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District of Columbia Army National Guard Headquarters, State Area Command District of Columbia Army National Guard Active Country United States Allegiance District of Columbia Branch Army National Guard Type ARNG Headquarters Command Part of District of Columbia National Guard Garrison/ HQ D.C. Armory The District of Columbia Army National Guard is composed of 10 units: the 74th Troop Command, the 260th Regiment RTI (Officer Candidate School), the 33rd WMD Civil Support Team, the 121st Medical Com- mand, the 257th AG Band Army, the Mobiliz- ation Augmentation Command, Detachment 3 Health and Dental Clinic, Detachment 4 OSAC, the Recruiting and Retention Com- mand, and HQ District Area Command. The District of Columbia Army National Guard has a unique mission. It is led by a Commanding General, and is the only Army National Guard organization activated by the President of the United States for natural and civil emergencies. The D.C. National Guard is also unique from other National Guard or- ganizations because, unlike state organiza- tions who have dual jurisdiction for federal and local matters, the D.C. National Guard has no local jurisdiction. This means the may- or cannot call upon the District of Columbia National Guard forces to protect local in- terests in Washington, D.C. (hence the City’s nickname, the Federal City). Like all other Army National Guard units, the D.C. Army National Guard continues to support the Un- ited States Army and its national security objectives. District of Columbia Army National Guard units are trained and equipped as part of the United States Army. The same ranks and in- signia are used and National Guardsmen are eligible to receive all United States military awards. The District of Columbia National Guard also bestows a number of state awards for local services rendered in or to the Dis- trict of Columbia. History {Following is from public records of the DC National Guard} History, Lineage and Honors Headquarters, District of Columbia Na- tional Guard PERMANENT ORDERS 1-1, 18 February 1986 1. Under the provisions of paragraph 3b(2), National Guard Regulation 870-5, Mil- itary History: Responsibilities, Policies and Procedures, 15 March 1984, and coincident with the 210th anniversary of the organiza- tion, announcement is made of the following history, lineage and honors of the Headquar- ters, District of Columbia National Guard. 2. History. -Constituted January 1776 as Headquarters 25th Battalion, Georgetown and Headquar- ters 29th Battalion, Bladensburg in the Mary- land Militia. Mobilized in March and July 1776 to repel marauders. Mobilized January 1777 for services at Trenton and Princeton, and in October 1777 for combat service in Germantown. -25th Battalion mobilized April 1781 for de- fense of the Potomac River Valley, and in From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia District of Columbia Army National Guard 1 May 1781 for defense of Georgetown. Saw duty at Fredericktown and Old Fort Freder- ick through 1781. -Reconstituted by the Act of December 1793 and officially recognized 18 June 1794 as the 14th and 18th Regiments, Maryland Militia, and Headquarters 4th Brigade, Maryland Mi- litia, with headquarters in Georgetown. -Established as Headquarters, District of Columbia Militia by Act of the Congress, March 1802, and organized May/June 1802 with a Brigade Headquarters. Reorganized by Act of the Congress 3 March 1803. -In Federal service 1-4 July 1863 to mobilize the Militia to resist Confederate forces. De- mobilized 4 July 1863. -In Federal service July 1864 to mobilize the Militia to resist Confederate attacks on the District of Columbia. -Reorganized under the Territorial Act of 1871 with the position of Commanding Gen- eral eliminated and the position of Adjutant General established as commander of milit- ary forces. -Reorganized in 1887 under the Act of 1803 with the position of Commanding General reestablished. -Reconstituted as the National Guard of the District of Columbia under the Act of the Congress, 1 March 1889 with the headquar- ters retaining the designation as Headquar- ters, District of Columbia Militia, with the command of the District of Columbia Nation- al Guard. Organization to consist of not more than twenty-eight companies of infantry or- ganized into regiments, battalions, and unat- tached companies as may be deemed expedi- ent; one battery of light artillery; one signal corps; one ambulance corps; one band of mu- sic; and one corps of field music. -In Federal service April 1898 to mobilize the units of the District of Columbia National Guard for service in the Spanish-American War. -Organization of the District of Columbia Na- tional Guard modified by Act of the Congress, 11 May 1898 to provide for organization of a naval battalion to consist of not more than four companies of naval militia. -Mustered into Federal service at Fort Myer, Virginia 20 June 1916 to mobilize units of the District of Columbia National Guard for Mex- ican Border Service. Discharged 21 October 1916. -All elements and personnel, less