District of Columbia Army National Guard

The District of Columbia Army National Guard is the Army component of the District of Columbia National Guard. As the District of Columbia is a federal district and not a state, the guard is placed under the authority of the President of the United States, unlike most other National Guard units which are headed by their state's governor.

District of Columbia Army National Guard
Distinctive shoulder insignia
ActiveMarch 2, 1802 – present
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Army
TypeDistrict Army National Guard
Size1,350
Part ofDistrict of Columbia National Guard
Garrison/HQD.C. Armory
AnniversariesMarch 3rd, 1802
Commanders
Current
commander		Brigadier General Robert K. Ryan

The District of Columbia Army National Guard was formed in 1802 by President Thomas Jefferson to defend the newly created District of Columbia. It has always been led by a Commanding General as opposed to an Adjutant General and is the only Army National Guard state-level organization activated by the President of the United States for natural and civil emergencies.[1] The Mayor of the District of Columbia may request assistance of the National Guard assets for local purposes after consulting with the President.

District of Columbia Army National Guard units are trained and equipped as part of the United States Army. The same ranks and insignia are used and National Guardsmen are eligible to receive all United States military awards. The District of Columbia National Guard also bestows a number of state awards for local services rendered in or to the District of Columbia.

Subordinate units

The District of Columbia Army National Guard includes the following subordinate units:

  • Joint Force Headquarters
  • Multi-Agency Augmentation Command, commanded by COL Paul M. Franken
  • 74th Troop Command, commanded by a Colonel
  • 372nd Military Police Battalion ("Red Hand"[2]), 74th Troop Command, commanded by Major Roland Lane
  • HHD, 372nd Military Police Battalion,
  • 273rd Military Police Company, commanded by CPT Nathan Vaichus and 1SG Tonce Cutler
  • 276th Military Police Company, commanded by CPT Michelle Watkis and 1SG Valarie Jones
  • 547th Transportation Company, 74th Troop Command
  • 104th Maintenance Company, 74th Troop Command
  • 260th Regiment (Regional Training Institute)(formerly 260th Coast Artillery(?)) - Battery A, 110th Field Artillery, was demobilized 4 June 1919 at Camp Lee, Virginia.[3] It was reconstituted 17 June 1924 in the DC National Guard, and concurrently consolidated with Battery D, 60th Artillery, 5th Company, Coastal Defenses of the Potomac, and Batteries B and C, 110th Field Artillery to form the 260th Coast Artillery. It was organized from 17 June 1924 to 1 April 1939, during which time its headquarters was federally recognized on 20 December 1935 at Washington DC. It was induced into federal service on 6 January 1941 at Washington; but then HQ and HQ Battery, 260th Coast Artillery, was reorganized and redesignated HHB, 260th AAA Group, with the remainder of the 260th Coast Artillery from then on having a separate lineage. Inactivated 1944 in Texas; reorganized and federally recognized 3 October 1946 at Washington; ordered into active federal service 1950-52. Converted and redesignated 1 March 1959 as HHD 260th MP Group; reorganized and redesignated 1 March 1985 as HHC 260th MP Brigade. Became 260th Military Police Command 1 February 1992. 260th MP Command was active as late as September 2006 in the DC ARNG.[4]
  • 257th Army Band "The Band of the Nation's Capital"
  • Honor Guard
  • Color Guard
  • D Company (Air Ambulance), 1st Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment (Security and Support Battalion)
  • Detachment 1, A Company, 1-224th Aviation Security and Support Battalion
  • Detachment 1, G Company (Air Ambulance), 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation) Battalion
  • District of Columbia Medical Command
  • Detachment 4, Operational Support Airlift Command
  • Recruiting and Retention Battalion
  • National Guard Bureau Legal Support Office

History, Lineage and Honors of the Headquarters, District of Columbia National Guard

Permanent Order 1-1. Approved 18 February 1986. Calvin G. Franklin, Commanding General[5]

The District of Columbia National Guard traces its lineage to January 1776 as Headquarters 25th Battalion, Georgetown and Headquarters 29th Battalion, Bladensburg in the Maryland Militia[6] before the District of Columbia was created. These initial units were mobilized in March and July 1776 to repel marauders.[7] Mobilized January 1777 for services at Trenton and Princeton,[8] and in October 1777 for combat service in Germantown.[9]

