Jimmy Carter’s Role in Shaping the Georgia National Guard for the 21st Century, 1971-1975

By Maj. William Carraway, Historian, Georgia National Guard

 

The passing of President Jimmy Carter has brought forth an outpouring of tributes to the former President, his years of public service and his legacy. The Georgia National Guard History office has prepared a retrospective on Carter’s years as Governor and Commander in Chief of the Georgia National Guard from 1971-1975 in observance of the long-lasting effects his leadership had on the Citizen Soldiers and Airmen of Georgia.

Georgia National Guardsmen stand with former president Jimmy Carter while visiting the Carter Center and Presidential Museum in Atlanta,
June 14, 2018. Photo by Charlie Emmons.

Early Life

James Earl Carter Jr. was born October 1, 1924 near Plains, Georgia. His father, James Earl Carter Sr. was a farmer and state representative. His mother, Lillian Carter, was a registered nurse. Graduating from Plains High School, Carter enrolled at Georgia Southwestern and Georgia Tech before accepting an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. After graduating from the Naval Academy, Carter married Rosalynn Smith of Plains.

Following the death of his father, Carter returned home to Plains where he established a peanut and cotton warehouse. He organized the West Central Georgia Planning Commission and was elected chairman of the local school board. During two terms in the Georgia Senate he served on the education, highway, agriculture and appropriations committees and chaired the university committee.

Governor Jimmy Carter addresses Soldiers of the Georgia Army National Guard at Fort Stewart, Ga. in June 1971. Georgia National Guard Archives.

Governor and Commander in Chief

Carter assumed office as the 76th governor of Georgia January 12, 1971. He selected Ernest Vandiver to serve as Adjutant General of the Georgia National Guard. Vandiver had previously served as Georgia’s Adjutant General from 1948 to 1954. Vandiver served as an Army aviator in World War II. At the end of the war he returned home to Lavonia and was elected mayor. As adjutant general he organized the Civil Defense Division of the Georgia Department of Defense, forerunner of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, and in 1952, became the youngest federally recognized major general in the Air National Guard. Resigning in 1954 he successfully ran for lieutenant governor and was elected governor of Georgia in 1959.[1]

Carter’s selection for commander of the Georgia Air National Guard was Brig. Gen. Joel B Paris III who assumed office March 13, 1971. Paris was a retired veteran of the Amy Air Corps and Georgia Air National Guard. As an Army aviator in the Pacific Theater, Paris shot down nine Japanese aircraft in his P-38 Lightning and earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart Medal. Paris joined the Georgia National Guard in 1946 and was an instrumental force in the early organization of the Georgia Air National Guard. He commanded the 128th Fighter Interceptor Squadron and later served with the 14th Air Force at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia.[2]

Governor Jimmy Carter presents a proclamation honoring the
Georgia Military Institute to Col. Donald Mees, commandant of
GMI April 19, 1971. Georgia National Guard Archives.

Carter assumed office during a turbulent time of civil upheaval against the unpopular Vietnam War and demonstrations for civil rights. In the early weeks of his governorship, Carter was briefed by Vandiver and senior leaders of the Georgia National Guard on the organization’s ability to respond in the event of a civil disturbance such as the upheaval that occurred in Augusta, Georgia in 1970. Vandiver’s briefing included the Guard’s capabilities to mobilize as well as legal procedures and options for use of force.[3]

On April 19, 1971 Governor Carter issued a proclamation designating the day in honor of the Georgia Military Institute. Carter’s proclamation honored the Georgia National Guard Officer Candidate School Program which began in 1851. Governor Vandiver restarted GMI in 1961, and in the ensuing decade, the institute commissioned 348 lieutenants into the Georgia Army National Guard, some of whom went on to serve in Vietnam.[4] Notable graduates of GMI during that period included Brig. Gen. Robert Kennemer, past president of the National Guard Association of Georgia and Brig. Gen. Terrell Reddick, former commander of the 78^th Troop Command.

