Contact a New York Army National Guard RecruiterContact a New York Air National Guard RecruiterJoin the New York Naval MilitiaVisit nationalguard.comJoin the Air National GuardJoin the New York GuardBecome an Army National Guard OfficerBecome A Warrant OfficerJoin the Military Funeral Honors TeamJobsBonusesIntegrated Primary Prevention Workforce (IPPW)JobsAwards & DecorationsSuicide PreventionSexual Assault Prevention & Response (SAPR)NYS DMNA WebEOCMedical CommandService Record RequestLegal AffairsJ2 Joint Training & ExercisesChaplain ServicesEducation ServicesHuman ResourcesInspector GeneralR3SP ProgramSmall Arms Readiness & Training SectionYellow Ribbon Reintegration ProgramRetirement ServicesNY National Guard Immigration AssistanceG-6 Customer Service Help DeskCommand PhotosBonusesHealthcareID Card (CAC) Office LocatorNew York Patriot planState Active Duty BenefitsJobsChaplain ServicesEducation ServicesESGR AssistanceNew York Patriot planState Active Duty (SAD)Suicide PreventionMilitary Funeral HonorsArmy National Guard BonusesHealthcarePress RoomAbout DMNAAwards & DecorationsWorld Trade Center Benefits ProgramNY National Guard Immigration AssistanceNY National Guard Annual ReportsNYS DMNA Strategic Direction 2029Citizen Preparedness Training Corps
FOIL/FOIAService Record RequestNew York Counterdrug ProgramMilitary Funeral HonorsMilitary Aircraft in the AdirondacksNYARNG Environmental ComplianceNew York State BudgetNew Yorkers Volunteer websiteDMNA State & Federal ContractingNot-for-Profit Corporations Benefiting the Armed Forces of the United StatesNews StoriesNY National Guard WatchJFHQ - Guard Times MagazineJournals/Blogs53TC - Minuteman NewsletterUpload MediaNYNG on DVIDSPhoto ArchiveSkibird Magazine ArchiveVideo Archive
MENANDS, NY-A New York Army National Guard Color Guard joins Civil War reenactors and members of the Patriot Guard, in honoring Civil War Soldier 1st Sgt. William Francis, a member of the famed 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the first Black unit to fight in the Union Army. Local Civil War historians identified Francis' unmarked grave at historic Albany Rural Cemetery and arranged for the Veterans Administration to provide a new stone to mark his final resting place.
Francis, who enlisted as a private, served throughout the Civil War, including the 54th's assault on Fort Wagner, South Carolina, made famous in the 1989 movie "Glory".
DMNA Press Releases
Loading Press Releases...NY National Guard In the News
Times Union -- Thu, 05 Feb 2026 Schumer announces $194 million secured for Skibird planes used by 109th Airlift Wing GLENVILLE U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Wednesday that he and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand had secured $194 million to start building the next-generation LC-130H Skibird... (more)
News Directory 3 -- Thu, 05 Feb 2026 Harlem Hell Fighters: Black WWI Heroes & Jazz Pioneers Remembering the Harlem Hellfighters: A Legacy of Courage and Jazz As Black History Month continues, today, February 5, 2026, we remember the extraordinary story of the 369th Infantry Regiment,... (more)
Daily Gazette -- Wed, 04 Feb 2026 New York Air National Guard Promotions LATHAM Air Force Major General Gary Charlton, the commander of the New York Air National Guard, announced the recent promotion of members of the New York Air National Guard in recognition... (more)
NYNG on GKO
