Celebrating the 388th Birthday of the National Guard: Honoring America’s Citizen-Soldiers

Today marks the 388th birthday of the National Guard, a proud and historic institution rooted in the earliest days of American settlement. On December 13, 1636, the Massachusetts Bay Colony established the foundation of the National Guard by organizing its militia into three permanent regiments. This act by the colony’s General Court laid the groundwork for the modern National Guard and its vital role in defending and serving the nation.

The Birth of the National Guard

On that December day in 1636, the colonial legislature of Massachusetts issued an order to organize the existing militia companies into three regiments. These units were tasked with protecting the fledgling colony from external threats and maintaining internal security. These first regiments, the ancestors of today’s 181st Infantry, 182nd Infantry, 101st Field Artillery, and 101st Engineer Battalion of the Massachusetts Army National Guard, remain the oldest military units in the United States.

Pequot War

In 1637, during the Pequot War, a National Guard provisional battalion was formed by consolidating elements of three colonial militia regiments from Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut, and Plymouth. This battalion took the field against the Pequot Indians, a powerful Native American group in southern New England.

The conflict reached its climax at the Battle of Mystic Fort on May 26, 1637, when the provisional battalion, led by Captain John Mason and accompanied by Mohegan and Narragansett allies, launched a pre-dawn assault on a fortified Pequot village near the Mystic River in present-day Connecticut. The attack resulted in the near-total destruction of the village and the deaths of hundreds of Pequot men, women, and children. This devastating blow significantly weakened the Pequot, leading to their defeat and dispersal, and marked a turning point in the power dynamics between Native American tribes and European settlers in the region.

This historic date represents more than just the organization of the Massachusetts militia; it symbolizes the birth of the National Guard itself. The enduring legacy of these early units has grown to include the militias of all 50 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia, which collectively form the modern National Guard.

The Oldest Units of the Army National Guard

The Massachusetts regiments established in 1636 hold a distinguished place in American military history. These units – the 101st Engineer Battalion, the 101st Field Artillery Regiment, the 181st Infantry Regiment, and the 182nd Infantry Regiment – continue to serve today, preserving the traditions of the original militia. Their longevity is a testament to the National Guard’s resilience and enduring importance to the nation’s defense.

Despite the formal establishment of the United States Army in 1775, these National Guard units predate the Army by nearly 140 years. This unique distinction is grounded in the Militia Act of 1792, which allowed pre-existing militia units to maintain their “customary privileges.” This recognition of the National Guard’s early roots has been upheld through successive legislation, solidifying its historical standing as a foundational element of the nation’s defense.

The National Guard’s Evolution

Over the centuries, the National Guard has evolved alongside the nation it serves. Originally established to protect colonial settlements, the Guard has expanded its mission to include both state and federal responsibilities. Guardsmen and women serve in times of war, disaster, and civil unrest, embodying the spirit of the citizen-soldier.

The Air National Guard, a later addition to this legacy, was officially established on September 18, 1947, following the creation of the United States Air Force. While the Air National Guard itself is younger, some of its units trace their origins to National Guard aviation units organized before World War I. The 102nd Rescue Squadron of the New York Air National Guard, for example, dates back to 1915, while the 109th Airlift Squadron of Minnesota, federally recognized in 1921, holds the distinction of continuous service since its formation.

Honoring Guardsmen and Women

On this 388th birthday of the National Guard, we honor the dedication and sacrifice of its members, past and present. These citizen-soldiers have stood ready to serve their communities and country through nearly four centuries of change and challenge. From the early days of colonial militias to the modern National Guard’s critical roles in homeland security and global operations, their service embodies the enduring values of duty, honor, and commitment.

As we commemorate this significant milestone, let us celebrate the men and women who continue to uphold the legacy of the National Guard, ensuring that it remains a vital force for the safety and security of the United States.