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Picture

This Week in USBP History, Vol. 43

6/26/2022

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June 26 - July 2

Good morning!
 
Welcome to another This Week in USBP History!  
 
I thought I’d start this week’s update by repeating an answer to a question that was posed to me, “Why do you do this?”  That question was in reference to helping Ray Harris manage HonorFirst.com, moderate the Applicant's Forum and Agent’s Forum, regularly contacting some you active folks, and generally remaining very engaged with the U.S. Border Patrol.  For example, it takes me over two hours to create these weekly updates (and I still don’t catch all of the typos).  Here’s the answer... <cue the patriotic music>…
 
The last three years of my career my motivation for doing the job, and pushing my chain of command was because I cared, in an Esprit de Corps sense, for the Patrol and the workforce (uniformed and non-uniformed).  Interestingly, in a know thyself moment, I realized that I cared about the workforce more than the work.  I cared more about those doing and who had done the job, than the job.  That's what keeps me here.  That's why I send emails to the active folks, author these emails, take daily USBP phone calls/emails, etc...  I care because I care about the U.S. Border Patrol and its current and former employees, just like you.  I send emails to current leadership and take calls nearly everyday, in the belief that I may have just a smidgeon of influence to make the being part of the USBP better for the workforce (past and present).  The value to me is intrinsic.  I makes me feel good to do good for “them".  It makes me feel good when I can right wrongs or merely offer assistance. 
 
Before I retired I used to say, “I’m an unapologetic advocate for the workforce.”  In retirement, I realize that I never shed that identity. 
<patriotic music fades to silence>
 
Thank you for your patience. Now to the update!
 
Notice that I've added a bit of commentary in the Esprit de Corps section.  Take a short moment to read it.  No matter where you work, the concepts are transferable.
 
The main highlight this week are:
  • A collection of documents from June 1924.  One provides the earliest confirmation that I've been able to find of the title, "Border Patrol Inspector."  The other two identifies some of the earliest Border Patrol Inspector hires.
  • Documents describing a 1927 shooting where an Inspector was stabbed, and
  • A 1940 15-document giving advice to the workforce concerning promotions.
 
We also remember the anniversaries of the actions that led to four agents receiving Newton-Azrak Awards.  Three of those agents also were awarded the USBP Purple Cross for wounds received in the scope of duty.
 
Finally, we remember fallen Border Patrol Inspector Charles F. Inch.
 
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.
  • Finally, please forward this blog to whomever you think may enjoy it.

It's easy to scroll by this section as you get to the meat of the email.  But realize, I purposely include this section every time because I think it's important.  Organizations that lack organizational pride and high employee morale (Esprit de Corps) are not as effective and successful as otherwise possible.  They will forever fail to meet full potential.
 
Those in positions of leadership have the obligation and responsibility to be vigilant in driving organizational pride and addressing employee perceptions.  If not, the organization can be likened to a ship without a rudder that is destined to run aground on the rocks of low retention, high attrition and a multitude of other issues.
 
The definition of Esprit de Corps below is meant to be a guide and a constant reminder.  Without comprehensive, deliberate and sincere effort by leadership, Esprit de Corps will slowly deteriorate. 


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

1924
  • On June 26, 1924, the Commissioner-General sent a response to the Commissioner of Immigration of the Montreal District (District #1) confirming the the name of the new position:
    • "Official title of Patrol Inspectors is Patrol Inspector."
  • On June 27 1924, the Acting Commissioner-General sent a memo to the Acting Secretary of the Department of Labor, informing him of the names and locations of newly hired Patrol Inspectors for District 22.
    • District 22 was the San Antonio District and includes the modern day Del Rio, Laredo and Rio Grande Valley Sectors.
  • On June 27 1924, the Acting Commissioner-General sent a memo to the Acting Secretary of the Department of Labor, informing him of the names and locations of newly hired Patrol Inspectors for District 25.
    • District 25 was the El Paso District and includes the modern day Tucson, El Paso and Big Bend Sectors.
1925
  • On July 1, 1925, Patrol Inspector in Charge of the Wyandotte Sub-district, George T. Montague, submitted a monthly report to the District Director.  It is interesting to remember that at this time, the Border Patrol had only been operating for one year.
    • I could not locate very much information on Montague.  I found that he had been demoted to Immigrant Inspector and transfer to Baltimore in 1927.  A 1928 newspaper reports stated that he had been released from custody and was under investigation for bootlegging.  That was the most recent information I could find.
1926
  • On June 29, 1926, the Commissioner-General sent a memo​ to the Secretary of the Department of Labor recommending that all Chief Patrol Inspectors receive raises.  There are several items of interest in this 2-page document:
    • This was most likely in response to General Order 61​ which was signed on March 18, 1926 and came into effect on April 1, 1926.  
      • Before General Order 61, sub-districts (called sectors in the 1940s) were led by Immigrant Inspectors designated to be Patrol Inspectors in Charge.  General Order 61 renamed that position - Chief Patrol Inspector.
    • The memo identifies the number of sub-districts, the person in charge of each of the sub-districts and the number of inspectors assigned to each sub-district.
1927
  • On July 30, 1927, a shooting occurred in El Paso, Texas involving Patrol Inspectors Galitzen Newton Bogel Sr. (1886-1973) and Frank A. Finnegan.  The Patrol Inspectors engaged in a close quarters struggle with Juan Aguilar who was armed with a knife.  During the struggle, Inspector Bogel was cut/stabbed multiple times.  Aguilar was stopped after being shot by both inspectors.  See this document.
1931
  • On July 2, 1931, the NRA responded to Commissioner-General Harry E. Hull's (1864-1938) letter from June 24, 1931.  The response states that Hull's letter was given to General Milton Atchison Reckord​ who was an Executive Vice-President of the NRA.
1940
  • On July 1, 1940, Chief of the Border Patrol Willard F. Kelly (1903-1969) and El Paso District Director Grover W. Wilmoth (1884-1951) disseminated a 15-document designed to provide employees with sound advice to equip them to be competitive for promotion, Elements for Advancement in the Service.
1943
  • On June 29, 1943, the El Paso District sent a memo to the Central Office inventorying items that were old and tarnished, and being returned to headquarters.  The memo offers insight into those early uniform items and their designs, e.g. pin-back versus screw-back attachment mechanisms.

