Arkansas Army National Guard: Difference between revisions

Arkansas Army National Guard
Arkansas STARC Shoulder Sleeve insignia
Active	1806 – present
Country	United States
Allegiance	Arkansas
Branch	Army National Guard
Type	ARNG Headquarters Command
Part of	Arkansas National Guard
Garrison/HQ	Camp Joseph T. Robinson North Little Rock, Arkansas
Commanders
Current commander	MG William Wofford

The Arkansas Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. The current Arkansas Army National Guard traces it's roots to the creation of the Territorial Militia in 1804. Interest in the Militia in Arkansas generally waxed and waned throughout the 19th century as various national emergencies arose and passed. While some organization occurred at the county and city level, no effect organization was maintained above the Company level until the closing years of the 19th century. During much of this time local militia companies were supported by private funds. Arkansas provided troops for the War with Mexico, the Civil War, and the Spanish-American War during the 19th Century. In each case, in answer to the governor's call, local militia companies would turn out and be formed into Regiments or Battalions for induction into federal service. The militia was also heavily engaged in the violence that characterized the Reconstruction period following the Civil War.

Following the Spanish American War, the Federal Government slowly began to provide increasing funding and direction to the state militias with the organization formally changing it's name from the Arkansas State Guard, to the Arkansas National Guard following the passage of the National Defense act of 1903. Arkansas National Guard troops participated in the Mexican Expedition in 1916-1917 and returned home briefly before being mobilized again for World War I. When the Arkansas National Guard units were mustered into Federal Service for World War I, their state designations were removed and they were renumbered in accordance with a national System. These new Regimental numbers are still represented today in the Arkansas Army National Guard by the 153rd Infantry Regiment, formerly the 1st Arkansas Infantry, and the 142nd Field Artillery Regiment, formerly the 2nd Arkansas Infantry.

The Arkansas National Guard experience a massive expansion between World War I and World War II, with the first permanent armories being built and troops now directed to drill four time per month and to participate in a two week encampment in the summers. Arkansas provide many units for World War II. The 142nd Field Artillery, now redesignated as the 936 and 937th Field Artillery Battalions participated in the European Campaigns, while the 206th Coast Artillery and the 153rd Infantry served in the Aleutian Islands.

The 936th and 937th Field Artillery Battalions, along with several other Arkansas National Guard units were mobilized again for service in the Korean War. Throughout the Cold War Arkansas National Guard units under went multiple re-organizations in response to the nations cold war strategy. No Arkansas National Guard Troops participated in the Vietnam War, but the state was called upon again to support Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

The years following the first Persian Gulf War saw a dramatic increase in the use of National Guard units for service overseas to support various peace keeping operations. During the 1980s Arkansas Nation Guard units made multiple training rotations to Honduras during a period of increased Marxist activity. In the 1990s, Arkansas Nation Guard Troops began participating in peace keeping operations in Bosnia and assisted in the enforcement of No-fly zone in Iraq by participating in Operation Southern Watch.

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the National Guard transitioned form the nation's strategic reserve, to a part of the operational force. In the immediate crisis following the attacks, National Guard troops were deployed to provide security at airports, nuclear plants, and other critical infrastructure in the state and around the nation, as part of Operation Noble Eagle. Arkansas troops participated in operations to support peace keeping operations in the Sinai and Kosovo to free up Regular Army troops for combat, but the state has also contributed multiple troops for the Global War on Terrorism. Every major unit in the Arkansas National Guard has now deployed at least once in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the state's 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team became the first National Guard brigade to deploy to Iraq for a second time when it deployed in 2008.

Throughout its service to the nation during times of war, the Arkansas National Guard has continued to perform its role of providing service to the citizens of the state during times of disaster. The Guard has responded to numerous tornadoes, floods and fires, in addition to being called upon to provide security and quell violence in times of civil disturbance. The Guard has also provided support to neighboring states, most notably Louisiana during Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Ike.

The years following the first Persian Gulf War saw a dramatic increase in the use of National Guard units for service overseas to support various peace keeping operations. During the 1980s Arkansas Nation Guard units made multiple training rotations to Honduras during a period of increased Marxist activity. In the 1990s, Arkansas Nation Guard Troops began participating in peace keeping operations in Bosnia and assisted in the enforcement of No-fly zone in Iraq by participating in Operation Southern Watch.

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the National Guard transitioned form the nation's strategic reserve, to a part of the operational force. In the immediate crisis following the attacks, National Guard troops were deployed to provide security at airports, nuclear plants, and other critical infrastructure in the state and around the nation, as part of Operation Noble Eagle. Arkansas troops participated in operations to support peace keeping operations in the Sinia and Kosovo to free up Regular Army troops for combat, but the state has also contributed multiple troops for the Global War on Terrorism. Every major unit in the Arkansas National Guard has now deployed at least once in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the state's 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team became the first National Guard brigade to deploy to Iraq for a second time when it deployed in 2008.

Throughout it's service to the nation during times of war, the Arkansas National Guard has continued to perform it's roll of providing service to the citizens of the state during times of disaster. The Guard has responded to numerous tornado's, floods and fires, in addition to being called upon to provide security and quell violence in times of civil disturbance.

• Arkansas Joint Force Headquarters (AR-JFHQ)

• 39th Brigade Combat Team (BCT) - formerly 39th Infantry Brigade (Separate)

  

  • 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment : Malvern, Arkansas
  • 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment: Searcy, Arkansas
  • 1st Squadron, 151st Cavalry Regiment : Warren, Arkansas
  • 1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery Regiment: Russellville, Arkansas
  • 39th Brigade Support Battalion: Hazen, Arkansas
  • 39th Brigade Special Troops Battalion: Conway, Arkansas

• 142nd Fires Brigade - formerly the 142nd Field Artillery

  

  Brigade^[1]
  • Headquarters & Headquarters Battery, 142nd Fires Brigade: Fayettville, Arkansas
  • 1st Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery Regiment: Harrison, Arkansas
  • 2nd Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery Regiment: Fort Smith, Arkansas
  • 217th Brigade Support Battalion : Booneville, Arkansas
  • F Battery, 142nd Field Artillery Regiment : Fayettville
  • 142nd Signal Company Fayettville

• 77th Theater Aviation Brigade: Camp Robinson North Little Rock, Arkansas

  

  • 777th Aviation Support Battalion: Camp Robinson: North Little Rock, Arkansas
  • 1st Battalion, 114th Aviation Regiment: Camp Robinson North Little Rock, Arkansas

• 87th Troop Command : Camp Robinson North Little Rock, Arkansas
  • 871st Troop Command : North Little Rock, Arkansas
  • 875th Engineer Battalion : Jonesboro, Arkansas
  • 25th Rear Area Operations Center : North Little Rock, Arkansas

• 233rd Regiment (RTI) : Camp Robinson North Little Rock, Arkansas

• 61st WMD CST: Camp Robinson North Little Rock, Arkansas

National Guard units can be mobilized at any time by presidential order to supplement regular armed forces, and upon declaration of a state of emergency by the governor of the state in which they serve. Unlike Army Reserve members, National Guard members cannot be mobilized individually (except through voluntary transfers and Temporary DutY Assignments TDY), but only as part of their respective units. However, there has been a significant amount of individual activations to support military operations (2001-?); the legality of this policy is a major issue within the National Guard.

For much of the final decades of the twentieth century, National Guard personnel typically served "One weekend a month, two weeks a year", with a portion working for the Guard in a full-time capacity. The current forces formation plans of the US Army call for the typical National Guard unit (or National Guardsman) to serve one year of active duty for every six years of service. More specifically, current Department of Defense policy is that individual Guardsman will be given 24 months between deployments of no more than 12 months each.

When not activated for its Federal mission, the Governor through the State Adjutant General commands Guard forces. The Governor can call the Guard into action during local or statewide emergencies, such as storms, drought, and civil disturbances, to name a few.^[2]

Interest in the militia or State Guard ebbed and flowed throughout the 19th century, increasing just before or during major conflicts, but diminishing in between. Most militia activity was at the local, county and city level, and was often provided for with private funds. It was only late in the 19th century, in the preparations for the Spanish-American war that the State Guard, as it was known then, truly came into existence as a stable organized force. Following the Spanish-American war, the Arkansas State Guard, along with the militia forces of all other states, was reorganized as the Arkansas National Guard. With the reorganization came the first nationally directed training and increased funding. During World War I, units were stripped of their state designations and were given federal designations upon mustering in to federal service. The National Guard saw a massive expansion and increased funding and training following World War I. A similar increase was seen after World War II. In 1967 during a nationwide reorganization of National Guard Units, the Arkansas Army National Guard took on most of its current force structure with one Infantry Brigade, One Field Artillery Brigade, Aviation units, and various Separate Companies under the Troop Command. Arkansas units have served in every major conflict since the Seminole War, with the exception of Vietnam.

In 1804 the legislative body governing the Indiana Territory, of which Arkansas was a part, enacted a law making all free males liable for military service,excepting superior court judges, supreme court judges, the attorney general, the supreme court clerk, all licensed ministers, jail keepers, and those exempted by the laws of the United States.^[3] It is from this date that the Arkansas Army National Guard tracks its earliest formation. In 1806 Arkansas become a separate district of the Louisiana Territory, and was authorized two militia units: one cavalry company and one infantry company. During the time that Arkansas was part of the Louisiana Territory, and later Missouri Territory, there is no evidence the militia was called into action.^[4] Arkansas Territory was created in 1819. The act creating the territory provided that the territorial governor "shall be commander-in-chief of the militia of said territory, shall have power to appoint and commission all officers".

Governor Miller appointed William C. Allen as Brigadier General in 1820 and ordered him to organize the Territorial Militia.^[5] BG Allen was killed in a duel with Robert C. Oden early in March 1821. Edmund Morgan was appointed to Brigadier General of the Arkansas Militia by President James Monroe. BG Morgan served until he was killed in turn by Andrew Scott in in May 1828 at which time Willima Montgomery was appointed Brigadier General.^[5]

First Regiment of Arkansas Militia.^[5]

• James Ross, February 19, 1820
• Samuel W.Rutherford
• Jacob Wells, February 2, 1824
• Allen A. Johnson, October 20, 1826

Second Regiment of Arkansas Militia.^[5]

• Edmund Morgan, (later BG) February 17, 1829 to July 20, 1820
• Robert C. Oden (who earlier killed BG Allen) 1826.

