Illinois State Military Museum Celebrates Illinois National Guard Service in the Border War [Image 1 of 11]

SPRINGFIELD, IL, UNITED STATES

09.07.2019

Photo by Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton 

Joint Force Headquarters - Illinois National Guard Public Affairs

On March 9, 1916, Mexican rebel Francisco "Pancho" Villa led a raid against the small border town of Columbus, New Mexico. In retaliation, the federal government activated the National Guard and sent U.S. Army General John J. Pershing on an expedition to capture Villa. While Villa continued to evade his attackers with guerrilla tactics during the unsuccessful, nine-month incursion into Mexico, the mission helped prepare the National Guard for World War I. The mission ended when the United States entered World War I and Pershing was recalled to other duties. The Illinois State Military Museum held a Border War exhibit on Sept. 7 to remember the Illinois National Guard's involvement in the short-lived, but important, conflict. Shown is Illinois Army National Guard Lt. Col. (retired) Jim McCabe, a living historian and volunteer with the museum, dressed as Pancho Villa.

• Date Taken: 09.07.2019
• Date Posted: 09.08.2019 10:41
• Photo ID: 5730215
• VIRIN: 190907-A-OH563-195
• Resolution: 2669x2116
• Size: 945.52 KB
• Location: SPRINGFIELD, IL, US