A Short History of the Georgia Hussars

By Major William Carraway, Historian, Georgia Army National Guard

 

The Georgia Hussars as Troop A, 108th Cavalry recruiting in Savannah in the 1920s. Georgia National Guard Archives.

Shortly after the founding of the Georgia colony, Lord James Oglethorpe realized the need for a mounted troop to provide security for the fledgling colony. Accordingly, Oglethorpe raised a troop which was originally dubbed “The Rangers.” The Rangers’ mission was to patrol the outlying boundaries of Savannah against incursions by the Spanish and neighboring Native American tribes.[1]

The Rangers fought alongside Lord James Oglethorpe against the Spanish at the Battle of Bloody Marsh in 1742. When the colonies rebelled against Great Britain the Rangers, subsequently known as the Georgia Hussars, tendered their services and were engaged during the Siege of Savannah in 1779.[2]

The Georgia Hussars during a military review on the Mexican Border in 1916. Photo by 2nd Lt. Vivian Roberts.

The Hussars fought in the American Civil War and were called to active duty on the Mexican Border from 1916-1917 as Troop A, 2^nd Squadron of Cavalry. The unit was redesignated Headquarters Troop of the 31^st Division in September 1917 and mobilized to France with the division in October 1918. The 31^st arrived too late to take an active part in combat operations and the Georgia Hussars and other units of the Georgia National Guard returned to the United States in 1919.[3]

Captain Lester Henderson, commander of the Georgia Hussars, Company A, 108th Cavalry Regiment leads his Soldiers in a parade in Savannah, Ga.
on the eve of activation for World War II service. Georgia National Guard Archives.

In the reorganization that followed World War I, the Georgia Hussars were reconstituted as Troop A, 108^th Cavalry Regiment September 13, 1920. The 108^th was reorganized to form the 101^st Coast Artillery Battalion October 12, 1940. The 101st AAA mobilized to the Pacific Theater in March 1942.[4] Reaching Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea May 3, 1942, the battalion assumed responsibility for air defense over Port Moresby’s airfields.[5] In recognition of its role in the defense of Port Moresby, the 101^st was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.[6] Eight members of the unit were individually recognized with the Silver Star. The 101^st would subsequently serve in the Philippines where it was awarded the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.

PORT MORESBY, New Guinea, September 10, 1943 – Senator Richard Russell of Georgia shakes hand with Cpl. Ellis Page of the 101st Anti-Aircraft
Artillery Battalion during his tour of inspection. To the right is S. M. Griffin, commander of the 101st AAA, and a future Adjutant General
and Governor of Georgia. Photo 231963, National Archives Records Administration.

As part of the post-World War II reorganization the Georgia Hussars were organized and federally recognized as Headquarters Battery, 108^th Antiaircraft Artillery Brigade and 178^th AAA Operations Detachment May 12, 1947.[7] [8] [9]

CAMP STEWART - A 90 mm gun of the 108th AAA Brigade reloading during a firing exercise
at Camp Stewart circa 1954. Courtesy of the National Guard Education Foudation,
Washington, D.C.

The Hussars were awarded the Eisenhower Trophy February 17, 1950 in recognition of its status as the most outstanding unit in the Georgia Army National Guard.[10] The Hussars underwent a series of unit redesignations until 1975 when the unit was designated as Service Battery, 2^nd Battalion 214^th Field Artillery. The following year, Service Battery, along with the Chatham Artillery, then serving as Headquarters Battery of the 118^th Field Artillery Group, were recognized during a ceremony honoring units with continuous service from the American Revolution. The August 29, 1976 ceremony was held in at the Washington Monument in Washington DC with the Secretary of the Army presiding.[11]

With the 1993 reorganization of the Georgia National Guard, Service Battery, 2^nd Battalion 214^th Field Artillery was consolidated with Headquarters Battery, 1^st Battalion 118^th Field Artillery.[12]

 

[1] William MacD. Lloyd, “Bloody Marsh to Tokyo,” Georgia Guardsman, April 1950, 10.

 

[2] William MacD. Lloyd, “Bloody Marsh to Tokyo,” Georgia Guardsman, April 1950, 10.

 

[3] William Carraway, “Post War Reorganizations of the Georgia National Guard, 1900-1946,” December 2022.

 

[4] Donald Mees, interview by Gail Parnelle, Atlanta, September 1992, Georgia National Guard Archives.

