"… Californians,
especially notoriously good fighters, were standing up to the
rack like men, dealing out to us the best they had. They rallied
at every call on them and went down with banners flying."
-John
W. Munson, Commenting on the California Cavalry Battalion from
Reminiscences of a Mosby Guerrilla.
Spanish
Soldado de Cuera - circa 1790 (US Army Art Collection)
Welcome to
California Military History Online!
Thank you for taking
the time to visit our web site. We hope you find it educational
and enlightening.
It should be noted that
this site does not glorify war. Rather, its intent is to remind
this and future generations of the sacrifices made by previous
generations to keep our state and nation free.
Californians have a long
and proud tradition of service that stretches back over two centuries
when Alta California was a Spanish colony and later a Mexican
province. Since joining the Union, California has provided more
of its citizens to our common defense than any other state. From
the lonely 18th century colonial presidios of the El Real Ejército
de California (Royal Spanish Army of California) to the mountains
of Afghanistan, Californians have always been there and continue
the tradition of selfless service.
Californians who have
served our nation reads like a who's who of American Military
History. Generals William T. Sherman, Henry Halleck and Joseph Hooker all served in the California State Militia before
the Civil War. Many of the leaders on both sides of that war served
in California. The California Volunteers were among the first
to enter Manila during the Spanish-American War. Nelson Holderman, considered by many to be the most
decorated American soldier of the First World War, served in the
California National Guard before and after the war. Generals George
Patton and James
Doolittle were native
Californians and Fleet Admiral Chester
Nimitz and General
of the Air Force Henry "Hap" Arnold considered California
their home state.
Again, thanks for "surfing
in" and we hope you visit us soon.
Status of
the California State Military Museum System
SACRAMENTO, February
2017: Six months ago we announced the ground breaking of the
new California State Military Museum in Sacramento. Since then
we have been making steady progress. Since then the museum team
has:
Taken possession of
the first of five buildings at the 28th and B streets site. This
building will serve as a workshop and large item storage area.
We are also preparing an additional building for transfer; this
is a large open warehouse that will become the main public space.
Prepared the initial
proposed floor plans which have been delivered to the Military
Department's facilities branch for the development of architectural
and engineering plans.
Received over $100,000
worth of display cases from the California Department of Parks
and Recreation.
Received an operational
M113A2 Armored Personnel Carrier from the Solano County Sheriff's
Department. The Lake County Sheriff's Department plans to send
us another M113A2. Please see the story below for details on
this major donation.
While we will use some
appropriated funds for the development of the site, many items
such as new display cases, mannequins, mobile display sets and
conservation and restoration supplies and services will need
to be funded by private donors and sponsorships.
We would encourage
you to consider making a tax deductible donation to the California
State Military Museum via the California Military Department
Support Fund.
The Military
Department Support Fund (MDSF)
On January 1, 2013,
the State of California amended California Military & Veterans
Code Section 412.5 to allow the California Military Department
to conduct its own fundraising! This law is similar in concept
to the federal Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) laws but
is far more powerful and provides greater capabilities. The California
Military Department Support Fund created the statute, which authorizes
the Adjutant General to establish specified support programs
for the benefit of California Service Members and their families,
and to support military-sponsored youth programs throughout the
state. To accomplish this goal, the state authorizes the Military
Department to solicit and accept funds, donations, equipment,
and services from private individuals, organizations and companies.
On May 1, 2015, the
Adjutant General approved California Military Department Regulation
215-1, which operationalizes this law. It provides the framework
to allow the Military Department to move forward on fundraising
and procedures to ensure internal controls and other processes
are transparent and accountable. The Soldiers and Airmen of the
California National Guard have tremendous needs that are separate
and distinct from the regular active component military.
These tax-deductible
donations could be used for quality-of-life programs that directly
support readiness by providing a variety of community, unit,
and family support programs, as well as activities and services
for our Soldiers, Airmen, and cadets. Included would be military
history and museum, social, fitness, recreational, educational,
and other programs that enhance community life, foster unit readiness,
promote mental and physical fitness, and provide a working environment
that attracts and retains quality soldiers and airmen.
Currently we are only
accepting artifact donations on an exception basis only. Please
email description and photos to curator@militarymuseum.org
Approved
by CMD PAO, MDSF & Dir of Mus Opns
SACRAMENTO, September
2016: Opened in 1991, The California State Military Museum was
operated for the California Military Department by a non-profit
organization, as the State did not have a mechanism to receive
donated artifacts and funds. The museum operated under this arrangement
until 2013 when a combination of factors resulted in the termination
of the relationship with that non-profit organization. At the
same time the state's budget crisis and limitations on state
funds resulted in the closing of the Sacramento museum, which
was occupying very expensive commercial rental property in Old
Sacramento. In the interim, the Camp Roberts
Historical Museum
is functioning as the State's official military museum and US
Army Museum Activity until the Sacramento museum is reestablished.
The Military Department's strategic plan for the museum system
is located HERE
The California Military
Department is proud to announce the planned reestablishment of
the California State Military Museum as part of an overall statewide
museum system. On June 30, 2016, The Adjutant General of California,
Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin, and the commanding general of the
California State Military Reserve, Brig. Gen. (CA) Frank Emanuel,
symbolically broke ground at the site of the California State
Military Museum and Center for Military History at its new site
located at 2814 B Street in Midtown Sacramento. The three- acre,
state- owned site consists of 75,000 square feet of display,
educational, administration and artifact storage and conservation
space.
The site, currently a Military Department logistical facility,
will be converted in stages to a state-of-the-art museum and
historical research center focusing on all aspects of military
history as it relates to California and its people. The museum's
coverage will span from 1769, with the establishment of the first
Spanish military presence in San Diego, to the present fight
against terrorism.
To view the groundbeaking
of the new museum complex in Sacramento, CLICK HERE
The Sacramento museum will be an addition to the already established
museum at the Camp Roberts Maneuver Training Center located in
Southern Monterey County. A third museum is in the planning stages
and will be located at the 7th Street Armory in Long Beach. In
addition to these three public museums, major exhibit areas are
going to be located at the Joint Forces Training Base-Los Alamitos,
San Diego National Guard Armory and Fresno Air National Guard
Base.
Leadership for this enterprise rests with Col. (CA) John Goodnight,
commander of the State Military Reserve's Military Heritage Command,
with Col. (CA) Fred Rutledge serving as director of museum operations
and Sgt. Maj (CA) Dan Sebby serving as curator of the museum
system.
You can support the museum system by making a contribution to
the California State Military Museums at www.californiamilitarymuseum.org. A recent change in California
state law now gives the California Military Department the authority
to solicit and receive tax- deductible monetary contributions
for the California State Military Museum System without requiring
the use of an outside non-profit organization.
For your tax- planning purposes here are the Federal and California
tax citations:
