Utah Army National Guard

Utah Army National Guard
US Army National Guard Insignia
Country	United States
Allegiance	Utah
Branch	Army National Guard
Type	ARNG Headquarters Command
Part of	Utah National Guard
Garrison/HQ	Draper, Utah

The Utah National Guard comprises both Army and Air National Guard components. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions. The National Guard is the only United States military force empowered to function in a state status.

The Utah Army National Guard maintains 30 armories in 27 communities.

The Utah Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization. National coordination of various state National Guard units are maintained through the National Guard Bureau.

In one sense the Utah Army National Guard was originally formed in 1849. In 1847, as Mormon settlers began arriving in what become known as Utah, it was realized that some sort of militia would be needed to protect the new settlements. The core of this new militia were former members of the Nauvoo Legion, which was formed in Nauvoo, Illinois around 1840. For a number of years members of the Utah-based militia could be seen wearing elements of the old Nauvoo Legion uniforms. This new Utah based militia would also be referred to as the Nauvoo Legion. Some of the Utah-based Nauvoo Legion would carry lances, giving them a unique look when on horseback. Members of the Mormon Battalion, after finally arriving in Utah after the end of the Mexican-American War, would also join the new Nauvoo Legion.

The Nauvoo Legion was necessarily involved in the would-be conflict between Mormons and Federal forces sent to Utah in the late 1850s. After it was apparent no major hostilities would break out, a somewhat more conciliatory relationship developed between Federal troops and the Legion.

In 1857 the honorable reputation of the Utah-based Nauvoo Legion took a blow when Nauvoo Legion members in Iron County participated in the murder of 120 immigrants moving through Utah to California. This event is known as the Mountain Meadows massacre. The Utah-based Nauvoo Legion participated in numerous efforts to quell problems with Indians, and also did certain protective duties in Utah during the Civil War.