275 years ago this week, Ben Franklin – then a recently retired printer beginning a political journey in which he would see (and help) a nation form – organized the first Pennsylvania military unit to defend the colony and the port of Philadelphia against Indian raiders and French privateers.

The Dec. 7, 1747, formation of The Associators (named after the articles of association which they signed) marks the beginning of today’s Pennsylvania National Guard. The Associators continue serving today as the 103rd Brigade Engineer Battalion and 111th Infantry Regiment.

The commonwealth is recognizing the historic anniversary this month, with a birthday observance held on Dec. 4 at Fort Indiantown Gap, as well as a proclamation issued by Governor Tom Wolf.

Proclamation by Governor Tom Wolf.

The observance was held at the Gap during a duty weekend so soldiers and airmen could attend. LebTown photographer Barb West was there to document the occasion.

Master of Ceremonies Major Joel Hogentogler, Secretary of the General Staff, served as emcee for the Pennsylvania National Guard 275th Birthday Celebration held at the NG headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022.
Artifacts from the Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum were on display at the National Guard headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap during a ceremony held on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022 in observance of the 275th birthday of the guard.
Uniforms were among the artifacts from the Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum on display at the National Guard headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap during a ceremony held on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022 in observance of the 275th birthday of the guard.
Uniforms from various eras were among the artifacts from the Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum on display at the National Guard headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap during a ceremony held on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022 in observance of the 275th birthday.
Stephanie Olsen, director of the Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum, provides a brief history of the National Guard during the 275th Anniversary Celebration held on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. Although the actual birthday is Dec. 7, the observance was held over a duty weekend so that soldiers and airmen could attend.
Maj. Gen. Mark J. Schindler, the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, addresses PA National Guardman during a special ceremony commemorating the 275th Anniversary of the guard. Although the actual anniversary is Dec. 7, the observance was held on a duty weekend so that soldiers and airmen could attend.
Maj. Gen. Mark J. Schindler, the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, left, and Master Sgt. John McDermott shake hands after the cutting the 275th anniversary cake during the Pennsylvania National Guard Birthday Celebration held at the guard’s Fort Indiantown Gap headquarters.
Members of the PA National Guard, on hand for the 275th Anniversary Celebration held at its headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, examine artifacts from the Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum.
Members of the PA National Guard, on hand for the 275th Anniversary Celebration held at its headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, examine artifacts from the Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum.
The Pennsylvania National Guard 275th Anniversary Celebration, held at its headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap, included a slide presentation of the guard’s history.
A few of the artifacts from the Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum on display at the National Guard headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap during a ceremony held on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022 in observance of the 275th birthday of the guard.
The Minuteman statue stands guard in front of Edward Martin Hall, the Pennsylvania National Guard Joint Force Headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap.

The top 10 moments in Pennsylvania National Guard history

Provided by the Pennsylvania National Guard

  1. Pennsylvania National Guard is born – Overcoming the pacifist traditions of Pennsylvania’s founding Quakers, Benjamin Franklin leads about 600 “gentlemen and merchants” of Philadelphia in signing “articles of association” to provide for a common defense against Indian raiders and French privateers. These “Associators,” who are alive as today’s 103rd Brigade Engineer Battalion and 111th Infantry Regiment, held their first muster on Dec. 7, 1747.
  2. Escort for General Washington – The Philadelphia Light Horse, later known as First Troop, Philadelphia City Cavalry, escorts Gen. George Washington from Philadelphia to New York to take command of the Continental Army in late June 1775. The Army was established by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, and its first units include a regiment of rifle companies from Pennsylvania.
  3. Ten Crucial Days – Pennsylvania supplies thousands of troops during the Revolutionary War, and they take part in numerous campaigns, including Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas night in 1776 and the ensuing battles of Trenton and Princeton. The Associators infantry (today’s 111th Infantry Regiment) and artillery (today’s 103rd Brigade Engineer Battalion) assets play a major role in the fighting at Trenton and Princeton. Washington personally leads the Philadelphia Associator battalions in a counterattack that turns the tide of Princeton on Jan. 3, 1777. Many historians credit these “10 Crucial Days” with saving the American Revolution, and the Pennsylvania Militia played a critical role in that success.
  4. First Defenders of U.S. Capitol – At the start of the Civil War, five units from the Lehigh Valley race to the nation’s threatened capital in response to an urgent plea from Congress. President Abraham Lincoln proclaims them the “First Defenders,” an honor still borne by their descendants in today’s 213th Regional Support Group.
  5. Action in Gettysburg – More than 200 Pennsylvania regiments take part in the Civil War in 24 major campaigns. Among the battles is the Battle of Gettysburg in southern Pennsylvania on July 1-3, 1863 – a Union victory that many consider is the war’s turning point. Several current Pennsylvania National Guard units can trace their lineage to units that fought at Gettysburg, including the 103rd Brigade Engineer Battalion; 1-104th Cavalry Regiment; 1-107th Field Artillery Regiment; 1-108th Field Artillery Regiment; 1-109th Field Artillery Regiment; 1-111th Infantry Regiment; and 1-112th Infantry Regiment. Of note, the Philadelphia Brigade – today’s 111th Infantry Regiment – helped turn back the center of Pickett’s Charge at the angle on July 3, 1863.
  6. Formation of the Pennsylvania Division – On March 12, 1879, Gov. Henry Hoyt signs General Order Number One, establishing the Pennsylvania Division, the predecessor to today’s 28th Infantry Division. Maj. Gen. John Hartranft, a Civil War veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, serves as the division’s first commander. In 1917, after it was federalized for World War I, the division is redesignated the 28th Division. Today, the 28th ID is the oldest continuously serving division in the U.S. Army.
  7. Men of Iron – The Pennsylvania Division is called up in the wake of America’s entry into World War I. The division takes part in six major campaigns in France and Belgium and suffers more than 14,000 casualties. On July 15, 1918, elements of the division (notably the 109th and 110th infantry regiments) beat back German attacks along the Marne River. Pockets of division soldiers were surrounded and cut off but fought at the company and platoon level in a ferocious defense of their positions, beating their way through German lines and back to secondary defensive positions. The 28th Division’s stalwart stand earns its soldiers the moniker “Men of Iron” from General of the Armies John Pershing, commander of the Allied Armies.
  8. March down Champs Elysees – In what would become one of the most iconic photos from World War II, Soldiers from the 28th Infantry Division triumphantly march down the Champs Elysees in Paris on Aug. 29, 1944, following the city’s liberation.
  9. Battle of the Bulge – In Late 1944, the 28th Infantry Division is instrumental in stalling the last German offensive of World War II, the Battle of the Bulge. The division’s exploits earn it the nickname the “Bloody Bucket” division.
  10. Tropical Storm Agnes – Nearly 13,000 Pennsylvania National Guard members are called up to help with relief operations following widespread flooding caused by Tropical Storm Agnes in June 1972. The storm and its aftermath results in 50 deaths and $3 billion in property damage across the state.
Questions about this story? Suggestions for a future LebTown article? Reach our newsroom using this contact form and we’ll do our best to get back to you.

Do you want to see more from LebTown?

Support local news. Cancel anytime.

Already a member? Login here

Free news isn’t cheap. If you value the journalism LebTown provides to the community, then help us make it sustainable by becoming a champion of local news. You can unlock additional coverage for the community by supporting our work with a one-time contribution, or joining as a monthly or annual member. You can cancel anytime.

Comments

LebTown membership required to comment.

Already a member? Login here

Leave a comment

Kindly keep your comments brief and respectful. We will remove comments that do not abide by these simple rules.