Prior to the creation of the modern National Guard of the United States, the United States maintained a relatively small professional military and relied on state militias to augment the federal military in times of war. In 1901, the South Dakota Legislature designated the South Dakota State Guard as the organized militia of South Dakota, and required that the state maintain a certain minimum strength of cavalry, artillery, and infantry units. After the passage of the Militia Act of 1903, state militia units were reorganized into National Guard units and operated as a reserve component of the federal military.
The South Dakota National Guard was federalized in 1917. By 1917, Home Guard units were organizing in various counties and townships. In 1918, the South Dakota Legislature passed legislation allowing for the creation of a Home Guard. South Dakota’s Home Guard, which was particularly active in protecting property from fire, reached a strength of 100 companies consisting of approximately 7,000 men by the end of the war. The State Guard was disbanded later in 1918.
World War II
Following the federalization of the South Dakota National Guard during World War II, South Dakota raised four companies of militia using the existing state legislation authorizing the National Guard, but did not request or receive federal recognition for these state units. The State Guard of World War II was organized into four companies, based in Aberdeen, Watertown, Pierre, and Sioux Falls. By 1944, the State Guard mustered a strength of 195 men. South Dakota also created a state unit under the authority of the State Adjutant General in 1942 called the Fire Protection Force, consisting of two line companies and one headquarters company, in the Black Hills region to control fires in the region. The federal government was responsible for most of the region and supplied the FPF with its equipment. The State Guard was disbanded in 1948.
The South Dakota State Guard was reactivated during the Korean War from the years 1954 to 1956.
Legal status
The authority of each state to maintain a state defense force is recognized by the federal government under Title 32, Section 109 of the United States Code. Under this legislation, twenty-three other states and the territory of Puerto Rico currently maintain state defense forces. The South Dakota State Guard Act grants the Governor of South Dakota the authority to organize the South Dakota State Guard at his or her discretion, making reactivation possible either through an act of legislature or by executive order.
