In war and in peace, the militia of the State of Maryland has
served with great distinction. For the past eight decades, the 229th
Transportation Battalion, or its parent units, has figured prominently
in the achievement of an outstanding record for the Maryland Na-
tional Guard. It was first called, I am told, the Monumental City
Guards, organized in 1879, and three years later it became a company
of the Maryland National Guard. Designated as the first separate
company of the National Guard, it was activated, trained and sent
to active duty in the Spanish American War. At the outbreak of the
First World War, the Company was mobilized and mustered into
active federal service, and, in April of 1918, as a unit of the 372nd
Infantry Regiment, it entered combat, serving with gallantry on the
historic battlefields of Argonne Forest, Verdun and Alsace-Lorraine.
One of its sergeants was awarded the French Croix de Guerre with
silver star for leading the company to battle when its commander
was seriously wounded, and the company shared honors with the
other units when the regiment was awarded the Croix de Guerre with
palms by the French for the heroic manner in which it accomplished
its mission on the field of battle.

When war clouds loomed again in 1940, the unit was designated as
service company of the 372nd Infantry Regiment, and in March,
1941, it was mustered into active federal service, performing in en-
campments here at home and finally on overseas duty in Hawaii.

In the Korean engagement, several units of this battalion, under
your commanding officer, Col. Vernon F. Greene, performed in a
superior manner in our country's struggle with the communists. For
its service in Korea, the battalion, then designated as the 231st, was
awarded many high honors. Among the accomplishments that have
been cited is that, during 1953, its trucks traveled 7, 143, 285 miles,
carrying 1, 492, 198 tons of cargo and 917, 881 passengers.

This is a grand history—a history which should inspire in the
hearts of all the officers and the men of the 229th Transportation
Battalion a pride in outfit that is so essential to the morale and
spirit of any military organization.

As your Governor, and by our Constitution, your commander-in-
chief, it is a high honor to take part in this ceremony in which we
dedicate a new home for the battalion and the companies which
comprise it. As we do so, let us all recall the splendid role that the
militia has played in the history of our State and nation, and let us
dedicate ourselves to the security of our republic and to the preser-
vation of our liberties and our way of life.

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