Ernest Vandiver announced his plans to resign as adjutant general to run for the Senate on October 30, 1971.[5] Upon Vandiver’s resignation, Carter appointed Paris to serve as Georgia’s Adjutant General. Carter pinned the rank of major general on Paris following his appointment November 2, 1971.[6]

“I was inspired by the enthusiastic support given me by Governor Carter,” Paris wrote in December 1974. “His ambition and determination to make the Georgia Guard among the best in the nation was a challenge that I anxiously accepted.”[7]

ATLANTA, November 2, 1971 – Governor Jimmy Carter appoints Maj. Gen. Joel B. Paris III Adjutant General of Georgia. Georgia National Guard Archives.

Carter appointed Col. Cleveland J. Perkins to replace Paris as commander of the Georgia Air National Guard on November 15, 1971. Perkins, who was promoted to brigadier general, enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943 and served as a crewmember on a B-24 completing 16 combat missions over Germany. Joining the Georgia Air National Guard in 1949, Perkins went on to command the 116th Fighter Group and 116th Military Airlift Group.[8]

Governor Jimmy Carter appointed Col. Cleveland J. Perkins to replace Brig. Gen. Joel Paris as commander of the Georgia Air National Guard
on November 15, 1971. Georgia National Guard Archives.

Carter would subsequently have the opportunity to name a new commander of the Georgia Army National Guard. With the retirement of Maj. Gen Charlie Camp on March 1, 1973, Carter appointed Brig. Gen. Don Mees to command. Mees, a World War II veteran who served with the Georgia Army National Guard’s 101^st Coast Artillery Battalion in Papua New Guinea, had previously served as the commandant of the Georgia Military Institute.[9]

Carter and Employer Support to the Guard and Reserve

Carter recognized the important role employers played in ensuring the Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen of the Georgia National Guard could fulfill their military commitments. He cultivated employer interest in the Georgia National Guard at a time when Georgia units were called upon for extra training to satisfy Army requirements under the Reserve Components Mobilization Readiness Program.[10] He solidified his commitment as a keynote speaker at the National Guard Association of Georgia Conference March 25, 1972. Speaking before 750 National Guardsmen, Carter proclaimed his support for the organization and vowed to “eliminate to the highest degree” any political influences on decision making concerning the Guard.[11] In July, Governor and Mrs. Carter spent two days visiting with Georgia Guardsmen at the Georgia Garrison Training Center at Fort Stewart, Ga. The first couple viewed units conducting annual training, dined in the mess hall and chatted with Soldiers before visiting the range to try their hand at firing the M-60 Machine Gun.[12]

FORT STEWART, Ga. July 7, 1972- Governor Jimmy Carter prepares to fire an M-60 Machine Gun during a visit to Georgia Army National Guard troops
undergoing annual training at Fort Stewart. The Governor and First Lady observed a firing demonstration by the 1st Battalion 121st Infantry
then got to fire the weapons themselves. Georgia National Guard Archives.

In November 1972, Carter welcomed more than 1,000 senior officers of the Air National Guard representing 50 states and Puerto Rico to Atlanta for the Air National Guard Commander’s Conference.[13] In addition to lauding the value of the National Guard at the conference, Carter signed a proclamation in January 1973 following the passage of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve by the U.S. Congress. Carter’s proclamation urged employers to honor the sacrifice their employees made in choosing to serve the state and nation and urged employers to sign statements of support.[14]

Directing Emergency Response Operations

Carter’s first opportunity to employ the Georgia National Guard in emergency response operations came in the winter of 1973 following a severe ice storm which struck Georgia in January. Carter ordered the full resources of the Ga. DoD’s National Guard and Civil Defense components to assist in the joint effort that provided 27 generators to restore power to a hospitals and facilities in Dahlonega, Washington, Dalton, and Atlanta. The Georgia Air National Guard transported the generators and provided two power plants from the 224th Mobile Communications Squadron and 129th Tactical Control Squadron.[15] Also in January, C-124 Globemasters of the Georgia National Guard transported relief supplies to Nicaragua in response to a powerful earthquake that rocked the nation.[16]

