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]
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 deneral 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]
