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This Week in USBP History, Vol. 42

6/19/2022

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June 19 - June 25

Good morning!
 
Welcome to another This Week in USBP History!  
 
I want to start today's email with a sincere thank you to you.  Thank you for letting me send these emails to you, reading them and giving me feedback.  Thank you for letting me be part of the Border Patrol family even into retirement.  It is incredibly meaningful for me to be able to do this. Thank you!  
 
This week brings us more interesting historic documents:
  • A 30-page document from 1924 naming many of the first people to become Border Patrol Inspectors (its a collection of separate documents that I put into a single file),
  • Willard Kelly's 1924 Oath of Office (he would become the 4th Chief of the Border Patrol),
  • A 1936 document that would mark the beginning of the end of puttees and boots for the USBP uniform, and much more!
 
A great highlight of today is an email from retired Deputy Chief of the Border Patrol Ronald Colburn where he shares the very recent loss of his mother, stories from when he was a young agent and illustrates 4 generations of Colburns patrolling the border.
 
We remember three Newton-Azrak Award recipients, two of which are part of this email list. 
 
Also, we remember two of our fallen.
 
Have a great week!
Cliff
 
PS - 
  • As an open and continuous invitation to current and former USBP employees, I am always accepting photos to post in the USBP Photo Galleries and in the Upholding Honor First pages.  I sure would appreciate you visiting those pages and sending me anything that you think I could post (just attach them to a reply to this email).
  • As always, make sure to explore all of the hyperlinks to documents and pages.


Email from Retired Deputy Chief of the Border Patrol Ronald Colburn 
 
I am incredibly fortunate to be in a position to share USBP history with so many.  In doing this, I am privileged to exchange emails and telephone calls with people who have shaped and continue to contribute to the United States Border Patrol.  One of these people is Ron Colburn, a great person by every definition.  
 
Yesterday, Ron sent me an email in response to last week's request for information concerning the impacts that the deaths of Border Patrol Inspector Newton and Border Patrol Inspector Azrak had on the organization, specifically in regards to checkpoint operations and initial training for new hires.
 
He began his email by sharing that his mother, M. Diana Colburn, had sadly passed on June 17, 2022.  I know that all of you join me in offering our deepest condolences.
 
Below, with Ron's permission, I have included a lightly edited version of the email that he sent me.  I have added hyperlinks that I hope are correct. It offers a great firsthand account of Ron's earliest days in the Patrol and an incredible glimpse of what may be the only family to have four generations patrolling the border.
 
My comments are italicized.

***Email Begins***

Yesterday, my 93-year-old mother, M. Diana Colburn passed away.  She was the eldest matriarch of a 4-generation family of border protectors, defenders & patrollers.  
 
She was daughter-in-law to:
  • William Colburn, Mounted Guard, c. 1915-1917;
  • Wife of the late Richard Colburn —my Dad—Class #65, USBP Academy, El Paso, TX, 1956.
  • Her eldest son (me) EOD’d in 1978, Class #125.  
  • Her grandson (my son) EOD’d in June 2003, Class #553.
 
Also:  The Newton-Azrak incident did not uniformly change checkpoint ops. tactics, as I still stood point—middle of the night— along remote roadways, with only myself and one other Agent back in 1978-1983, @ the TCA/DGL Station. (Douglas Station in Arizona)
 
In August 1978, I EOD’d in Tucson, AZ and was assigned to the Douglas Station.  After being sworn in, filling out reams of paperwork & being driven down to Pima Uniforms (Tucson) for rough duty shirts, pants & leather gear during my first day, I was then given directions to the DGL station on the back of a paper napkin and sent on my 125-mile drive to my new duty post.  
 
I showed up the next morning, from the local landmark Gadsden Hotel, in rough duty shirt & pants, a river belt, with holster, loops, cuff case and keepers, but no pistol, badge, cuffs or ammo.
I
 stepped in the back door of the “old” DGL BP Station at 10 till 7, and only the PAIC was there—he inquired, “Are you Colburn?”  I said, “Yes, sir.”  He snatched up a leather pouch & keys from his desk and tossed them at me.  He growled, “You got Naco today!”  (Note:  Naco, now known as the Brian Terry Station, was a sub-office of the DGL Station, and was only then being staffed up for independent operations).
 
I said, “Where’s Naco?”  He said, “Just drive west 22 miles, along the border road; you can’t miss it!”  I did.  I ended up 45 miles to the West, in Sierra Vista, and promptly arrested 4 illegals from Mexico coming out of the brush roadside, just as I drove up on them.  
 
