major role in World War Ii and was a substantial part of the U.S. Army divisions available after Pearl Harbor.

Militia

Throughout the 19th century except for the Civil War, the regular United States Army was a very small force. The militia provided the bulk of the men used in the wars Ameruca fought, beginning with the War Of 1812. This was also true at the onset of the Civil War. Militia units provided the bulk of the troops used in the Mexican War abd the Spanish-American War.

Foundation

The term National Guard was, however, not used until the 20th century. Militia units were federalized and called the National Guard (1903). It was organized as a Reserve force for the U.S. Army. This essentially was the founding of the National Guard.

World War I (1914-18)

America almost entered World War after a German U-boat sank the British liner Lusitania with Ameeicans aboard (1915). War was overted when the Germans agreed to casease unrestricted submarine warfare. The United States made no effort to prepare for possible entry into the War. A rare exception was The National Defense Act of 1916 guaranteeing the state militias' status as the Army's primary reserve force (1916). Pancho Villa's raids along the Southwest border may have been aarger factor than the far away war in Europe. The individual states were required to rename their militia "National Guard". The Act included provisions to standardize the state Guards, including qualifications for National Guard officers who were allowed to attend U.S. Army schools. Each state National Guard unit were to be inspected and recognized by the War Department. And the state Guards had to be organized like regular Army units. And the Act required specified that Guardsmen would be paid for both annual training and for local drills. President Wilson was called the National Guard to active duty. Over a space of 4 months, 158,000 Guardsmen were deployed along the Siuthwestern birder. The Guard did not enter Mexico in place along with Pershings's Expeditionary Force, but was ready to do so (1916). When Germany resumed unrestricted sunmarine warfare, the United States declared war on Germany (April 1917). The Guard would play a major role in World War I. The National Guard when America declared war were a very large part of the strengthnofvthe U.S. Army. It would make up 40 percent of the U.S. AEF combat divisions deployed to France. The National Guard units were organized into divisions by state. Three of the first five U.S. Army divisions to go into combat were Guard divisions. The greatest number of World War I Medals of Honor recipients were from the 30th Division (Carolinas and Tennessee).

Inter-War Years

World War II (1939-45)

Along with the passage of the Selective Service Act (September 1940), President Roosevelt ordered the National Guard into active military service for 1 year. As America was still not at war, the purpose was preparedness training to ensure the Guard would be ready if America was attacked. A phased program of mobilization began (September 16, 1940). Many refoprted with World War I uniforms and rifles. The mobilization was completed by (spring 1941). After the Selective Service Act was narrowly extended (August 1941), the active service for the Guard was also extended. Three months later the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor bringing the United States into World War II (Sepember 1941). As a result, when America entered the War, a substantial portion of the U.S. Army was made up of National Guard divisions. The National Guard made up 19 divisions Army divisions during the War. As they had some training before mobilization and had about a year of active duty training, they were among the best prepared divisions in the Army. Thus National Guard units were among the first Army divisions to be deployed overseas and the first engaged in active combat, both in the Pacific and European theatres. Three National Guard units were involved in the defense of Batan in the Philippines (December 1941-April 1942). It was the North Dakota National Guard (164th Infantry) that reinforced the 1st Marine Division on Guadalcanal. They were thus the first Army Division to conduct offensive operations. The National Guard was also an important part of the first American offensive operation in Europe--Operation Torch in North Africa (November 1942). This was the 34th Division (Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota). The 34th went on to fight in Italy and was the Army division with the most days in combat.

Created: 7:58 AM 5/21/2011
Last updated: 7:58 AM 5/21/2011