Black History
The observance of African American / Black History Month was established by Public Law 99-244. This observance runs through the month of February and celebrates the contributions of African Americans to our nation.
![Black Soldiers listening to instruction in 1950.](/oharng/37th/237th/hhc/18810718-organized.png)
JULY 18, 1881: The 237th Support Battalion is organized as the 9th Battalion of Infantry.
The battalion was organized as a segregated, all-black unit, until the Ohio National Guard was integrated in 1954. During World War I, as the 2nd Battalion, 372nd Infantry, the unit earned the French Croix de Guerre for its heroic charge on German defensive positions near Montois, France during the Meuse-Argonne campaign.
![Commanding general presents the guidon to the battery commander.](/oharng/73rd/137th/cb-638th-sb/19471030-organized2.png)
OCTOBER 30, 1947:
Company B, 638th Support Battalion
Company B, 638th Support Battalion is organized in Columbus, Ohio as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 183rd Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion. When the unit was organized, it was a segregated, all-black unit that served with the 37th Infantry Division on active duty from 1952 to 1954.
Ohio National Guard Equal Opportunity/
Diversity
and Inclusion Program
SNAPSHOTS
![Ohio Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Jordan Hopson in uniform.](/stories/2021/aug/20210827-hopson.png)
08.27.2021Tech. Sgt. Jordan Hopson of the 121st Air Refueling Wing
![Master Sgt. Aaron Foy in uniform](/stories/2021/apr/20210415-saam-foy.png)
04.15.2021
Master Sgt. Aaron Foy
![Gadison in mask in front of pallets of masks.](/stories/covid19/images/stories/20210121-profile-gadison.png)
01.22.2021
Pfc. Tremaya Montgomery-Gadison
![Soldier stands with arms crossed in warehouse.](/stories/covid19/images/stories/20200403-148th-elama.png)
04/03/2020 ~ Spc. Jacque Elama shares story of becoming U.S. citizen
![Airman stands in front of school.](/stories/2019/jan/citizen-4765177.png)
01.22.2019
Staff Sgt. Patrick Williams
![Commanding general presents the guidon to the battery commander.](/programs/inclusion/mlk/20190121-breakfast.png)
01.21.2019 ~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast
![Black and white pic of soldiers at a control range.](/programs/inclusion/bhm/1950s-137th-20129815039.png)
1950s
137th Anti-Aircraft
Artillery Battalion
![Black and white pic of soldiers eating out of back of vehicle.](/programs/inclusion/bhm/1950s-137th.png)
1950s
137th Anti-Aircraft
Artillery Battalion
![Black and white pic of soldiers at attention.](/programs/inclusion/bhm/1950s-372nd-infantry.png)
1950s
372nd Infantry Battalion
![Black and white pic of soldiers loading weapon.](/programs/inclusion/bhm/1988-howitzer-battery.png)
1988
Howitzer Battery, 3rd Squadron, 107th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
Lt. Jonnierah Smith
STORY ARCHIVE
02/22/2021 Stow armory named for U.S. Colored Troops hero during Civil War
02.07.2018: 'A Beacon of Hope:' Staff Sgt. Eric Piime's story
02.07.2018: Humble beginnings,
big goals for Ohio National Guard member from Kenya
02.20.2018: Living the Dream: 180th Fighter Wing Airman from Military Family happy to just be herself
02.20.2018: Former ONG Soldier inducted into Ohio Military Hall of Fame
05.04.2018: Swapping a cap and gown for a hospital gown
08.02.2018: 121st ARW honors Tuskegee Airman
at Rickenbacker track dedication