Being a border brat, I spoke some Spanish / Spanglish and squeezed all four into the backseat bench of my marked patrol sedan.  Then, I fumbled with the unit’s radio until I raised someone on the radio (a surprised PAIC Blankenship, DGL) who dispatched the nearest available Journeyman to assist with transport & processing (I had no idea where I was and didn’t leave for the Academy until 12 days later).  Evidently, they didn’t realize that I was a Border Patrol brat and actually recognized an illegal alien, so nobody was actually expecting me to arrest anyone.
 
Mind you, I was in uniform & driving a patrol vehicle, but I had no badge, no gun, etc.  They figured out that probably wasn’t a wise practice, and I spent most of the rest of the time mending barbed wire border fence; cleaning out the storage room; changing tires on patrol vehicles, and about anything else to keep me busy and “out of harm’s way,” until they could ship me off to the Academy.
 
I remember hearing about the Newton-Azrak incident when I was about 12 years old, and we had just moved to Campo, CA from Rouses Pt., NY. — summer of ‘68 (a year after the incident).  My Dad had just EOD’d at Campo as the ‘Station Second Senior’ (years later renamed ‘APAIC’). ​(Today the position is called Deputy Patrol Agent in Charge - DPAIC).
 
So anyway, my point was that the tactical changes were likely local and sporadic, since some stations still practiced Newton-Azrak styled ops into the eighties, at least.  That’s probably why you didn’t find any written policy.
 
Best Regards,
Ron Colburn 

​Esprit de Corps
 
The workplace climate resulting from a combination of organizational pride and employee morale.
  • Organizational pride is the positive feeling experienced by employees from being part of a meaningful team that is rich in history, tradition and culture.
  • Employee morale is the feeling experienced by employee based in part on their perception of:
    • Being valued by the organization,
    • Fairly compensated, and
    • Performing meaningful work.
 
Esprit de corps is reinforced through the shared goals, mission and values of the organization and its employees.

The definition turns Esprit de Corps into a simple formula and defines parts that comprise organizational pride and employee morale.

Esprit de Corps = Organizational Pride + Employee Morale

Esprit de Corps is the key to a healthy organization and engaged employees.

​Honor First is foundational to the Border Patrol's organizational pride and integral to its Esprit de Corps.

Documents/Events

1909
  • On June 23, 1909, an announcement was issued for the position of Immigration Guard.  The documents also states that the announcement will be used to hire the position of watchmen.
    • This document from May 23, 1906, shows the positions and pay that existed three years earlier.  Guard was not on that list.
1918
  • On June 19, 1918, Commissioner-General Anthony J. Caminetti (1854-1923) wrote a memo to the Secretary of the Department of Labor, William B. Wilson (1862-1934).  The memo described how the Secretary of States approved a plan to create a border patrol and Caminetti recommended that Wilson speak to the President to secure funding to create the patrol.  In a handwritten comment, Wilson responded, "I shall not ask for funds to put this program into effect until the Departments interested demonstrate the need of it more fully than they have thus far done."
    • On June 11, 1918, Secretary of State Robert Lansing (1864-1928) wrote a letter to Secretary of Labor William B. Wilson giving official support for the "proposed plan for the establishment of an immigration service border patrol".
1924
  • Beginning in June 1924, the eleven immigration districts that were on the borders began hiring Patrol Inspector and promoting Immigrant Inspectors and designating them as Patrol Inspectors in Charge.  See this 30-page file for some of the first people hired to be part of the Immigration Border Patrol.
    • Until 1926, when General Order 61 was implemented, the Border Patrol only had two positions, Patrol Inspectors and Immigrant Inspectors that were designated to be Patrol Inspectors in Charge.  The position of Patrol Inspector in Charge would be renamed to Chief Patrol Inspector under General Order 61. 
  • On June 21, 1924, future Chief of the Border Patrol, Willard F. Kelly (1903-1969) entered on duty as a Patrol Inspector as per his Oath of Office.  Kelly would become the third person to hold the position of Chief of the Border Patrol (1933-1943) and the first Chief to have first been a Patrol Inspector.
    • Kelly was the 4th Chief of the Border Patrol. George Harris​ (1876-1941) would be one of the first two "Chiefs" of the Border Patrol in 1926 and the only person to have been "Chief" twice (the position was called Supervisor in 1926 and Director in 1932). 
  • On June 22, 1924, the Commissioner of Immigration for the Montreal District (District #1), informed the Central Office that Charles E. Grey would be promoted to an Immigrant Inspector that was designated as a Patrol Inspector in Charge.
    • Earl Crandlemire (1880-1966) is mentioned the memo and would complete a successful career in the Immigration Service.
1931
  • On June 24, 1931, Commissioner-General Harry E. Hull (1864-1938) responded to a manpower request submitted by the Commissioner of Immigration for the Montreal District.  The document provides the positions and locations for all employees in the district.
  • On June 24, 1931, Commissioner-General Hull responded to an invitation for Patrol Inspectors to compete from the National Rifle Association.  Interestingly, the document identifies the NRA's headquarters as the Barr Building in Washington D.C. The building is still standing an is located one block award from CBP's H Street facility.
1936
  • On June 23, 1936, a memo was written to the field authorizing the wearing of slacks on the northern border April-October.  This memo appears to mark the end of the wearing of puttees and boots by Patrol Inspectors.  See the related documents below:
    • On April 26, 1934, Irving F. Wixon (1884-1962) wrote a memo concerning Patrol Inspectors wearing breeches and puttees versus slacks.
    • On May 2, 1934, the Second Supplement (page 3) to the Border Patrol's second uniform policy, General Order 179 (September 10, 1931) took effect, authorizing the wearing of slacks on the northern border April-October.
1940
  • On June 24, 1940, an order for 25 Thompson submachine guns and 30,000 rounds was submitted.  The memo identifies which sectors would receive the firearms.
1942
  • On June 22, 1942, a memo was written concerning badges for guards assigned to work at alien detention camps (not the same as internment camps).  A few things of interest about this brief memo:
    • It identifies the location of the Central Office (HQ) as being in Philadelphia.
    • It identifies W.F. Millier as the Assistant Chief Supervisor of Border Patrol.  This position is believed to have evolved into the position of Deputy Chief of the Border Patrol.  Walter Frederick Miller (1893-1967) is believed to have been the first person to hold the position.
1956
  • On June 21, 1956, a cancellation of a transfer​ occurred for Patrol Inspector George E. Newman.  Newman is listed as having graduated with Class 59 on June 8, 1955.  The memo provides an example of perineal actions of the time and identifies several people in various positions.

