History of the Illinois National Guard

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History of the Illinois National Guard

• Illinois National Guard
• Youth/Child Services

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Early Militia
The term militia is defined as a citizen
army. The earliest known militia in Illinois was
organized in 1712.
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• It was the actions of the militia under Colonel
  George Rogers Clark which lead to Illinois
  independence from British rule in 1778
• To improve defenses throughout the state,
  militiamen constructed and occupied strong wooden
  forts known as blockhouses. One of these was Fort
  Russell.

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• In 1813 the militia fought Native Americans
  sympathetic to the British cause, pushed them to
  Peoria Lake and then captured Prairie du Chien in
  1814.

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Black Hawk War

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• The Black Hawk War of 1832 resulted in the deaths
  of seventy settlers and soldiers, and hundreds of
  Black Hawks band. The War not only affected the
  lives of the Indians, settlers, and militiamen
  involved, but also the settlement of Illinois and
  Wisconsin. The War was responsible for the end of
  conflict between whites and Indians in both
  states

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Civil War
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• Illinois Governor Richard Yates and the Illinois
  General Assembly authorized six regiments
  consisting of 125 officers and 4,458 soldiers.
  Patriotic Illinois quickly exceeded its initial
  requirement of six regiments.

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• As volunteers assembled to save the Union, many
  companies were formed in communities by citizens
  with a common purpose, background and ethnicity.
  The government and the states were not prepared
  for the long and costly war that followed. The
  greatest shortfall was a lack of supplies, food,
  uniforms, weapons and military training.

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• After the Union defeat at the battles of Bull Run
  and Wilsons Creek, it was clear that the war
  would be longer than expected. There was no end
  in sight to a conflict that some had assumed
  would be over in a matter of weeks. Lincoln was
  forced to issue a call for 500,000 additional
  troops.

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• Illinois contribution to the war comprised 16
  percent of the total number of Union troops. By
  the end of the war, Illinois had lost 34,834 men
  out of approximately 250,000

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World War One
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• Illinois National Guard troops were first called
  to active duty on March 25, 1917. To show support
  for the war, Illinois citizens held patriotic
  rallies and flew flags and banners from buildings
  and homes. Volunteers poured into recruiting
  offices, often joining with friends who shared
  the desire for adventure.

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• On July 4, the 131st and 132nd Infantry
  affiliated with the Australian 4th Division and
  took part in the attack and capture of Hamel.
  From August 8 to 21, elements of the Division
  supported the Australians and British during the
  Somme Offensive Operation. Between September and
  November 1918, the Division participated in the
  occupation of the Verdun-Fromereville Sector of
  Lorraine and the Muese-Argonne Operation. On
  October 26, the Division assumed command of the
  Troyon Sector of Lorraine.

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• Upon their return to Illinois, the 33rd Division
  was received with numerous parades, ceremonies
  and events honoring their participation in the
  war. The Illinois National Guard provided 18,884
  soldiers, 532 sailors in the Naval Militia and
  was awarded nine Medals of Honor.

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World War Two
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• With the threat of both a European and a Pacific
  War, President Franklin Roosevelt called the 33rd
  Division of the Illinois National Guard into
  active federal service on March 5, 1941.

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• On December 7, 1941, Japan bombed the American
  Naval Fleet at Pearl Harbor, prompting the United
  States to declare war on Japan. Within a week
  Germany declared war on the United States

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• Elements of the 33rd Division took part in
  various campaigns in the Pacific Theater of War.
  One element was sent to Guadalcanal to support
  the United States Marines in expanding the
  campaign.  They played a large role in the first
  Japanese land battle defeat in history. 

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• In December 1945, following the surrender of
  Germany and Japan, Illinois Guardsmen returned
  home.  In all, the 33rd Division remained in
  active service for 1,470 days with losses
  totaling 513.  They fought in three major Pacific
  campaigns and received high praise for their
  service. 

