Organization

        The Essex Troop was first organized as a private group under the leadership of Colonel James E. Fleming.  The original purpose of the Troop was to provide a mounted honor guard for civic occasions.  The Troop's first public appearance was on Thanksgiving Day in 1893, when it was reviewed by Governor Leon Abbett.

        Early in the history of the Troop, it was seen that its best interests would be served by association with the National Guard.  On the night of May 17, 1893, the Troop was sworn into the New Jersey National Guard and designated "Cavalry," Company A.  One year later it became the "First Troop".

 
Inauguration

        In 1895, Colonel Fleming was succeeded as Commander by Captain Frederick Frelinghuysen.  On March 4, 1913, after having been extended and redesignated as "First Squadron Cavalry", the honor of escorting Woodrow Wilson in his inauguration as President of the United States was extended to the Troop, The Regiment.

 
First Combat

        The Troop received its baptism of fire during the Mexican Border Campaign.  After serving for six months in this campaign, the Troopers had scarcely sheathed their sabers, when, on July 28, 1917, they were again called into federal service.  The Troop then became Headquarters Troop and Companies A and B of the 104^th Military Police of the 29^th Division.  Shortly after the Division arrived in France it was ordered into the Meuse-Argonne offensive, on September 29, 1918.  On July 23, the 216^th MP Company containing 35 of the original troopers was mustered out of service at Camp Dix, N. J.

Reorganization

        Captain Lewis B. Ballantyne reorganized the Essex Troop as a Squadron of Cavalry in 1920.  In 1921, the squadron was expanded and designated the 102^nd Cavalry Regiment.  Captain Ballantyne was raised to the rank of Colonel and placed in command of the Regiment.  In 1937, Colonel Henry L. Moeller became the Regimental Commander.

 
World War II Service

        On January 6,1941, under the Command of Colonel Donald W. McGowan, the Regiment was mustered into Federal Service for the third time in its history.  After extensive training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, the Regiment sailed for England, arriving there on October 8, 1942.

        The First Squadron remained in England while the Second Squadron under the Command of Lt. Colonel Charles J. Hodge was detached from the Regiment and embarked for Algiers, North Africa.  It acted as a security force for Allied Force Headquarters, and was renamed 117^th Mechanized Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron.  Elements of the Squadron participated in the Tunisian and Sicilian Campaigns.  Later, as a unit, the  squadron participated in the Italian Campaign and the invasion and Campaign of Southern France.  The 117^th  fought in Italy, France, Germany and Austria.  The Squadron was one of the first units to reach the Rhine in the 7^th Army Sector, and has the distinction of serving with 21 divisions.

        The First Squadron, redesignated 102nd Squadron was joined in England by the 38^th Squadron to form the 102^nd Cavalry Group.  As part of the "Assault Force" in the invasion of Europe, the Group landed on Normandy Beach on Jane 8, 1944, as part of V Corps of the FIRST U. S. ARMY.  The Group fought through the Campaigns of Northern France, Paris, the Meuse and the Bulge.  Action in France, Germany, Belgium and Luxemburg was also encountered by the 102^nd Cavalry Group.  Much glory was gained by the Group in all the European Campaigns.  On official orders the 102^nd Cavalry Group was first to enter Paris, cross the Meuse River, meet the Seigfried Line in their sector and serve as honor guard for the Corps Commander when he met the Russian forces.

During the period 6 June 1944 to 10 May 1945, the Regiment traveled 1874 miles during combat in Europe.  

During the same period personnel of the Regiment received the following Decorations:

4 Distinguished Service Cross

6 Legion of Merit

51 Silver Star

732 Purple Heart

159 Bronze Star Medal

13 Oak Leaf Cluster to DSM

 379 Bronze Star Arrowhead

7 Croix de Geurre

1 British Military Medal

1 British Military Cross

1 Distinguished Service Order

5 Soldiers Medal

 
Post War Reorganization

        Headquarters. & Headquarters. Troop of the 102^nd Cavalry Group was mustered into state service on September 23, 1946 by Colonel Charles J. Hodge with 9 Officers and 12 Enlisted Men, at Newark, N. J.  Composed of the 102^nd, 117^th and 50^th Mechanized Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadrons the Troop grew until Nov. 1, 1949, it was reorganized as the 102^nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, at the same time losing the 50^th Squadron.  On February 13, 1951, the 3rd Battalion  102^nd Armored Cavalry was organized in Phillipsburg, N.J.  This Battalion was nourished and trained by the Regiment until May 1, 1954 when it was redesignated the 250^th Tank Battalion of the new 103^rd Armor Group.  The 1^st Battalion of the 114^th Infantry Regiment was converted and redesignated as 3^rd Battalion of the 102^nd Armored Cavalry Regt.  Further reorganization took place in April 1959 and the 3^rd Squadron in Elizabeth was absorbed by the other two squadrons, and an Infantry Battalion of the Vermont Army National Guard was redesignated the 3^rd Squadron of the Regiment.  Under the command of Lt. Col. Leonard Wing, this squadron attended field training with the 102^nd Armored Cavalry Regiment.  Colonel Robert F. J. McGarry commanded the Regiment from 1948 until 1951.  In 1951 Col. Francis J. Skidmore assumed command and retained command until his retirement in January 1960.  Colonel James G. Depew assumed command in 1960.  Colonel James Depew remained in command until his retirement in July 1965.  Lt. Col. Edward Lilley assumed command.  The regiment was recently turned over to its present commanding officer Colonel William Marshall

 
The Regimental Insignia 

The distinctive insignia for the 102nd Cavalry New Jersey National Guard was approved on May 16, 1931. The 102nd was the first Cavalry Regiment of the Guard to complete its 'ARMS'.

        The CREST is a lion's head with four red diamonds in the collar. The LION'S head derived from both of the Dutch and English arms, of the original colony. The DIAMONDS from the original Proprietor-Generals arms which bore the same.

        The Regiment being Cavalry dictates the SHIELD be made yellow or gold.  On the shield is told the story of the life of the organization when submitted.  In blue, on the shield, is the crest of the old ESSEX TROOP ‑ (a horse's head) and in red, two fleurde-lis in commemoration of the Alsace and Argonne campaigns in World War I 

        The MOTTO is the old motto of the Essex Troop 'Fide et Fortitudine' or 'Faith and Fortitude'.