virginia national guard historical foundation

We will build on the Virginia National Guard’s unique strengths and history to inspire and engage the American people while teaching them about our faithful service to Virginia and the United States.

Parking a F-16
Va ANG APC

VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD STORIES AND EVENTS FROM THE PAST – From the VANG Files

 

From the VANG Files: TAG Waller and FDR – Selecting the new Chief of the NGB

From the VANG Files: TAG Waller and FDR – Selecting the new Chief of the NGB

The VANG is very lucky that a number of years ago someone had the foresight to pack away and save all of the paper State Headquarters documents from the 1920s to the early 1960s.

For this update, we learn about the 1936 selection of the new Chief of the National Guard Bureau and the 1939 football games to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of VMI.
First up: FDR’s policy was to change the Chief NGB every four years with no repeats. As a sign of Waller’s political clout, he was contacted by the proponents for COL McNeese (Louisiana NG) including COL McNeese himself:

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From the VANG Files: Virginia Protective Force Uniforms in WW2 (part 2)

From the VANG Files: Virginia Protective Force Uniforms in WW2 (part 2)

If you recall, in a previous update we learned about the problem with many of the different state’s Home Guard units developing their own uniforms—some of which merely wore Regular Army uniforms – and this led to much confusion at military facilities as to who was Regular, Reserve or State guard.  Many states did not heed the warning and so in March 1942 the Department of the Army issued the below guidance:

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From the VANG Files: Virginia Protective Force Uniforms in WWII (pt. 1)

From the VANG Files: Virginia Protective Force Uniforms in WWII (pt. 1)

Something a little different in this update as we dig into the history of the Virginia Protective Force and the Virginia Reserve Militia (precursors to today’s VDF).

With the nationwide mobilization of the National Guard units in February 1941, the need for a replacement military force was obvious in many states and so they began, as they had done in WWI, to start creating a “Home Guard.” As should be expected, each state came up with a different idea on uniform for its force. Very quickly, the National Guard Bureau sent out a letter chastising the states for, in some cases, using regular Army uniforms. With many State Guard liaison officers in the DC area, it was impossible to tell who was a regular Army officer, a National Guard Officer or a recently created State Guard officer. It therefore quickly became important to develop distinctive Uniforms.

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through the years

1607 – 1875

1903 – 1939

1951 – 1975

1876 – 1902

1940 – 1950

1976 – 2000

2001 – Today

On-Line Resources

Medal of Honor

Experience the past

WW Tank Photo
1876 - 1902 African American Militia
Artillery

Jamestown to Today 400 Years of History

Helmet liner from T-5 Ulric Rothgeb, 29th Recon Squadron
Zone of Separation in Bosnia C.1997
Gun Chief Herman Lukehard 111th FA c. 1925
Statue in honor of General Harry Bandholtz, 58th Bde Commander
The war is over
HQ Staff 111th FA 1924 Tobyhanna, PA
29th Division Association hat