Headquar- ters, District of Columbia Militia, mobilized for Federal service between 25 March 1917 and 25 July 1917. Commanding General mustered into Federal service on 5 August 1917. -Reorganized during period October - Decem- ber 1917 to include Companies A & B, 4th DC Infantry (units never established), and the 2nd Separate Battalion (Colored) to con- sist of retired and discharged veterans and exempt men to provide a “home guard” for the defense of the District of Columbia. -Reorganized on 5 March 1918 to consist of the 5th DC Infantry and the 2nd Separate Battalion (Colored). -Reorganized 19 December 1919 to consist of one battalion and two companies of infantry, one headquarters company, one field artillery battery, and one signal company. Only Headquarters, 5th Infantry and companies A and C established. -Fifth Infantry reorganized and redesignated 31 December 1920 as the Engineer Regiment (Federal recognition as 121st Engineers, 1 January 1921 - separate lineage). -Reorganized 19 January 1922 with the 260th Coast Artillery (separate lineage) and ele- ments of the 29th Division (separate lin- eages) added. -Commanding General, District of Columbia Militia appointed, concurrently, as Com- manding General, 29th Division, effective 16 October 1923 with Headquarters, 29th Divi- sion allocated to the District of Columbia Na- tional Guard. Command of the 29th Division transferred to the Maryland National Guard effective 10 April 1934. -Commanding General, District of Columbia Militia, brought to active duty and appointed District of Columbia Director of Selective Service in October 1940 serving in that capa- city until July 1941. -Commanding General District of Columbia Militia appointed Commander, Washington Provisional Brigade (precursor of the Military District of Washington) in July 1941 serving in this capacity until May 1942 when appoin- ted Provost Marshal of the District of Columbia (with jurisdiction over trial of five German saboteurs), serving in this capacity until October 1942 when relieved from active duty and returned to command of the District of Columbia National Guard. -Supervision and control of District of Columbia National Guard passed from the President of the United States to the Secret- ary of Defense pursuant to Executive Order From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia District of Columbia Army National Guard 2 10030, 26 January 1949 with authority given to the Secretary to designate officials of the National Military Establishment to adminis- ter affairs of the District of Columbia Nation- al Guard. -Secretary of the Army directed to act for the Secretary of Defense in all matters pertaining to the ground component, and Secretary of the Air Force directed to act in all matters pertaining to the air component of the Dis- trict of Columbia National Guard by Secret- ary of Defense memorandum, 2 February 1949. -By Act of the Congress, 2 September 1957 the Commanding General of the Militia of the District of Columbia is authorized to hold the rank of major general or brigadier general. -In Federal service 5 to 16 April 1968 to aid civil authorities of the District of Columbia. -Pursuant to Executive Order 11485, 1 Octo- ber 1969 the Attorney General of the United States is given responsibility for advising the President with respect to alternatives avail- able pursuant to law for use of District of Columbia National Guard to aid civil authorit- ies; and for establishing after consultation with the Secretary of Defense law enforce- ment policies to be observed by the military forces in the event the National Guard is used in its militia status to aid civil authorities. -In Federal service May 1971 to aid civil au- thorities of the District of Columbia. 3. Heraldic Items. Distinctive Unit Insignia: A gold color metal and enamel device consist- ing of the dome of the United States Capitol in white in front of a gold rising sun and sup- ported by a torse of six twists alternately of white and red; on a blue scroll arched above the dome, the motto, Capital Guardians, in gold. Approved 10 October 1972. Symbolism: The dome of the United States Capitol typi- fies the District of Columbia. The rising sun is adapted from the District o f Columbia Seal and signifies the ascendancy of the National Capitol and the country it rep- resents. Since the District of Columbia lies within the original thirteen English Colonies, the twists of the wreath are accordingly in white and red. Shoulder Sleeve Insignia: On a red three-sided background, the crest of the National Guard of the District of Columbia, proper. Approved 7 June 1948. Distinguished Flag: A blue rectangular field, centered thereon the crest of the National Guard of the District of Columbia, proper. Below the crest, Headquarters, District of Columbia National Guard inscribed in blue on white ribbons edged in gold. Approved 1930. 4. Campaign Participation Credit. - Revolutionary War. - Germantown. - Civil War - Defense of Washington. - War with Spain. - Mexican Expedition. - World War I. - World War II American Theater. 