Ohio Naval Militia
| Ohio Naval Militia | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Active | 1896–1947, 1977–present |
| Country |
 United States
|
| Allegiance |
 Ohio
|
| Branch | Navy |
| Type | State Government |
| Role | State Defense Force |
| Headquarters | Camp Perry, Port Clinton, Ohio |
| Website | navalmilitia |
| Commanders | |
| Commandant | Rear Admiral Robin E. Osborn |
The Ohio Naval Militia (Ohio Navy) is an organized naval unit that has been serving the State of Ohio and the United States since 1896. It is the naval arm of the State of Ohio's Adjutant General's Department, and is therefore part of Ohio's State Defense Forces.
Their operational headquarters are on the Ohio National Guard's Camp Perry Training Site, in Port Clinton, Ohio, on the shores of Lake Erie.
Members, who range from 17–67 years old, typically drill one weekend a month and one long weekend in the summer. From the month of April, through October, the drills consist primarily of patrolling the impact area of Lake Erie immediately adjacent to Camp Perry's firing range.
On March 1, 1896, an act was passed by the Ohio General Assembly providing for the organization of two battalions to be known as the Naval Brigade of the National Guard of Ohio. Without funds for outfitting or maintenance, they mustered in Toledo in July and through further organization, one battalion was located in Cleveland and one in Toledo.
In 1898, the United States Congress declared war against Spain. In an effort to get Spain out of Cuba, President William McKinley was authorized to use all land and naval forces, as well as militia to enforce Congressional demands. At this time, the naval forces in the State of Ohio became the Ohio Naval Militia (ONM). The Ohio Naval Militia participated in the war, fighting as part of the 10th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
The ONM later purchased the old revenue cutter Andrew Johnson, which was refitted accordingly. The U.S. Navy also assigned the USS Michigan to train naval militias on the Great Lakes. The first training was at Johnson's Island in Sandusky Bay in July 1897.
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Wikipedia