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    Jefferson City at War: 1916-1975
    Jefferson City at War: 1916-1975
    Jefferson City at War: 1916-1975
    Ebook207 pages50 minutes

    Jefferson City at War: 1916-1975

    By Jeremy P. Ämick

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    About this ebook

    Jefferson City has a unique and enduring legacy of brave individuals banding together to answer the nation s call to arms. The Missouri National Guard s Company L, 2nd Infantry mobilized in support of the Mexican Border War in 1916 and later federalized for deployment during the Great War. Local youth scrambled to recruiting stations for a chance to join in the fray against Germany and Japan during World War II. Later, brave residents found themselves in the Korea peninsula or the jungles of Vietnam. It is clear that the Jefferson City community has a history of embracing the groundswell of patriotic pride that emerges in support of those who chose to fight and sometimes lay down their lives for a cause they view as greater than themselves.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherArcadia Publishing
    Release dateMay 5, 2014
    ISBN9781439645000
    Jefferson City at War: 1916-1975
    Author

    Jeremy P. Ämick

    Jeremy P. Ämick has for years chronicled in writing the legacy of United States military veterans--past and present. He has authored the books Camp Crowder, Missouri in World War I and Missouri Veterans, Monuments and Memorials. A veteran of the U.S. Army and Missouri National Guard, he is the recipient of the Jefferson Award for public service and makes his home in Russellville, Missouri, along with his wife, Tina.

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      Book preview

      Jefferson City at War - Jeremy P. Ämick

      project.

      INTRODUCTION

      After Missouri became the 24th state to enter the union, on August 10, 1821, several years passed before the City of Jefferson was established as the official seat of state government, heralded by the completion of the first capitol building in 1826. In the succeeding years, the community began to flourish as the river town established its economic footing and businesses and borders expanded. But the relatively peaceful climate enjoyed throughout the early decades of the city’s existence was not destined to last, and war soon interrupted the daily routines, leading to innumerable men being pulled from their personal endeavors and thrust into the bloody conflict known as the Civil War.

      Scores of songs, books, television shows, and movies have chronicled not only the impact this war had on the entire nation, but, more specifically, the consequences it had for Missouri and its towns, including Jefferson City. Yet, as is well documented in firsthand accounts written during the period, which are available through the Missouri State Museum, the hardy fighting spirit of these Missourians prevailed, and difficult times were overcome. This has served as a lesson for subsequent generations regarding the impact such conflicts can have within a community. Despite this overarching effect of the Civil War, later struggles unfolded for which local men and women sacrificed their time and, occasionally, their lives, in support of a cause they believed to be greater than themselves. The years, however, continued their grind forward and whittled away many of the firsthand recollections of service that occurred outside of the span of the Civil War, which have often faded from the public memory.

      Were it not for the photographs taken from Jefferson City resident and National Guardsman Clifford Porth (who later assumed ownership of the business founded by his father, Porth’s Jewelry, on High Street), many Jefferson City residents would be unaware of the past service of a National Guard unit once headquartered in the city. This photographic chronicle has its origins on June 18, 1916, when Pres. Woodrow Wilson issued an order mobilizing the National Guard in response to raiding parties and other depredations occurring along the United States-Mexico border. Answering the president’s call, the Missouri National Guard mobilized 5,030 soldiers under the command of Brig. Gen. Harvey C. Clark. The unit was sent to assist with the border troubles in what would later be recognized as the Mexican Border War.

      One of the multiple companies and units from Missouri deployed in support of the president’s call was Company L, 2nd Missouri Infantry. The company had been formed in 1897 in Jefferson City, was later disbanded, and was then reorganized in 1909. Many of the soldiers of the company lived and worked in Jefferson City. After returning to their hometown following the war, they often became successful business owners and pillars of the community. Of even greater interest, however, is that, just months after their return from the Mexican border, a large number of the company traveled to Europe to fight in World War I, after the company was federalized into service as a machine-gun company.

      In the weeks and months after Armistice Day, local men and women returned home and began to build families and businesses, as had happened following previous conflicts. Unfortunately, Jefferson City had sacrificed many of its own sons and daughters in support of the war against the Central Powers. Those fortunate enough to return could not have known that, in the coming years, many of their own sons and daughters would be called upon to fight in yet another world war. Some were drafted, some volunteered, but all proudly answered the nation’s call to the colors. And, as had been previously done by young men and women of Jefferson City, lives were sacrificed on behalf of their state and nation. Others returned to their homes, working to build a better community and earning respect and adoration by demonstrating in their daily lives the work ethic often refined while they served in the military.

      Later decades would see the same spirit of service and sacrifice, as young men and women deployed in support of the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Throughout the years, many brave individuals serving in the armed forces, though not originally from the area, were drawn to the community and chose to relocate to Jefferson City after their discharge. These newcomers inspired in others a level of pride and patriotism that continues to resonate to this day.

      This book will help walk the reader through Jefferson City’s military history, beginning with the Mexican Border War and continuing through the Vietnam War. Photographs will introduce the reader to the city’s rich past and highlight the spirit of volunteerism and dedication demonstrated by those who have donned a uniform in service to city, state, and nation. Welcome to the history of Jefferson City at war.

      One

      THE MEXICAN BORDER

      WAR AND WORLD WAR I

      Members of Company L, 2nd Missouri Infantry, perform bayonet exercises while stationed near Laredo, Texas, during the Mexican Border War. The unit,

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