Philadelphia (1900-1910)

The Troop started the new century in a new armory. On November 17, 1900, the corner- stone of the new armory was laid. The Troop occupied our new home on April 29,1901 by hosting a “Troop Night” celebration. The years prior to the World War were spent much as the pre-Spanish-American years, with training and ceremony. Three items marked this period. The Troop answered the call of the Governor and served in Luzerne county during the 1902 coal strikes. We escorted several Presidents during this period, and in 1904 conducted ceremonies for Governor Pennypacker at the St Louis Exposition.

Philadelphia and the Mexican Border (1910-1916)

The period of the second decade of this century saw the Troop fully involved in the national military training movement known as “Preparedness” as well as continuing to observe our traditional customs and escorts of notables. In 1916 the Troop voted to expand the size of the Active Roll, at the suggestion of Captain McFadden. Later in 1916 the Troop, along with the rest of the National Guard, was nationalized and posted to Fort Bliss on the Mexican-Texas border. The 142d Anniversary of the troop was celebrated at the Hotel Paso Del Notre; while Washington’s church service was commemorated at St. James’ Episcopal Church in Philadelphia and at St. Clement’s in El Paso. The Troop returned from the border in time to celebrate General Washington’s Birthday, at home with friends and family, in Philadelphia.

World War I and period (1917-1920)

The international situation continued to deteriorate and the 28 th Division was reorganized, but without provisions for Cavalry. Several troopers attended military training schools in order to qualify as officers and the Troop itself was redesignated as a trench mortar battery. The troop was deployed to Europe and saw action in the Argonne Forest as well as other locations. The Troop returned from Europe and continued to observe its traditional customs and escort duties. It was reassigned to its traditional role as Cavalry in 1920.

Pennsylvania between the World Wars (1921-1939)

During the period between the World Wars the Troop continued to perform traditional duties, serving as a training ground for National Guard Officers and training as a military cavalry unit. We escorted numerous members of royalty, and distinguished persons from this country and from abroad. The years of 1924 and 1925 were filled with numerous escorts and ceremonies celebrating the sesquicentennial of the nation and the Troop. significant state event occurred during this period. In 1936 the Troop was called to active state duty, to aid in the recovery efforts following the “Johnstown Flood”.

World War II (1940- 1949)

By 1940, the world situation dictated that the United States must once again prepare for war, and military training was again being emphasized. As a result the troop had to function in a variety of new military and political roles as well as maintain its traditional duties. The Troop was redesignated Troop A of the 104 th Cavalry Regiment in September of 1940 and served as an active military unit from 1941 until 1945. The Troop sadly said good-bye to its mounts during a heavy rain on April 2, 1942. The Troop served two major missions stateside during the war; patrolling the Delaware River and afterwards patrolling the Pacific coast first near the Columbia River and then later in Southern California. In February 1945 the Troop was dispatched to Europe, where it served in Belgium and Germany, and it returned to the United States and was inactivated by the end of 1945. The Troop was redesignated once again in the spring of 1946 as the Reconnaissance Troop, 28 th Division. During this period of general reorganization and confusion within the military it continued to perform both its traditional and military duties. Once again several troopers, with guidance from the Troop leadership, underwent training and were commissioned officers, both within and outside of the Troop.

Korean War (1950-1953)

In the fall 1950, the Troop was Federalized. The Troop was posted to Camp Atterbury, Indiana, where it was refitted and assigned new personnel. It trained there and in the Fort Bragg area and was posted to Bavaria, near Munich in November of 1951. The troop served in Germany until it returned to the United States in the summer of 1952. Once again, as they had during World War II the officers and gentlemen of the non-active and honorary roles assumed the tasks of maintaining the armory and fulfilling traditional duties during the absence of the active roll personnel. This pattern would be employed in the future when general activation and deployment of the Troop took the active role personnel out of the Armory for extended periods.

Philadelphia (1954-1960)

The rest of the decade saw the Troop performing its traditional duties and taking part in the almost continuous reorganization of the national guard. One significant event occurred in 1954, the establishment of the “Boyer Memorial Scholarship Program”.

Trooper John Boyer had tragically died, in an accident, during the summer. His father, Honorary Francis Boyer’s, generosity, supported by the generosity of other family and friends, founded the fund. The fund and scholarship program exist to this day.

Philadelphia (1961-1969)

This was a period of transition for the Troop. The twin military pressures of the Viet-Nam conflict and the concept of combined arms operations caused several effects in the National Guard as a whole and the Troop itself. The guard reorganization in 1964 resulted in the Troop becoming Troop “A” of the 223 rd Cavalry. The unit was increased to 134 officers and men and equipment now included tanks, armored personnel carriers and mortars. The unit trained in several states outside of Pennsylvania and the squadron itself had troops assigned from Virginia and New York. Operations on the ceremonial and traditional fronts continued at full pace. The armory underwent significant repair during the decade and was closed for a period. It was rededicated in May of 1969. TheTroop continued observing its traditional meetings and turn-outs. The escorts during this period included President Eisenhower and foreign officials, such as the Royal Pricess of Sweden.

Philadelphia (1970-1999)

The cold war was in full operation during this period and the duties of the Troop reflected the pressures of the cold war and the draft. The concept of 2 days a month and two weeks a summer of drill became firmly entrenched and combined arms operations was the rule of training. Toward the end of this period the use of virtual training devices became more firmly established. A number of significant events marked the Troop’s performance of traditional duties during this period. The Troop continued to escort national and international figures including the Irish Prime Minister, hosting President and Mrs. Nixon at the Armory, and taking part in the Inauguration of President Bush. The Troop’s excellent Museum was opened on January 23, 1972. The years of 1975 and 1976 witnessed many events associated with the Bicentennial Anniversaries of the Troop and the Nation. Two events that stand out were the Troop’s Ride from Philadelphia to Cambridge, in honor of the escort of “new” General Washington in 1775 and the participation of troopers in St. Croix in 1976 in honor of our first Captain Abraham Markoe. The final years of the century witnessed the end of the cold war and saw a new emphasis being placed upon training to meet the dangers of terrorism.

OUR HISTORY: 1700-1799  |   OUR HISTORY: 1800-1899  |   OUR HISTORY: 2000-2004