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• While in the Philippines, the Division received
  the Presidential Unit Citation, 497 Silver Stars,
  43 Legions of Merit, 39 Distinguished Service
  Crosses, 39 Air Medals, and 3 Medals of Honor

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Korean War
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• The 32nd Ordnance Battalion was activated by
  President Truman on August 19, 1950 and assigned
  to the 8th Army when it arrived at Pusan, South
  Korea on July 10, 1951.

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• After fighting the Peoples Republic of Chinas
  volunteers and the North Korean Army to a
  standstill, an armistice was signed on July 27,
  1953. This armistice divided North and South
  Korea with a border similar to that in place at
  the beginning of the war. To this day, Americans
  as well as South and North Korean Soldiers are
  stationed along the border.

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Vietnam War
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• The Illinois National Guard became involved in
  the Vietnam Conflict in April 1968, when the
  126th Supply and Service Company was called to
  support the build up of United States forces. The
  Quincy, Illinois unit which consisted of 200
  members was capable of operating a supply and
  service facility in direct support of
  approximately 8,000 soldiers.

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• Overall, the 126th Supply and Service Company
  served 12 months in Vietnam. According to their
  superiors and the units they supported, the 126th
  was one of the most innovative, efficient and
  productive combat service support units in
  Vietnam, and always performed their combat
  support duties to the highest standards.

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Gulf War
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• In response to the Presidents call, Illinois
  Adjutant General Harold Holesinger made the
  following statement, President Bush has asked
  Illinois National Guardsmen to answer the call to
  duty in the nations behalfand as citizen
  soldiers in this country have for more than 350
  years, our soldiers will answer that call.

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• The Illinois National Guard provided a total of
  1,371 soldiers and airmen from both Army and Air
  National Guard units to support the national goal
  of restoring peace and order in the Gulf.

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• Between September and November, 1990, the
  Illinois Army National Guard mobilized the
  1244th, 1544th and 1644th Transportation
  Companies who were responsible for transporting
  soldiers and equipment in Saudi Arabia. 

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• On November 21, the 233rd Military Police Company
  was mobilized and sent to Saudi Arabia to provide
  traffic control, enemy prisoner of war processing
  and other police functions.

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• On November 17, the Headquarters Company of the
  108th Medical Battalion was mobilized and
  functioned as a command element for other medical
  units in the region.

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• On January 17, 1991 the 933rd Military Police
  Company was sent to Germany to function as
  replacements for active component Military Police
  units which deployed to the Gulf.

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• The Illinois Air National Guards 126th Air
  Refueling Wing and 108th Air Refueling Squadron
  were also mobilized and actively participated in
  the Air Bridge between the United States and
  the Persian Gulf. The 126th flew 546 missions and
  delivered more than 27.3 million pounds of fuel
  to more than 2,880 U.S. and Allied aircraft in
  support of the Desert Shield Tanker Task Force. 

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• Following the liberation of Kuwait, the Illinois
  National Guard Army Aviation Support Facilitys
  C-12 aircraft was the first Allied plane to land
  at the liberated Kuwait Airport.

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• In 1991, Illinois National Guard units began
  returning home.  They were received with parades
  and ceremonies. On May 13, the 233rd Military
  Police Company arrived in Springfield, Illinois
  to a welcome home ceremony on the east side of
  the Capitol Building

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9-11
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• I can hear you, the rest of the world can hear
  you and the people who knocked these buildings
  down will hear all of us soon.
• President George Bush

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• Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of
  our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the
  foundation of America. These acts shatter steel,
  but they cannot dent the steel of American
  resolve.
• --George W. Bush Address to the US after hijack
  attacks on the US World Trade Centers and
  Pentagon, September 11, 2001

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Operation Enduring Freedom
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• After the chaos and carnage of September 11th, it
  is not enough to serve our enemies with legal
  papers.
• President George W. Bush

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• America will never seek a permission slip to
  defend the security of our people.
• President George W. Bush

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Operation Iraqi Freedom
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• So history begins to write a new chapter for the
  Illinois National Guard.
• We as Youth of the Guard give you our loved ones
  to take these brave steps, to protect our
  freedom, so they too can take their rightful
  place among those whom have served in the past.

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We Salute You, We honor You, We are proud of
you.