Many readers may not be aware of the existance of the New York Guard, not the New York Army National Guard.  The NYG was created in June of 1933, in the event of the mobilization of the Army National Guard forces of the State, the present Military Law provides for the State Militia to be activated.  On 11 Feb. 1941, after the mobilization of Co. F (15 Oct. 1940), Co L 65th Regiment NYG was organized and mustered into state service under the command of Capt. John B. Bland. This unit was active until the National Guard was again authorized in 1947.

Many members of Co. L entered active service during the war and it continued to be difficult to recruit to fill required slots.  Those entering active service into the Army and Navy were Richard Garrett, Homer J. Ward Jr., Daniel Lombardo, Anthony F. Stefaniak, George A. Snell, Cecil W. VanAuker, Robert L. Board, Joseph E. Stork, Harry J. Eden, John D. Compton, Donald E. Bensley, Gordon L. Dillon, Daniel A. Fuller Jr., Francis L. Roshinski, Floyd P. Wolfe, Lloyd R. Cornwell, Louis P. Fortunato, Raymond Bensley, Walter J. Dujenski, Benjamin Watson.  I am sure there were others but these names I found in the local paper.

Co.F had 11 sets of brothers: John and Anthony Biernackie; Charles and John Butts; Robert and Willis Davey; Stanley and Joseph Fraczak (Franklin), Eugene and Thomas Garrett; Edward and Harry Hill; Robert and Theodore Kirkpatrick; John and William Mears; Thomas and Leon Morien; and Alfred and Arthur Whittleton.

In addition the American Legion Post in Medina (Butts-Clark) was named after Lt. John E. Butts, Congressional Medal of Honor.  Note is also made that the Tanner-Houseman American Legion Post in Lyndonville was named after Herbert Tanner, an original member of the unit, who was transferred to Co. M 35th Inf. and killed in action on 10 Jan. 1943.

As part of the 40th Division the unit went to the Southwest Pacific in January 1944 to relieve troops on Guadalcanal, Glouchester, and Arawa in the Bismark Archipelago.  Relieving the 1st Marine Division they conducted security operations on New Britain until 27 November 1944 when relieved by the Australian 5th Division.  On 28 November the Division landed at Lingayan Gulf, Philippine Islands.  On 23 Feb. 1945 the 108th and 185th Inf. Regiments renewed offensive and took Sacobia Ridge.  The 108th was detached to the 8th Army Area Command.  It arrived on Leyte Island on 13 March, where it was involved destroying Japanese remnants and reconnoitering Masbate and Northern Mindanao..  On Mindanao the 108th landed at Macajalar Bay and assisted in clearing the Sayre Highway.  It was here that the unit was authorized campaign silver bands for Leyte, Luzon and the Southern Philippines (with arrowhead).  Company F as part of the 108th Inf., was also entitled to the Philippine Presidential Unit Streamer embroidered “17 October 1944-4 July 1945.  On 28 June, the unit returned to Division control.  The 40th Division left Luzon on 15 March 1945.  The Division next landed on Los Negros Island on 29 March.

During operations in the Philippines, seven members of the original unit were wounded and four died as a direct result of these injuries.  For action at Masbate three members of the unit were awarded the Bronze Star.  Receiving this medal were 1st Lt. Donald Q. Sheldon of Chicago, Il., T-Sgt. Ralph Nutter, Harrisville WV. and T-Sgt. Garry Pescara, Medina NY.

The Regiment rejoined the Division on Ponay and went to Korea as an occupation force.  The 40th Inf. Division was the last National Guard Division to return to the US following the war and was inactivated at Camp Stoneman, Ca. on 7 April 1946.  The Division which included the 108th Inf. Regiment recorded 614 KIA, 2,407 WIA and 134 dying of wounds in World War II. It should be noted some members of Co. F were discharged because of a point system prior to the 40th Division inactivation.

It was during the Oahu assignment that a number of F Company personnel were assigned as Cadre for units being formed in the “States” and a number of enlisted men returned to Fort Benning Ga., for Officer Candidate School.  Of the original 125 enlisted men, 18 were commissioned as second lieutenants in the Army of the United States.  Hundreds of National Guard units, some of them being our most historic, were broken up during the period of World War II.  No explanation has ever been forthcoming why this was done, and it would be difficult, indeed, to explain the reason why, when our divisions were converted to the triangular type, the surplus units were not utilized to organize from six to nine divisions with all trained personnel instead of organizing new divisions with untrained men.

