This Week in USBP History, Vol. 104

August 27 - September 2

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Intro

Good Morning!

Welcome to another This Week in USBP History!

Why I Volunteer and Invest
​A Commitment to Honor First and Esprit De Corps

As I pen the 104th consecutive weekly blog on its second anniversary, I find myself reflecting on the journey that has brought me here. When someone asks me, "Why do you do this?" in reference to managing HonorFirst.com, moderating forums, and staying engaged with the U.S. Border Patrol, my answer is simple yet profound: I care. But this commitment goes beyond volunteering hours and hours of time; it's also a financial investment. Each year, I dedicate resources to cover the costs of HonorFirst and its associated subscriptions, totaling around $1,000. This financial investment represents a tangible commitment to preserving and promoting the values I hold dear. It's not just about money; it's about investing in a legacy that matters. But it's not the legacy as much as it is the people. Not a specific person, but people in the abstract. It's a nuanced understanding that while I may have disagreements with an individual member of the workforce, I care deeply for the whole workforce.

The cornerstone of this legacy is "Honor First," a motto deeply embedded within the United States Border Patrol's ethos. It emphasizes the significance of integrity, encompassing various traits such as honesty, good character, principles, ethics, morals, righteousness, virtue, decency, fairness, sincerity, truthfulness, and trustworthiness. "Honor First" serves as a commitment to uphold integrity while adhering to established laws, regulations, directives, policies, and rules—even in challenging situations. It's a watchword that has been part of the Border Patrol's rich history since 1926.

What drives you to dedicate your time and resources to something you believe in? For me, it's a profound sense of care and a belief in the power of Esprit De Corps.

In the context of the Patrol, Esprit de Corps is defined as the workplace climate resulting from a combination of organizational pride and employee morale. It's a formula that can be expressed as: Esprit de Corps = Organizational Pride + Employee Morale

My concern for the morale of the workforce began as early as 2000, marked by two life-saving actions that were recognized nearly two decades later with the USBP Commendation Medal with "V" device and the Newton-Azrak Award. The original recognitions were sincere but modest—a $100 cash award, a scratched coffee mug, and a simple certificate. They left me pondering how many other agents had been under-recognized or unrecognized for their heroic deeds, hundreds? These experiences ignited a realization that the Patrol could do better at taking care of the workforce, leading to an all-encompassing approach to valuing those who serve.

From recognizing bravery to nurturing a culture of respect and value, my journey with the USBP has taught me that true honor goes beyond awards. It's about creating a community where everyone feels seen, appreciated, and part of something greater.

A crucial part of Esprit De Corps is organizational pride. That's why I dove into USBP history and continue to research and share it. Even when dispelling folklore and inaccurate history, I believe that understanding our true heritage helps increase organizational pride and employee morale. It's about giving for the betterment of the workforce, whether through an immediate impact or as an investment for future generations.

I'm also honored to serve on the Board of Directors for the USS John Young Veteran's Association, Northern Virginia Firefighter's Emerald Society Pipe Band, and the Fraternal Order of Retired Border Patrol Officers. These roles allow me to extend my advocacy and passion for service beyond HonorFirst, contributing to causes that resonate with my values.

USS John Young Veteran's Association

Northern Virginia Firefighter's Emerald Society Pipe Band

Fraternal Order of Retired Border Patrol Officers

Reflecting on my last three years of service, I realized that my motivation was driven by a deep care for the Patrol and the workforce, both uniformed and non-uniformed. In a "know thyself" moment, I understood that I cared more about those doing and who had done the job, than the job itself. The value to me is intrinsic. It makes me feel good to do good for “them." 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.

Conclusion
The principles of Esprit de Corps are not confined to the workplace; they are universal values that guide my actions and fuel my passion for making a positive impact. My work with HonorFirst.com, my engagement with the USBP, and my advocacy for the workforce are all driven by this belief in the power of Esprit De Corps. It's a belief that resonates with anyone who values community, respect, and a sense of belonging.

​What values guide your actions? How do you invest in what matters to you? I invite you to reflect on these questions and consider how you can make a positive impact in your community.

Thank you for your patience. Now to the rest of the blog...

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This week, we delve into the rich tapestry of the U.S. Border Patrol's past. We'll examine the 1924 memo that questioned the legal authority of Patrol Inspectors, and how it led to a proposal to rename them as Junior Immigrant Inspectors. We'll also explore the 1931 memos that discuss the Border Patrol's involvement with the National Rifle Association and the evolution of their uniforms. Additionally, we'll touch on the Mexican Government's 1955 complaints about the use of canines by the Border Patrol and the 1972 decision to terminate the Border Patrol Air Transport Operation. These stories, and much more, offer a nuanced look into the challenges and triumphs that have shaped the Border Patrol over the years.