George Izard was appointed Arkansas’s territorial governor in March 1825 took an active interest in raising the effectiveness of the militia. He wrote "The organization of the Territorial Militia will engage the full attention of the Commander-in-Chief, and will be proceeded on without delay." He worked feverishly to whip the militia into shape. He noted that Arkansas lay directly in the path to be used in the removal of the Eastern Indians and spoke frequently of the need to "place the Militia in a condition to afford immediate protection to our settlements, should any disorder attend the passage of these people." Governor Izard’s efforts slowly began to get results. In 1825 the legislature authorized the printing of the militia laws of the territory, with a copy going to every officer in the militia.^[4] In November 1827 The legislature passed a bill which provided for the complete overhaul of the militia, organizing the forces into two brigades. The act also provided that battalions were to muster every year in October, and companies were to assemble on the first Saturday of April and October.^[4]

The first recorded use of the Territorial Militia is in 1828 when Governor Izard received reports of trouble between the settlers of Miller County and the Shawnee and Delaware Indians. These reports stated that the Indians were "pilfering farm houses and corn cribs, killing hogs, driving their stocks and horses and cattle among us..". If the Indians were not removed, the settlers protested, there was "no prospect but of being obliged to abandon our homes and fields." The governor dispatched Adjutant General Rector to investigate and if necessary "to remove the Indians immediately, and should they disobey or resist your authority you will call out such a party of the militia as you may consider adequate to compel obedience." When Adjutant General Rector arrived he found that the Indians were stealing and killing livestock and were threatening war. Rector immediately ordered the Indians to leave the area, but they refused. Calling out 63 men of the Miller County militia, under the command of Major Pierson, Rector marched on the main Indian camp. Just when a battle seemed imminent, the Indians agreed to move.^[6]

One of the primary roles performed by the militia in antebellum days was social. Musters gave the citizens a reason to get together and visit with their neighbors. Early musters included a great deal of marching and practice in the manual of arms. Most included some sort of target shooting competition, and most all ended with a dinner or party.^[7]

The first significant use of the Militia came in 1836, the same year that Arkansas became the 25th State, to enter the union, and the Seminole War began in Florida. The Federal Government removed its regular army troops from forts and posts along the border with the Indian Territory in order to supply troops for the fighting in the southeast, leaving the western border of Arkansas exposed to Indian Attacks.^[5] Brigadier General George Hill was informed on 4 May 1836 that information had been received indicating that Mexican emissaries were trying to incite the Indian Nations to attack in retaliation for United States support of the Texas War of Independence. Governor Futon directed BG Hill to place organize his brigade and place it in readiness to take the field at once. On 28 June 1826, General Edmund P. Gains (U.S. Army) called upon Governor Fulton one regiment for the defense of the western frontier. Six companies answered this call.^[8]

The companies that answered this call were organized into a battalion under the command of Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Absalom Fowler. The battalion moved to Fort Towson, on the Red River. The soldiers performed scout duty and patrolled the border until they were relieved in 1837 by Federal Troops.

In August, 1836, General Mathew Arbuckle (U.S. Army) made a second requisition on Governor Fulton for troops and the governor responded by calling the counties of Carroll, Crawford, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Johnson, Lawrence, Scott, Searcy and Washington to raise their militia companies. These companies were not organized under a single battalion, but served independently in Benton and Washington Counties to protect settlers and keep the peace between two warring factions of Cherokee Indians.^[9]

With the end of the Seminole War on 6 March 1837, and the return of Federal Troops to the frontier posts, there was no further call of the Militia until the beginning of the War with Mexico.

On May 27, 1846, Governor Thomas Drew issued a proclamation calling for volunteers to fight in the Mexican War. The war drew volunteers from every strata of society, including two of the most famous Arkansans of the period, former governor Archibald Yell, who was serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, and Albert Pike, a prominent Little Rock lawyer. Yell left Washington and enlisted in Solon Borland’s company in Little Rock as a private. Albert Pike was serving as the commander of the "Little Rock Guards" which answered the governor’s call as a cavalry unit. Arkansas Militiamen were represented by George Morrison, joined out of necessity. Morrison stated that he joined Pike’s company because he had been out of work and needed the salary of $10 per month.^[4]

After a round of speechmaking and picnics, a rendezvous was set at Washington in Hempstead county. Twenty two companies of cavalry and 7 companies for infantry answered the governor's call.^[10] From these militia units, two new commands were formed, the Arkansas Regiment of Mounted Volunteers, which would deploy to Mexico, and the Arkansas Battalion of Infantry and Mounted Rifles, which would serve along the western frontier, replacing Federal troops being utilized in the war effort.

The Arkansas Regiment of Mounted Volunteers was formed from troops from the following counties:

Former Governor Yell would be elected Colonel of the Arkansas Regiment of Mounted Volunteers. The other elected officers of the regiments included, LTC John S. Raone, MAJ Solon Borland, and Adjutant Gaston Mearse. After electing new company commanders to replace those promoted the Regiment marched to San Antonio, Texas, reaching it on 28 August 1846.^[4] The Regiment was assigned to the Division of Brigadier General Wool, and quickly came into conflict with him. At one point when Colonel Yell and the other Regimental officers refused an order to establish camp in an unsuitable area, BG Wool had them arrested and held for five days. Colonel Yell would eventually die leading a charge which saved part of the Regiment at the Battle of Buena Vista on 23 February 1847.^[3] Following the battle of Battle of Buena Vista, the Arkansas Regiment of Mounted Volunteers moved to Monterey Mexico where they were paid and mustered out on 7 June 1847. The unit passed through New Orleans, LA on 30 June 1847, in route to a hero's welcome in Little Rock on 9 July 1847.^[11]

The Arkansas Battalion of Infantry and Mounted Rifles was formed from troops from the following areas:^[3]

Arkansas also supplied three additional volunteer companies which served with the 12th United States Infantry.^[3]

With the end of hostilities, militia activity in Arkansas decreased, this was due in large part to the relatively sparse population with in the state and the near-absence of a serious Indian threat. .^[12]

As sectional tensions began to increase, interest in the militia in Arkansas also increased. By 1860 there were two regiments of militia in Pulaski County, four companies in Phillips County, two in Jefferson County and at lease one company each in Pairie, White, Saline, Hot Springs Montgomery Monroe and St. Francis counties.^[13]

The first convention called in Arkansas to vote on the question of succession voted the ordnance down, so the state remained in the union for a time.^[14] The first convention had pledged the state to "Assist to the last extremity any attempt on the part of such power (President Lincoln) to coerce any state that had succeeded from the old Union".^[15] Anit-union forces, probably including Governor Rector, seized upon this pledge to justify calling out the state Militia and seizing the Federal Arsenal in Little Rock. Governor Rector denied giving the order but approved of the settlement that led to the surrender of the Arsenal to State Forces.^[16] Militia companies began assembling in Little Rock by 5 February 1861 and they made their intention to seize the Arsenal known to its commander, CPT Totten.^[17] Totten agreed to evacuate the Arsenal in return for safe passage out of the state. Governor Rector agreed and the Militia took control of the Arsenal on 8 February 1861.

Following the Confederate shelling of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor on 12 April 1861, President Lincoln called upon the "militia of the several states" to provide 75,000 troop to put down the rebellion. The Adjutant General, Edmond Burgevin, provided the states' response:

Sir: I am directed by his Excellency the governor to acknowledge the receipt for Special Orders, No. 106, from the War Department at Washington. That order is based on the presumption of the State of Arkansas being willing to furnish the quota of troops required of her for the Federal Army, a presumption entirely improbably, and I can assure you, utterly impossible.

Further, I have to inform you that I had the honor on Tuesday night, April 23, 1861, at Fort Smith, to order the seizure of the person of Maj. R.C. Gatlin, Fifth Infantry, as a prisoner of war, and who is not at large on parole of honor not to serve against the State of Arkansas or the Southern Confederacy.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant.

Edmund Burgevin

Adjutant General of Arkansas

On 6 May 1861 a second convention on Succession met in Little Rock and passed the ordnance of succession by a vote of 69 to 1.^[15]

A military board was created to handle the arming and equipping to troops. The military board was comprised of Governor Rector, Christopher C. Danley of Little Rock, and Benjamin C. Totten of Prairie County. Mr. Danley of Little Rock was soon replaced by Samuel W. Williams, who was replaced in turn by L.D. Hill of Perry County. This board issued a call for 10,000 volunteers.^[18] N.B. Pierce and James Yell were appointed as Brigadier Generals.

Much confusion has existed over what became of the Arkansas Militia units during the civil war. Current Arkansas National Guard units do not trace their Lineage and Honors to any of the units that participated in the Civil War. This is due in part to the lack of organization and record keeping at the state level both before and after the war, and in part due to confusion over which unit is which. The First Regiment of the Arkansas Militia was commanded by Colonel Patrick R. Cleburne and was mustered into the Confederate Army as the 15th Arkansas Infantry.^[19] To add to the confusion of what became of the Arkansas Militia units in the Civil war, there were three Arkansas Infantry regiments named the "Fifteenth", the first being the aforementioned 1st Arkansas Militia Regiment commanded by COL Cleburne, which was mustered in at Mound City on 14 May 1861. The unit recognized by the Confederate Army as the First Arkansas Infantry was commanded by COL James F. Fagan..^[19] COL Fagan had served as a Lieutenant with the Arkansas Regiment of Mounted Volunteers, Company C, during the War with Mexico. This regiment was not comprised of the former state militia troops but was recruited directly for Confederate service, probably in September 1861 when General W.J. Hardee was sent to Arkansas to arrange for the transfer of all Arkansas Troops to the Confederate Government..^[19] General Hardee raised a First Arkansas Infantry and an First Arkansas Cavalry. In some cases, state militia units were raised, but were only enlisted for a short period of service (90 days), and were sent home again without being accepted in to Confederate Service, only to be called out again later and enlisted into Confederate Service under a different unit designation.