 

[5] Richard W. Titus, A Chronicle of Georgia’s 101^st Separate Coast Artillery Battalion, Antiaircraft, Automatic Weapons Limited to the Period February 16, 1942 to January 1, 1944. First American Ground Troops in New Guinea (Crabapple, GA: Richard Titus, June 1986), 2-31.

 

[6] War Department, General Orders. No. 21. May 6, 1943.

 

[7] “Did You Know,” Georgia Guardsman, May 1949, 7.

 

[8] “Hussars’ Heritage,” Georgia Guardsman October 1949, 4 and 11.

 

[9] National Guard Bureau, RA 73-59, June 10, 1959.

 

[10] “Eisenhower Trophy Presented to 178^th Opns Det at 214^th Anniversary of Georgia Hussars,” Georgia Guardsman, March 1950, 6-7.

 

[11] “Ga’s Revolutionary Militia Units Honored,” Georgia Guardsman, July-September 1976, 3.

 

[12] National Guard Bureau, OA 169-93, Washington DC, August 9, 1993.

The 3rd Squadron 108th Cavalry Regiment: 2008-2016

By Major William Carraway

Historian, Georgia Army National Guard

 

The 3rd Squadron 108th Cavalry Regiment was organized in Atlanta September 1, 2008 as part of the 560^th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade.[1] Headquarters and Troop C were based in Atlanta while Troops A and B were stationed in Douglasville. The Army granted federal recognition to all units of 3-108 June 2, 2010.[2] Shortly after achieving federal recognition, Soldiers of the 3-108^th made an impressive showing at Leapfest where the 3-108^th parachute team finished third out of 53 teams.[3]

Soldiers of the 3-108 compete at Leapfest 2010. Georgia National Guard Archives.

Soldiers of 3-108 mobilized to Uganda in April 2011 in support of Atlas Drop 2011. The Guardsmen trained and lived with the 27^th Infantry Battalion, Uganda Peoples Defense Force.[4]

Georgia National Guardsmen of the 3-108th participate in a riot training exercise at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany
Nov. 17, 2011. Photo by Spc. Stephen Solomon

On October 2, 2011, Soldiers of 3-108 deployed to Kosovo as part of the U.N. Peacekeeping mission.[5] Stationed at Camp Bondsteel, the Soldiers served as part of Kosovo Force 15 before returning September 27, 2012. During the deployment, Company H, 121^st Infantry Long Range Surveillance was consolidated with Troop C.[6]

OGLETHORPE ARMORY, Ellenwood Ga., Sep. 27, 2012 – Soldiers from the 3-108th  prepare to reunite with their families for the first time
since completing their yearlong deployment to Kosovo. Photo by Maj. Will Cox,

Soldiers of the 3-108 were among those who commemorated the 70^th anniversary of Operation Market Garden with an airborne jump from a Georgia Air National Guard C-130 in the skies over Groesbeek, Netherlands September 18, 2014.[7] It was the first airborne operation on the drop zone since World War II.

GROESBEEK, Netherlands, Sept. 18, 2014 - Soldiers of the 3-108 join U.S., Dutch, Brotish and Polish paratroopers to commemorate the 70th anniversary
of Operation Market Garden. Photo by MSgt. Charles Delano.

On August 7, 2015 the Atlanta Readiness Center was dedicated and became the home of 3-108 with the exception of Troop C which remained stationed at Fulton County Airport.[8] That year, the U.S. Army reorganized all Battlefield Surveillance Brigades. As a result, the 560^th BfSB was inactivated along with the 3-108^th.

ATLANTA, August 7, 2015 - Following remarks by Brig Gen. Joe Jarrard, Georgia's Adjutant General and Lt. Col. Michael Lipper, commander of the
3rd Squadron 108th Cavalry, the Atlanta Readiness Center was officially dedicated. Joining the Guardsmen during the ribbon cutting
ceremony were State Representative Roger Bruce and Kent Henson, project manager with Burns & McDonnell. Georgia Photo by Sgt. Ashley Sutz

Following its March 5, 2016 inactivation, the units of the 3-108 formed the core of the 3^rd Battalion 121^st Infantry Regiment with the exception of Troop C, which was redesignated Company H, 121^st LRS.[9]

 

ATLANTA, March 5, 2016 – Georgia Army National Guard Lieutenant Col. Mike Lipper and Command Sgt. Major
Thomas Grisham command team of the 3rd Squadron, 108th Cavalry, case the squadron colors
during the inactivation ceremony of the 3-108th. Photo by Capt. William Carraway.

