The S.C. Militia lives on
By Warner M.Montgomery Warner@TheColumbiaStar.com

Ed Latimer (l) holds a S.C. State Guard uniform used in 1941 and picked up at a flea market by Col. Jack A. Meyer (r). Meyer spoke to the Torch Club on the history of the S.C. State Guard November 27, 2007.

The U.S. Supreme Court is about to take on the hotly debated Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. The question the judges will consider is whether the right to bear arms is guaranteed to individuals or just the state.

At the November Torch Club meeting, Col. Jack A. Meyer, Ph.D. broached the subject with a history of South Carolina's militia. Meyer retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1976, earned his Ph.D. from USC and taught military history there until 1994. He has been a member of the S.C. State Guard for 14 years.

Speaking from his 2007 publication, The South Carolina State Guard, A Brief History, Meyer reminded his audience the concept of a citizen militia began with the fyrd of Anglo- Saxon England - All able- bodied men were required to keep arms to protect their county.

South Carolina's militia began with the establishment of Charles Town in 1670 and has continued through several reorganizations ever since. The American Revolution was fought to a large degree by local militia. But, the standard rule the voluntary force could not fight outside of its established territory, ie, a state, was stretched to the breaking point during the War of 1812 and the Mexican- American War of 1848.

During the Civil War, most Federal and Confederate forces were voluntary militias supposedly operating in defense of their states. In the late 19th century, the idea of a National Guard became popular - volunteer militia forces to back up the regular U.S. military.

After the Spanish- American War debacle, Congress moved toward federalizing the National Guard and creating the National Reserve. During World War I, the National Guard became an integral part of the Federal forces, so State Guards (Home Guards) were created to protect the home front. Brig. Gen. Henry T. Thompson commanded the S.C. State Guard.

The S.C. Defense Force (SCDF) was created in 1941 with Adj. Gen. James C. Dozier as commander. They dressed in Confederate gray until supplied Army uniforms in 1942. The 475 officers (including Strom Thurmond) and 5308 enlisted men served without pay. In 1944, the SCDF was renamed the S.C. State Guard and assisted in the defense of the S.C. coast from German submarines. After the war, the State Guard was demobilized.

In 1981, S.C. authorized a newly organized State Guard under the Adjutant General. It soon had 81 officers (including Ed Latimer) and 91 enlisted personnel.

The S.C. State Guard assisted with recovery efforts following Hurricanes Hugo and Floyd. Its primary mission has been to support civil authorities in such events as the Graniteville train wreak, the Carolina Cup, Winnsboro's Rock Around the Clock Festival, and funerals of retired military personnel.

Nelson C. Lacy is the current commander of the S.C. State Guard. Edwin G. McGowan is command sergeant major. The S.C. Guard consists of 387 officer, 74 warrant officers, and 553 enlisted personnel. Men and women of all racial and ethnic groups serve in S.C.'s all- volunteer citizen militia.

The Torch Club meets monthly for dinner and a speech by a member. Contact Ed Latimer at 803-776- 4765.