Several Arkansas Confederate units went on to win acclaim, particularly the 1st Arkansas Infantry which served in the Confederate Army of the Tennessee and the 3rd Arkansas Infantry which served in the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia under General Robert E. Lee. However most of these war time regiments had no connection to the peace time militia organizations in the state of Arkansas before or after the Civil War, so when the veterans of the Third Arkansas laid down their rifles at Appomattox Court House in April 1865, their history and traditions past out of existence with them. Again this is in contrast to other southern states whose current National Guard units are awarded the campaign participate credits for their units participation in the various campaigns and engagements while in Confederate service. For more information on the Civil War in Arkansas, see the following Wikipedia Articles:

• Arkansas in the American Civil War
• List of Arkansas Civil War Confederate units
• List of Arkansas Union Civil War units

Following the Civil War, Congress passed two laws in 1867 that impacted the Militia. The first was an act which dissolved all existing state governments and placed the states under the control of the occupying Federal forces, and the second, passed on March 2, 1867, abolished the various southern militia organizations.^[20] Most white males who had participated in the late rebellion were now disqualified to vote, so Radical Republican candidates won all state offices and most seats in the legislature. The newly elected Governor, Clayton Powell succeeded in getting Congress to reauthorize militia organizations in states with pro union governments reestablished.^[20]

The Republican controlled legislature passed an act to reorganize the state militia on 14 July 1868. General Keyes Danforth was appointed Adjutant General and he set about raising militia units comprised of black soldiers. In October 1868 the Adjutant General could count 37 militia companies totally 1600 men, the majority of which were black.^[20]

This new militia was to spend much of the coming year battling Ku Klux Klan activity in three of the states four militia districts. Governor Fulton declared Martial Law and Militia forces seized the town of Center Point in the southwest and took 60 prisoners on 12 November 1868. The militia made several arrests in Hamburg in the southeastern district. The militia killed one man and captured several in an engagement against anti government forces near Augusta in Northeastern district. Also in the Northeastern District, Marianna was occupied with 5 captured and near Jonesboro one was killed and three captured. In Fulton County the Militia captured two men.^[20] Klan activity seems to have been successfully suppressed for the time being because Martial Law was lifted in 1869.^[20]

Pope County in West Central Arkansas had been the seen of several politically motivated assignations following the civil war.^[21] In 1872 it appeared that another round of assassinations of county officials was interment and local officials convinced the Governor Ozro A. Hadley, who had succeeded Governor Powell to allow the raising of a militia company to deal with the troubles. This militia company arrested the suspected assassins but was then accused itself of murdering its prisoners. As the situation continued to spiral out of control and more killings followed Adjutant General Daniel Phillips Upham was sent to investigate. Following a round of shot outs and killing in Dover and threats to burn the town, Martial Law was declared and a regiment of the mostly black state militia was sent in to maintain the peace. A Captain George R. Herriot, in command of the black troops in Pope county, was subsequently murdered in the county court house, but his killer was never brought to trial.^[22]

In the state election of 1872, Joseph Brooks represented the Liberal Republicans and Elisha Baxter represented the old Radical Republicans.^[23] In a contested election, the legislature reviewed the returns and declared Baxter the winner, but on April 12, 1874, over a year after Baxter took office, a court declared Brooks to be the winner. Governor Baxter was forcibly evicted from the Statehouse by a Brooks and a armed group of supporters. In the confusion that followed, both "Governors" called on the Militia for support, and both received it. Brooks maintained control of the Statehouse, and Baxter established a headquarters nearby in the Anthony House. One man was killed in fighting that erupted along Markham Street on 16 April 1874. Baxter managed to raise over 1300 troops, while Brooks secure more than 2000 rifles for his supporters .^[24] With orders from Washington DC to prevent a clash, Colonel Thomas E. Rose, commander at the Little Rock Arsenal, deployed U.S. regulars from the Sixteenth Infantry plus two pieces of artillery on Markham Street between the parties.^[25] As violence continued, Federal Troops erected a barricade along Markham Street between the warring factions to prevent further encounters.

Hostilities quickly spread to other parts of the state. Nine Brooks supporters were killed and thirty wounded in an ambush set by Baxter forces New Gascony in Jefferson County, south of Pine Bluff.^[26] Engagements between the two sides also occurred on May 1, in Lincoln and Arkansas counties, and two days later, they fought another battle near Arkansas Post (Arkansas County), killing five more men.^[25] On 8 May, Brooks men ambushed a steamboat, the Hallie, and a company of pro-Baxter militia near Palarm Creek, south of present day Mayflower, on the Arkansas River. The boat was captured by Brooks forces but was eventually sunk by Baxter supporters.^[27]

Baxter forces occupied Argenta (present day North Little Rock) across the river from the Statehouse and kept up a steady stream of sniper fire on Brooks forces at the Statehouse. Brooks forces eventually declared that unless the sniping was stopped, they would shell the city of Argenta with the two six pounder cannon present at the Statehouse.^[28]

On 13 May 1874 a four hour skirmish was fought near the site of the present state capital. Pro-Baxter militia had arrived by steamboat from Fort Smith and they were intercepted by pro Brooks forces. The number of casualties from this engagement is unknown.^[29]

Both sides appealed to President U.S. Grant for aid and on 15 May 1874, Grant recognized Baxter as the governor and ordered all "turbulent and disorderly persons to disperse and return to their homes". By 16 May Brooks supporters disbanded and began returning home. The total number of causalities in this political war is estimated at above 200.^[25]

Armed conflict between warring factions broke out in Waldron War Scott, County, in West Central Arkansas in the Summer of 1875.^[30] Governor Garland and eventually Governor Miller used the state militia forces to maintain peace, with up to seven companies of militia stationed in the county in 1877 and 1878. Eventually tensions between local "militias" rose to the point that Adjutant General James Pomeroy “took up his residence at Waldron,” directing the “militias” and ensuring an orderly term of the circuit court in the spring of 1878.^[31] But now the political pendulum had swung, reconstruction was over, and the new state legislature, now back firmly in the control of the previously disenfranchised democrats, objected to the governor's use of the militia in what the legislature saw as a local issue. The reaction was so sever that in March 1879, the legislature, over the governor's veto, enacted a law abolishing the Office of Adjutant General:^[32]

Act No. XLIX

An Act to Abolish the Office of Adjutant General and for other purposes.

Section 1- Governor's Private Secretary required to perform duties of Adjutant General and Salry

Section 2- Office of the Adjutant General Abolished

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS:

SECTION 1.

That from and after the passage of this act, the Governor’s Private Secretary shall perform all the duties now performed by the Adjutant General, and shall receive a salary of $1600.00 per annum, for his services as such Private Secretary and Adjutant General.

SECTION 2.

Be it further enacted, that the office of Adjutant General be, and the same is hereby abolished, and that this act take effect and be enforce from and after its' passage: and that all laws, and parts of laws, in conflict with this act be and the same are hereby repealed.

This bill having been returned by the Governor, with his objections thereto, and, after reconsideration having passed both houses by the constitutional majority, it has become a law this 11th day of March 1879.

J.T. Bearded, Speaker of the House

M.M. Duffie, President of the Senate

In addition to abolishing the office of Adjutant General, the Legislature also cut all funding for the militia. Despite the efforts of each succeeding Governor, this situation continued for over twenty six years, until 1896 when the Legislature finally authorized payment of expenses incurred when the militia was called out during a rail road strike in 1894:^[33]

Interest in the state Militia waned following Reconstruction. Local Militia units that existed were supported with private funds. Local Militia companies, such as the McCarthy Light Guards and the Quapaw Guard in Little Rock, participated in drill and ceremony competition, with all the funding for travel, uniforms and equipment coming from private sources.^[34] The Quapaw Guard was organized in Little Rock in 1880. The unit was deployed to Perry County in the summer of 1881 for three weeks to deals with a general spirit of lawlessness, reported by the county judge. The unit won drill competitions at the state fair against units from Memphis and St. Louis. The unit's armory was located in Little Rock at the corner of Markham and Chester Streets.

The McCarthy Light Guards were organized in Little Rock in 1887, being named for the local business man who provided their uniforms, James H. McCarthy. The unit competed in several drill competitions, including the Interstate Competitive Drill at Galveston, Texas, where the unit placed third, at Atlanta in 1889 where they placed second, in Omaha in 1891 where they took second, and at Nashville Tennessee where they took first place. The unit was invited to attend the Chicago Worlds Far in 1893. The unit took fourth prize at the Interstate Competitive Drill conducted in its home town of Little Rock in 1894.^[35]

Officially the state militia consisted of two regiments of infantry, one battery of artillery, one troop cavalry, and one signal unit. In 1897, on the eve of the war with Spain, the state was reorganized with two additional regiments of Infantry, another troop of cavalry, and another battery of artillery.^[36] Major General R.G. Shaver was commissioned and placed in command of the Northern District, consisting of the Second and Forth Regiments of infantry and a squadron of Cavalry. The units were poorly equipped and outdated equipment. By analyzing the units which are listed on the Arkansas National Guard Museum Website section on the Spanish American War, the following picture can be painted of the militia (Arkansas State Guard) on the eve of the Spanish American War:^[37]

On 25 April 1898, President William McKinley called upon the State to supply two infantry regiments for the Spanish American War. None of the Regiments were in acceptable condition to deploy and only two companies were determined fit to be mustered in to service intact. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Regiments of Infantry, Arkansas State Guard, were reorganized, redesignated and mustered into Federal Service between May 14–25, 1898 at Little Rock as the 1st and 2nd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry for service in the Spanish American War.^[38] Governor Jones intended that all sections of the State be represented as far as possible, so the two new Regiments were created from selected State Guard companies and from different sections of the state.^[36] Pursuant to the Governor's direction the Regiments were organized as follows:^[39]

1st Arkansas Volunteer Infantry

2nd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry

The newly formed Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Regiments did not see combat during the Spanish American War. The 1st Arkansas, commanded by Colonel Elias Chandler, along with the 2nd Arkansas, moved to Camp George H. Thomas at Chickamauga Park, Georgia in May 1898.^[40] The two Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Regiments were still there participating in basic training when the war effectively ended with the fall of Cuba and the signing of an armistice in early August.^[36] The 1st Arkansas Volunteer Infantry mustered out of Federal Service on October 25, 1899 at Little Rock, Arkansas.^[41] The Second Regiment continued in service until 25 February 1899, when they were mustered out at Anniston Alabama. While the units saw no actual fighting, the deployment did have its causalities. Fifty-four Arkansas Soldiers died of disease or accident during the mobilization.

The Militia Act of 1903 (32 Stat. 775), also known as the Dick Act, organized the various state militias into the present National Guard system. The act was passed in response to the demonstrated weaknesses in the militia, and in the entire U.S. military in the Spanish–American War of 1898.

U.S. Senator Charles W. F. Dick, a Major General in the Ohio National Guard and the chair of the Committee on the Militia^[42], sponsored the 1903 Act towards the end of the 57th U.S. Congress. Under this legislation, passed January 21, 1903, the organized militia of the States were given federal status to the militia, and required to conform to Regular Army organization within five years. The act also required National Guard units to attend 24 drills and five days annual training a year, and, for the first time, provided for pay for annual training. In return for the increased Federal funding which the act made available, militia units were subject to inspection by Regular Army officers, and had to meet certain standards.

The increase in Federal funding was an important development. In 1808 Congress had allocated $200,000 a year to arm the militia; by 1887, the figure had risen to only $400,000. But in 1906, three years after the passage of the Dick Act, $2,000,000 was allocated to arm the militia; between 1903 and 1916, the Federal government spent $53,000,000 on the Guard, more than the total of the previous hundred years.

In Arkansas, re-organization of the Arkansas State Guard actually began in 1901 under Governor Jeff Davis.^[43] Major General W.M. Maynes, in a biannual report dated 31 December 1906 provided an overview of the status of the Arkansas Militia. The Militia was subdivided by statue into parts, (1) the State Guard, or active organize militia: and (2) the Reserve Militia. The State Guard, or regularly enlisted, organized and uniformed militia was at a total strength of 1,274 personnel.^[44] The Federal Government appropriated $35,956.86 for the support of the Arkansas State Guard in that year and the Adjutant General asked the General Assembly for a matching appropriation of one half the Federal appropriation.^[45] Beginning with the passage of the "Dick" Act, the state militia, which had formerly been referred to as the Arkansas State Guard, was henceforth called the Arkansas National Guard. The units of the Arkansas National Guard retained their Designations as the 1st Arkansas Infantry, 2nd Arkansas Infantry, etc, until the beginning of World War I, when all National Guard Units were redesignated with federal numbers. Also beginning with the "Dick" Act, National Guard Units had to meet certain criteria in order to receive "Federal Recognition". These "Federal Recogniation" Dates became critical to establishing a new unit and receiving Federal funding.

Several new companies were organized during the period before World War I:.^[45]

In 1909 a change was made in the organization of the State Guard. For several years, the state had been organized with the First Infantry being stationed north of the Arkansas River and the Second Infantry stationed. The Adjutant General, General Green determined that the building of railroads and highways had made this stationing plan inefficient and issued General Order No 35 which reorganized the regiments and battalions and changed the letter designations of some of the companies. The Regiments were re-stationed so that the First Infantry was situated in the eastern part of the state, with its principle "concentration point" being Little Rock, and the Second Infantry was stationed in the western part of the state with its "concentration point" at Fort Smith.^[46]

Under Section 30 of the 1903 "Dick" act, the War Department detailed one officer and for duty with the Arkansas National Guard on 10 October 1909. On 4 February 1910 a second NCO was detailed to the Guard and a commissioned officer was added on 12 November 1910.^[47]

The Officer's Association of the Arkansas National Guard held a meeting on 10 November 1909 to discuss the possibility of obtaining suitable land for a permanent military camp to provide a location for training. A committee was formed and bids were received from the cities of Benton, Dardanelle and Beebe. Ultimately an offer from Beebe of 200 acres at very little cost to the State was accepted. Camp W. M Haynes was named in honor of a former commanding General. Improvements to this camp were paid for with federal funds.^[47] Other ranges were maintained at leased sites including Camp X.O. Findall, in Little Rock; Camp J. N. Wright at Fort Smith; Camp C. B. Gregg in Jonesboro; and Camp John S. Little in Russellville. The State owned no permanent armories during this time but did fund leases for most companies.

With the new Federal funding in place State National Guard units were encouraged to participate in bi-annual encampments with the Regular Army. In 1906 Arkansas sent one provisional regiment to Fort Riley, Kansas for training. In 1908 a provisional Regiment trained at Leon Springs, Texas. In 1910 Arkansas Troops were invited back to Leon Springs, Texas for a 12-day encampment and the federal government provided $25,000 to defray the costs of the encampment.^[48]

Companies A-D-F-H-I and M of the First Infantry and Companies A-B-F-C-I and M of the Second Infantry participated in an encampment at Dardanelle, Arkansas from 9-18 August 1909. The units were trained by members of the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, U.S. Army.^[48]

The Mexican Expedition was a military operation conducted by the United States Army against the paramilitary forces of Francisco "Pancho" Villa from 1916 to 1917. The expedition was in retaliation for Villa's illegal incursion into the United States and attack on the village of Columbus, Luna County, New Mexico, during the Mexican Revolution. The United States Army Center of Military History officially refers to the campaign as "the Mexican Expedition". The official beginning and ending dates are March 14, 1916 and February 7, 1917. National Guard units from Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico had been called into service on May 8, 1916.^[49] With congressional approval of the National Defense Act of 1916 on 3 June 1916, National Guard units from the remainder of the states and the District of Columbia were also called for duty on the border.^[50] By mid-June President Wilson had called out more than 110,000 National Guard for border service. None of the National Guard troops would cross the border into Mexico but were used instead as a show of force.

In July 1916, the entire Arkansas National Guard was mobilized for federal service on the Mexican border.^[51] Arkansas units began to assemble immediately at Fort Roots, near Little Rock. Of the 2,078 Guardmen that answered the call, only 1,208 passed the new physical standards for entry into Federal service.^[52] The Arkansas Troops received orders on 29 June to move to Deming New Mexico. in order to replace regular troops joining the actual expedition into Mexico and prepare if Mexico reacted to the incursion. The Arkansas troops were not engaged in Mexico and returned to Little Rock in February, mustering out of service February 19–24 at Fort Logan Roots.^[53] This mobilization of the National Guard along the Mexican border was the training ground for many future leaders of the Arkansas National Guard. Many of the officers who led Arkansas National Guard units in the early years of World War I and World War II began their service on the Mexican border.^[3]

When the United States declared war on Germany 6 April 1917, less than two months had past since the last Arkansas National Guard units completed mustering out from duty on the Mexican border. .^[54]

While Congress was debating the declaration of war the 1st Regiment was mobilized 31 March 1917 and began reporting to Fort Roots in North Little Rock. In addition to completing the mobilization process and starting training, the regiment helped clear ground for the Officer’s School being established on Fort Roots.^[3] On 4 August 1917 the regiment was ordered to Camp Pike to perform guard duty during construction of the camp. The 2nd and 3rd Regiments mobilized August 5th and were encamped around the new state capitol by August 8th. After completing mobilization paperwork and physicals, the regiments moved to Fort Roots, and then to [[[Camp Pike]] on the 24th. A much higher percentage of the soldiers passed their physicals than was the case for the Mexican border call up.

In addition to the three infantry regiments, the following Arkansas National Guard units were mobilized:^[55]

• 1st Arkansas Ammunition Train,
• 1st Arkansas Ambulance Company and
• 1st Arkansas Field Hospital.

In mid-September the Arkansas units were notified that they were to be part of a newly created division, initially called the 18th but later named the 39th Division. At this time all National Guard Units were stripped of their state designations and re-numbered under a new Federal System: ^[56]

• The 1st Arkansas Infantry Regiment became the 153rd Infantry Regiment,
• the 2nd Arkansas Infantry Regiment became the 142nd Field Artillery Regiment,
• the 3rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment was split between the 154th Infantry Regiment, and 141st Machine Gun Battalion,
• the 1st Arkansas Ammunition Train became the 114th Ammunition Train,
• the 1st Arkansas Ambulance Company became the 153rd Ambulance Company, and
• the 1st Arkansas Field Hospital became the 153rd Field Hospital.

The Arkansas units were ordered to Camp Beauregard in Alexandria, LA and began moving by train in late September. A total of 110 officers and 6,317 enlisted soldiers arrived at Camp Beauregard. The rest of the 39th Division was made up of National Guard units from Louisiana and Mississippi.

On their arrival at Camp Beauregard, the units began intensive training. The 142nd Field Artillery had the difficult task of converting from infantry to artillery. After several months of classroom training, the 142nd began live fire on the horse drawn 4.7 inch weapon in April 1918. After two and one-half months in the field conducting live fire training, the 142nd was certified for overseas service.^[57] The 39th Division was brought up to strength with the addition of soldiers from Ohio, Illinois and Kentucky.

The 39th Division, less its artillery units, left Camp Beauregard 1 August 1918 and sailed for overseas service 6 August 1918. ^[58]The first unit of the 39th Division arrived in France on 12 August 1918, and the last unit arrived on 12 September 1918. It was then sent to the St. Florent area, southwest of Bourges, where it was designated as a replacement division. In November, 1918, it moved to St. Aignan. There several of the units were transferred to combat divisions. With the war ended, the 153rd Infantry landed in Hoboken, New Jersey, 27 February 1919, making the crossing aboard the USS. President Grant.^[59]. The Division demobilized the following month at Camp Beauregard, Louisiana.^[60]

The 142nd Field Artillery Regiment sailed for France 31 August 1918 and arrived 7 September. After arrival in France, the 142nd drew equipment and began training on the tractor drawn 155mm howitzer . The 142nd was certified for combat 8 November 1918 and the armistice was signed on the 11th, preventing the 142nd from participating in combat.

Most former Arkansas guardsmen returned to the United States during January and February of 1919 and were discharged at Camp Pike. The 142nd stayed in France to conduct tests and exercises to develop techniques for motorized artillery battalions and won a commendation for efficient performance. The 142nd sailed from France aboard the USS Amphion 3 June 1919 and personnel were discharged at Camp Pike, Arkansas, 26 June 1919.

The effort to rapidly reorganize the Arkansas National Guard following World War I was a complicated task for two reasons, first the fact that the units mobilizied for the war had effectively been disbanded at the end of the war and second because Federal Authorities were focused on a massive expansion of the National Guard.

