The West Virginia Army National Guard Is The Oldest In The Nation
Posted in West Virginia November 09, 2022 by Cristi
West Virginia has the oldest river in the nation. A portion of the country’s oldest highway runs through West Virginia. And if that’s not impressive enough, here’s something else: The West Virginia Army National Guard is the oldest active National Guard unit in the entire United States!
It all began on February 17, 1735.
West Virginia was then Virginia and still a colony of England when Morgan Morgan was appointed captain of a new group of riflemen known as the First Virginia Regiment.
Coincidentally, this new company was based in present-day Berkeley County, WEST Virginia.
A few dozen years later, the First Virginia Regiment faced the Revolutionary War, and of all the original regiments of the American Continental Army, only this regiment, known under General George Washington as the 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery Regiment, remains active to this day.
That’s right, that army line has continued year after year into our day in the form of the West Virginia National Army Guard.
At more than 285 years, the West Virginia Army National Guard is officially the oldest active National Guard unit AND the longest continuously serving unit in the entire United States Army.
It has served in every conflict the US has participated in since the Revolutionary War: the Spanish-American War, the World Wars, the Korean War, the Gulf War, the War on Terror.
In addition to stepping in in times of national need, the West Virginia Army National Guard stands ready to serve in local emergencies: the Farmington Mine disaster, the Buffalo Creek disaster, Hurricane Sandy, other major floods, and more.
Where would we be without the West Virginia National Guard? The fun fact that this unit is the oldest active National Guard unit in the entire United States is just one of the accolades that we think makes them the best in the nation. Thank you WVANG!
Address: Army National Guard, 90 Army Band Way, Morgantown, WV 26508, USA
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