The New York National Guard Soldiers serving today are part of an unbroken line of defense from militia units first organized in 1636. Throughout history, the National Guard always had a dual role, serving at home in times of emergencies by order of the governor, while also serving the nation when called upon by presidential order; such as this deployment to support the global war against violent extremism.
The 101st Signal Battalion traces its linage back to December 1886 as the Provisional Signal Corps of the 1st and 2nd Brigades.
Reorganized in July 1903 as the 1st and 2d Signal Corps Companies, they were consolidated on February 7th, 1914 as the 1st Battalion, Signal Corps.
The new battalion was first called into federal service in June 1916 to serve on the US-Mexican border and then in Europe during World War I, were it took part in the Somme Offensive.
In June 1921, the unit re-designated as the 101st Signal Battalion.
With global conflict looming on the horizon once again, the Battalion was mustered into federal service in January 1941. The Battalion served in the Pacific Theater during World War II where it provided signal support for the liberation of Leyte Island of the Philippines in 1944, earning the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. The Battalion then went on to provide signal support for US and allied forces during the Volcano and Ryukyu Islands Campaign, more commonly known as the Battle for Iwo Jima and the Battle of Okinawa.
The Battalion was called to serve again in 1950 as the crisis on the Korean Peninsula began to escalate. The unit took part in the US-led United Nations campaign to maintain stability and freedom in the region. For its service, the battalion received the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.
In 2012 the 101 mobilized to support the Global War on Terror. The Unit served in Afghanistan where it provided critical signal support to strategic and ground forces during Operation Enduring Freedom. Due of the efforts and achievement of its Soldiers, the 101st Signal Battalion was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation on September 4th, 2014.
Today, these Soldiers before us are stepping forward to provide the best in communications expertise, advisement, and technical skill in the fight against violent extremism as part of Operation Inherent Resolve.