Page 16 - The Dispatch December 2019

TEXAS MILITARY DEPARTMENT

THE FIRST BIG TEST
THE FIRST BIG TEST

Story By: Chief Warrant Officer 3 Janet Schmelzer
Texas State Guard Public Affairs

The Texas Defense Guard, created by the Texas Legis-
lature in 1941 and renamed the Texas State Guard in
1943, was the state military unit responsible for pro-
tecting Texas, its people and property during World
War II. With the National Guard federalized, the Tex-
as Defense Guard was on the front line to respond to
attacks by foreign enemies, domestic civil disturbanc-
es and natural and man-made disasters. Within a few
months of its official existence, the Texas Defense
Guard would face its first big test as a defense force.

In the Caribbean Sea near Cuba, a tropical distur-
bance started brewing on Sept. 15, 1941. As the
storm moved into the Gulf of Mexico, weather con-
ditions were conducive to a tropical depression form-
ing. By Sept. 21, the storm had grown into a hurri-
cane bearing down on the Texas Gulf Coast, headed
for Port O’Connor or Matagorda. On Sept. 23, the
storm made an unexpected turn, placing Freeport,
Houston and surrounding areas in its path.

Preparing for the hurricane, local authorities along ment squad cars or observe from Houston Electric
the Texas Gulf Coast began requesting the support Company buses. Armed with rifles with bayonets
of the Texas Defense Guard. On Sept. 23, the Guard and sidearms, they protected department stores
activated 700 members, the first being from the 2nd, from looters. At the coliseum, which was a shelter
7th, 22nd and 48th Marine battalions and the 2nd for evacuees, they cleared streets where sightseers
Squadron, Aviation Branch. Battalion and squadron caused traffic congestion by driving around staring
commanders ordered their men to bring their per- at evacuees arriving on trucks. Keeping streets clear
sonal sidearms, while the Guard would provide En- around the coliseum was especially urgent because
field rifles with fixed bayonets and shotguns. The National Guard convoys were bringing Soldiers and
Texas Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. John Watt Page, in- Airmen from airfields and armories threatened by the
structed all commanders that “their mission is to aid storm.
and support in every way possible civil authorities.”
One sergeant-in-charge commended his men for
When the hurricane made landfall, bringing rising their selfless service during the storm. “Not one of
tides, heavy rain and destructive winds up to 95 mph, them flinched from their duty and were eager to step
Houston officials knew they did not have a sufficient off the bus in water up to their knees to reach their
number of policemen, firemen or city employees to stations of duty,” he said.
patrol the city and protect property and people. On
Sept. 23, the mayor and police chief assigned Guard The 2nd Battalion who patrolled downtown Hous-
members from the 48th Battalion to patrol down- ton, stood guard to protect people from stepping
town on foot, ride along in Houston Police Depart- on downed high-tension wires and broken glass and

16 TheDISPATCH December 2019