Organized as a local militia, the Paddock Guards were established on June 9, 1875, to protect Beatrice from outlaws and bandits and were named in honor of Nebraska Senator Algernon S. Paddock. The Guard furnished their own equipment, while city residents supplied the required ammunition. In 1879, the Paddock Guards were mustered into the newly organized State Militia as Company C of the First Nebraska Regiment. Personnel of Company C served overseas in the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II. Mobilized in 1940, the Nebraska National Guard was trained and ready when the U.S. entered World War II. In July 1944, the 1st Battalion of the 134th Infantry reached the front line in France, and Company C fought a fierce battle near St. Lo in which 10 men from Beatrice were killed and 20 were wounded during the four-day opening encounter in Europe. In total, the company suffered 60 percent casualties. Later, Company C led the way across the Blies River into Germany to capture Habkirchen. The unit received many battle honors, including three Presidential Unit Citations for extraordinary heroism, and it still stands ready to assist during emergencies and disasters and to answer any call to serve state or nation.