Among those sent home for school and /or to serve in other units and theaters of war were Captain Stanley Swiatek, 1Lt. John E. Butts, 1Lt. Thomas Morien, 2Lt. Leonard G. Kenyon, T/Sgt. Wilfred G. Wheatley, SSG. Howard F. Clark and Cpl. David Bacon. SSG Joseph E. Byrnes,1st Lt. Stanley T. Skomski, 1Lt. Francis J. Garbarino the company clerk transfered to the 8th Army Air Force in England. Cpl. Anthony J. Castricone died as a result of an appendectomy at Fort McClellan in Nov. 1944.  SSG. Anthony C. Biernacki died of strepthroat during furlough home.

At this time, I would like to include a tribute to 1Lt. John E. Butts, who was killed in action in France, and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and promoted posthumously.

Second Lieutenant, Co. E, 60th Inf., 9th Inf. Division. Normandy France, 14, 16 and 23 June 1944.  Citation:  Heroically led his platoon against the enemy although painfully wounded on the 14th near Orglandes and again on the 16th while spearheading an attack to establish a bridgehead across the Douve River, he refused medical aid and remained with his platoon.  A week later, near Flottemanville Hague, he led an assault on a tactically important and stubbornly defended hill studded with tanks, anti-tank guns, pillboxes and machinegun emplacements, and protected by concentrated artillery and mortar fire.  As the attack was launched, 2Lt. Butts, at the head of his platoon, was critically wounded by German machinegun fire.  Although weakened by his injuries, he rallied his men and directed one squad to make a flanking movement while he alone made a frontal assault to draw hostile fire upon himself.  Once more he was struck, but by grim determination and sheer courage continued to crawl ahead.  When within 10 yards of his objective he was killed by direct fire.  By his superb courage, unflinching valor and inspiring actions, 2nd Lt. Butts enabled his platoon to take a formidable strong point and contributed greatly to the success of his battalions mission.

Under Captain Lane, outposts were established and island defenses were set up.  During the period from March 1942 to January 1944, the unit as part of the 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry, maintained guard and observation posts on the islands of Lanai, Maui and Molokai.  While on the island of Lanai, Capt. Lane was the sub sector commander of the Molokai-Lanai District.  He was responsible for the local defense of the island and was commander of the Territorial Guard.  In addition to controlling the movements of the civilian population, he was also responsible for the radar installation that was part of the islands defenses.

With the triangularization of the 27th Division in September 1942, the 108th Infantry Regiment was transferred to the 40th Infantry Division.  This was a National Guard Division from California.  The 108th Infantry was eventually assigned to the island of Oahu and again performed outpost duty, although stationed at Schofield Barracks.  During this period intensive  training in amphibious landings and jungle warfare was conducted.

Between the wars the US Army was reduced from 280,000 to a mere skeleton force of 118,000 and even less.  The National Guard was to have approx. 464,000, based on the formula of a strength of 800 per Congressional Representative.

The Modified War Department Program of 1923 reduced this number to 210,531.  Appropriations reduced this further to 190,000.  It was not until August 1940, that Congress authorized to recruit to a strength of 300,000 based on the fear that the Battle of Britain be lost to Germany.

The following is from the Medina Journal-Register, which was compiled by SFC Donald McElwee of C Co. 174th Armored Infantry in 1968 and which I updated with the closing of the Armory in 1977.

In November 1939, Co. F 108th INF. was ordered to Syracuse for additional training and then a three week Field Training Excersize at DeKalb Junction NY.  The unit was authorized to increase it’s strength by approx. 100%.  On Oct. 15, 1940 the unit had four officers and 125 enlisted men inducted into active federal service under the command of Captain John W. Oakes as part of the 27th INF. Division.

Departing Medina on October 23, 1940, the company traveled by train to Fort McClellan, Ala., for intensified training.  During the period of May 21 to June 30, 1941, the unit participated in the Tennessee Maneuvers and later the Louisiana Maneuvers which was the largest ever by numbers of soldiers participating, manuevers in US military history.

