The memory of World War I for the United States National Guard is complicated. Despite widespread community pride in their service, and monuments built in their honor at home and in France, many National Guard personnel felt that the Army – and Pershing, specifically – never gave them their due. Before the Great War, the National Guard was not considered an integrated part of the United States Army. Many doubted the National Guard’s performance, despite being restructured in 1903 and again in 1916 to become more like the regular Army in equipment, uniforms and training. Some even referred to them as “boy scouts.” Once in France, the 11 National Guard divisions who saw combat demonstrated their prowess on the battlefield to American, Allied and German leadership, which not only sustained these divisions in the post-war army force structure, but also led to today’s reliance on the National Guard as the Army’s integrated reserve force.

Presentation given as part of the National WWI Museum and Memorial's 2023 Symposium Milestones & Cornerstones

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