MACON, Ga. Feb. 10, 1973 - Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade, 30th Infantry Division, Georgia Army National Guard prepare to load a truck with food
supplies flown from Atlanta in a UH-1 Helicopter assigned to the 151st Aviation Battalion out of Winder, Ga. More than 6,000 pounds of food
was airlifted by the 151st Aviation Battalion. Georgia Army National Guard Archives.

February brought unprecedented snowfall to Georgia prompting Carter to again activate the Georgia National Guard. Carter viewed the damage from a Georgia National Guard helicopter February 10. Following his aerial survey he ordered the closure of I-75 and authorized the activation of Guard units as snow continued to accumulate. Tracked vehicles of the Georgia National Guard were able to negotiate the snow-choked roads to rescue motorists while armories across the state served as emergency shelters and warming stations. Engineers of the Columbus-based 560th Engineer Battalion cleared roads with heavy equipment while Georgia Air National Guard aircraft flew relief supplies to Forsyth and Macon. During its three-day response, the Georgia National Guard transported more than 6,300 people to shelters.[17]

March continued the spate of disaster responses as tornadoes struck six Georgia counties March 31 and Carter again called on the Georgia National Guard and Civil Defense. Guardsmen of the 170th Military Police Battalion were dispatched to Conyers and Athens where they worked with the Georgia State Patrol and local police to assist traffic flow and debris clearing operations.[18]

Promoting Diversity in the Ranks

Carter’s tenure as governor saw increasing diversity in the Georgia National Guard. On May 17, 1973, Gail Wagner became the first woman to enlist in the Georgia Army National Guard.[19] The following year, Jimmie Bailey became the first female to enroll in the Georgia Military Institute’s officer candidate school. Under Carter’s leadership, minority representation in the Georgia National Guard increased tenfold from 1971 to 1974. Carter authorized special recruiting efforts to encourage African Americans to join the Guard and created a committee of leading African American citizens to serve as the National Guard Advisory Council. Council members met quarterly, attending National Guard training events and advising the governor and adjutant general on recruiting and incentives.[20]

The 48th Brigade

In October 1973, The National Guard Bureau approved Carter’s request for a separate brigade assignment to the Georgia National Guard. The 48th Infantry Brigade was designated December 1, 1973, from existing elements of Georgia’s 3rd Brigade, 30th Infantry Division.[21] Carter’s vision for a separate brigade continues to pay dividends more than 50 years later as the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team has completed four combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan as well as a peacekeeping mission in Bosnia Herzegovina and mobilization for the Persian Gulf War. Elements of the 48th IBCT again mobilized in 2024 supporting missions on two continents simultaneously.

Governor Jimmy Carter and Brig. Gen. Donald Mees, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard review damage caused by tornadoes that struck
six Northwest Georgia counties on March 31, 1974. Georgia National Guard Archives.

Governor Carter authorized the activation of the 48th Brigade’s Calhoun-based 1st Battalion 108th Armor Regiment after a tornado struck Calhoun April 4, 1974. Carter visited Calhoun speaking with Guardsmen and citizens impacted by the tornado.[22]

Readiness and Renovation

On October 29, 1974, Carter toured the newly completed headquarters of the Georgia Department of Defense Emergency Operations Headquarters. The $900,000 structure now serves as part of GEMA headquarters.[23]

Under Governor Carter’s leadership, the Georgia Army National Guard achieved the highest state of readiness in its history to that date. Georgia Air National Guard units, flying the F-100 Super Sabre, received the highest category of operational readiness while the 165th Military Airlift Group replaced the aging C-124 Globemaster with the C-130 Hercules, an airframe it continues to fly in 2024.[24]