In the last half of the 20th century, mobiliztions involved a fairly seamless change from State Control of a unit, to Federal Control and then back to State Control at the end of the mobilization, with the unit remaining intact and individual members enlistement status remaining unchanged. In the first half of the 20th Century, this was not the case, From World War I through the Korean Conflict, soldiers were demobilized and discharged as individuals at the end of a mobilization and the units effectively passed of existence, at least for a time, only to be reconstituted, months or years later in the Arkansas Army National Guard. This complicated state efforts to rapidly re-organize the Arkansas National Guard following World War I. The individual soldiers being demobilized in 1919 with returning Arkansas units were not only demobilize, but were dicharged from service and were told that they were released from any further obligation to served in the Arkansas Naitonal Guard soldier .^[61]

On 1 January 1919, the Arkansas National Guard consisted of the Fourth Arkansas Infantry and the First Arkansas Engineers, the only units which had not been federalized for the War Effort. These units however were just paper shells, the majority of their members having been inducted into federal service through the draft. During the war, the state had also created the Home Guard units in order to provide the governor with a response force for state emergencies. The first Home Guard units were created in September 1917 and at it's height, the Home Guard consisted of 64 companies.^[62] The Home Guard was demobilized and it officers ordered to turn in all weapons and equipment undere General Orders Number 17, dated 2 December 1920.

The state requested authority from the Militia Bureau (predecessor of today's National Guard Bureau) for authority to disband the paper organizations of the Fourth Arkansas Infantry and the 1st Arkansas Engineer Battalion.^[63] This was accomplished in February of 1920.

However, as it became clear that the mobilized units would not simply revert to state control, the state petitioned the War Department to be able to fill the states quote of National Guard Soldiers by establishing several new units, in order to provide the govenor with units to respond in case of an emergancy: ^[63]

• Fifth Regiment, Arkansas Infantry
• Second Battalion, Arkansas Engineers
• Second Arkansas Ambulance Company

A Proclamation was issued by the Governor on 7 November 1919 calling upon every county and city to co-operation in the organizing of at least one National Guard Company in each county. A campaign was launched in January 1920 by bringing the Regimental Commander and a group of officers and enlisted soldiers who toured through 64 of the states largest cities to raise awareness and support of the National Guard.^[63]

Under as a result of this campaign, the following unit were authorized to expand the new 5th Arkansas Infantry:..^[64]

• Machine Gun Company, Fifth Arkansas Infantry, stationed at Pine Bluff, was given Fedeal Recognition on 31 July 1920.
• Supply Company, 5th Infantry was authorized to beformed at Fort Smith.
• A Band Section under the Headquarters of the 5th Infantry was authorized at Pine Bluff.
• Company A, 5th Arkansas Infantry was organized at Hope.

Infantry companies were also authorized at the following cities.^[64]

• Arkedelphia,
• Batesville,
• Beebe, with a detached platoon at McRea,
• Blue Mountain, with a detached Platoon at Plaineview
• Blytheville
• Booneville, with a detached platoon at Magizine
• Camden
• Earle
• Eureka Springs
• Heber Springs
• Magnolia
• Marianna
• Helena
• Marshall
• PrescottRison
• Russellville
• Texarkana,
• Warren,

A key piece of Federal Legislation governing the organiation of the National Guard had been passed during the build up to World War I. The National Defense Act of 1916 provided for an expanded army during peace and wartime, fourfold expansion of the National Guard, the creation of an Officers' and an Enlisted Reserve Corps, plus the creation of a Reserve Officers' Training Corps in colleges and universities. The act clarified the authority of the President, in case of war or national emergency, to mobilize the National Guard for the duration of the emergency. The act was passed amidst the "preparedness controversy", a brief frenzy of great public concern over the state of preparation of the United States armed forces, and shortly after Pancho Villa's cross-border raid on Columbus, New Mexico. It authorized an army of 175,000 men, a National Guard of 450,000 men. The Act represented the settlement of a debat that had raged over wheter the Nation need a large professional standing army, like the European powers or wheter national defense should be provided with a smaller standing regular army, supplemented in time of war by a strong well organizied National Guard.^[65]

While the act was utilized to mobilize the entire National Guard for the Mexican Expedition and World War I, the massive expansion of the National Guard which it authorized had not yet been implemented before the outbreak of the war. This meant that while the state authorities were focused on how to reconstitue the Arkansas National Guard, the Federal Authorities were planning the expansion of the National Guard from a force of 110,000 during the Mexican Expdition to the 450,000 man force authorized by the Act. From 1920-1922 various meeting were conducted at the state and regional level to determine what troops and units would be alloted to the Arkansas National Guard.^[66]

By 1921 the state had been authorized to reconstitue it's war time units. The 5th Arkansas Infantry was reorganized as the 153rd Infantry and the 141st Machine Gun battalion. The 153rd Infantry was stationed as follows:^[67]

The 141st Machine Gun Battalion (Anti-Aircraft) was reorganized in the Arkansas National Guard with units stationed as follows:^[68]

In 1923, The Arkansas National Guard was allocated a new organization, the 206th Coast Artillery (Anti AirCraft). The unit reprsented a missive expansion of the The 141st Machine Gun Battalion (Anti Aircraft). The 141st was incorporated into the new unit as the 2nd Battalion, 206th Coast Artillery (Anti Aircraft).^[69] The newly formed 206th Coast Artillery took its coat of arms from Chaumont, one of the principal towns in the Department of Haute-Marne, France, where the 141st Machine Gun Battalion was stationed during World War I.^[70]

The 206th Coast Artillery (AA) was initially stationed as follows:^[71]

The following Hospiital Units were created during the post WWI expansion:^[72]

The state was allocated and Observation Squadron, which assumed to designation of the 154 to continue the history of the 154th Infantry, which had been organized during WWI from the former 3rd Arkansas Infantry. The 154th Observation Squadron was organized at Little Rock and federally recognized on 24 October 1925.

on 16 June 1931, the state was authorized to reconstitute the 142nd Field Artillery.^[73] Several of the new 142nd batteries were organzied from the 206th Coast Artllery.^[74]

On 3 April 1936, the war department authorize the creation of the 2nd Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery as follows:.^[75]

On 6 March 1937 the War Department authorized the creation the following additional units for the 142nd Field Artillery Regiment:.^[75]

Until the reorganization following World War I, the state owned no armories. A proclamation was issued by Govenor Charles Brough on 7 November 1919 appealing to all county and city officials to co-operate in the building of at least one "Memorial Community Armory Building" in each county in honor of World War I veterans.^[76] The first of the new armories was built in 1926, and by 1940, the state owned a total of 25 Armories located in the following cities:

• Batesville
• Blyethville
• Clarksville
• Conway
• Dardanelle
• Fayetville
• Forrest City
• Fort Smith
• Harrison
• Hazen
• Helena
• Jonesboro
• Magnolia
• Marianna
• Mena
• Monticello
• Newport
• Paris
• Pine Bluff
• Prescott
• Rogers
• Russellville
• Searcy
• Texarkana

The state had acquired Camp Pike, the U.S. Army Installation that had been built for World War I. The Secretary of War granted the state a revokeable license for the camp which was accepted by Govenor Thomas C. McRae on 22 December 1922.^[62] The camp was turned over to the Camp Pike Honorary Commission which liquidated surplus Federal government property left at the Camp, raising approximately $250,000. These funds were utilized to new buildings and to provide for maintenance and up keep of the facilities. The commission also built a water tank and established a target range with funds from the sale. The Camp would eventually be renamed in honor of Arkansas Senator Joseph T. Robinson.

Arkansas National Guard Troops often traveled out of state to conduct training at U.S. Army facilities. In 1940, all Arkansas National Guard units participated in the 4th Army Maneuvers held in Minnesota beginning 24 August 1940.^[77]

The 206th Coast Artillery also conducted summer encampments at Fort Sill OK, and in 1933 and 1934 at Fort Barrancas Florida.^[78], Fort Sheridian Ill, and Camp Pacos, TX.

After the various restationing, creation and re-constitution of units, the Arkansas National Guard consisted of the following units on the eve of World War II:^[79]

State Headquarters and Detachment

• State Headquarters and Detachment- Little Rock

153rd Infantry Regiment

206th Coast Artillery Regiment (Anti Aircraft)

154th Observation Squadron, Air Corps

• 154th Observation Squadron, Little Rock

142nd Field Artillery Regiment

During the build up to World War II, while the nation was still waivering on the question of whether to enter another European War, President Rooselvelt took the precaution of mobilizing the National Guard for what was orgionally described 1 year of training. The first units were mobilized in September 1940 and by the end of January 1941 all units of the Arkansas National Guard were mobilized. Many of these units had completed their post mobilization training and been shipped to duty at varrios stations several months before the United States officially declared war after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. In all 272 Officers and 41496 Enlised men of the Arkansas National Guard were musterd in to Federal Service for World War II.^[80]

The first unit called to active duty was the 154th Observation Squadron on September 16, 1940.^[77] After extensive stateside training, the majority of the squadron departed New York City and arrived in North Africa November 8, 1942^[81] The airplanes arrived in early December, having flown from Florida to South America and across the Southern Atlantic via Ascension Island to Africa. Only 23 of 36 planes that started the trip arrived in North Africa. Flying A-20s, P-38s, P-39s and P-51s, the 154th flew combat missions from several airfields in North Africa. The 154th is credited with flying the first combat mission in a P-51 in the Mediterranean April 9, 1943.^[3] The squadron moved to Bari Airdrome east of Naples, Italy in February 1944. There the 154th flew combat missions all across Europe until the end of the war. The squadron earned a distinguished unit citation for its service in operations over the Ploesti oil refineries in August 1944.

The 153rd Infantry Regiment was ordered to active duty 23 December 1940, as a part of a one year mobilization of the National Guard in preparation for World War II and spent the next 10 days at what is now the University of Central Arkansas.^[82] The 153rd then moved to Camp Robinson and completed basic training. Moving to Camp Forrest, TN, the regiment spent six week in maneuvers and returned to Camp Robinson for a few days of leave before shipping out to Camp Murray, WA on August 20, 1941.

The 153rd, along with the 206th Coast Artillery Regiment arrived in Alaska in August 1941.^[83]

The 1st and 3rd Battalions, 153rd Infantry were then posted to Annette Island and Seward, Nome and Yakutat, Alaska.