In April 1781, the 25th Battalion remobilized for defense of the Potomac River Valley, and in May 1781 for defense of Georgetown.[10] The unit saw further service at Fredericktown and Old Fort Frederick through 1781.[11]

The Act of December 1793[12] reconstituted the 29th Battalion and officially recognized it on 18 June 1794 as the 14th and 18th Regiments, Maryland Militia, and Headquarters 4th Brigade, Maryland Militia, with headquarters in Georgetown.[13]

Organization and history

The units were established as Headquarters, District of Columbia Militia by Act of the Congress in March 1802,[14] and organized during May and June 1802 as a Brigade Headquarters.[15] Reorganized by Act of the Congress 3 March 1803.[16]

The Militia was mobilized in Federal service from 1–4 July 1863 to resist Confederate forces.[17] The unit was immediately demobilized after the fight was completed on 4 July 1863. Again, a year later the Federal government called upon the militia to resist Confederate attacks in July 1864 on the District of Columbia.[18]

The unit was further reorganized under the Territorial Act of 1871 with the position of Commanding General eliminated and the position of Adjutant General established as commander of military forces.[19] However, 16 years later, in 1887 under the Act of 1803 the position of Commanding General was reestablished.[20]

The Militia was reconstituted as the National Guard of the District of Columbia under the Act of the Congress, 1 March 1889 with the headquarters retaining the designation as Headquarters, District of Columbia Militia, with the command of the District of Columbia National Guard. The Act specified that the unit have no more than twenty-eight companies of infantry organized into regiments, battalions, and unattached companies as may be deemed expedient; one battery of light artillery; one signal corps; one ambulance corps; one band of music; and one corps of field music.[21]

The District of Columbia National Guard was brought into Federal service April 1898 to fight in the Spanish–American War.[22]

The Organization of the District of Columbia National Guard modified by Act of the Congress, 11 May 1898 to provide for organization of a naval battalion to consist of not more than four companies of naval militia.[23]

The DC National Guard was mustered into Federal service at Fort Myer, Virginia 20 June 1916 to mobilize units for Mexican Border Service.[24] However the units were soon discharged again on 21 October 1916.[25] Furthermore, between 25 March 1917 and 25 July 1917, all elements and personnel, less headquarters mobilized for Federal service.[26] Their Commanding General was later mustered into Federal service on 5 August 1917.[27]

The unit was further Reorganized between October and December 1917 to include Companies A & B, 4th DC Infantry (units never established), and the 2nd Separate Battalion (Colored) to consist of retired and discharged veterans and exempt men to provide a “home guard” for the defense of the District of Columbia.[28] Further reorganized on 5 March 1918 established the 5th DC Infantry and the 2nd Separate Battalion (Colored).[29]

On 19 December 1919 the DC Guard was reorganized to consist of one battalion and two companies of infantry, one headquarters company, one field artillery battery, and one signal company. Only Headquarters, 5th Infantry and companies A and C were established.[30] Furthermore, the Fifth Infantry was reorganized and redesignated 31 December 1920 as the Engineer Regiment (Federal recognition as 121st Engineers, 1 January 1921 creating a separate lineage).[31] Reorganized 19 January 1922 with the 260th Coast Artillery (separate lineage) and elements of the 29th Division (separate lineages) added.[32]

On 16 October 1923, the Commanding General of the District of Columbia Militia was appointed, Commanding General, 29th Division with Headquarters, 29th Division allocated to the District of Columbia National Guard. However, the 29th Division transferred to the Maryland National Guard on 10 April 1934.[33] From October 1940 until July 1941, the Commanding General of the District of Columbia Militia was brought to active duty and appointed District of Columbia Director of Selective Service.[34] Soon however, the Commanding General of the District of Columbia Militia was appointed Commander of the Washington Provisional Brigade (precursor of the Military District of Washington) in July 1941 serving in this capacity until May 1942 when appointed Provost Marshal of the District of Columbia (with jurisdiction over trial of five German saboteurs). He remained Provost Marshal until October 1942 when he was relieved from active duty and returned to command of the District of Columbia National Guard.[35]

