South Dakota National Guard Museum

06/14/2026

We at the museum would like to wish you all a Happy ! While not a federal holiday, it was in 1777 that the flag of the United States was adopted by resolution of the Second Continental Congress.

06/12/2026

Today is , recognizing the day that the Women's Armed Services Integration Act was passed. This law, passed on June 12th, 1948, allowed women to serve as permanent, regular members of the armed forces. Prior to the law, women only served during times of war (except nurses), often in the WAVES, SPARS, Women's Auxiliary Army Corps, or the Marine Corps Women's Reserve.

In 2021, women made up 17.4% of the active-duty force and 21.4% of the National Guard force, numbers up over the year prior.

This image is a SPARS recruitment poster from WWII.

06/10/2026

The 1972 Black Hills Flood was over, and the water back within the banks of Rapid Creek, by 5 AM on June 10th. But the tragedy had only begun. At the end of the flooding, it is likely the SDNG saved hundreds, if not thousands, of lives.

The South Dakota National Guard lost four lives to the floodwaters that night: 2LT Gary Engelstad, SGM Russell Gordon, 1SG Myron Corbin and PFC Freeman Phillips.

This image is one of many that highlight the service of the National Guard during the 1972 Black Hills Flood.

06/10/2026

in history, the South Dakota National Guard was one of many responders to the 1972 Black Hills Flood that washed through the Black Hills and took the lives of over 230 people.

The SDNG was in training in Rapid City and the Badlands for their annual "Golden Coyote" training when the flood occurred. The Guardsmen would end up doing search and rescue, recovery, and rebuilding missions during and after the flooding throughout the Black Hills.

There are a lot of resources regarding the 1972 Black Hills Flood, but one of the best is from the Rapid City Public Library: https://1972flood.omeka.net/

06/08/2026

that today in 1957 the SDNG Officer Candidate School was officially started in Mitchell?

That means it has been around for almost 70 years!

06/06/2026

, in 1944, was D-Day. We recognize the sacrifices made by all servicemembers on this day.

The South Dakota National Guard was not involved in Operation Overlord, though they definitely would have heard about it.

This is a famous image called "Into the Jaws of Death," documenting the storming of the beaches in Normandy, taken by Robert F. Sargent.

Image from Wikipedia.

06/05/2026

Happy !

The best way to celebrate is to stop by and visit the Museum, especially because we are part of Travel South Dakota's Passport Program. We are part of the Stars and Stripes Passport!

For more details, check out:

Join South Dakota in celebrating America's 250th Birthday with the Stars & Stripes Passport. See the sites that are part of the country's history and earn points and prizes along the way.

06/04/2026

We are reopening today at 9 AM - see you at the Museum!

06/03/2026

The Museum will be reopening at our normal time of 9 AM tomorrow, June 4th!

We can't wait to see you!

06/01/2026

The Museum is closed today, tomorrow and Wednesday for staff to attend the State Historical Society's History Conference! We will reopen Thursday, June 4th.