The 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry was stationed on Umnak Island, west of Dutch Harbor and took part in the occupation of Adak Island and the assault on Kiska,^[84] 15 August 1943, part of the Aleutian Islands Campaign. The Japanese had secretly abandoned Kiska only days before the invasion by U.S. Forces. The recapture of Kiska brought the Aleutian Islands Campaign to a close.^[85]

The 153rd returned to Camp Shelby, MS on March 21, 1944 and was deactivated on June 30, 1944; its soldiers assigned to other units as replacements. Many returned to Camp Robinson as cadre.^[82]

The 206th Coast Artillery Regiment (CA) was inducted into Federal service 6 January 1941 at home stations as a part of a one year mobilization of the National Guard in preparation for World War II. Later the Regiment moved to Fort Bliss, Texas and conducted its initial training. The 206th Coast Artillery Regiment was deployed to Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska and had been on station for approximately 4 months when the Japanese Navy attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The 206th CA was equipped with the M1918 3-inch Gun (an older model with a vertical range of 8,200 m), .50-caliber machine guns, and 60-inch (1.5 m) Sperry searchlights.

In June 1942, as part of the Japanese operations against Midway Island, the Japanese attacked the Aleutian Islands, starting with the Battle of Dutch Harbor, beginning what would become known as the Aleutian Islands Campaign.

A Japanese task force led by Admiral Kakuji Kakuta bombed Dutch Harbor on Unalaska Island twice, once on June 3 and again the following day.^[86] Many members of the 206th were awakened on June 3 by the sound of bombs and gunfire. While the unit had been on alert for an attack for many days, there was no specific warning of the attack before the Japanese planes arrived over Dutch Harbor. With no clear direction from headquarters, other than an initial cease fire order which was quickly withdrawn, gun crews from every battery quickly realized the danger, ran to their guns stationed around the harbor and began to return fire. In addition to their 3 inch guns, 37mm guns and .50 caliber machine guns, members of the unit fired their rifles and one even claimed to have hurled a wrench at a low flying enemy plane. Several members reported being able to clearly see the faces of the Japanese aviators as they made repeated runs over the island.^[87] The highest casualties on the first day occurred when bombs struck barracks 864 and 866 in Fort Mears, killing Seventeen men of the 37th Infantry and eight from the 151st Engineers.^[88] The 206th CA spent much of the night of 3 June to 4 June moving their guns down off the mountain tops surrounding the harbor and into the city. Civilian contractor's offered to help and were put to work filling sandbags to protect the new gun positions. When the Japanese returned on 4 June, the Zero's concentrated on strafing the gun positions while their bombers destroyed the full tanks located at the harbor. After the fuel tanks, the enemy concentrated on the ships in the harbor, the Fillmore and the Gillis. Driven away from these two targets by intense anti aircraft fire, they finally succeeded in destroying the Northwestern which, because of its large size they mistakenly believed was a warship. The Northwestern was actually a transport ship which was beached and its power plant was being used to produce steam and electricity for the shore instillations.^[89] The damage caused to the Dutch Harbor Naval facilities and nearby Fort Mears, including the destruction of gas storage facilities and the destruction of the Northwestern, were strategically insignificant. The significant outcomes of the battle were the discovery of a secret U.S. airbase in the Aleutian Islands, previously unknown to the Japanese, and the recovery of a Japanese Zero aircraft by U.S. forces following the battle. The Regiment sustained 7 killed in action during the bombing of Dutch Harbor.^[90]

With the threat to the Aleutian Islands at an end, the Regiment was redeployed to Fort Bliss in March 1944, deactivated and personnel were reassigned. The 1st Battalion was redesignated the 596th AAA (automatic weapons), but was broken up after a month and its personnel used as replacements. The 2nd Battalion was redesignated the 597th AAA (automatic weapons) and participated in the Central Europe and Rhineland campaigns. The 3rd Battalion, which was created in Alaska, was redesignated the 339th Searchlight Battalion but was disbanded in less than three months and its personnel used as replacements.^[91] Several hundred former members of the 206th became infantry replacements, most being assigned to the 86th and the 87th Infantry Divisions.^[92] The 597th AAA was inactivated 12 December 1945 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey.

The unit was inducted into Federal service on 6 January 1941 at Fayetteville.^[3] It was reorganized and redesignated on 25 February 1943 as Battery A, 936th Field Artillery Battalion. It inactivated on 16 October 1945 in Italy.

The 142nd Field Artillery Regiment was ordered to active duty January 6, 1941, moved to Fort Sill, OK where the 3rd Battalion was disbanded. In February the Regiment moved to Camp Bowie, TX and began extensive training. On February 25, 1943 the 142nd Field Artillery Regiment was disbanded. The headquarters was redesignated the 142nd Field Artillery Group, the 1st Battalion became the 936th and the 2nd became the 937th.^[93] These were independent battalions equipped with the 155mm howitzer.

The 142nd FA Group left Camp Bowie September 25, 1943 and arrived in England on November 3, 1943. It crossed Utah Beach June 10, 1944 and participated in the European offensive with up to five battalions attached. When the war ended it was 25 miles from the Elbe River.^[94]

The 936th left Camp Bowie August 9, 1943, arrived in Algiers September 2, 1943 and landed in Naples, Italy November 11, 1943. It participated in the drive across the Rapido River, the liberation of Rome and the assault on Mount Cassino. When the war ended the 936th was across the Po River, about 45 miles from Venice. It had fired 139,364 rounds in combat and was awarded battle streamers for the following campaigns: Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno; North Apennines and Po Valley.^[3]

The 937th left Camp Bowie on August 10, 1943, arrived in Algiers September 2, 1943 and landed in Naples, Italy November 11, 1943. It participated in the drive across the Rapido River and the liberation of Rome. It then prepared for and participated in the amphibious landings in southern France August 15, 1944. One of vessels carrying the 937th was hit by a German bomber resulting in 1 KIA, 2 MIA, 83 WIA and the loss of the fire direction equipment and one battery of howitzers. The 937th fired over 200,000 combat rounds and was awarded battle streamers for the following campaigns: Naples-Foggio; Rome-Arno; Southern France (with arrowhead); Rhineland and Central Europe.^[3]

Just as the State had organized the Home Guard units for World War I in order to give the Govenor a force to utilize incase of emergancy, the State re-established the Arkansas State Guard during World War II.^[95] General Order Number 4, dated 1 May 1942 established the State Guard with officer and enlisted strength, stationing and designatitons as follows:

In all the Arkansas State Guard was authorized 46 Officers and 478 Enlisted Soldiers. The State Guard responded to fires, tornados, and floods at Fort Smith, Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Texarkana and Batesville during the War. The Arkansas State Guard was deactivated between 17 September 1946 and 16 December 1946.^[95]

With the end of Hostilities, the Arkasas National Guard was directed by the War Department to begin re-organziation with an expected strength approximately double the size of the pre-war organization. The 39th Infantry Division was reconstituted on 30 September 1946. It was composed of units Arkansas and Louisiana, with its headquarters stationed at New Orleans, Louisiana and the Arkansas portion Headquarted in Little Rock Arkansas.^[60] During this period the division included the 153rd Infantry Regiment and the 206th Artillery Regiment.

In addition, the following non-divisional units were stationed within the state immediately following World War II:

Additionally, the state was authorzed to form several units under the new Arkansas Air National Guard.

The following Army National Guard units were called to active duty for service in during the Korean Conflict:^[96]

• 936th FA Battalion
• 937th FA Battalion
• 217th Medical Company

The 936th Field Artillery Battalion mobilized 2 August 1950 and moved to Camp Carson, CO for training. It arrived in Korea 10 February 1951 and fired its first combat mission 30 March 1951.^[97] The unit provided fire support to 3rd, 25th and 1st Republic of Korea Division as well as the 1st Cavalry Division.^[98] The battalion was awarded battle streamers for the following campaigns: First U.N. Counteroffensive; CCF Spring Offensive; UN Spring Offensive; UN Summer – Fall Offensive; and Second Korean winter. The 936th fired 348,547 combat rounds in Korea and suffered 10 killed in action and 28 wounded in action. The battalion was deactivated 25 September 1954.^[99]

The 937th Field Artillery Battalion was mobilized on the same day as the 936th and moved to Fort Hood, TX for training. It arrived in Korea on the same ship as the 936th and fired its first combat mission April 3, 1951. .^[100] The battalion went in to line with the I Corps on 30 April near Uijongbu, Korea . During the Chinese Spring Drive the battalion fell back to Seoul and was moved to IX Corps. Battery A continued with X Corps and was attached to the 1st Marine Division. On 17 May 1952 the Battalion was attached to 2nd Division, IX Corps. For the action with 2nd Division, Battery C and Headquarters Battery received the Distinguished Unit Citation. The battalion continued in general support to IX Corps from 28 July 1953 until 9 October 1954.^[101] The battalion was awarded battle streamers for the following campaigns: First U.N. Counteroffensive; CCF Spring Offensive; UN Spring Offensive; UN Summer – Fall Offensive; Second Korean winter; Korea, Summer – Fall 1952; Third Korean Winter and Korea, Summer 1953. The 937th fired 223,400 combat rounds in Korea and suffered 13 killed in action and 156 wounded in action. The battalion was deactivated 26 November 1954.^[102]

The 217th Medical Company was mobilized 2 August 1950 and underwent training at Fort Benning, GA. The Company departed Fort Lawton Washington for 15 January 1951 and arrived in Yokomama Japan, 2 February 1951. The unit then moved to Kyoto Japan for training until 3 May 1951. The unit arrived in Pusan, Korea 4 May 1951. The 217th conducted its basic mission of air evacuation of patients to Japan in an area from Pusan north to Seoul. Headquarters Platoon and 1st Platoon were stationed at the K-9 Airbase near Pusan. 2nd Platoon was stationed near near Pusan, the 3rd Platoon was stationed near Uljomgby and 4th Platoon was stationed near Chucuhon and Yomdgumgpo and Tamjon. The 217th received the following unit awards during the Korean Conflict:^[103]

• The Meritorious Unit Citation
• The Distinguished Unit Citation
• The Korean Presidential Citation.
• Japan Occupation Citation

The following units also were called to active duty for the Korean Conflict, but did not see duty in Korea:^[104]

• Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 142nd Field Artillery Group – Germany
• Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 101st Medical Battalion – Korea
• 218th Medical Ambulance Company, Fort Hood and Fort Leonard Wood

The entire Arkansas Army National Guard was ordered into active Federal service 24 September 1957 at home stations, in support of the Little Rock Central High School Integration Crisis in Little Rock Arkansas; The units were released 22–24 October 1957 from active Federal service and reverted to state control.

