Pennsylvania National Guard

• Colonial Roots (1747): The Pennsylvania National Guard traces its origins to the Associators, a volunteer militia formed by Benjamin Franklin in 1747 to defend Philadelphia from French and Spanish privateers. • Oldest Continuous Military Organization: The 111th Infantry Regiment, part of the Pennsylvania Guard, is one of the oldest continuously serving units in the U.S., with lineage dating back to 1747. • Revolutionary War Service: Pennsylvania units played a crucial role in the American Revolution, participating in key battles such as Trenton, Brandywine, and Germantown. • Civil War “First Responders”: Pennsylvania provided more soldiers to the Union Army during the Civil War than any other Northern state, with militia units answering President Lincoln’s first call for troops in 1861. • Spanish-American War: Pennsylvania National Guard units were among the first to mobilize for the Spanish-American War in 1898, serving in Puerto Rico and the Philippines. • World Wars I & II: The 28th Infantry Division, known as the "Keystone Division," fought in both World Wars, earning the nickname “The Bloody Bucket” from German forces during WWII for their fierce fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. • Korean War: Pennsylvania National Guard aviators were among the first Air Guard units called to active duty, flying missions over Korea from 1950 to 1953. • Modern Deployments: In recent decades, the Pennsylvania National Guard has deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo, supporting both combat and peacekeeping operations. • Disaster Response: Beyond combat roles, the Guard has responded to numerous natural disasters in Pennsylvania, including Hurricane Agnes (1972), the Johnstown Flood (1977), and COVID-19 pandemic relief. • Largest Guard Force: With over 18,000 members, the Pennsylvania National Guard is one of the largest and most frequently deployed National Guard forces in the United States.