What Is the Pennsylvania Army National Guard?

What is The Pennsylvania Army National Guard?

The Pennsylvania Army National Guard is a branch of the United States Army that is mostly used today for homeland security. Although the National Guard is not active like the Reserves or Active Duty Army, they still have the same requirements and same responsibility. More than 22,000 men and women make up the Pennsylvania National Guard and Air National Guard today. They reach from state quarters at Fort Indian Town Gap in Lebanon County to about 100 comunities in the commonwealth. Like all National Guard members they share the same responsibilities. For their federal mission, they are trained and equipped to join the active forces in the time of war or a national emergency. For their state mission, they respond to the orders of the governor, protecting the lives and property of people during man made and natural disasters. Their role extends further than floods, blizzards, and riots, everyday they work to clean up the enviorment, fighting to get rid of drugs and other illegal things on the streets, and they serve as role models to generations to come. With the National Guard today you can earn extra money for college, learn job skills that you can use out of the service, and feel better about yourself by serving your hometown and country.

History of the National Guard

The history of the Army National Guard began on December 13, 1636 when the Massachusetts Bay Colony organized three militia regiments to defend against the growing threat of the Pequot Indians. Patterned after the English Militia systems, all males between 16 and 60

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were obligated to own arms and take part in the defense of the community. The National Guard continues its historic mission of providing defense of the nation. The National Guard also fought many battles in the 20th century. The first war they were in during the 20th century was World War 1. From the streets of Harlem and other New York City neighborhoods came the African-American National Guardsmen of the 369th Infantry Regiment. They were assigned to the French Army and took part in the Meuse-Argonne offensive. During the attack, the New York City militiamen fought a brutal struggle with defending German troops. Heavy casualties were sustained on both sides.

The Germans nicknamed these troops "Hell Fighters." Their brave actions earned the French Croix de Guerre award for the entire regiment which was cited as "the regiment that never lost a man captured, a trench or a foot of ground..."

Their next encounter with war was World War 2. The 37th Ohio National Guard "Buckeyes" Division took part in the assault to drive Japanese forces out of Manila. It was treacherous fighting. The Japanese had fortified buildings and the 37th found themselves fighting block-by-block, floor-by-floor, and room-by-room. One squad leader found himself the object of a bayonet charge by six Japanese soldiers from 30 yards away. Sergeant Billy E. Vinson warded off the first bayonet thrusts, then opened up with his rifle and dispatched the attackers with a single sustained burst of gunfire. He held his ground until all wounded soldiers in the vicinity could be evacuated. As their Division history states, "For those who missed Normandy or Casino, Manila would do." During the Korean War Puerto Rico's 65th Infantry Regiment was south of Seoul when orders came to take two hills held by the Chinese. The assault took three days. On the morning of the third day, the tops of the hills were within reach.