California State Military Department
The California State Military Museum
Preserving California's Military Heritage
California State Militia and National Guard Unit Histories
1st Evacuation Regiment
(California State Guard)
 
Woodies going to War! An inspection of the 1st Evacuation Regiment, February 1942
 
Also known as the 1st Evacuation Corps, the unit was formed in response to the fears that the anticipated Japanese invasion would require a massive evacuation of Southern California. Sort of like the “taxicab army” of the First World War, it was planned to organize and use civilian station wagons to evacuate families and individuals without personal transportation.
 
Many Hollywood actors were among the Regiment’s members. Cliff Arquette (who made appearances on Jack Paar's Tonight Show as Charlie Weaver) and Buster Keaton (who served with the 40th Division in World War I) were privates, Robert Young was a Major, and Lewis Stone (then appearing as Judge Hardy in the Andy Hardy films) was their commander with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
 
The regiment was mustered out of service on 27 March 1942 in accordance with General Orders Number 20, Office of the Adjutant General.

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