On 7 Dec. 1941 (Pearl Harbor), immediate orders to move to the Pacific coast were issued, and Christmas Day of 1941 found the unit quartered in the grandstand at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds at Pamona Ca. under the command of 1st Lt. Charles L. Lane.  Approximately three weeks later the unit moved to Fort Ord Ca. as part of the Advance Detachment of the 108th INF. for overseas service.  Original plans were for the 108th to be a garrison force for the Phiippines, but the islands were captured before the unit sailed.  Orders were changed, and the unit landed at Kahului, Maui, Territory of Hawaii, on March 15, 1942.

Col. Edgar S. Jennings, 3rd N.Y. Regiment 108th INF, 27th Division.

Awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre w/palm

Citation for Gallantry and Exceptional Meritorious and Conspicuous Service by the Commander-in-Chief American Expeditionary Force (General John J. Pershing)

For zealous and intelligent leadership of his Regiment throughout the entire period of operations of the Division in Belgium and France and for courage in action.

Captain John S. Thompson, Commander Co. F 108th INF.

Awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre w/palm

Citation for courage and marked qualities of leadership.  When in Command of 2nd BN. 108th INF. in front of St. Souplet France, on 17 Oct. 1918, he reorganized his Batallion under most difficult circumstances and by exposure to enemy fire, necessary at the time, inspired his officers and men to continue to advance with renewed courage after the reorganization.

2. On the Somme, 29-30 September 1918, though suffering from painful injury and severely burned from mustard gas, he led his Company under intense fire with great gallantry and determination penetrating and holding a position in the main defenses of the Hindenberg Line.

1Lt. Howard M. Karr, Citation for courage and qualities of leadership near St. Souplet, France 12 Oct. 1918.  He reorganized his Company after the Company Commander had been wounded and many other casualties had been inflicted and effectively continued the mission of his Command and for similar qualities in the Battle of the LeSelle River on 17 Oct. 1918.

Corporal Patrick Synott, awarded The Distinguished Service Cross, British Military Medal, Division Citation.

He displayed exceptional bravery in leaving shelter and going forward under heavy machine gun fire and bringing back several wounded soldiers.

Private First Class Raymond Reed awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, British Military Medal, Division Citation.

With great courage he went through heavy machine gun and shell fire and rescued two wounded soldiers whom he carried to our lines after dressing their injuries.

Private Archie B. Case, Sanitary Detachment 108th INF., awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, British Military Medal, Division Citation.

During operations against the Hindenberg Line, he repeatedly left shelter and went forward into the open, under heavy shell and machine gun fire and succeeded in bandaging and carrying back many wounded soldiers.

Private Luke Gaffey, awarded Croix de Guerre w/palm, Distinguished Service Cross w/Oak Leaf Cluster, British Military Medal, Division Citation.

Displaying rare courage in leaving shelter under heavy shell and machine gun fire to rescue wounded soldiers of another Regiment.  When all other members of his squad had been killed or wounded he picked up an automatic rifle and advanced alone against an enemy position.

Private Smith D. Sanders and Sergeant William F. Smith were awarded the British Distinguished Conduct Medal, British Military Medal, Division Citations for Courage and inspiring example by continuing the attack after being wounded. Sanders twice and Smith five times.

Private Daniel Moskowitz and Private Mahlon C. Ward were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, British Military Medal, Division Citations for courage under fire and rescuing wounded soldiers of another Regiment.

Corporal DeLau Hughes, Division Citation for carrying a wounded soldier under fire to shelter and continuing the attack.

Private Frank S. Depzynski, Private Ellis Olmstead and Private First Class Albert Tripp.  Division Citation for conspicuous bravery in volunteering as a member of a small raiding party which crossed the Le Selle River in the face of enemy fire and captured 23 prisoners.  St. Souplet France 14 Oct. 1918.

By August 5, 1917, 379,000 Guardsmen were drafted individually into Federal service, doubling the size of the U.S. Army. There were 43 army divisions in the American Expeditionary Force of which 18 were National Guard.  29 Divisions saw action of which 12 were National Guard.  On 26 July 1918, on the Marne,  the 27th Infantry Division was assigned to the British 19th Corp and relieved the French 71st Division.  The 27th ID will take part in two Campaignes, Ypres-Lys and the Somme Offensive which was a diversion.  Seven soldiers of the 27th ID were awarded the Medal of Honor.

