Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Michael Davis | Veterans of the 231st Transportation Truck Battalion celebrated the 135th anniversary...... read more read more
BALTIMORE, Md. - Veterans of the historic 231st Transportation Truck Battalion, celebrated the 135th anniversary of their establishment as an all black independent militia company during a ceremony at the War Memorial in Baltimore on Feb. 22, 2014. The 231st traces its lineage to an all black militia company formed in 1879 called, "The Monumental City Guards." This company was eventually accepted into the Maryland National Guard in 1882.
Veterans like retired Sgt. 1st Class Louis S. Diggs and retired Command Sgt. Maj. Wilson J. Thornton, Jr. took the opportunity to share the unit’s lineage with the community, service members and other veterans in attendance.
“A lot of people, especially from the Baltimore area and the surrounding counties, have no idea of what contributions African-Americans made from 1879 until today,” Diggs said.
Many other veterans who are members of the 231st Transportation Truck Battalion Organization showed in large numbers to attend the event. Even though most of the members retired from military service they still performed drill and ceremony movements with precision and enthusiasm.
“The Maryland National Guard inspected them and were so impressed with their soldierly skills that they accepted them in the National Guard,” Diggs said.
The Monumental City Guards was accepted as an infantry company and re-designated the 1st Separate Company of Maryland Army National Guard in 1896. The unit would remain a segregated unit until 1955.
The name of the unit may have changed numerous times but its charge remained the same – soldiers answering the nations call. The unit participated in World War I, World War II and the Korean War.
During World War I, the unit fought alongside the French and was later awarded the prestigious Croix de Guerre with Palm in recognition of its distinguished service.
The 231st was the only unit in the Maryland Army National Guard to be mobilized for federal active service during the Korean War. The unit was awarded two U.S. Army Meritorious Unit Citations and a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation for its service during the war.
While serving in Korea the 231st was integrated. In 1948 President Harry Truman issued Executive Order 9981 desegregating the armed services.
A section of EO 9981 states, “There shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin. This policy shall be put into effect as rapidly as possible, having due regard to the time required to effectuate any necessary changes without impairing efficiency or morale.”
Thornton, who became the first black command sergeant major for the Maryland National Guard in 1984, was not federalized for the Korean War. He joined the 231st in 1949 as a new recruit and experienced a segregated Maryland Guard until the early 60s.
Thornton served many years with the Maryland National Guard and in various units.
“I had opportunities to serve patrols in Panama, I served in France for a while, I went to Alaska for two tours, I joined the Canadian airborne, so I had a very successful career and I owe that all to the Maryland National Guard,” Thornton said.
While Thornton recognized the Maryland National Guard for his career endeavors, the governor of Maryland acknowledged him and the 231st for their service with a citation read by Brig. Gen. Allyson R. Solomon, assistant adjutant general - Air.
Edward Chow, Jr., Maryland secretary for veterans affairs; Dr. Larry Nunley, southwest, senior citizens, and veteran’s affairs liaison for Baltimore City; and other distinguished visitors also attended the ceremony for to the 231st.
At its conclusion, veterans of the 231st and members of the Maryland Freestate Challenge Academy placed a wreath to honor fallen soldiers – those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
| Date Taken: | 02.22.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 02.27.2014 15:59 |
| Story ID: | 121273 |
| Location: | BALTIMORE, MD, US |
| Web Views: | 364 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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