5. Decorations. None. /signed/ CALVIN G. FRANKLIN Major Gener- al, DCNG Commanding General {The following Sidelights are original writ- ten material posted by the author.} Sidelights to DC National Guard History THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER It is the night of September 13-14, 1814 . . . Francis Scott Key, under a flag of truce, has been permitted aboard a British man-of-war maneuvering in Baltimore Harbor. A Wash- ington attorney, Key is attempting to arrange the release of Dr. William Beans, a Maryland physician, who has been arrested by British forces. Key watches while the British fleet bom- bards Fort McHenry, and is inspired to write the poem which will later become our Nation- al Anthem. History shall record that the "Star Spangled Banner" was written by a mem- ber of the District of Columbia Militia while serving on temporary active duty. To ensure that the British would grant him full protection of the flag of truce, it seems that First Lieutenant Francis Scott Key, a member of the Georgetown Field Artillery, had traveled to Baltimore on military orders. SIX MAYORS AND A GOVERNOR SERVED During the period 1808 through 1872, six Mayors of the District of Columbia, and one Governor of the Territory of the District of Columbia served in the District of Columbia Militia. Roger C. Weightman, Mayor from 1824 to 1827, served concurrently as a Colonel of the Militia. He was promoted to Brigadier From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia District of Columbia Army National Guard 3 General in 1830, and, in 1860, upon promo- tion to Major General, served as Command- ing General of the Militia. Weightman rose from a job as a penniless printer to be a prominent businessman and banker. John P. VanNess, Mayor from 1830 to 1834, joined the Militia in 1808. He was ap- pointed and served as Major General Com- manding of the D.C. Militia from 1811 to 1815. William A. Bradley, Mayor from 1834 to 1836, was, concurrently, a Colonel in the Militia. Peter Force, Mayor from 1836 to 1840, was, concurrently, a Colonel in the Militia, and later, in 1860, was promoted to Brigadier General. Earlier, in 1824, Force founded and served as first commander of the Columbia Artillery. William W. Seaton, Mayor from 1840 to 1850, was, concurrently, a Colonel in the Militia. Walter Lenox, Mayor from 1850 to 1852, was, concurrently, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Militia. Alexander R. Shepard, Governor from 1870 to 1872, when the District of Columbia was organized under a Territorial form of government, had, circa 1861, served as a Private in the National Rifles of the DC Mili- tia, and fought with that unit at the Second Battle of Bull Run. THE MARCH KING AND DC NATIONAL GUARD During the years 1888 and 1890, the "March King," John Philip Sousa, wrote three marches for local teenage cadet corps and drill teams which were exciting parts of the capital city scene in the years after the Civil War. At the time the marches were writ- ten, these three units had each become ele- ments of the D.C. National Guard. In 1888, Sousa composed The March Past of the National Fencibles for the National Fencibles, a cadet corps formed prior to 1887. The history of the National Fencibles continued in lineage of the 163rd Military Po- lice Battalion, and today in the 372nd Milit- ary Police Battalion. In 1890, at the request of the Washington Cadet Corps, formed in 1880 as the marching unit of the Washington High School, Sousa composed High School Cadets. The unit members had asked Sousa to write a march superior to National Fencibles, written by him for their rival corps. The history of the National Fencibles continues in the lineage of the 372nd Military Police Battalion. In 1890, Sousa also composed Corcoran Cadets for the Corcoran Cadets Drill Team, the favorite and most notable of the local corps. Formed in 1883, the average age of the Corcoran Cadets was 16. The unit was re- ported to present a snappy picture with its wooden rifles, colorful uniforms, and youthful enthusiasm. It was the first cadet company to be mustered into the D.C. National Guard. The history of the Corcoran Cadets continued in the lineage of the 163rd Military Police Battalion, and today in the 372nd Military Po- lice Battalion. Two other Sousa works were very popular with local National Guard units. La Reine de la Mer Valses (The Queen of the Sea), a waltz composed in 1886, and dedicated to Mrs. W.C. Whitney, the wife of the Secretary of the Navy, was played while inspecting of- ficers "trooped the line" at military ceremon- ies. The Washington Post March, one of Sousa’s most famous pieces, was composed in 1889 at the request of the Washington Post newspaper owner as a means of helping the newspaper increase subscriptions. It was first performed on June 15, 1889, reportedly by the D.C. National Guard Band. It was en- thusiastically received and became an "overnight" success. PROTECTING THE PRESIDENT It is March 3, 1861 . . . tomorrow Abra- ham Lincoln will become the 16th President of the United States. Plots to prevent his in- auguration are common knowledge. Lieuten- ant General Winfield Scott, General-in- Chief of the Army, directs Colonel Charles P. Stone, Inspector General of the D.C. Mili- tia, to protect the President-elect from pos- sible assassination. The next morning, loyal infantry and rifle- men of the D.C. Militia are stationed on rooftops overlooking Pennsylvania Avenue, a company of sappers and miners (engineers) are ordered to march immediately in front of and behind the Presidential carriage, and double files of D.C. Militia cavalry ride on either side of the carriage to and from the Capitol, spurring their horses so they will rear up, in order to prevent an assassin from getting aim. Another battalion of D.C. Militia is placed near the Capitol steps while rifle- men in the windows guard all approaches. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia District of Columbia Army National Guard 4 The inauguration takes place without in- cident. As President Lincoln enters the White House he receives his first military sa- lute from the volunteer members of the D.C. Militia. FIRST TO BE CALLED It is April 10, 1861 . . . two days before the rebel attack upon Fort Sumter, South Carolina -- the event that "officially" begins the Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln orders the mobilization of ten companies of D.C. Militia. The units assemble at their ar- mories and swear an oath to support the Con- stitution of the United States. The D.C. Mili- tia has provided the first man, the first company, and the first regiment mobilized for the war. Five days later the President mo- bilizes an additional 23 companies of D.C. Mi- litia. All mobilized units begin immediately to prepare for the defense of Washington. THE FIRST PRISONER It is 1861 . . . the Civil War has just begun. Manuel C. Causten, a resident of the Dis- trict of Columbia, enlists in Captain Owens’ President’s Mounted Guard, an element of the D.C. Militia. Little is known of his duties, however, it is assumed that as a Private he served as a mounted trooper in the Company. On May 31, 1861, just six weeks after the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, South Carolina, Private Causten has the distinc- tion and misfortune of becoming the first Federal soldier captured during the war. One might expect that Causten was cap- tured during a heated engagement, but that is not the case. Instead, he is captured by Confederate pickets (scouts) near Seneca Mills, Montgomery County, Maryland. As the first prisoner of the Confederates, Causten is "displayed" to the public in Rich- mond, Virginia and later in North Carolina. In April 1862, on his father’s recommendation, he applies to Confederate General John Winder for parole to return to Washington, D.C. to accept a commission as a Lieutenant in the 19th U.S. Infantry. His appointment permits him to be exchanged for a Confeder- ate prisoner of war of equal rank, and he is released in May 1862. Lieutenant Causten is captured again on September 20, 1863, at the Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia. This time he is not so quickly released, and remains a prisoner un- til December 1864. Illnesses contracted while in prison force Causten to resign his com- mission in February 1865. Causten was a member of a fairly promin- ent D.C. family. One of his sons became an official in the Department of the Treasury, and, circa 1900, was "in charge" of the Alaska Territory. THE DRUMMER BOY OF SHILOH It is August 1871 . . . John L. Clemm or- ganizes and is elected Commander (Captain) of the Washington Rifles, a Company in the D.C. Militia. A few months later, in December 1871, after he is found to be academically un- qualified for admission to the United States Military Academy, President Ulysses Simpson Grant, his former commanding of- ficer, will commission Captain Clemm as a Second Lieutenant in the Regular Army of the United States. Much earlier, however, in April 1862, Union and Confederate forces will clash in a bloody battle at Shiloh, Tennessee. Johnny Clemm, a drummer boy so small that he is often carried into battle on the shoulders of his Union comrades, will be immortalized in story and song after he puts down his drum, picks up a rifle, and empties a saddle of a Confederate Colonel. The Drummer Boy of Shiloh will go on to a long and distinguished military career. He will retire in 1915 as a Major General, the last veteran of the Civil War remaining on active service. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA NAVY From 1898 until 1917, a full-fledged Naval force was part of the D.C. National Guard. Known as the Naval Militia, these citizen sail- ors performed all duties of active Navy per- sonnel, wore similar uniforms, and accom- plished their training on Naval Militia vessels or ships of the active Navy. Members of the D.C. Naval Battalion saw sea service along the East coast of the United States, and in the Gulf of Mexico during the period 1915-1916. Most of the Naval Militia vessels were loaned to the D.C. National Guard by the De- partment of the Navy. A letter, signed in January 1915, by Acting Secretary of the Navy Franklin Delano Roosevelt, dis- cusses the loan of the U.S.S. Sylvia, a steam yacht built in 1882. The Sylvia remained with the Naval Militia until 1917, when she was transferred back to the active Navy for ser- vice in World War I. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia District of Columbia Army National Guard 5 The U.S.S. Puritan, a monitor, was the largest vessel operated by the D.C. Naval Mi- litia. Displacing 6,060 tons, the Puritan was more than 290 feet in length, and more than 60 feet in beam (width). Carrying a crew of 19 officers and 210 men, she was armed with four 12-inch guns (a modern battleship car- ries 16-inch guns), six 4-inch guns, and an additional six smaller weapons. Built in 1882, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Puritan had an active career during the Spanish-American War. Following wartime service she served at the U.S. Naval Academy from 1899 to 1902, and was operated by the D.C. Naval Militia from 1904 to 1909. The D.C. Naval Militia was absorbed into the active Navy when the United States entered World War I. Although it was not re- constituted after the War, present laws con- tinue to provide for a Naval Battalion as part of the D.C. National Guard. THE FIRST AVIATOR It is August 1915 . . . the "Aeronautic Corps" for the D.C. National Guard has been established as part of the Naval Battalion. One hydroaeroplane, a "Columbia" biplane, is authorized. It is designed and built at the Washington Aeroplane Company (then loc- ated on the Maine Avenue waterfront -- now the site of several restaurants). The aircraft is powered by one 8-cycle, 60 horsepower motor. The Aeronautic Corps consists of two Lieu- tenants, one Aviator, and six enlisted person- nel. The aviator and enlisted personnel are noted to have had "more or less previous ex- perience in aeronautics." The aviator, Ensign Dean R. VanKirk, has been loaned to the D.C. Naval Militia "for the purpose of instruction and training of the Aeronautical Corps of the Battalion, and for official flights as ordered by the commanding officer." VanKirk will undergo training at the Curtiss Flying School at Newport News, Vir- ginia, and, in late 1916, will depart for addi- tional training at the Naval Aeronautic Sta- tion, Pensacola, Florida. VanKirk will, unfor- tunately, crash and be killed on one of his first flights at Pensacola. HEROES ALL The Medal of Honor is awarded for con- spicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of one’s life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy. The deed must be one of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his comrades and must have involved risk of life. Six men awarded the Medal of Honor later served in the D.C. National Guard. Private M. Emmet Urell (later Colonel, 2nd Regiment, DCNG, circa 1895) was awar- ded the Medal at Bristoe Station, Virginia on October 14, 1863, for, "gallantry in action while detailed as color bearer; was severely wounded." Captain Cecil Clay (later Colonel, 1st Re- giment, DCNG, circa 1892) was awarded the Medal at Fort Harrison, Virginia on Septem- ber 29, 1864, when he, "led his Regiment in the charge, carrying the colors of another re- giment, and when severely wounded in the right arm, incurring loss of same, he shifted the colors to the left hand, which also be- came disabled by a gunshot wound." Sergeant Major Christian A. Fleetwood (later Major, 7th Battalion, DCNG, 1887-1892) was awarded the Medal at Chaffins Farm, Virginia on September 29, 1864, when he, "seized the colors after two color bearers had been shot down, and bore them nobly through the fight." Second Lieutenant Charles H. Heyl (later Lieutenant Colonel, The Adjutant Gen- eral, DCNG, 1897-1898) was awarded the Medal for action near Fort Hartsuff, Neb- raska on April 28, 1876, when he, "voluntar- ily, and with most conspicuous gallantry, charged with three men upon six Indians who were entrenched on a hillside." Second Lieutenant Oscar F. Long (later Lieutenant Colonel, The Adjutant General, DCNG, 1889-1892) was awarded the Medal for action at Bear Paw Mountain, Montana on September 30, 1877, "having been directed to order a troop of cavalry to advance, and finding both its officers killed, he voluntarily assumed command, and under a heavy fire from the Indians advanced the troop to its proper position." Second Lieutenant Lloyd M. Brett (later Lieutenant Colonel, The Adjutant Gen- eral, DCNG, 1903-1908, and Brigadier Gener- al, The Adjutant General, DCNG, 1923-1927) was awarded the Medal for action at O’Fallon’s Creek, Montana on April 1, 1880, when he acted with "fearless exposure and dashing bravery in cutting off the Indians’ pony herd, thereby greatly crippling the hostiles." ONLY THE FLAG SHALL GO From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia District of Columbia Army National Guard 6 It is 1942 . . . the National Guard has been mobilized for nearly two years, many units have already seen combat. The 29th In- fantry Division, made up of units from Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, is staging at Fort Meade, Mary- land for movement to England. Included among its units is the 121st Engineer Com- bat Battalion (see