Supervision and control of District of Columbia National Guard passed from the President of the United States to the Secretary of Defense pursuant to Executive Order 10030, 26 January 1949 with authority given to the Secretary to designate officials of the National Military Establishment to administer affairs of the District of Columbia National Guard.[36] The Secretary of the Army was directed to act for the Secretary of Defense in all matters pertaining to the ground component, and Secretary of the Air Force directed to act in all matters pertaining to the air component of the District of Columbia National Guard by Secretary of Defense memorandum, 2 February 1949.[37]

By Act of the Congress, 2 September 1957 the Commanding General of the Militia of the District of Columbia was authorized to hold the rank of major general or brigadier general.[38]

The DC National Guard was placed into Federal service from 5 to 16 April 1968 to aid civil authorities[39] and again in May 1971.[40][39]

Distinctive unit insignia

A gold color metal and enamel device consisting of the dome of the United States Capitol in white in front of a gold rising sun and supported by a torse of six twists alternately of white and red; on a blue scroll arched above the dome, the motto, Capital Guardians, in gold.[41]

Symbolism

The dome of the United States Capitol typifies the District of Columbia. The rising sun is adapted from the District of Columbia Seal and signifies the ascendancy of the National Capitol and the country it represents. Because the District of Columbia lies within the original thirteen English Colonies, the twists of the wreath are accordingly in white and red.[41]

Shoulder sleeve insignia

On a red three-sided background, the crest of the National Guard of the District of Columbia, proper. Approved 7 June 1948 by The Institute of Heraldry (TIOH).

Distinguished flag

A blue rectangular field, centered thereon the crest of the National Guard of the District of Columbia, proper. Below the crest, Headquarters, District of Columbia National Guard inscribed in blue on white ribbons edged in gold. Approved 1930 by TIOH.

