By Dan Shine
Voice Columnist
West Haven Veterans Museum
Part I
See part 2
Every story begins somewhere: This one begins in 1639 with the earliest organization of what would become the 102nd Infantry Regiment. Its initial role was to protect the New Haven Colony from attack by “savages, pirates and hostile forces.”
By 1739, the unit became the 2nd Company, Connecticut Governor’s Foot Guards, and was led brilliantly by military hero Captain Benedict Arnold who, as we know, would later disgrace himself as a traitor and blacken his name forever.
In 1816, the New Haven Grays were formed from the units of the Second Regiment; from this period until the Civil War, their primary role was to maintain order in the city of New Haven.
In 1861, the Grays were called up to serve in the 27th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. Although they were a “90-day regiment” they were engaged in the Civil War Battles of Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg.
In 1916 the unit was sent to the Mexican border in response to the actions by Pancho Villa.
In 1917 the Grays became part of the 102nd Regiment: They were sent to France, fought many battles in the Great War, and the Regiment was highly decorated. They brought along into battle a dog named Stubby, who was the most highly decorated dog of World War I. Stubby’s story will follow in a future column here.
In 1942 the unit became part of the 43rd Division; they were sent to the Pacific Theater, where they saw a great deal of action. After the war, in 1950, some of their number were sent to Korea, and others served as occupation forces in Germany. The unit continues to operate as part of the Connecticut National Guard, even unto this day. Its most recent action has been as part of Operating Enduring Freedom.
The New Haven Armory, located on Goffe Street, was developed in 1926, and served as home for Connecticut National Guard and Second Company Governor’s Footguard. Ownership of the armory was transferred to the City of New Haven in 2009 when both guard units moved to other facilities and the armory was deemed surplus: The Grays artifacts were now without a home: They were removed for storage and packed most unceremoniously into a leaky truck trailer.
Telephone (203) 934-1111
30 Hood Terrace (across from the railroad station)
Hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m to 2 p.m.
To be continued.