FACT SHEET

The National Guard

in World War I

Updated: 18 APR 2018

OPR: National Guard Bureau History Office

The National Guard contributed to the total success of the 

American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in World War I; it 

defied predictions of failure as it transformed from a collection 

of local militias into a well-trained and disciplined fighting 

force which led the U.S. entry to Allied victory.

EVENTS LEADING TO WAR 

The National Defense Act of 1916 transformed the National 

Guard into the nation’s chief reserve force. That year’s “Great 

Mobilization” to the Mexican Border marked the first effort for 

the National Guard to ready for a national emergency. 

DRAFT, REORGANIZATION AND MOBILIZATION

After United States entry into World War I in April 1917, the 

U.S. Army drafted the National Guard into federal service to 

enter consideration for overseas service that August. As the entire 

Guard mustered near full strength later that year, the Army 

reorganized via 18 mostly geographical divisions, in a sequential 

numerical order that developed a greater bond into “one Army.” 

The Guard forged a stronger esprit de corps and provided prompt 

firepower to Allied forces. It required extensive domestic training 

after they mobilized, prior to the deployment to Europe.

“OVER THERE”

Eleven of 17 Guard divisions fought as intact units, or served as 

“depot” divisions that filled positions in the ranks. Its role in 

multiple offensive actions accelerated the Allied timetable at a 

rate faster than envisioned by U.S. General of the Armies, Gen. 

John J. Pershing.

National Guard divisions (distinctive insignias at right) deployed 

in a united front with the active Army during the fierce 

campaigns against Germany in 1918. Their presence proved 

decisive.

The National Guard exhibited exemplary valor in combat.

Corporal Thomas A. Pope of the 33rd Division, Illinois National 

Guard, was the first National Guardsman to earn the Medal of 

Honor for his actions at the Battle of Hamel, France on July 4, 

1918. The 30th “Old Hickory” Division earned 12 Medals of 

Honor in the Second Somme Offensive, the most among any 

division in the Army. The National Guard’s segregated 15th New 

York (later, 369th Infantry Regiment) displayed unflagging 

endurance, spending 191 days in combat. 

DECISIVE CAMPAIGNS and THE ARMISTICE

In fall 1918, the Meuse-Argonne proved decisive projecting 

Allied advances versus the German Army. Hostilities ended on 

November 11, 1918, at 11:11 am local time. 

The German supreme command named six Guard combat 

divisions among eight American units as “superior” or 

“excellent” after the Armistice. Despite some fractures among 

Divisions, this assessment served to reinforce the quality of the 

National Guard and the soldiers that served in the nation’s first 

war fought on the European continent.

NATIONAL GUARD DIVISION

DISTINCTIVE UNIT INSIGNIAS

World War I Centennial Commission

701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW #123

Washington, DC 20004

(202) 380-0725 

http://www.worldwar1centennial.org

Distinctive Unit Insignias (DUIs), 26th through 42nd Divisions, 1917-

19, read from upper left to right, row 1: Yankee; Empire; row 2, 

Keystone; Blue & Gray; Old Hickory; row 3, Dixie; Red Arrow; 

Prairie; row 4, Sandstorm; Santa Fe; Arrowhead; row 5, Buckeye; 

Cyclone; Delta (unofficial design); row 6, Sunburst; Sunset; and, 

Rainbow.
FACT SHEET

National Guard Bureau History Office

111 South George Mason Drive

Arlington, Virginia 22204

NGB.History@mail.mil

National Guard Combat Divisions with Special Designations,

arranged by Unit Campaign Participation and Order of Arrival to Europe, 1917-18

Unit States/Region Special Designation Recognized Campaigns Arrival of First 

Element

26th New England (ME, NH, VT, 

MA, CT, RI)

“Yankee” Division Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne,

St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, Ile de France, 

Lorraine 1918

20 Sept 1917

27th New York “Empire” Division Somme Offensive, Ypres-Lys, Flanders 1918 7 May 1918

28th Pennsylvania “Keystone” Division Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne,

Oise-Aisne, Meuse-Argonne, Champagne 

1918, Lorraine 1918

16 May 1918

29th VA, MD, DC, NJ “Blue & Gray” Division Meuse-Argonne, Alsace 1918 8 June 1918

30th TN, SC, NC “Old Hickory” Division Somme Offensive, Ypres-Lys, Flanders 1918 14 May 1918

32nd WI, MI “Red Arrow” Division Aisne-Marne, Oise-Aisne,

Meuse-Argonne, Alsace 1918,

Champagne 1918

6 Feb 1918

33rd IL “Prairie” Division Somme Offensive, Meuse-Argonne,

Lorraine 1918, Picardy 1918

18 May 1918

35th MO, KS “Santa Fe” Division Meuse-Argonne, Alsace 1918,

Lorraine 1918

13 Apr 1918

36th TX, OK “Arrowhead” Division Meuse-Argonne 31 May 1918

37th OH “Buckeye” Division Ypres-Lys, Meuse-Argonne,

Lorraine 1918

18 Jun 1918

42nd DC and 26 states “Rainbow” Division Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne,

St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne,

Champagne 1918, Lorraine 1918

1 Nov 1917

Remainder of National Guard Divisions in World War I assigned as “Depot” 

(Levied Replacement) Units or Skeletonized, arranged numerically

Unit States/Region Special Designation Actions Upon Arrival in Europe

31st AL, FL, GA “Dixie” Division Became 7th Depot Division; was “skeletonized” on 17 Oct 1918; i.e., 

disassembled

34th MN, IA, NE, ND, SD “Sandstorm” 

Division* Personnel used as replacements; skeletonized 17 Oct 1918

38th IN, KY, WV “Cyclone” Division Personnel used as replacements; skeletonized 17 Oct 1918

39th LA, MS, AR “Delta” Division Designated as 5th Depot Division; skeletonized 29 Oct 1918

40th CA, NV, UT, AZ, NM, CO ““Sunburst” Division

Designated as 6th Depot 

Division on 16 August; functions as a levied unit, to receive, train, 

equip, and forward replacements.

41st WA, OR, ID, MT, WY,

ND, SD, CO, NM, DC* “Sunset” Division

Designated as Replacement Division, I Corps, 8 December 1917; Jan.

15, 1918, Division is redesignated as the Base and Training

Division, I Corps; 5 March 1918, redesignated as Depot Division, I 

Corps. 13 July 1918, Division is redesignated as the 1st Depot Division,

AEF. Other units detached and served under different divisions.