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
1989
Charles A. Rodgers Jr.
Border Patrol Pilot
Del Rio Sector

On July 2, 1988, while patrolling the Rio Grande River near Del Rio, Texas via Service helicopter, Border Patrol Pilot Charles A. Rodgers Jr. located three persons, one male and two females, who had recently landed on the United States side of the river illegally by the use of tire inner tubes. 
 
As he circled the area, he advised the party of three, utilizing the helicopter public address system, against attempting to return to Mexico by swimming because of the depth and swiftness of the river. He noticed that the male subject, who did not heed the warning and proceeded to swim across the river towards Mexico, was having difficulty remaining above the surface. Rodgers lowered the helicopter and advised the victim to grab the landing skid. The victim managed to grasp the skid but due to exhaustion could not hold fast. Rodgers made a final attempt to save the male subject by hovering dangerously above the surface and lowered the skid into the water, but the victim apparently lost consciousness and did not surface again. He gained altitude in order to direct the rescuer and allow him to help the victim, but the rescuer was also having difficulty staying afloat. With total disregard for his personal safety, Rodgers lowered the Service helicopter perilously to the surface of the river. The rescuer was able to clutch the skid and was taken to safety on the Mexican shoreline.

 
1995
Juanita Santana - photo
Border Patrol Agent
Tucson Sector 

On June 29, 1995, Border Patrol Agent Juanita Santana of the Tucson Border Patrol Station, was assigned to patrol a major smuggling route south of Tucson, Arizona.
 
Shortly after 5:00 p.m., Agent Santana observed a suspicious vehicle and conducted a normal vehicle stop.  When she reached the rear door of the car, the driver, without warning, pointed a handgun out of his window and immediately began firing at her.  Two shots struck her in the chest directly over her heart.  Both bullets were stopped by a bulletproof vest she was wearing.  A third shot struck her left forearm and completely penetrated it below the elbow.  The fourth shot struck her ammunition pouch, which was fastened to her gun belt.  This fourth bullet disintegrated on impact and Agent Santana was struck in the abdomen by shrapnel from the bullet.  
 
Although struck four times and seriously wounded, Agent Santana drew her revolver and returned fire at the driver.  Agent Santana ran back to her patrol vehicle and immediately began to pursue the fleeing suspects.  She radioed for assistance and informed the Communications Center that she had been shot.  Even though she was injured and bleeding heavily, she maintained her composure and clearly broadcast all pertinent suspect information.  

She also received the USBP Purple Cross for this action.

 
2005
Christopher D. Brinkhoff
Border Patrol Agent
Tucson Sector

Juan H. Villa
Border Patrol Agent
Tucson Sector

Border Patrol Agent Christopher D. Brinkhoff and Border Patrol Agent Juan H. Villa were recognized for extraordinary courage and valor during the performance of their duties on June 30, 2005, when they discovered evidence that there were narcotics smugglers in the remote desert area of Nogales, Arizona.  At approximately 12:25 p.m., the agents encountered a group of 10 to 12 individuals.  Immediately, an unknown number of the group began to fire at the agents. During the exchange of gunfire, both Agents Brinkhoff and Villa were shot in the right leg. The agents, suffering from shattered femurs, relayed via radio that they were down and needed assistance.  A subsequent search of the area revealed 498.1 pounds of marijuana hidden in the brush.

​Both agents received USBP Purple Crosses for the action.

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).
1932
Charles F. Inch
Date of Birth:                     April 8, 1902
Entered on Duty:               October 14, 1930
Title:                                   Patrol Inspector
End of Watch:                    June 26, 1932
 
Details:
The limited information available relative to Patrol Inspector Charles F. Inch indicates that he was attempting to board a moving freight train but was thrown from it, the wheels passing over his body. He was pursuing two aliens who were attempting to enter illegally from Canada. The fatal accident occurred in the Michigan Central tunnel yard at Detroit, Michigan, on June 26, 1932.
 
Survivor benefits - As per this document, his mother and father received $46.50 per month.
 
Gravesite
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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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