See also

References
  1. "About". dcnationalguard.com. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  2. ebonydoughboys.org
  3. Wright, Robert K. (1992). Army Lineage Series: Military Police. CMH Pub 60-9. Washington DC.: Center of Military History. p. 55.
  4. Brigadier General Barbaranette T. Bolden
  5. "/signed/ CALVIN G. FRANKLIN, Major General, DCNG, Commanding General" (Press release).
  6. Force, American Archives, 4th series, Volume 4, pp. 736-41.
  7. Force, American Archives, 5th series, Volume 1, p. 433; Archives of Maryland, Volume 11, pp. 216, 235, 435 and Volume 12, pp. 40, 61, 80-81, 87, 863.
  8. Force, American Archives, 5th series, Volume 3, pp. 1288-89; Archives of Maryland, Volume 12, pp. 529, 530-1, 538, 540, 558 and Volume 16, pp. 3-4; NARA RG 360, Maryland and Delaware State Papers, pp. 97-8, 101-2, 125.
  9. Archives of Maryland, Volume 16, pp. 348, 362, 366, 373, 398; Journals of the Continental Congress, Volume 18, pp. 592, 666; Fitzpatrick, Writings of Washington, Volume 9, pp. 129, 147, 149-51, 210, 220, 232, 240, 258, 278, 284, 309, 462, 479.
  10. Archives of Maryland, Volume 45, pp. 383, 385, 391, 402-3 and Volume 47, pp. 169-70, 177, 179, 184, 188-9, 190-1, 192-3.
  11. Revolutionary War survivors pension application files of Joshua Collins, S. 12530 and Richard Barrett, S. 12058, NARA RG 15; Archives of Maryland, Volumes 43, 45 and 48, passim.
  12. Kilty, Laws of Maryland, Volume 2, Chapter 53 of 1793.
  13. Maryland State Archives, Adjutant General’s Papers, ca. 1793-1820, Militia Commissions, Volumes 1 and 2; and Letters Received from Officers in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties.
  14. “An act additional to, and amendatory of, an act entitled ‘An act concerning the District of Columbia’,” approved 3 May 1802, 2 Statutes at Large 195.,
  15. National Intelligencer, 19 June 1802.
  16. “An act more effectively to provide for the organization of the militia of the District of Columbia,” approved 3 March 1803, 2 Statutes at Large 215.
  17. BG James B. Fry (The Provost Marshal General) to MG George C. Thomas, 30 June 1863, and to Thomas, 5 July 1863 NARA RG 94, “Thomas Papers.”
  18. WD SO 234, 11 July 1864 and WD SO 236, 13 July 1864.
  19. House of Representatives, Statutes in Force in the District of Columbia, pp. 880-85; Journal of House of Representatives of the District of Columbia, Volume 1, passim.
  20. See correspondence in NARA RG94, Letters Received files 2315-ACP-1886 regarding, respectively, Senate bill S. 1921 of March 1886 and House bill H.R. 8389 or May 1886; also Washington Star, 29 April 1887.
  21. “An act to provide for the organization of the militia of the District of Columbia,” approved 1 March 1889, 25 Statutes at Large 772.
  22. BG George H. Harries to the President, 23 April 1898, NARA RG 94, Document File AGO 256081; S/W Russell A. Alger, orders 23 April 1898, RG 107, Document File OSW 2619-1898; see also NARA RG 94, Document File AGO 75674.
  23. ”An act to provide for organizing a naval battalion in the District of Columbia,” approved 11 May 1898, 30 Statutes at Large 464.
  24. TAG to CG DCNG, 21 June 1916, NARA RG 94, Document File AGO 2415318.
  25. Telegram HQ Eastern Department to TAG, 21 October 1916, NARA RG 94, Document File AGO 2480244 f/w 1548716.
  26. S/W to CG DCNG, 25 March 1917, NARA RG 94, Document File AGO 2557669/A; S/W to CG DCNG, 31 March 1917, NARA RG 94, Document File AGO 2562730/A; WD GO 90, 12 July 1917.
  27. TAG to CG DCNG, 24 July 1917, NARA RG 407, AGO 382.1 (7-12-17); Memo for TAG, 15 August 1917, NARA RG 165, CoS 13722; WD SO 196, 23 August 1917.
  28. DCM GO 132, 19 October 1917; DCM SO 134, 3 November 1917; DCM SO 136, 13 November 1917; and DCM GO 3, 11 December 1917.
  29. DCM GO 6 and DCM SO 23, both 5 March 1918.
  30. Memo Acting Chief MB to TAG, 19 December 1919, NARA RG 407, AGO 325.4 D.C. (12-19-19).
  31. DCM GO 24, 31 December 1920; Federal recognition granted as of 1 January 1921, see NARA RG 168, NGB 325.4 D.C.-4 (1922-45); for subsequent accretions of organizations to DCNG see NARA RG 407, AGO 325.4 D.C. (12-19-19), AGO 325.455 D.C. (11-7-21), and AGO 325.455 D.C. (8-22-23).
  32. DCM GO 3, 19 January 1922.
  33. BG Anton Stephan promoted MG effective 16 October 1923 and assigned as CG 29th Division; command transferred to MG Milton A. Reckord, Maryland National Guard, effective 10 April 1934, the date of Stephan’s death. See NARA RG 168, District of Columbia Project File.
  34. BG Albert L. Cox served as D.C. Director of Selective Service, a civilian appointment, from 17 February 1941 until 28 July 1941. Selective Service, Bureau of Selective Service in Peacetime: First Report of the Director of Selective Service, 1940-41 (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1942), p. 376. National Guard State Staffs and Detachments were ordered to active duty by Corps Area Commanders in connection with Selective Service; D.C. contributed 10 officers and 20 enlisted men.
  35. WD SO 170, 23 July 1941; GEN George C. Marshall to BG Albert L. Cox, 20 August 1942, and DCoS to S/W, 24 September 1942, with note from “G.C.M.,” NARA RG 165, CoS 201 Cox, Albert L.
  36. Executive Order 10030, 26 January 1949, 14 Federal Register 377.
  37. Memorandum from S/D James Forestall to the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force, 2 February 1949, NARA RG 330, OSD Correspondence Control Section, Central Numeric File N9-1(3).
  38. “An act to provide that the Commanding General of the militia of the District of Columbia should hold the rank of brigadier general or major general,” approved 2 September 1957, 71 Statutes at Large 596.
  39. Office of the Adjutant General, DCNG.
  40. Executive Order 11458, 1 October 1969, 34 Federal Register 15411, 15433.
  41. Ltr, DAAG-HDP-A, 24 July 1985, subject: Distinctive Unit Insignia for the HQ, DCARNG.

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