Page 59 - history-of-military-units-in-columbia-county-fl-(1970)-robert-gary-shields

History of Military Units in Columbia County, FL (1970) Robert Gary Shields

1920 - 1941

In the reorganization of the Florida National Guard after W.W.I.,
the 5th. Separate Company of Infantry was organized in Lake City, Fla.

Feb. 17, 1920. On April 16, it was mustered into the National Guard
with the following officers;

Capt. Talmage C. Young
■1st. Lt. Thomas H. Bates
2nd. Lt. Luther L. Kinard

During this period, between the two world wars, the unit is Lake
City went through a number of reorganizations, redesignations, and
officers. Aid from the Federal Government was increased, along with

effective training and instruction, to make these 20 odd years ones
of rebuilding the Lake City unit into one of the finest in the State.
A number of officers were produced who had outstanding records in

both State and Federal service; such as Robert B. Harkness, E. A.
Wright, James Y. Wilson, and many many others. There were several

periods of State Active Duty; the longest be in.■ when the Company,
under the command of Capt. Edmund A. Wright and Lt. Robt. B. Harkness,
was on Mediterranean fruit fly quarantine duty at Ochlocknee River from

July, 1928 to Feb. 1929; and the most interesting bein.g when the
unit was sent to the Florida State Penitentiary to guard Zangara, the
man who fired at Franklin D. Roosevelt and killed the mayor of

Chicago, in March, 1932.

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