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[1] OA 132-08 June 17, 2008 effective September 1, 2008.

[2] OA 245-10 Aug 11, 2010.

[3] John Kinnaman. “3^rd Squadron Soldiers Take Third at Leapfest. The Georgia Guardsman. August 2010, 12.

[4] Brock Jones. “Georgia Guardsmen Work With Ugandan Troops During Atlas Drop 11” The Georgia Guardsman. May 2011, 11.

[5] Roy Henry. Av Scouts Leave For More Training Before Kosovo Deployment.” The Georgia Guardsman. October 2011, 8.

[6] OA 434-11 January 23, 2012 effective December 1, 2011

[7] Charles Delano. “Operation Market Garden.” The Georgia Guardsman. September 2014, 5.

[8] OA 474-14 November 20, 2014 effective October 1, 2014

[9] OA 545-15 Jan 8, 2016 effective September 1, 2016.

Sgt. 1st Class John Beale Honored by Cedartown-Based Troop A, 108th Cavalry

By Maj. William Carraway

Historian, Georgia Army National Guard.

 

Crystal Beale is joined by Command Sgt. Major John Ballenger and Lt. Col. Christopher Powell, command team of the 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry in
dedicating a training field at the Cedartown, Ga. Armory in memory of Sgt. 1st Class John Beale who was killed in action in Afghanistan June 4, 2009.
Photo by Maj. William Carraway

Georgia Army National Guard Soldiers of the Cedartown-based Troop A, 1^st Squadron, 108^th Cavalry stood at attention for the dedication of a training field in honor of Sergeant 1^st Class John C. Beale who was killed in Afghanistan June 4, 2009. The dedication was attended by family, friends, fellow Soldiers and Veterans who served with Sgt. 1^st Class Beale.

Sergeant John Beale in 2005 with Troop E, 108th Cavalry in Griffin, Ga. preparing to mobilize a relief convoy to Mississippi following
Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. Photo by Spc. William Carraway

“Sgt. 1^st Class Beale embodied the attributes of the United States Army Noncommissioned Officer’s Creed,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Powell, commander of the 1-108^th Cavalry. “His professionalism, leadership, selflessness, courage, technical and tactical competence as a 19D Cavalry Scout and love for Soldiers was unmatched. No commander could ask for a better NCO than him.”

Powell observed that Beale balanced his service as a Soldier with his role as a husband to wife Crystal and father to children Christopher and Callie who attended the ceremony.

“As we honor Sgt. 1^st Class Beale’s service and sacrifice, we also honor yours,” said Powell to Beale’s family.

Soldiers of the Georgia Army National Guard's Troop A, 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment stand in formation during a ceremony honoring
Sgt. 1st Class John Beale at the unit's Cedartown Armory Oct 4, 2020. Photo by Maj. William Carraway

Major General Randall Simmons, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard spoke of Beale’s service and legacy. Simmons commanded the 1^st Squadron, 108^th Cavalry in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010.

“Those of us who knew Sgt 1^st Class Beale hold him in a special place in our hearts,” said Simmons. “But this day is not about sad reflection, it is about a celebration of the courage and sacrifice and service of this hero.”

Simmons called Beale a consummate professional noting how approachable and welcoming he was to all Soldiers and how he was absolutely dedicated to the Soldier’s craft.

Sgt. 1st Class John Beale in 2009.
Ga. National Guard Archives.

“John was a warrior.  He served with distinction. He was a team builder who was widely respected and loved.”  Said Simmons.  “For those Soldiers going forward who will train on this field, when you feel tired, when you feel like you can give no more, if you need to draw on a source of motivation, think of the sacrifice of Sgt. 1^st Class John Beale and the other fallen Rough Riders who paid the ultimate price so we could be here to move forward.”

Sergeant 1^st Class Robert Freeman, who deployed with Beale in 2009 recalled leadership lessons Beale imparted as a mentor and teacher to the Soldiers of Troop A.

“Beale was in charge of all our supplies,” recalled Freeman.  Every single morning, He would literally go over every single thing we loaded,” said Freeman. “But I learned so much from that.  It made me a better NCO. He always wanted me to know my mission, and my routes. He was a constant professional and teacher.”

Crystal Beale, wife of John and long-time supporter of the 108^th Cavalry thanked the Soldiers for the dedication and thanked them for their service.

