Our Proud History
World War II
In 1940 it was clear that war was again at hand. The 240th Coast Artillery was activated for Federal service and, six months later, the remainder of the Maine National Guard was inducted to “flesh out” the Army in a general mobilization of forces on 24 February 1941. The 103rd Infantry, the 152nd Field Artillery and the 86th Brigade joined other New England units as part of the 43rd Infantry Division. During World War II this division saw extensive combat and served in the following battles: Guadalcanal, New Guinea, Northern Solomons and Luzan. The unit was inactivated at Camp Stoneman in California on 1 November 1945.
In 1947, with the establishment of the Department of Defense, the Maine Air National Guard was born as a Reserve Component of the US. Air Force. Henceforth the name Maine National Guard is inclusive of both the Maine Army and Air National Guard.
For their participation in World War II with service in the Philippine Islands, the following units were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation: 262nd Engineer Battalion, 240th Engineer Battalion, 133rd Engineer Battalion and the 152nd Maintenance Company.
