Illinois' military roots reach back to the early territorial militia of the early 18th century, when settlers on the nation's frontier banded together out of necessity to protect their families, farms and neighbors.

Since then, the Illinois National Guard has participated in all of America's wars, large and small, while also distinguishing itself in battles with floods and unruly protesters.

And its ranks have provided some of the most-famous names in American history, including two future presidents, a writer who would eventually win a Pulitzer Prize and a legendary football college coach.

Unlike other forbearers to the National Guard, early Illinois militias aligned with the French.

Pierre Duque Boisbriant, the commander of the Illinois District of the Province of Louisiana, organized a local militia at Cahokia and Kaskaskia in 1712. Some form of volunteer militiavariously uniformed, equipped and trained-eventually developed in nearly every settlement in the Illinois District.

These early units defended their farms, towns and French forts against Fox, Chickasaw and Natchez Indians prior to fighting alongside the French against the British in the French and Indian War in the middle of the 18th Century.

During the Revolutionary War, George Rogers Clark commanded volunteer militiamen against British forces. Clark and his Illinois soldiers are most noted for capturing Fort Sackville on Feb. 25, 1779, after a grueling march from Kaskaskia, Ill., to Vincennes, Ind., over rough terrain and swampy lowlands in extremely cold weather.

Clark also led Illinois militia units against the British and their Indian allies during the War of 1812. Clark's militia defended local inhabitants from Indian attacks while attempting to push the British and Indian forces from the Illinois Territory.

Prairie State citizen-soldiers were first federalized during the War of 1812 when militiamen constructed strong wooden forts known as blockhouses to defend themselves and their families against British attack.

The Illinois militia is also noted for its numerous engagements against the British over control of Prairie Du Chien in 1814.

The most significant confrontation with Indians was the Black Hawk War. More than 200 volunteer and Ranger companies mobilized in 1831 and 1832 to protect settlements from Sauk Indian Chief Black Hawk during his forays into Illinois from Iowa.

Gov. John Reynolds mobilized 31 companies and placed them under the command of Brig. Gen. Joseph Duncan.

Presidential Service

Illinois' most famous citizen-soldier took part in the Black Hawk War in 1832. Capt. Abraham Lincoln led one company in the 4th Regiment and later enlisted as a private in Capt. Elijah lies' company.

Years later, when recalling his military service, Lincoln, who became the 16th U.S. president, said that "not since had any success in life afforded me so much satisfaction."

Six infantry regiments and four cavalry companies volunteered from Illinois for service in the Mexican-American War. During the Mexican Bar Battle of Cerro Gordo in 1847, soldiers of the 4th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment nearly captured Mexican Gen. Santa Anna.

Maj. Gen. Zachary Taylor praised the fighting abilities of the two regiments in an after-action report, writing that they "served immediately under my eye, and I bear a willing testimony to their excellent conduct."

With the start of the Civil War, Illinois answered Lincoln's call for troops. More than 250,000 volunteers formed 152 infantry regiments, three independent infantry companies, 17 cavalry regiments, two artillery regiments and nine independent artillery batteries.

The force included more than 56 percent of those in the state eligible for military service. During the bloody four years of war, Illinois units suffered 34,834 deaths, including 1,700 who died while being held prisoner.

The sheer number of troops meant Illinois units were a significant factor in almost every major battle, including Pea Ridge, Ark.; Vicksburg, Miss.; Gettysburg, Pa.; Chancellorsville, Va.; Fort Donnellson, Shiloh, Memphis and Nashville, Tenn.; Antietam, Md.; and Fredericksburg, Va.

Illinois also contributed several significant leaders, such as Lincoln; Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, who would become the 18th U.S. president; Maj. Gen. John A. Logan, who later served in Congress; and Brig. Gen. Benjamin Grierson.

The Spanish-American War took Illinois troops overseas for the first time in a fight sparked by the sinking of the battleship USS Maine in the harbor of Havana, Cuba, in February 1898.

Gov. John R. Tanner sent a message to the House of Representatives asking permission to put the Illinois National Guard at the disposal of President William McKinley, becoming the first state to offer troops for the conflict.