Newton-Azrak Award Action Anniversaries
Follow this link to see examples of USBP employees Upholding Honor First.
  • An organization’s values are codified in its awards system. Recognizing the achievements, service and heroism of employees is important.  It is critical for those in positions of leadership to value the workforce.  Awards are a fundamental manner for leaders to demonstrate appreciation to the workforce for upholding the organizational values. – U.S. Border Patrol Honorary Awards
1990
Robert E. Jolicoeur
Border Patrol Agent
Del Rio Sector

On June 21, 1990, Border Patrol Agent Robert E. Jolicoeur responded to a call for assistance from the Eagle Pass Police Department concerning a possible hostage situation.  After lengthy negotiations with the heavily armed suspect by local policy authorities had failed, Agent Jolicoeur risked his life to disarm and subdue the individual.  His professionalism and unselfish dedication resulted in the successful termination of a critical situation without injury or loss of life. 
 
​
1994
John D. Marlborough
Senior Patrol Agent
El Centro Sector

On June 21, 1994, agents from the Riverside Border Patrol Station were working information in the Moreno Valley area near Riverside, California.  The agents were traveling down Gilman Springs Road and were passing a large onion field being harvested when agents saw several of the pickers start to run.  Senior Patrol Agent John D. Marlborough obtained permission from the foreman and consent was given for the agents to check the crew.  As agents were working their way through the crew of almost 100 workers, they saw another subject bolt from the group and run away.  Agent Saturnino Natera pursued the individual until he dove headfirst into Mystic Lake and swam away from the shoreline.  Agent Natera stopped at the water’s edge and advised the subject that, for his own safety, he should not try to evade arrest by swimming out into the lake.  As the other agents kept watch on the subject, Agent Natera left to chase other abscondees.
 
Agent Aricelia Sandoval was attempting to talk the subject out of the water when she noticed that he seemed to be having difficulty keeping his head above water.  Agent John Marlborough arrived at the scene, removed his gear, and entered the lake.  As he approached the subject, who at this time was almost 400 yards off the shore, he attempted to secure the person and bring him back to the shore.  The subject continued to resist until he was too waterlogged to fight anymore.  At the time, Agent Marlborough swam back to the shore with the semi-conscious alien in tow.  The alien was removed from the water without injury and did not require first aid.  It was later determined at the Border Patrol station that he was a criminal alien.  
 
Agent Marlborough risked his own life in order to save the life of an alien attempting to evade arrest. 
 

1999
Jay Visconti - ​photo, statuette​
Border Patrol Agent
San Diego Sector

On June 24, 1999, Border Patrol Agent Jay Visconti observed an automobile driving erratically on northbound Interstate 15, in San Diego, California.  Agent Visconti was on-duty and returning from firearms training.  Agent Visconti maneuvered his marked Border Patrol sedan closer to the erratically moving automobile and was able to ascertain that the driver of the vehicle was in serious distress.  Agent Visconti then observed that the front seat passenger was attempting to steer the vehicle.
 
