Texas State Guard History

The Texas State Guard was founded in 1871. However, federal authorization for state guards did not come until World War II.  In October 1941, as the National Guard was mobilized to assist in the war effort, states were authorized to organize forces to work in the state while the National Guard was active with federal service.  In accordance with the “State Guard Amendment” of the National Defense Act authorized by Congress, Oct. 21, 1940, the Texas Legislature signed into law the Texas Defense Guard Act (H.B. #45), Feb. 10, 1941. The Texas Defense Guard was formed and had 17,497 members sign up, in contrast to the 11,633 who joined the National Guard around the same time period.

Points of Interest: