History of the National Guard in Geneseo
The command element and the main body of A 2-108 Infantry is located in Geneseo, New York. Geneseo has a long and glorious military history. During the militia times prior to the American Civil War, Geneseo hosted the regimental commander of the 94th NYSM, 39th Bde., 22nd Division. His name was Colonel James Wood Junior, a prominent Geneseo lawyer. Colonel Wood was promoted to Brigadier General in 1854 and placed in command of the 27th Brigade, New York State Militia. General Wood volunteered to the lead the 136th New York Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. He had to take a demotion to Colonel in order to lead the regiment. The 104th NYVI Infantry mustered at Camp Union which was located at the top of upper Court Street in Geneseo. Major General James S. Wadsworth lived in the mansion across the street from the armory. He served as the 1st Division commander of the Ist Corp at the Battle of Gettysburg, the Iron Brigade fell in under his command. General Wadsworth was killed in action at the Battle of the Wilderness in May 1864.
The following is the lineage of A 2-108 Infantry headquartered in Geneseo.
1914-Troop M, 1st NY Cavalry. Armory located in Avon, New York
1916-Troop M deployed to the Mexican Border
1917-Troop M was called up for Federal Active Duty to serve in WWI. The 1st NY Cav was broken up to form machine gun battalions in the 27th Infantry Division. This is where the modern A 2-108 got its nick name the "Roughnecks" from. General John F. O'Ryan was the commander of the 27th Infantry Division which was made up of primarily New Yorkers. The General was one of the few National Guard Division Commanders to remain in command throughout the war. The soldiers in his division were known as "O'Ryan's Roughnecks."
1919-Troop M is reorganized in Geneseo at the Armories present location.
1922-The indoor riding hall is completed which today serves as the drill floor.
1929-Troop M, 1st NY Cavalry re-designated as Troop I, 121st Cavalry
1940-Re-designated as Troop B, 101st Cav.
1941-Mobilized for WW II and deploys with the regiment's horses which never return to Geneseo. Troop B, 101st Cav. was split up and formed the nucleus for Troop E and Troop F, 101st Cavalry Recon. Squadron (Mech).
1944-101st Cav. deploys to the European Theater.
1945-Enters the front line at Emmerswailer-wadgasser, Germany. On V-E Day, 101st Cav. was attached to the 101st Airborne at Saelfelden, Austria. The 101st Cav. was redeployed to Camp Campbell, KY and began training for combat against the Japanese. The war ended before the regiment was deployed and the men were sent home.
1947-27th Mechanized Cavalry Recon Company, 27th Infantry Division was organized.
1948-Re-designated the 27th Mech Recon Co., (Company dropped the Cav designation.)
1955-Re-designated Company A, 27th Recon Battalion.
1959-Re-designated Troop A, 1st Recon Squadron, 121st Armor, 27th Infantry Division.
1963-Re-designated Troop A, 1st Recon Squadron, 121st Cavalry.
1963-Geneseo Armory is upgraded.
1968-Re-designated Troop B, 5th Squadron, 117th Cavalry
1975-Re-designated Troop C, 1st Squadron, 101st Cav. with detachment in Hornell.
1990-Re-designated D Company, 1-108 Infantry, 42nd Infantry (Mech).
1995-Re-designated A Compnay, 1-108 Infantry, 27th Brigade (Light).
2005-Re-designated A Company, 2-108 Infantry, 27th Brigade (Light).
The unit history series will continue with the lineage of the 108th Infantry as well as the lineage of the Batavia Armory.