Agent Visconti realized that this was an extremely grave situation.  Traffic was very congested during this time and there was a great deal of danger to the safety of the motoring public.  Agent Visconti activated his overhead lights and created a traffic break.  The erratically moving vehicle did not stop, but pulled over to the shoulder of the road and continued at a slow rate of speed.  Agent Visconti pulled over and, exiting his vehicle, ran alongside of the offending vehicle until he was able to jump in through the passenger window and turn off the ignition.
 
The driver was apparently suffering from a heart attack.  Agent Visconti immediately activated the emergency medical system and proceeded to render first aid treatment.  When the San Diego Police and Fire Departments arrived, the driver was in full cardiac arrest and Agent Visconti was performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on her.
 
Tragically, the afflicted driver of the automobile did not survive.  Upon being relieved of performing CPR, Agent Visconti was instrumental in directing the fast moving traffic around the scene of the stop and providing much needed support to the grieving passenger.

USBP Fallen

As of May 16, 2022, the U.S. Border Patrol has suffered 152* fallen.
Titles:
  • 3 Mounted Watchmen fell before 1924 and are carried as Border Patrol fallen
  • 48 Border Patrol Inspectors fell between 1924 and 1970
  • 100 Border Patrol Agents have fallen since 1970
  • 1 Enforcement Analysis Specialist
The names that appear below hold a place of honor. They have made the ultimate sacrifice in an effort to fulfill the oath each officer took to protect and defend the United States of America.

The facts regarding each officer are presented without major editing of the "language of the day" found in the reports detailing the circumstances of each event. This is done to provide the reader an association with historical timeframes.

Employees who died in the line of duty due to being exposed to deadly illnesses will not have the cause of death listed.

*With the exception of two of the fallen immediately below, all names are listed (or in the process of being included) on the official Honor Roll of U.S. Border Patrol Fallen and inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.  The U.S. Border Patrol should fix these discrepancies. HonorFirst.com honors both of the fallen.
  • Joe R. White - He is recognized as officially fallen by the U.S. Border Patrol but his name is not inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial.
  • John Charles Gigax - He is not recognized as officially fallen by Customs and Border Protection or the U.S. Border Patrol. He is remembered by all except his own agency with his name is inscribed on the:
    • National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial (see this link),
    • Officer Down memorial Page (see this link), and
    • Texas Peace Officer's Memorial (see this link).
​1930
Robert W. Kelsay
Date of Birth:                      January 23, 1899
Entered on Duty:                July 1, 1927
Title:                                   Senior Patrol Inspector
End of Watch:                    June 25, 1930
​Details:
During the night of June 25, 1930, Senior Patrol Inspector Robert W. Kelsay and another officer were watching a river crossing near Laredo, Texas. They were fired upon by liquor smugglers whom they had attempted to stop. During the gunbattle, Senior Patrol Inspector Kelsay was fatally wounded. There is no information available regarding the identity of the smugglers.
 
Survivor benefits - As per this document​, his wife received $58.33 per month.
 
​
1945

Earl F. Fleckinger
Date of Birth:                       July 25, 1917
Entered on Duty:                 September 8, 1941
Title:                                    Patrol Inspector
End of Watch:                     June 23, 1945
Details:
At about 3:00 p.m. on the afternoon of June 23, 1945, Patrol Inspectors Earl F. Fleckinger and Wilbur E. Kinney were patrolling on U.S. Highway No. 98 about 1 1/2 miles east of Calexico, California, when they stopped and searched an automobile driven by a Mexican alien. Search of the automobile disclosed a quantity of liquor in the rear compartment, whereupon the alien was placed under arrest. The officers then started west toward Calexico with the alien. Inspector Fleckinger was driving the government automobile with the alien seated beside him and Inspector Kinney was following immediately behind in the alien's automobile. They had proceeded about one mile when Mr. Kinney heard two shots and observed the government automobile swerve off the road and into an adjacent canal bank.
 
Mr. Kinney stopped the alien's car about 10 or 15 yards ahead of the government car, and while he was attempting to get out of the automobile, the alien fired four shots, which failed to hit him. Inspector Kinney pursued, caught and subdued the alien, and left him in an apparently unconscious condition lying prone in the center of the highway. Mr. Kinney then went to the aid of Inspector Fleckinger, at which time his attention was drawn back to the alien who was observed to be staggering across the international boundary into Mexico.
 
Inspector Fleckinger was taken to a hospital in Calexico by a passerby. He had been shot in the head, which resulted in his death about 6:15 p.m. on the same day.​
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    Clifford Gill

    Blog author, retired U.S. Border Patrol Assistant Chief and, current U.S. Border Patrol employee advocate.

    ​Read more about Cliff here.


    Ray Harris

    Site founder and owner, former Senior Patrol Agent and retired Immigration Special Agent.

    ​Read more about Ray here.


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    U.S. Border Patrol historian and retired Deputy Chief Patrol Agent.

    ​Read more about Joe here.


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