Photo compliments of the Russell H. Barrett Collection (MUM00024), Archives & Special Collections, J.D. Williams Library, The University of Mississippi

On September 30, 1962, President John F. Kennedy issued Executive Order 11053 to provide “assistance for the removal of unlawful obstructions of justice in the State of Mississippi” in relation to integration of the University of Mississippi.

The entire Mississippi National Guard (Army and Air) was placed on active federal service on the same day. The Mississippi National Guard called this period "Operation Rocky Road", while the United States Army called it the "Oxford Incident".

The Department of the Army published "The Role of the Army in the Oxford, Mississippi, Incident, 1962-1963", which includes the employment of Mississippi National Guard forces.

Learn more about this topic from the University of Mississippi. Also, see the Integration of Ole Miss microsite at the JFK presidential library.

 

 

 

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The following high-resolution documents are relevant to establishing Veteran's status for those Soldiers and Airmen who served during this period of active federal service. Due to the file size, they may be slow to download.  For assistance, email the command historian.

Executive Order 11053
^{President John F. Kennedy's executive order dated September 30, 1962.}

The Abrams Order
^{Major General Creighton W. Abrams served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations during this period. This message repeats the Secretary of Defense's order.}

Department of the Army (DA) Message 318075
^{From Secretary of the Army, instructed by the Secretary of Defense, calling the Army and Air National Guard of the state of Mississippi into active federal service.}

NGB Message 318079
^{SECARMY instructs mobilization of the Mississippi Army and Air National Guard.}

MSNG News Release
^{MSNG Press Release announcing federalization.}

DA Message 318078
^{Mission assignments for 155th Infantry Regiment, 108th Armored Cavalry Regiment, and directing all other units to remain at home station and await orders.}

MSNG MSG 9297
^{Request for release of units due to sunken barge filled with chlorine gas on Mississippi River near Natchez.}

DA MSG 318513
^{Release of select units effective October 5, 1962.}

DA MSG 318598
^{Release of select units effective October 5, 1962.}

NGB MSG BU-4607
^{SECARMY instructs NGB to notify MSNG regarding impending release of units.}

NGB MSG 318599
^{SECARMY instructs NGB to notify MSNG regarding impending release of units.}

Third Army (3A) General Order (GO) 287
^{Release of select units effective October 5, 1962.}

DA MSG 318678
^{Administrative release procedures for Soldiers/Airmen separating from active federal service.}

NGB MSG 318600
^{DA instructs XVIII Airborne to release Guardsmen to their "normal vocations" while remaining on active federal service, excluding the 155th Infantry Regiment and the 108th Armored Cavalry Regiment.}

DA MSG 313794
^{Release of select units effective October 9, 1962. Message number may be a typographical error and resent as DA MSG 313794}

MSNG GO #1
^{Release of select units effective October 9, 1962}

DA MSG 318794
^{Release of select units effective October 9, 1962. The MSNG does not have a copy of this DA MSG on file.}

3A MSG 288
^{Advance text of 3A GO 288.}

3A GO 288
^{Release of select units effective October 9, 1962.}

DA MSG 318895
^{Reduces troops on active federal service by 30%.}

NGB MSG BU-4614
^{Notification of 30% troop reduction.}

2nd Infantry Division MSG 318895
^{Releases 407 personnel from active federal service.}

DA MSG 319261
^{Release 155th Infantry Regiment from active federal service.}

NGB MSG 319262
^{Provides notice that 2ID will be releasing 155th Infantry Regiment.}

3A MSG 292
^{Advance text of order releasing 155th Infantry Regiment.}

DA MSG 320069
^{Release of 108th Armored Cavalry Regiment effective October 23, 1962.}

3A MSG 299
^{Advanced text of order releasing 108th Armored Cavalry Regiment.}

NGB MSG BU4646
^{Notifies that 2ID will release 108 ACR}

3A GO 299
^{Release of 108th Armored Cavalry Regiment effective October 23, 1962.}

Summaries of service from the major units involved:

108th Armored Cavalry Regiment

1st Battle Group, 155th Infantry Regiment

2nd Battle Group, 155th Infantry Regiment

The Commander's Orientation Packet:

DA Directive

Commander's Overview

Commander's Orientation

Messages regarding the Mississippi Guard's conduct during the Oxford Incident:

Secretary of the Army & Chief of Staff

Continental Army Commander

Third Army Commander

DoD Press Release

Miscellaneous:

Staff Duty Log from the Headquarters, Mississippi National Guard

Notes from The Adjutant General of Mississippi