CHARLESTON, W.Va. –
At this time 100 years ago, the 150th Infantry Regiment of the 38th Infantry Division was preparing to make landfall at Le Havre, France, to join the Central Powers and defend the United States in the Great War. Among those arriving were legions of proud West Virginia National Guardsmen.
Following the orders of President Woodrow Wilson, the National Guard was ordered to federal service in April 1917. Just a few weeks prior to federal activation, the West Virginia National Guard soldiers had been on a tour of duty along the Mexican border to prevent advancement from troops of the Mexican revolutionary Gen. Pancho Villa during 1916.
Within a few days of activation, both the First and Second Regiments of the West Virginia National Guard were mobilized, reporting for duties at Camp Kanawha and Fairmont.
For many months prior to deployment, these men would stay in West Virginia conducting homeland defense against potential German attacks on bridges, railroad yards, and squadrons of aircraft moving through.
September of 1917 marked the creation of the 38th Infantry Division, made up of National Guard Soldiers from West Virginia, Indiana and Kentucky. The West Virginia National Guard First and Second Regiments were sent to Camp Shelby, Miss. where they would be split between filling in for other units, and incorporated into the 38th ID.
First Regiment, what is known today as the 201st Field Artillery and one of the oldest military units in the United States, was broken up to send men to fill in the gaps in other units, to much dismay from then regiment commander Col. R. L. Osborn.
After intense training for more than a year, the 38th ID departed New York for the weeks-long voyage to Europe. After the arrival of the unit on Oct. 22, 1918, the men departed for Chatillon-sur-Seine and then on to LeMans. After only being in country for a little over three weeks, the Armistice agreement on Nov. 11, 1918 was signed, ending the Great War.
During the short tour of duty prior to the end of World War I, more than 27,000 Soldiers from West Virginia were deployed across the Western Front. The West Virginia National Guard’s involvement in peace keeping on the European front, while short lived, paved the way for future success of a National Guard presence in the state.
“Although West Virginia’s National Guard did not see active service against the enemy in World War I, it did assist in providing trained, battle-ready men for use if needed. The organization was recruited to full strength and was molded into an infantry regiment which was to become the mainstay of the West Virginia National Guard in the years to come,” described Kenneth R. Bailey, author of “Mountaineers Are Free.”
As a whole, the state of West Virginia mustered 58,000 soldiers for WWI suffering roughly 5,000 casualties from those killed in action and wounded.
“The proud legacy of the National Guard in West Virginia is one that must not be forgotten,” said Maj. Gen. James A. Hoyer, The Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard. “As we reflect of the 100-year anniversary of World War I and our involvement in a time of desperate need for our country, I’m reminded of the important history our Guardsmen and women carry forth today. From its inception, the West Virginia National Guard has been a force that represents unwavering service to our great state and Nation, no matter when or where we’re called to serve.”