South Dakota State Guard
In 1918, the South Dakota Legislature passed legislation allowing for the creation of a Home Guard.South Dakota's Home Guard, which was particularly active in protecting property from fire, reached a strength of 100 companies consisting of approximately 7,000 men by the end of the war.[2] Following the federalization of the South Dakota National Guard during World War II, South Dakota raised four companies of militia using the existing state legislation authorizing the National Guard, but did not request or receive federal recognition for these state units.The State Guard of World War II was organized into four companies, based in Aberdeen, Watertown, Pierre, and Sioux Falls.[2] South Dakota also created a state unit under the authority of the State Adjutant General in 1942 called the Fire Protection Force (FPF), consisting of two line companies and one headquarters company, in the Black Hills region to control fires in the region.