About this Unit
The Illinois National Guard (Illinois NG) traces its origins to 1723, when French settlers in the Illinois Country organized local militias for defense. During the Civil War, Illinois National Guard units played a crucial role, supplying more than 250,000 soldiers to the Union Army. The Guard has since been mobilized for both world wars, the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, as well as for disaster relief and civil emergencies at home. Today, the Illinois NG consists of both the Army National Guard and Air National Guard, continuing its dual federal and state mission.
Historical Facts
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Origins in the Militia Tradition: The Illinois National Guard traces its roots back to 1723, when French settlers in the Illinois Country formed militias for local defense against Native American tribes and British forces.
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Role in the Black Hawk War: In 1832, Illinois militia units, the ancestors of today's Illinois NG, were mobilized to fight in the Black Hawk War, a conflict between the United States and Native American leader Black Hawk.
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Civil War Service: Over 250,000 Illinois men served in the Union Army during the Civil War, with many units being part of the Illinois National Guard’s lineage today. Illinois provided more soldiers per capita than any other state.
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Spanish-American War: The Illinois NG was federalized during the Spanish-American War in 1898, with units such as the 1st Illinois Volunteer Infantry deploying to Cuba and Puerto Rico.
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World War I and the 33rd Division: The Illinois National Guard formed the core of the 33rd Infantry Division, which saw extensive combat in France during World War I and earned a reputation for bravery and effectiveness.
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World War II Contributions: The 33rd Infantry Division, again largely composed of Illinois guardsmen, fought in the Pacific Theater, including campaigns in New Guinea and the Philippines.
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Civil Unrest and Disaster Response: The Illinois NG has frequently supported state authorities during emergencies, including the 1968 Chicago riots after Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination and major natural disasters such as floods and tornadoes.
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Post-9/11 Deployments: Since 2001, thousands of Illinois National Guard troops have deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and other locations as part of the Global War on Terrorism.
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Unit Nicknames and Honors: The 106th Cavalry Regiment, an Illinois NG unit, earned the nickname "Black Horse Regiment" and was highly decorated in both world wars.
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Support to International Partners: The Illinois NG has partnered with the Polish military under the State Partnership Program, fostering military cooperation and training exchanges for both forces.