In accordance with General Order Number 4, dated 29 May 1959, the Arkansas National Guard was reorganized as follows:

The 206th Artillery was reorganized 1 May 1963 to consist of the 2d and 3d Battalions, elements of the 39th Infantry Division.^[105]

On 1 December 1967, 39th Infantry Division was reorganized and redesignated as the 39th Infantry Brigade.^[106] By this point in army history, regiments had ceased to function as maneuver formations, but perform a purely ceremonial function. Regiments are now represented by their individual battalions. The new 39th Infantry Brigade (Separate) was comprised of elements of the following regiments:

1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment

2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment

3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment

Troop E, 151st Cavalry Regiment

5th Battalion, 206th Field Artillery Regiment

39th Support Battalion

The Arkansas Army National Guard had 13 units called into federal service during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and the Arkansas Air National Guard had members of 10 units called up. More than 3,400 Arkansas Guard soldiers were called up, the second highest percentage of any state or territory.

The 1122nd Transportation Company (Light-Medium Truck) was called into federal service September 20, 1990 and departed for Southwest Asia (SWA) November 2, 1990. The unit transported soldiers of the 81st Airborne Division into Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. It was released from federal service June 4, 1991.

The 296th Medical Company was called into federal service November 15, 1990 and served at Fort Polk, LA. In addition to providing support to Fort Polk, the unit provided ambulance support to the Port of Entry at Corpus Christi, TX. It was released from federal service June 30, 1991.

The 216th Medical Company (Ambulance) was called into federal service November 17, 1990 and deployed to SWA December 31, 1990. While in SWA, the unit transported over 5,100 patients. It was selected as part of the residual force and was released from active duty December 6, 1991.

The Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 142nd Field Artillery were called into federal service November 21, 1990 and deployed to SWA January 16, 1991. The 142nd and its subordinate units provided fire support to the 1st Infantry Division (US) and the 1st Armoured Division (UK), firing 1,060 rounds. The 2nd Battalion was released from federal service May 21, 1991, the 1st May 22nd and HHD September 19th.

Three units were called into federal service November 21, 1990:

The 148th Medical Hospital (Evacuation) deployed to SWA New Years’ Eve, 1990. It provided general medical support to US and coalition forces, with priority to the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment. It also treated Iraqi soldiers. The 148th was released from federal service May 6, 1991.

The 224th Composite Service Company (Maintenance) deployed to SWA January 12, 1991 and provided support to units in the 16th Corps Support Group sector. It completed over 3,500 maintenance requests while in theater and was released from federal service May 26, 1991.

The Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 217th Maintenance Battalion deployed to SWA December 28, 1990. Assigned to VII Corps’ Support Command, the 217th provided command and control for eight maintenance companies and performed half of the vehicle maintenance and 95% of the communications equipmen't maintenance in the VII Corps area. It was released from active duty May 17, 1991.

Two additional units were called into federal service December 6, 1990:

The 204th Medical Detachment (Dental Services) deployed to Germany and provided dental services for several military communities. It was the only Army Guard dental unit called up, and was released from federal service June 15, 1991.

The 25th Rear Area Operations Center (RAOC) deployed to SWA February 9, 1991 and initially provided support to the XVIII Airborne Corps. Later the unit moved into Iraq with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. The 25th was released from federal service June 6, 1991.

The 119th Adjutant General Company (Personnel Services) was called into federal service January 22, 1991 and served at Fort Sill, OK. It provided personnel service support to soldiers mobilizing and demobilizing at Fort Sill and was released from active duty June 15, 1991.

The 212th Signal Battalion was called into federal service January 25, 1991 and was validated for overseas service the week the war ended. It was released from federal service March 26, 1991.

39th Brigade units conducted numerous overseas training rotations throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.^[107]

• 1981, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry (Walnut Ridge and Piggott) conducts Annual Training in Great Britain with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers as part of the Vounteer Warrior/Hard Charger Exercise.

• 1986, Company B, 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry conducts Annual Training in Honduras.

• 1988, two batteries of the 5th Battalion, 206th Field Artillery conduct annual training in Honduras, Companies B and C, 2-153 IN conduct Annual Training in Great Britain as a part of Opation "Glo Worm/Rattlesnake", at Camp Crickhowell, Wales, hosted by members of the 5th Light Infantry English Citizen Soldiers.

• 1990, Company A, 1-153rd and Company C, 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry, along with the entire 5-206th Field Artillery conducted Annual Training in Honduras as part of the National Guard Bureau's Overseas Training Program. Company C, 1-153rd IN conducted Annual Training in the Unied Kingdom.

  

• 1991, 1-153rd Infantry deployed with selected members of 2-153rd on a SOUTHCOM rotation to the Jungle Operations Training Center (JOTO) at Fort Sherman, Panama.

• 1992, Companies A, B and C, 2-153rd Infantry conduct Annual Training in Honduras in three separate rotations.

In March 2001, Company D, 1-153rd and Company D, 3-153rd deployed to Bosnia as part of the Multinational Stabilization Force (SFOR), Security Force Nine in order to assist with the enforcement of the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH).^[108] The companies were attached to 3rd Squadron, 7 Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division for the deployment as part of Task Force Eagle. They performed presence patrols outside Forward Operating Base Morgan and Camp McGovern, and participated in the consolidation of weapon storage sites. The soldiers also guarded the sites.^[109]

Company B, 2nd Battalion, 153 Infantry, and B Company, 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry of the 39th BCT were activated for Operation Southern Watch, May through September 1999.^[109] B/2-153 deployed to Kuwait while Company B, 3-153 deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia. 39th Brigade Soldiers provided security at Patriot Missile Batteries during these deployments. The mission lasted a total of seven months, and was the first "pure" national guard effort in the region. Company C, 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry carried on the 39th's role in Operation Southern Watch when they replaced B/2-153 IN in September 1999.^[108]

On October 10, 2001, 2-153 IN "Gunslinger" was activated in support of the Global War on Terror.^[110] Second Battalion was sent to Egypt in order to take over the Multinational Force and Observers mission, freeing up regular army infantry units to deploy to Afghanistan.

The 2-153's mission during the MFO was: "...to supervise the implementation of the security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace and employ best efforts to prevent any violation of its terms." This is mission was accomplished by carrying out four tasks: Operating checkpoints, observation posts and conducting reconnaissance patrols on the international border as well as within Zone C; Verification of the terms of the peace treaty not less than twice a month; Verification of the terms of the peace treaty within 48 hours, upon the request of either party, and Ensuring freedom of international marine navigation in the Strait of Tiran and access to the Gulf of Aqaba.

This was the first "pure" National Guard takeover of the MFO mission. 2-153 IN deactivated on October 11, 2002.

In October 2001, the 1st Battalion deployed a 70 man detachment of Battery C to secure the Arkansas Nuclear One power plant at Russellville, Arkansas in wake of the 11 September 2001 Terrorist Attacks. Members of the 206th were on duty at the site for approximately 3 months.^[111]

The following Arkansas National Guard Units have mobilized and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom:

• 1037th Engineer Company, 2009–Present
• Arkansas Agricultural Development Team, 2010–Present

The following Arkansas Army National Guard units have mobilizied and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom:

• 1123rd Transportation Company
• 216th Medical Company

• HHC, 39th Brigade Infantry Brigade (Separate)

  1st Battalion, 153 Infantry Regiment

  HHC, 1-153rd In

  Company A, 1-153rd IN

  Company B, 1-153rd IN

  Company C, 1-153rd IN

  Company D, 1-153rd IN

  3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment

  HHC, 3-153 IN

  Company A, 3-153rd IN

  Company B, 2-153rd IN

  Company C, 3-153rd IN

  Company D, 3-153rd IN

  1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery Regiment

  HHSB, 1-206th FA

  Battery A, 1-206th FA

  Battery B, 1-206th FA

  Battery C, 1-206th FA

  39th Support Battalion

  HHC, 39th SB

  Company A, 39th SB

  Company B, 39th SB

  Company C, 39th SB

  239th Engineer Company

  239th Military Intelligence Company

  Troop E, 151 Cavalry Regiment

• 2-142nd Field Artillery Regiment

  HHB, 2-142nd FA

  Battery A, 2-142nd FA

  Battery B, 2-142nd FA

• Battery B, 1-142nd FA
• Battery C, 1-142nd FA
• Battery C, 2-142nd FA

• HHC, 875th Engineer Battalion,

  Company A, 875th EN

  Company B, 875th EN

  Company C, 875th EN

• HHC, 35th Aviation Brigade

• HHB, 142nd Fires Brigade
• HHC, 871st Troop Command

• HHC, 39th IBCT

  1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment

  HHC, 1-153rd In

  Company A, 1-153rd IN

  Company B, 1-153rd IN

  Company C, 1-153rd IN

  Company D, 1-153rd IN

  Company A, 39th BSTB

  2nd Battalion, 153 Infantry Regiment

  HHC, 2-153 IN

  Company A, 2-153rd IN

  Company B, 2-153rd IN

  Company C, 2-153rd IN

  Company D, 2-153rd IN

  Company F, 39th BSB

  1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery Regiment

  HHB, 1-206th FA

  Battery A, 1-206th FA

  Battery B, 1-206th FA

  Company G, 39th BSB

  1038th HHC,

  1123rd TC

  217th Support Battalion

  HHC, 217th SB

  Company A, 217th SB

  Company B, 217th SB

  Company B, 39th BSTB

  1st Squadron, 151 Cavalry Regiment

  HHT, 1-151st CAV

  Troop A, 1-151st CAV

  Troop B, 1-151st CAV

  Troop C, 1-151st CAV

  Company D, 39th BSB

  Company A, 39th BSB

In December 2006, the 39th Brigade Combat Team deployed two 70 man companies for service on the southwest border in support of Operation Jump Start,^[112][113] serving there until the 39th IBCT received its alert for mobilization in support of OIF 08-09.