In his final weeks in office, Carter penned a letter to Maj. Gen. Paris lauding the accomplishments of the Georgia National Guard:

During the past four years, the achievements of the Georgia National Guard are too numerous to relate. However, I hope it will suffice for me to say that my personal association with you and the personnel of your Department has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my administration. I salute all of you who have been so dedicated and diligent in carrying out your responsibilities to the citizens of our state and nation.[25] 

 

FORT STEWART, Ga. July 7, 1972 - Governor Jimmy Carter and Maj. Gen. Joel B. Paris III, Georgia's Adjutant General, with Georgia Guardsmen
of the Calhoun-based 1st Battalion, 108th Armor Regiment. Georgia National Guard Archives.

Photos: Flickr Album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/georgiaguardhistory/albums/72157658923913980

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[1] “After Two Decades Vandiver Returns To Command Georgia National Guard,” Georgia Guardsman, Jan Jun 1971, 2.

[2] “WWII Ace Appointed Assistant AG For Air,” Georgia Guardsman, Jan June 1971, 3.

 

[3] “Legislators Briefed on Riot Control,” Georgia Guardsman, Jan June 1971, 7.

 

[4] Georgia Guardsman, Jan June 1971, 19.

 

[5] Phil Gailey, “Vandiver Senate Bid Seen,” Atlanta Constitution,” October 30, 1971, 1.

 

[6] “Governor Carter Appoints Joel B. Paris III Adjutant General of Georgia,” Georgia Guardsman, July Sept 1971, 2.

[7] “A Message from Maj. Gen. Joel B. Paris, III,” Georgia Guardsman, Sept Dec 1974, inside cover.

 

[8] “BG Perkins Appointed Head of GANG,” Georgia Guardsman, July Sept 1971, 4.

 

[9] Georgia Department of Defense. Annual Report, FY 1973, (Atlanta: 1973).

 

[10] “3rd Bde Readiness To Be Tested Next 18 Months,” Georgia Guardsman, Jan Mar 1972, 3.

 

[11] “Talmadge, Carter & Hershey Highlight 24th Annual NGA Conference,” Georgia Guardsman,” Jan Mar 1972, 7-9.

 

[12] “Governor and State Officials Visit Troops,” Georgia Guardsman, Jul Sept 1972, 10-11.

 

[13] “ANG Commanders Meet in Atlanta,” Georgia Guardsman, Oct Dec 1972, 3.

 

[14] “Employer Support of Guard and Reserve Grows,” Georgia Guardsman, Mar April 1973, 9.

 

[15] “Guard Lends a Hand During Icy Crisis,” Georgia Guardsman, Jan Feb 1973, 6.

 

[16] “Earthquake Victims Aided by Ga. Air Guard,” Georgia Guardsman, Jan Feb 1973, 7.

 

[17] “Guardsmen Rescue Georgians and Travelers,” Georgia Guardsman, Mar Apr 1973-2-7.

 

[18] “Guardsmen Patrol Areas after Twisters Hit,” Georgia Guardsman, Mar April 1973, 8.

 

[19] “First Female Enlists in Ga. Army Guard,” Georgia Guardsman, May June 1973, 1.

 

[20] “Minority Recruiting Soars,” Georgia Guardsman, Mar April 1974, 10.

 

[21] “Third Brigade is Now 48th,” Georgia Guardsman, Nov Dec 1973, 6.

 

[22] “Tornadoes Devastate N. Ga.,” Georgia Guardsman, Mar Apr 1974, 3.

 

[23] “New DoD Building Completed,” Georgia Guardsman, Sep Dec 1974, 2.

 

[24] “A Message from Maj. Gen. Joel B. Paris, III,” Georgia Guardsman, Sept Dec 1974, inside cover.

 

[25] Jimmy Carter to Joel Paris, November 12, 1974.