Ohio National Guard

• Founding Roots: The Ohio National Guard traces its origins back to 1788, when the Northwest Territory militia was formed, making it one of the oldest military organizations in the United States. • Civil War Service: During the American Civil War, over 35,000 Ohio National Guardsmen were federalized for 100 days, playing key roles in defending Washington, D.C., and participating in battles such as Monocacy and Fort Stevens. • World War I Contribution: The 37th Infantry Division, known as the "Buckeye Division," was formed largely from Ohio National Guard units and fought with distinction in France and Belgium. • Disaster Relief: The Ohio National Guard has responded to numerous natural disasters, including the Great Dayton Flood of 1913 and the Ohio River Flood of 1937, providing life-saving aid to civilians. • Kent State Tragedy: In 1970, the Ohio National Guard was called to Kent State University to quell protests against the Vietnam War. Tragically, Guardsmen fired into a crowd, resulting in four students killed and nine wounded. • Modern Deployments: Since 9/11, Ohio National Guard units have been regularly deployed overseas in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and other missions, with over 17,000 deployments since 2001. • Defending the Homeland: The Guard regularly supports domestic missions, including security at major events such as presidential inaugurations and the Republican National Convention in Cleveland in 2016. • Historic Aviation: The 112th Fighter Squadron, part of the Ohio Air National Guard, is one of the oldest flying squadrons in the Air Force, tracing its lineage to World War I-era units. • Unique Symbol: The Ohio National Guard’s crest features the state’s official tree, the buckeye, symbolizing Ohio’s nickname, “The Buckeye State.” • Community Engagement: The Ohio National Guard Youth Challenge Academy, started in 1999, has helped thousands of at-risk youths earn high school diplomas and valuable life skills.