A Brief History of the Missouri National Guard
The Missouri National Guard or its antecedent, the Missouri Militia, has been active since at least August 21, 1808
	From a part of the St. Louis Grays, the Missouri Light Artillery was organized in July 1842. Most of its members were Germans who had fought in Germany. Four six-pound brass cannons were cast for the battery at the St. Louis Arsenal. On June 13, 1846, Battery “A” together with other troops from the St. Louis area left St. Louis by steamboat for Fort Leavenworth. The battery then marched overland to Santa Fe. Immediately upon reaching Santa Fe, the Missourians fought a battle. Although outnumbered at least four to one, they virtually annihilated the enemy forces.
The Civil War During the Civil War, Missouri’s militia supplied troops for both sides, although the majority of troops fought for the Union. Missouri troops fought in the epic campaigns of Forts Henry and Donaldson, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Chickamauga, and Atlanta, as well as in hundreds of smaller military engagements.
World War I World War I was the greatest effort in Missouri’s long military career in terms of manpower. The state sent 14,756 men to fight with the 35th Division in eastern France. Missouri troops participated in the decisive Meuse-Argonne Offensive of September 1918 that broke the back of German resistance in the war. Captain Harry S Truman served with distinction as commander of Battery D, 129th Field Artillery.
World War II In World War II the entire Missouri National Guard was activated on September 16, 1940. Between then and Pearl Harbor, most of the 6,233 men called were taken out of their units and dispersed as cadre throughout the army. Only a few units, such as the 11th Engineers and the 203rd Coast Artillery remained together during the war. Elements of the 35th Tank Company of St. Joseph were the first Missouri Guardsmen to see action in 1941 defending the Philippines. They were captured and endured the Bataan Death March.
Korean Conflict A total of 2,358 men from both the Army and Air Guard were activated for Korea. The 106th Ordinance Company was the only unit that was kept as a whole and sent to Korea. Units of the Missouri Air Guard were activated for the Berlin Crisis of 1961.
Vietnam War On 13 May 1968 During the Vietnam War, the 208th Engineer Company from Festus was activated for federal duty. They were sent to Fort Benning, Georgiafor training for approximately one year. Many of the members were detached from the unit and sent individually as replacements to Vietnam . The unit was deactivated 13 December 1969 and reverted back to state control.
Invasion of Panama During the invasion of Panama, Missouri MP’s from the 1137th and 1138th were already there for their Annual Training. They built and maintained a 3,000 man POW compound.
Desert Storm During Operation Desert Storm, nine Missouri Guard units, seven from the Army and two from the Air Guard, were called by January 1991, and served throughout the war.
Missouri Flood of 1993 During the Great Flood of ’93, almost every unit of the Missouri Guard was activated for the statewide emergency.
The Balkans Missouri has had units participating in activities in Macedonia and the Kosovo region recently as well as Honduras and Belize in Central America.
The War on Terrorism In response to the terrorist attacks on America, the Missouri National Guard's 1138th and 1139th Military Police Company were activated for Operation Noble Eagle. More than 230 Guardmembers were called by the governor to increase security at Missouri's commercial airports. The Missouri Air National Guard had more than 400 members activated in support of Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom.
Iraqi Freedom When the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003, the Missouri National Guard provided the 205th Med BN, the 1221st Trans. CO., 203rd EN BN, 1140th EN BN, and other units to Iraq. Other Missouri National Guard personnel have served in Afghanistan and Kuwait while the 70th MPAD served in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The Missouri National Guard had the 1107th AVCRAD and 110th EN BN deploy to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom while the 1035th Maint. CO. returned home in early February.
Operation Joint Guardian In February 2003 the 175th MP BN deployed to Kosovo in support of Operation Joint Guardian and returned home in February 2004.
2005 Hurricane Relief The Missouri National Guard provided more than 2,000 Soldiers to assist its neighbors in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina devastated the surrounding countryside. Many Missouri National Guard units that had served in Iraq traveled to Louisiana. Some of these units include the 1221st Trans. CO that hauled much needed supplies to the area; the 1138th MP’s who worked with local law enforcement officials to provide security to the area; the 203rd Engineers who worked to clear damaged areas and move debris.
* In March 2007, the 835th CSB was awarded the Meritorious unit Commendation for their service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004. * In March 2008 the Missouri National Guard had its largest deployment of Soldiers since World War I. It deployed more than 1,000 Soldiers for KFOR-10 in Kosovo. This was the first time that a Maneuver Support Brigade, later Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, rather than a divisional element, led American forces in Kosovo.  Members of the 70th MPAD, 110th MEB, members of the 129th FA, 3175th MP CO, 135th ROC, and various other units of the MONG as well as units from 5 other states were deployed on this mission until early 2009. * During the summer of 2008, the MONG and MoANG mobilized more than 1,200 Soldiers and Airmen for some of the worst flooding on the Mississippi River seen since the Great Flood of ’93. Approximately 25 Army and Air units were activated for this duty. Sandbagging, levee monitoring and manning traffic control points were some of the duties performed by MONG personnel. This was a unique opportunity in which both the MONG and MoANG worked closely together during a SED. * 2009 saw the last flight of the 131st Fighter Wing. They began transitioning to the B-2 Stealth bomber mission. Pilots and other personnel are in the process of re-training for the B-2. The unit is also in the process of moving transition teams from Lambert Field, St. Louis Air National Guard Base to Whiteman AFB where a plan is being developed to integrate the MoANG into the B-2 mission.