Elite S.C. military unit celebrates 204th birthday
July 18, 2011
By W. Thomas Smith Jr.
July 18, 2011
CHARLESTON, SC – The Washington Light Infantry (WLI), one of thenation’s oldest – and today most exclusive – militia units, will turn204-years-old this month.
Named in honor of Gen. (Pres.) George Washington, the WLI was founded in Charleston on July 22, 1807.
Gone are the days following its establishment when the unit’sresponsibilities included serving as both a guard-of-honor for visitingdignitaries (such as escorting the Marquis de Lafayette into Charleston) and as an armed force, fighting first in the Seminole Wars and upthrough World War I (the WLI also served as a S.C. Army National Guardcompany during World War II). The WLI today exists as a uniquemilitary/social organization and charitable association with strong ties to The Citadel (the WLI was directly involved The Citadel’s founding)and a shared history with the National Guard.
Though perhaps not as a unit, the WLI has had a presence (membersserving in the various branches of the U.S. armed forces) in everyAmerican war since 1945. At least two WLI members – U.S. Marine Maj.Gen. James E. Livingston and U.S. Army Sgt. Francis S. Currey – arerecipients of the Medal of Honor. And Maj. Gen. Robert Livingston, theadjutant general of S.C., is an honorary member of WLI.
The WLI and its members not only demonstrate, but set the example ofwhat we know to be the finest qualities found within the Americanspirit, says Maj. Gen. [Jim] Livingston.
Maj. Gen. Henry I. Siegling agrees.
We are composed of great Americans who have risen to the challengeevery time our country was challenged, says Siegling, WLI advisor tothe Joint Services Det., S.C. Military Dept. But as we support anddonate to lots of charities, we have evolved to the point that we aremuch more than just a military organization.
Located on Meeting Street in Charleston, the WLI armory today serves as both a meeting hall and a repository of military pieces and artifactsdating back over two centuries.
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