Note, below) (later the 163rd Military Police Battalion and now the 372nd Military Police Battalion) of the D.C. National Guard. At the same time, the 37th Infantry Divi- sion from the Ohio National Guard, is staging at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. The 37th has also been alerted for movement to England, and has sent 112th Engineer Com- bat Battalion ahead as part of the advance party. Order are changed. The 37th is diverted for service in the Pacific Theater. There is no time to recall the 112th, or to create and train a new Engineer Battalion. The War De- partment orders all personnel and equipment of the 121st Engineers moved from Fort Meade to Fort Indiantown Gap. The unit is redesignated the 117th Engineer Combat Battalion. One officer and six enlisted person- nel, symbolically representing the 121st Headquarters, each line Company, and the Medical Detachment, remain behind with the organization’s colors. The new 117th Engineers will ship out to the Fiji Islands, and will then see extensive combat in the Philippines. The men from the D.C. Guard will earn great praise for their heroism as they work under enemy fire build- ing and repairing 64 bridges, destroying en- emy held buildings and tank obstacles, and participating in river crossings with "consum- mate skill and courage." By the time the 121st sees its first combat, on D-Day at Omaha Beach during the inva- sion of Normandy, its ranks will have been filled with new soldiers from throughout the Nation. The history, lineage, and honors of the 121st later continued with the 163rd MPs, and today with the 372nd MPs. The ac- complishments of the members of the 117th Engineers do not, unfortunately, continue with a modern unit. The 117th was disbanded at the end of World War II. Efforts in the 1980s to have the 117th’s wartime credits as- signed to the 163rd MPs were rejected by Department of the Army. Note: The modern 29th Infantry Division includes a unit designated the 121st Engin- eer Battalion. That unit, formed well after WWII, has no relationship to the unit de- scribed above, nor does it carry its history, lineage or honors. ON THE BORDER It is June 1916 . . . all units of the D.C. Na- tional Guard have been mobilized and sent to Texas or Arizona as part of the military force assembled to stop Mexican bandits, led by Pancho Villa, from attacking American towns along the border. Most D.C. units will per- form garrison duties and engage in training exercises. The 1st Separate Infantry, an all-black unit (now the 372nd Military Police Bat- talion), is assigned to Naco, Arizona, a critic- al location since it is a major water supply point for the region. In late summer, a bandit raid probes the town’s defenses, and the men of the 1st Se- parate Infantry return the fire. The engage- ment is short but intense. A later inquiry by the War Department finds that the men of the 1st Separate are, "well led and have demon- strated excellent fire discipline." National Guard units are withdrawn later in the year. The Naco engagement will prove to be the only incident during Mexican Border operations in which D.C. National Guard troops engage in combat against the bandits. AN IMMENSE HONOR It is March 25, 1917 . . . twelve days be- fore the United States enters World War I. The Secretary of War orders the Command- ing General of the District of Columbia Na- tional Guard to mobilize forces to protect vi- tal District facilities from possible enemy sabotage. The General orders out the 1st Separate Infantry, an all-black unit which will later be- come the First Battalion, 372nd Infantry (now the 372nd Military Police Battalion). The entire Battalion assembles before break- fast and is ready for orders. They are sent to prevent enemy action at the several power stations and the six reservoirs serving the city. The men of the Battalion are immensely proud of their assignment. Of all the units in the D.C. National Guard, theirs is the only one considered sufficiently loyal to be given the task of securing these vital city From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia District of Columbia Army National Guard 7 installations. Other units are considered to have too many men of foreign descent to be trusted with this critical assignment. As the 372nd Infantry, the unit will go to France in 1918, and will be the only unit of the D.C. National Guard to actually engage in combat against German forces. See also • District of Columbia Air National Guard • 74th Troop Command External links • District of Columbia National Guard Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_of_Columbia_Army_National_Guard" Categories: United States National Guard, Military in Washington, D.C. This page was last modified on 25 April 2009, at 12:06 (UTC). All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. (See Copyrights for details.) Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a U.S. registered 501(c)(3) tax- deductible nonprofit charity. Privacy policy About Wikipedia Disclaimers From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia District of Columbia Army National Guard 8
