Major General George C. Rickards

Enlisted in the Pennsylvania National Guard on July 9, 1878 and had the distinction of having the longest continuous service of any officer or enlisted man in the Pennsylvania National Guard. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War General Rickards was a lieutenant colonel. He commanded the 16^th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment on the Mexican Border, July 3, 1916-January 17, 1917. Rickards was ordered into federal service as the Commander, 112^th Infantry, 28^th Division during the First World War. Additionally, General Rickards served as acting Commander, 56th Infantry Brigade, September 7-30, 1918. Participated in all of the 112^th's WWI campaigns, including Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, Oise-Marne, Meuse-Argonne, Champagne 1918, and Lorraine 1918. General Rickards received the Distinguished Service Medal for meritorious service during the First World War. Shortly after the signing of the Armistice on 11, November 1918 he attended the Paris caucus with many of the officers and enlisted men, representing the American Expeditionary Forces. It was there that the initial plans for the American Legion were formed. He was mustered out of service with his regiment on May 6, 1919. He attended the St. Louis caucus during the period of 17-19 March 1919. There our present day AmericanLegion was founded. Promoted to brigadier general in anticipation of the reorganization of the 28^th Division. Under the 1920 Amendment to the National Defense Act, General Rickards became the first National Guard officer appointed Chief, Militia Bureau. His term as Chief lasted from 1921 to 1925, completing a career in the National Guard which spanned six decades.

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