By 10 August the Germans had fallen back and the Allied front was almost the same as it had been in the summer of 1916, before the Battle of the Somme. The 1st and 3rd British armies captured on 27 August a considerable portion of the Hindenburg line which was like a great fortification, and for more than a year had been regarded as impregnable.  The Hindenberg line was really only one of a series of twenty lines, each connected with the others by communication and supply trenches.  The main lines were solid concrete, separated by unending wire entanglements.  At points this barrier of wire extended in solid formation for ten miles.

Now it was the American’s turn.  On 29 September after nearly a year of training, the 27th ID was to be blooded in battle as part of the British 4th Army under General Rawlinson and be part of the capture of more than 200 guns and 10,000 prisoners.  The 2nd Batallion 108th Infantry relieves the 106th Inf. and Co. F 108th under the command of John S. Thompson readies for combat.  Attached to Co. F are one platoon of the Regiment’s machine gun company and two stokes mortar sections.

5:50 AM- Nine British Artillery Brigades open a barrage on the enemy that is in front of the 27th ID.  The 108th goes over the top.

The enemy counter barrage falls on the 108th.  The 2nd BN. 108th is South of Bony at the right of the Division front.

5:45 PM- Australian forces pass through the 108th lines.  Losses for the day for the Division were 5 officers and 32 men KIA, 3 officers and 214 men WIA with 66 men missing.

30 September- The 27th ID is now in support of the Australians.  Losses for the day were 11 officers and 156 men KIA, 13 officers and 764 men WIA with 140 men missing.

On 1 Oct. the 27th ID is relieved and returns to the rear.  It should be noted here that Captain Thompson was wounded and 1Lt. Delancy King took command of  Co F.  Major Charles W. Lynn was the Senior Medical Officer attached to the 108th INF.

The next engagement for Co. F will be on 17 Oct. at St. Souplet on the LeSelle River.

Texas was the flash point of tensions between the U.S. and Mexico as the result of repeated attacks by the Mexican bandit Poncho Villa into U.S. territory.  The Mexican government seemed reluctant or incapable of dealing with this problem.  President Woodrow Wilson called troops of the National Guard of the States into Federal service.While serving on the Mexican Border they were state troops in the service of the U.S., and the State had the authority to appoint and promote officers, and furnish recruits for the units as needed. The States and the Guard will never understand why the period during which it was on the Mexican Border was not utilized to organize the Army, including the National Guard, into divisions at least, and armies and corps, if possible, and comparable to those in effect in the European armies of the time.  Common sense would seem to have dictated such a procedure, for the war in Europe had been raging for more than two years, and it was becoming more apparent that we would be involved sooner or later.

In May 1916, five thousand Guardsmen from Arizona, Texas and New Mexico were activated and by July 110,000 Guardsmen were on the border.  The National Guard could not be used on foreign soil only to guard the border.  This allowed General Pershing to invade with regular forces.  The experience of soldiering in such large numbers gave the Guard very important experience that will be of help in World War I.  The National Defense Act of 1916 gave the Federal government permission to send the Guard outside the U.S.

To provide sufficient organizations in each state so trained and equipped as to enable them to function efficiently at existing strength in protection of life and property and preservation of the peace, order and public safety, under competent orders of state authorities. 

When activated for Federal duties, to provide a reserve component of the Army of the United States, capable of expansion to war strength, able to furnish units fit for service anywhere in the world and equipped:

a. To defend critical areas of the U.S. against land, sea-born and air-born invasion.

b. To assist in the governing, mobilization and concentration of the remainder of the reserve forces.

c. To participateby units in all types of operations, including the offensive, either in the U.S. or overseas.

The name National Guard first was applied to the Militia August 16, 1824.  On that date the 7th New York Regiment assumed the title National Guard in compliment to Lafayette who, at that time, was visiting the United States.  By 1896 only three states still retained the word Militia.  Shortly thereafter the term National Guard became practically universal.

The years have brought proof of their devotion and patriotism as they responded to the Nation’s call in the Spanish-American War, the Mexican Border Expedition, two World Wars, the Korean Emergency and currently, Afghanistan and Iraq.  To this day the National Guard all volunteers continually strives for greater effectiveness to keep step with the ever-increasing complexity of modern warfare.