Alaska Territorial Guard
| Alaska Territorial Guard | |
|---|---|
Map showing the locations of Alaska Territorial Guard units (with membership counts), major military bases, and evacuated Aleutian villages.
|
|
| Active | June 1942 - March 31, 1947 |
| Country |
 United States of America
|
| Branch |
 United States Army
|
| Type | Military reserve force |
| Role | Defense of Alaska |
| Size | 6,389 personnel |
| Garrison/HQ | Juneau, Alaska Territory, United States |
| Nickname(s) | Eskimo Scouts |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Marvin R. Marston |
The Alaska Territorial Guard (ATG), more commonly the Eskimo Scouts, was a military reserve force component of the US Army, organized in 1942 in response to attacks on United States soil in Hawaii and occupation of parts of Alaska by Japan during World War II. The ATG operated until 1947. 6,368 volunteers who served without pay were enrolled from 107 communities throughout Alaska in addition to a paid staff of 21, according to an official roster. The ATG brought together for the first time into a joint effort members of these ethnic groups: Aleut, Athabaskan, White, Inupiaq, Haida, Tlingit, Tsimshian, Yupik, and most likely others. In later years, all members of some native units scored expert sharpshooter rankings. Among the 27 or more women members were at least one whose riflery skills exceeded the men. The ages of members at enrollment ranged from 80 years old to as young as twelve (both extremes occurring mostly in sparsely populated areas). As volunteers the Alaska Territorial Guard members were those that were too young or too old to be drafted during WWII.
One first-hand estimate states that around 20,000 Alaskans participated, officially or otherwise, in ATG reconnaissance or support activities.
The ATG served many vital strategic purposes to the entire Allied effort during World War II:
In addition to official duties, ATG members are noted for actively and successfully promoting racial integration within US military forces, and racial equality within the communities they protected.
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