| Description |
This "History of the Utah National Guard: 1894-1954 If is a case study of National Guard development. It traces to some extent the national trends of the National Guard as well as the local development in Utah. In many respects the history of the Utah National Guard has been local and peculiar and was not the same as in other states. The early militia descended from the Nauvoo Legion and the Mormon Battalion. At first the militia was under the control of the Mormon Church, but after some political problems the Nauvoo Legion was discontinued by the Edmunds -Tucker Act of 1887. There was no militia in Utah from 1887 to 1894. In 1894 the state government reorganized the militia as the National Guard of Utah. This time it was a state unit predominately Mormon in membership, but with many prominent leaders and men from other groups. This common background in many ways made the history peculiar and served to produce capable and cooperative soldiers. The records and service they rendered attest their loyalty and high performance of duty. On several occasions Utah Guardsmen were called into service to handle problems of order within the state. In 1894 they controlled unemployed men in Ogden and Provo in situations which were believed to be threatening to the order of the communities. They also supervised problems with the Indians of Southern Utah during that same year. In 1903 and 1922 Guardsmen went to the coal mines in Carbon County to protect lives, property and maintain public order. They did this with wise actions and policy, and fortunately none of the complications which developed in other states during times of strike difficulties took place in Utah. Most of the parties involved looked upon the Utah National Guard service as being favorable in restoring public order. In national matters the Utah National Guard played a role also. By 1894 the local Nauvoo Legion was defunct and new government policy created the National Guard 'with federal controls. As time went on various federal government laws brought the Utah Guard more and more under federal regulation, designated organization, and national financing. By 1954 the federal government provided 95% of the total cost of the Utah National Guard. The Utah National Guard participated as part of the national army during the major crisis of the country. In the Spanish-American War the Utah Artillery was recognized for its service in the Philippine Islands. The Utah Guard protected the American border near Nogales, Arizona during the Mexican Border problems of 1916. In World War I the 145th Field Artillery Regiment, served as part of the 40th Division. The Regiment as a whole did not take part in the combat of the war, but several members did see combat as filler troops in different units on the front lines in France. In World War II the entire Utah Guard was activated. Most units fought in the Pacific area of action in many of the major campaigns. One unit fought in Europe. During the Korean War the Utah Guard sent 60% of its army units and all of the Air Guard units into the war. Many of the units and men went to the fighting on the Korean front, and were highly decorated for their service. In summary the over-all history of the Utah National Guard indicates loyal and capable service of the men and units. The Utah Guard has contributed to the public order, protection of lives and property during state duty and has supported the federal government with valuable service during national crises. |