When war was declared on Spain on April 25, 1898, Illinois had nine regiments of infantry, one regiment of cavalry, one artillery battery and the Illinois Naval Militia ready for service.

Among the Guardsmen was Carl Sandburg, a native of Galesburg, Ill., who would become an acclaimed poet and Lincoln biographer, who enlisted out of a sense of patriotism.

Other well-known people who served in the Illinois Guard over the years include Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne; basketball star Cazzie Russell; actor Lawrence Tero, better known as "Mr. T;" Charles R. Walgreen, founder of the pharmacy that bears his name; and Marion Morrison, a chaplain whose grandson and namesake is better known as John Wayne.

World Wars

In early 1917, President Woodrow Wilson began mobilizing more than 25,000 Illinois Guardsmen for possible action during World War I. Most served in the 33rd Infantry Division, which fought in France in 1918. Nine earned the Medal of Honor.

Two other Illinois units saw action in France during the Great War. The 149th Field Artillery Regiment, formerly the 1st Field Artillery, served with the 42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division and the 370th Infantry Regiment, formerly the allblack 8th Illinois, which became part of the all-black 92nd Infantry Division and later fought with the French Army.

With World War II on Europe's horizon, President Franklin D. Roosevelt mobilized the Guard in September 1940. The first Illinois unit activated was the 202nd Coast Artillery (Anti-Aircraft).

The 33rd was also activated early in 1941 and, after training, sailed for the Pacific. From 1933 to 1936, Col. George C. Marshall, of the active-component Army, was the division's senior instructor, helping prepare the unit for the war he would help lead as Army chief of staff.

The division was instrumental in the capture of New Guinea and Luzon, the Philippines, in 1944. Division soldiers received three Medals of Honor and 39 Distinguished Service Crosses.

Meanwhile, the state's 33rd Aviation Battalion served in Europe.

In the years following World War II, the Air Guard was established and provided support during the Korean War. In all, President Harry S. Truman mobilized more than 9,500 Illinois Army and Air Guardsmen for conflict.

President John F. Kennedy mobilized four Illinois units for the Berlin Crisis in 1961.

During the Vietnam War, the Illinois Army and Air National Guard provided logistics support. At home, Illinois Guardsmen supplemented state and local authorities in maintaining civil control in the cities and on college campuses during civil rights and anti-war protests, including the 1968 National Democratic Convention in Chicago (related story, page 32).

In the years following the Vietnam War, the Illinois Guard focused on transformation and training to meet its expanded role providing support during humanitarian operations.

The force also played a significant role in the Cold War. It provided soldiers and airmen for three key conflicts and participated in the Nike-Hercules Air Defense Program, a surface-to-air missile system, while maintaining its readiness for any state emergency.

Post Cold War

After Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, the Illinois Guard joined the coalition forces in the Persian Gulf War of 1991. It also provided follow-on protection in Operation Southern Watch. More than 1,400 Illinois Army and Air Guardsmen were called to active duty by President George H.W Bush during this time.

Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the Illinois Guard has become a partner in safeguarding the people of other nations. Through peacekeeping operations in Macedonia and Bosnia and the establishment of a state partnership with Poland, the Illinois Guard has proven that it is a good neighbor to the world.

Following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Illinois National Guard has taken on a major role in supporting the war on terrorism in Afghanistan, Iraq and at home.

The Illinois Guard has also answered the call during natural disasters. Guardsmen have provided aid to civil authorities in more than 200 state emergencies, beginning with their first mobilization for the Chicago Fire in 1871.

The Illinois Guard used practically all of its assets during its largest state emergency when 4,700 Army and Air Guardsmen rendered vital aid to local authorities throughout the "Great Flood of '93."

During the operation, the Guard helped save numerous communities along a 400-mile stretch of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers over a four-month period.

Today, the Illinois National Guard continues to serve the dual role of protecting the citizens of the Land of Lincoln, while remaining ready to answer the nation's call abroad, living up to the motto: Always ready, always there.

© 2008 National Guard Association of the United States Provided by ProQuest LLC. All Rights Reserved.