“I just want to thank you all for this day,” said Beale. “I pray over every one of you and thank you that you serve.”

After sharing some of Sgt. 1^st Class Beale’s favorite quotes from military history Crystal was joined by Powell and Command Sgt. Major John Ballenger, senior enlisted advisor for the 1^st Squadron 108^th Cavalry in revealing the sign dedicating the field in honor of Sgt 1^st Class Beale. Captain Samuel Jerome, commander of Troop A, closed out the ceremony and invited Soldiers, veterans and family members to share stories and fellowship.

Following the ceremony, the armory grounds resounded with laughter as family and friends recalled the life and times of John Beale, consummate Soldier, gregarious personality, and friend to everyone he met.

Sgt. 1st Class John Beale's family and military family joined together for the dedication of the SFC John C. Beale Field at the Cedartown Armory of Troop A,
1-108th Cavalry Oct 4, 2020. Photo by Maj. William Carraway.

The Georgia Guard in Rome

By Maj. William Carraway
Historian, Georgia Army National Guard

On February 3, 2012, the Georgia Army National Guard’s 1160^th Transportation Company was federally recognized in Rome Georgia. The 1160^th, which continues in service today, is just the latest unit of Citizen Soldiers to be welcomed by the Rome community. 

A squad Citizen Soldiers of the Rome-based Company E, 122nd Infantry Regiment secure a key intersection during training in Floyd County, Ga. 

in April 1950. Georgia Guard Archives.

The American Civil War and the Rome Light Guards

The Wheatfield at Gettysburg, The Rome Light Guards moved

across this field on July 2, 1863. Photo by Maj. William Carraway

In June 1861, the Rome Light Guards assembled as Company A, 8^th Georgia Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Col. Francis Bartow.[1] This regiment fought at the First Battle of Bull Run where Bartow, then a brigade commander was killed. Bartow County is named in his honor. Bartow’s regiment soldiered on with the Army of Northern Virginia and was engaged in the storied battles of the eastern theater of the American Civil War. The 8^th fought in the Seven Days, 2^nd Manassas, Fredericksburg, Antietam and the Wheatfield at Gettysburg where the regiment suffered fifty percent casualties.[2] The 8^th ended its Confederate service with the surrender at Appomattox Court House.[3] Out of more than 100 men who joined the Rome Light Guards only 11 remained when the 8^th Georgia surrendered at Appomattox.[4]

The Rome Light Guards were mustered back into state service June 17, 1872. The company served in the Georgia State Troops until disbanded in 1903.[5]

The Hill City Cadets and Phillip G. Byrd

Brig. Gen. Phillip G. Byrd. Georgia Guard Archives

The Hill City Cadets were organized Sept. 23, 1879 and served in the Georgia State Troops until 1907.[6] On June 8, 1891, Phillip G. Byrd became captain of the Cadets. A Rome resident, Byrd had enlisted in the Rome Light Guards upon graduating from the University of North Georgia in 1879. He served as captain of the Cadets for three years during which time he also served as editor of the Hustler of Rome, which he billed as “the only afternoon paper between Atlanta and Chattanooga.”[7]

On December 4, 1894, Byrd was appointed aide de camp to the governor of Georgia with the rank of lieutenant colonel.[8] Due to the declining health of Georgia’s adjutant general, Brig. Gen. John McIntosh Kell, Byrd was appointed assistant adjutant general Jan. 1, 1899 with the rank of colonel. Byrd served as the acting adjutant general until the death of Brig. Gen. Kell Oct. 5, 1900. General Order No. 19 issued by Governor Allen D. Candler appointed Byrd Adjutant General of the Georgia State Troops Oct. 11, 1900. Byrd’s official term as adjutant general was short lived as Governor Candler appointed James W. Robertson to succeed him Nov. 11, 1900. Byrd reverted to his previous position and rank as assistant adjutant general.


World War I

While the Georgia Guard did not have a unit stationed in Rome during World War I, Floyd County citizens still entered the ranks of Georgia Guard units. Two of them paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Private Giles Parsons and Pvt. Lonzo Stager of Rome, Ga. Georgia Guard Archives.

Giles Parsons of Rome was inducted into Company F, 328th Infantry Regiment Sept. 20, 1917 at the age of 25. He was transferred to the Georgia National Guard’s Company G, 122nd Infantry Regiment Oct. 14, 1917 and remained with the 122nd until June 1918 when he began his transfer to Company B, 9th Infantry Regiment. He fought at St. Mihiel, Blanc Monte and the Argonne. He was killed in action at Beaumont, France Nov. 4, 1918.

