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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, Congress declared war
against Spain. In an effort to get Spain out of Cuba, the
President 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 Spanish American 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 of 1897.
In
1936, a new Naval Militia Armory, located in Bayview Park in
Toledo and built by the W.P.A. was dedicated. It served the
needs of the ONM until 1947 when it was taken over by the
newly-formed U.S. Naval Reserve.
The ONM was
deactivated following World War II, and remained so for nearly
30 years. In 1974, the former Lieutenant Governor, John W.
Brown began the process of reactivating the Ohio Naval
Militia; and on November 1, 1977 the ONM was reactivated with
John W. Brown as the first commandant.
Currently the
Ohio Naval Militia is headquartered at the Adjutant General's
Department, 2925 W. Dublin Granville Rd, Columbus, Ohio. The
ONM's operations center is located at the Camp Perry Training
Site near Port Clinton, Ohio. It consists of a
communications/operations center, office space, training
facilities, a workshop, and barracks.
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