In 1894 the Arkansas State Guard was activated during a railroad strike. The ASG at this time was not funded by the legislature, but the legislature reimbursed the ASG for its expenses during the 1896 General Assembly.^[114]

During an outbreak of "Yellow Fever" from August trough October 1905 the Arkansas State Guard was activated to enforce a quarantine. The AGD guarded the borders of the state "just as in time of war" and established relief camps.^[44]

In February 1909 a tornado struck the city of Brinkley. The Govenor ordered the National Guard to provide 30 tents and 300 blankes to the survivors. Two companies, Company G, First Infantry from McCrory and Company I, First Infantry, from Helena were sent to Brinkley under the command of MAJ L.P. Berry to assist with maintaining order.^[45]

On 26 February 1910, Company D, First Infantry, located at El Dorado received a call from the Govenor to supply troops to help prevent violence after the alleged shooting of a while citized by a black citizen. CPT Crowford was ordered to report to the Sheriff with is company for duty. In less than an hour Crawford reported by telegraph that as of 10:15 p.m, he had 20 men on duty, and again later that he had 35 men on duty. The following morning at 8:15, CPT Crawford reported that he the alleged shooter in custody and all was quiet.^[47]

On 27 February 1910, the Sheriff of Garland county asked for troops to prevent an attempt to lynch an Africian American who was accused of rape and to protect the defendant during trial. CPT William A. Smith Company A, First Infantry from Prescott to take 10 of his men to Hot Springs and protect the defendant. The trial concluded without violence.^[47] In May 1927 the 206th Coast Artillery's Capt. Harry Smith was commended by the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce for breaking up the a mob that had rioted after a Ku Klux Klan group staged a lynching in the city.^[115]

The 206th Coast Artillery was called to state active duty to support the citizens of eastern Arkansas during the Arkansas River Floods of 1927 and 1937.^[90] The Regiment was responsible for setting up to refugee camps and providing relief to thousands of survivors. Colonel Robertson directed the 1927 relief operations in the Marianna area from the towboat St. Augustine.^[90]

Most recently the 39th BCT, 142nd Fires Brigade and the 87th Troop Command activated 50 man County Recovery Teams under state control in order to support Ice Storm Recovery Operations in northern Arkansas.^[116] in Sharp County, Arkansas, 30 January 2009 to 6 February 2009.

After Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana in August 2005, elements of the Arkansas National Guard deployed to New Orleans by C-130s from the Little Rock Air Force Base to support the relief and recovery efforts as part of Operation Katrina.^[117] Under tactical control of the Louisiana National Guard, Arkansas soldiers were given the mission of providing security and food and water to an estimated 20,000 people at the New Orleans Convention Center on September 2.^[118] By the afternoon of September 3, all individuals staying in and around the Convention Center had been evacuated. The mission of the Arkansas Soldiers in Louisiana grew to the point that at one time the State Task Force was responsible for working with local officials in 14 parishes. Elements of the Arkansas National Guard stayed deployed in Louisiana until February 2006.

Units of the Arkansas National Guard have participated in the following recongnized Campaigns and engagements

Streamer without inscription^[119]

EAME

Naples-Foggia 1943-1944

Rome-Arno 1944

Southern France 1944 (with Arrow Head)

Rhineland 1944-1945

Central Europe 1945

Aleutian Islands 1942–1943

1st U.N. Counter Offensive 1951

CCF Spring Offensive 1951

U.N. Summer-Fall Offensive 1951

Second Korean Winter 1951-1952

Korea Summer-Fall, 1952

Third Korean Winter 1952-1953

Korea Summer 1953

Defense of Saudi Arabia 1990-1991

Liberation and Defense of Kuwait 1991

Cease-Fire 1991-1995

Iraq Campaign Streamer

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2008)

• Private Claude H. Biggs, Battery F, Killed in Action, Dutch Harbor, Alaska, 3 June 1942
• Private Allen C. Collier, Jr., HQ Battery, 2nd Battalion, Dutch Harbor, Alaska, Killed in Action, 3 June 1942
• Private James E. Harrington, Battery E, Killed in Action, Dutch Harbor, Alaska, 3 June 1942
• Private Hugh Bryan Timberlake, Battery B, Killed in Action, Dutch Harbor, Alaska, 3 June 1942
• Private James R. Wiles, Battery C, Killed in Action, Dutch Harbor, Alaska, 3 June 1942
• Private Charles W. Hill, Battery F, Killed in Action, Dutch Harbor, Alaska, 4 June 1942
• Private Ambrose D. Regalia, Battery F, Killed in Action, Dutch Harbor, Alaska, 4 June 1942^[86]

This monument includes the names of several former 206th Coast Artillery members who were Killed in Action with other units after the break up of the 206th Coast Artillery Regiment in 1944.^[120]

• Kenneth Burkhart
• Clifford Cloud
• Joseph J. Eble
• John H. Franklin
• Charles Hutton
• Cletis Jeffers
• Fred Johnson
• James Lemmer
• Owen "H" Lynch
• Carl Neal
• Ray Shreeve
• Frank Sweeney
• Roy Wiles (probably the same as Pvt. James R. Wiles listed as KIA from Dutch Harbor)

• Sergeant First Class William W. Labadie Jr. of Bauxite, Age 45. Killed in Action, 4/7/04

• Captain Arthur L. Felder of Lewisville, Age 36. Killed in Action, 4/24/04

• Chief Warrant Officer Patrick W. Kordsmeier of North Little Rock, Age 49. Killed in Action, 4/24/04

• Staff Sergeant Billy J. Orton of Carlisle, Age 41. Killed in Action, 4/24/04

• Staff Sergeant Stacey C. Brandon of Hazen, Age 35. Killed in Action, 4/24/04

• Specialist Kenneth Melton of Batesville, Age 30. Killed in Action, 4/25/04

• Staff Sergeant Hesley Box of Nashville, Age 24. Killed in Action, 5/6/04

• Sergeant First Class Troy Leon Miranda of Wickes, Age 44. Killed in Action, 5/20/04

• Sergeant Russell L. Collier of Harrison, Age 48. Killed in Action, 10/3/04

• Sergeant Ronald Wayne Baker of Cabot, Age 34. Killed in Action, 10/13/04

• Sergeant First Class Anthony Lynn Woodham, Age 37, of Rogers, Ark., Heber Springs, Ark., died July 5, at Camp Adder, Tallil, Iraq, from non-combat related injuries.

• Specialist James M. Clay, Age 25, of Mountain Home, Ark.; Little Rock, Ark.; died November 13, 2008 in Anbar province, Iraq, of injuries sustained in a vehicle accident.^[121]

List of Past Adjutants General of the State of Arkansas:.^[122]

• 1819-1823, A.P. Spencer
• 1823-1825, Terrence Farrelly
• 1826-1828, Benjamin Desha
• 1828-1832, Wharton Rector, Jr.
• 1832-1833, Archibald Yell
• 1833-1835, William Field
• 1835-1836, Wharton Rector, Jr.
• 1836-1836, Daniel T. Witter
• 1836-1843, John N. Boyle
• 1843-1845, S.H. Hempstead
• 1845-1846, Albert Pike
• 1846-1848, Solon Borland
• 1848-1849, John S. Roane
• 1849-1851, Allan Wood
• 1853-1860, John Hutt
• 1864-1864, C. A. Henry
• 1864-1864, F.M. Sams
• 1864-1868, Albert W. Bishop
• 1868-1873, Keys Danforth
• 1873-1874, Frank Strong
• 1874-1874, M. McCananny
• 1874-1877, Charles H. Woods
• 1877-1881, James Pomeroy
• 1881-1882, Sam J. Churchill
• 1883-1883, James F. Reed
• 1883-1884, L.H. McGill
• 1884-1885, W.H. Langford
• 1885-1889, W.B. Hughes
• 1889-1891, John C. England
• 1891-1891, A.W. Giles
• 1891-1897, Kie Oldham
• 1897-1900, Arthur Neill
• 1901-1907, Charles Jacobson
• 1907-1909, Paul Little
• 1909-1913, BG Benjamin W. Green
• 1913-1919, BG Lloyd Englan
• 1919-1921, BG Joe S. Harris
• 1921-1922, BG Virgil A. Beeson
• 1922-1925, BG Heber L. McAlister
• 1925-1927, BG John B. Morris, Jr.
• 1927-1929, BG Joe S. Harris
• 1929-1937, BG Ebenezer L. Compere
• 1937-1941. BG Daniel B. Byrd
• 1941-1945, BG Ebenezer l. Compere
• 1945-1949, BG Heber L. McAlister
• 1949-1950, BG Earl T, Ricks
• 1950-1951, BG Heber L. McAlister
• 1951-1953, BG John B. Morris, Jr.
• 1953-1955, MG Lucien Abraham
• 1955-1966, MG Sherman T. Clinger
• 1967-1970, MG Charles H. Wilson
• 1971-1973, MG Thomas M. Phillips
• 1973-1975, MG Joseph R. Chappell, Jr.
• 1975-1979, MG Thomas C. Armstrong
• 1979-1981, MG James H. Jones
• 1981-1983, MG Harold L. Gwatney
• 1983-1984, MG James H. Jones
• 1894-1986, MG Fred M. Carter
• 1986-1993, MG James A. Ryan
• 1993-1996, MG Melvin C. Thrash
• 1996-2006. MG Don C. Morrow
• 2006-2007, MG Ronald S. Chastain
• 2007–Present, MG William D. Wofford

• State Defense Forces
• Militia
• Home Guard
• Transformation of the Army National Guard

• Arkansas National Guard
• Arkansas Army National Guard at GlobalSecurity
• GlobalSecurity.org Army National Guard page
• National Guard Association of Arkansas
• The Arkansas National Guard Museum
• Off to War: From Rural Arkansas to Iraq - 10 Part 2004 Discovery Times TV series embedded in a unit of the Arkansas National Guard 39th Brigade (returned with 39 less soldiers than it left with from Clarksville Spring2003) and their families, throughout their year-long deployment in Iraq - produced / directed by Brent and Craig Renaud