Lonzo L. Stager of Rome enlisted in Company, F 325th Infantry Regiment Oct. 1, 1917 and transferred to the Georgia National Guard’s Company F, 122nd Infantry Regiment Oct. 14, 1917. In June 1918, McGinnis transferred from the 122nd and was ultimately assigned to Company B, 102nd Infantry Regiment. He was killed in action in France July 22, 1918 at the age of 22.

  
Post WWII Reorganization and Return to Rome

The Georgia Guard was reorganized following World War II. The reorganization established the 48^th Infantry Division, which was comprised of units from Georgia and Florida. On May 8, 1947, the 122^nd Infantry Regiment was organized and assigned to the 48^th.[9] The 122^nd was comprised of companies in sixteen north Georgia communities. Company E of the 122^nd was assigned to Rome.

1955-2010: The Era of Armor and Cavalry

In 1955, the 48^th Infantry Division was reorganized as an armor division. This unit reorganized in 1955 as Company A, 163^rd Tank Battalion beginning a long association with armor forces in Rome.

In 1990, the Georgia Army National Guard’s 48^th Brigade was activated in anticipation of service during Desert Storm. Rome’s Company A, 108^th Armor Regiment mobilized and trained at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif. but the war ended before the brigade mobilized overseas.

Company A, 108th Armor in 1991. Georgia Guard Archives.

In 2005, Rome’s Guard unit was again mobilized, this time in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The unit completed combat missions in and around Baghdad before returning to the United States in 2006. In 2008, the 108th Armor converted to the 108th Cavalry. Troop A, 108th remained in Rome.

The 48^th Infantry Brigade Combat Team was mobilized for service in Afghanistan in 2009 and Floyd County’s Citizen Soldiers were again called to serve in overseas combat operations. Two of them would pay the ultimate sacrifice.

Specialist Isaac Johnson and Sgt. Jeffrey Jordan. Georgia Guard Archives

Sergeant Jeffrey Jordan enlisted in the Georgia Army National Guard in 2006. He left his job with the Floyd County Prison to mobilize with the 48^th IBCT. He was killed in action June 4, 2009 during combat operations in Kapisa, Afghanistan. The Sgt. Jeffrey W. Jordan GED Plus Complex at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock, Ark. was dedicated in his memory in 2010.

Isaac Lee Johnson enlisted in the Georgia Army National Guard in 2005 in the Rome-based Troop A, 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry. On July 6, 2009, Johnson was killed in action in Kunduz, Afghanistan. He was 24.

Upon its return from Afghanistan, Troop A, 108^th Cavalry relocated to Cedartown, Ga. Subsequently, the 1160^th Transportation Company was assigned to Rome. Since that time, the 1160^th has responded to state emergencies prompted by winter storms and hurricanes. Today, the 1160^th continues the long connection between Floyd County, Rome, and the National Guard.

 

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[1] Lyle, Thomas E., Larry O. Blair, Debra S. Lyle, and J. Harmon. Smith. Organizational Summary of Military Organizations from Georgia in the Confederate States of America. Marietta, Ga. (192 Sequoia Dr., N.E., Marietta, GA 30060-7214): T.E. Lyle, L.O. Blair, D.S. Lyle, 1999, 92.

[2] Wilkinson, Warren, and Steven E. Woodworth. A Scythe of Fire: a Civil War Story of the Eighth Georgia Infantry Regiment. New York: Perennial, 2003, 253.

[3] Sifakis, Stewart. Compendium of the Confederate Armies: South Carolina and Georgia. New York, NY: Facts on File, Pub., 1995.

[4] Southern Historical Society Papers Volume XV Paroles of the Army of Northern Virginia. Richmond, VA: The Society, 1887, 97.

[5] The Adjutant General, State of Georgia. Official Register of the National Guard of Georgia for 1916. 1916, 82.

[6] Ibid, 80.

[7] Georgia National Guard Archives. Hill City Cadets file: Correspondence of Phill G. Byrd. May 1, 1893.

[8] The Adjutant General, State of Georgia. Report of the Adjutant General of Georgia, 1900., 62

[9] The Georgia Guardsman. The 48^th Infantry Division: a condensed history of the Georgia-Florida organization. May 1950, 3.