<[link removed]>

I hope you saw my latest weekly column.



ROGER WICKER: Senate Resolution Commemorates Heroic Actions at Ole Miss 60
Years Ago
<[link removed]>



Mississippi is fortunate to have had a strong National Guard dating back to
1798, nearly two decades before we became a state. Since then, Mississippi
National Guardsmen have served in virtually every armed conflict since the War
of 1812, including both world wars, the Korean War, and the Global War on
Terror. They have also been the backbone of disaster relief, responding to
hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes. Additionally, they have been called upon to
reestablish peace and order in times of civil unrest, as they did in Oxford in
1962.

This Friday marks 60 years since the largest ever deployment of the
Mississippi National Guard. On September 30, 1962, a riot erupted at the
University of Mississippi as James Meredith arrived on campus, becoming the
first African-American student to gain admission. If not for the young men in
the Mississippi National Guard, many lives could have been lost and much of
campus could have gone up in flames. The soldiers who arrived in Oxford that
day came from small towns and rural communities across Mississippi, and many
are still with us today. As we mark the 60th anniversary of this riot, it is
right that we honor these citizen soldiers who stood in harm’s way to protect
life and property.

Guardsmen Responded at Moment’s Notice

Even before violence erupted, it was clear that Mr. Meredith’s enrollment
would attract violent agitators, many from out of state. Retired General Edwin
Walker had issued a radio call from Texas for 10,000 people across the South to
march on Ole Miss. In response, the Mississippi National Guard prepared for the
worst. Responding to President Kennedy’s directive, our state’s commanding
officer Major General William Wilson ordered 14,400 men to report to their
armories. As night fell, and as the crowds grew increasingly violent, the need
for reinforcements became dire. At the command of Brigadier General Charles
Billingslea, the National Guard dispatched two battle groups from the 155th
Infantry Regiment and one group from the 108th Armored Cavalry Regiment – a
total of 3,086 men based out of Laurel, Amory, and Tupelo, Mississippi.

These young soldiers immediately met resistance upon their arrival. Rioters
assaulted General Billingslea, his deputy, General John Corley, and his aide,
Captain Harold Lyon, setting their vehicle on fire. The three men managed to
escape by crawling 200 yards to the Lyceum building, all while under gunfire.
Hours later, additional troops were called in from Pontotoc and Water Valley to
quell rioters who had surrounded the Lyceum. By morning, some 25,000 service
members had arrived to restore order.

Tragically there were two fatalities during the 15-hour riot. Dozens more were
wounded, including 40 soldiers. As a precaution, the National Guard was kept in
place for several more weeks to prevent further unrest. By the end, more than
30,000 Guardsmen would be mobilized. These citizen soldiers did their duty. In
following the orders of their Commander-in-Chief, they prevented the crisis
from becoming much worse.

National Guard Honored in U.S. Senate

This riot was an ugly chapter in our history, but it was one of our National
Guard’s finest hours. As we mark the 60-year anniversary of these events, I
have joined with Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith to introduce a Senate resolution
honoring the Mississippi National Guard for their heroic actions and
designating September 30, 2022, as “Mississippi National Guard Recognition
Day.” We owe these men a debt of gratitude for standing in the gap and
restoring peace.



You can click here to share my Op-Ed with your friends on Facebook!
<[link removed]>



Thank you for your support,

Senator Roger Wicker






Donate
<[link removed]>
Please mail contributions to P.O. Box 64, Jackson, MS 39205.


Paid for by Wicker for Senate


You can also keep up with Roger Wicker on Twitter
<[link removed]> or Facebook.
<[link removed]>


Don't want to receive our emails anymore? Unsubscribe
<[link removed]>