This Week in USBP History, Vol. 3

September 19 - September 25

1918

• This September 20, 1918 document summarizes a meeting where the enforcement of the Passport Act of 1918 and regulations of August 8, 1918 concerning passports and permits and, increase the amount of employees available to patrol the border.  This meeting is part of the evolution that would lead to the creation of the Voluntary Return and the U.S. Border Patrol.  Remember, by this time, Frank Berkshire had already submitted at least two proposals to create a Border Patrol.  The following organizations were present in the meeting:
  • State Department Secret Service
  • State Department Foreign Permits Office
  • Department of Justice Bureau of Investigation
  • War Department Military Intelligence Office
  • Department of Labor Bureau of Immigration

1929

• See this 6 page PDF to see a cover memo and two sworn statements take from Border Patrol Inspectors concerning a gunfight that occurred on September 19, 1929.

1931

• On September 21, 1931, eleven days after the implementation of the Border Patrol's second uniform policy (GO179), Ruel Davenport wrote this memo to the Commissioner-General concerning delays in the delivery of silver bullion or silver braid which was used as the rank insignia for Senior Patrol Inspectors.  See this gif for the rank and time-in-service insignia of the time ( the images change @ every 5-7 seconds).

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Newton-Azrak Award Actions

1992
 
William C. Spencer Jr.
Senior Patrol Agent
Buffalo Sector
On September 19, 1992, Senior Patrol Agent William C. Spencer Jr. performed a truly remarkable feat of strength, endurance, and bravery to rescue a woman who was seconds from drowning in the swift currents of the Niagara River at Buffalo.  After noting the woman’s lack of effort to save herself, and when she slipped beneath the surface and returned in a face down position, Agent Spencer dove into the river, without a floatation device.  He swam about 30 yards to her, raised her head out of the water, and administered resuscitation.  Agent Spencer then had to support himself and the woman while ladders could be rigged by the Buffalo Fire Department for removal from the water.

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