This week, we honor four Border Patrol's heroes on the anniversary of their Newton-Azrak Award actions.

During this week, we solemnly remember three of our fallen on the anniversaries of their deaths. 

Enjoy and have a great week!

​Cliff
P.S. - 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 send them to cliff@honorfirst.com). As always, make sure to explore all of the hyperlinks to the documents and pages. Finally, please forward this blog to whomever you think may enjoy it.

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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.

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THROWBACK PHOTO OF THE WEEK

The Oath That Shaped a Legacy

This week, we're taking you back to June 21, 1924, a date that holds dual significance. Not only is it the birthday of Willard F. Kelly, born in 1903, but it's also the day he took his Oath of Office as a Patrol Inspector for the Immigration Field Service.

The oath is a solemn commitment, one that laid the foundation for a career that would see Kelly rise to become the fourth Chief of the Border Patrol in 1933. His oath reads:

I, Willard F. Kelly, having been appointed to duty as Patrol Inspector Immigration Field Service do solemnly swear that I will use my best endeavors to prevent and detect frauds against the laws of the United States regulating immigration, forbidding the importation of aliens under contract to labor, and relating to the exclusion of Chinese persons. And I do further swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.

​This oath not only encapsulates the duties and responsibilities of a Patrol Inspector but also serves as a timeless reminder of the commitment that Border Patrol agents make to uphold the laws and Constitution of the United States.

​As we reflect on this historical document, let's remember the men and women who have taken similar oaths, dedicating their lives to service and upholding the values that make this nation great.

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DOCUMENTS AND EVENTS

1924

• On August 30, 1924, the Commissioner-General sent a memo to the Second Assistant Secretary in the Department of Labor that began, "A question has arisen concerning the source of authority, if any, possessed by officers connected with the border patrol service who have been given the designation of Patrol Inspector."  By law, authority rested with employees who had the title "Immigrant Inspector" who were paid more than Border Patrol Inspectors.  In order that Border Patrol Inspectors might receive legal authority without being paid more, the Commissioner-General proposed to resurrect a plan that was used in 1913 for Mounted Watchmen, and to rename Border Patrol Inspectors, Junior Immigrant Inspectors.

1931

• On August 31, 1931, Chief of the Border Patrol Ruel E. Davenport (1878-1961) responded via a memo to the National Rifle Association.  The response mentions that the Border Patrol shooting team article in The American Riflemen (see page 36 of 50), and that the Border Patrol was unable to send a team to compete in Camp Perry, Ohio due to "economical reasons".
• On September 1, 1931, Commissioner-General Harry E. Hull (1864-1938) sent a memo to the Commissioner of Immigration for the Montreal District (District #1) concerning firearms and competing in Camp Perry, Ohio in 1932.
  • A "Commissioner of Immigration" was one of two titles used for people who were in charge of an immigration district.  The other title was, "District Director".
• On September 2, 1931, Chief of the Border Patrol Ruel E. Davenport (1878-1961) wrote a memo to Bert R. Landis of the Bureau of Immigration concerning, "...draft of revised specifications for Border Patrol uniforms."
  • The suggestions provided by Davenport would be incorporated into the Border Patrol's second uniform policy General Order 179.

1955

• The Mexican Government began complaining to the Department of State about the use of canines by the Border Patrol, not based on actual incidents with their nationals, but because of news reports and some of the verbiage used in the reports. Specifically mentioned in a Diplomatic Note dated August 31, 1955 was the term “trapping” used in a news report. Based on the article, the Mexican Government claimed that the Border Patrol was “hunting down and guarding” Mexican nationals with dogs and that the practice had “discriminatory appearances.”
  • ​​From - HONOR FIRST:  The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume II by Joseph Banco

1972

• In FY 1972, the INS made the decision to terminate the Border Patrol Air Transport Operation in favor of “more cost effective” bus transportation. Alien transport requiring air services would be contracted out or carried out by the U.S. Marshals Service’s new National Prisoner Transportation System, later to become the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS). The final flight for the Border Patrol Air Transport fleet occurred on September 1, 1972, when Convair N1179 landed and was declared excess property by the General Services Administration. Twelve transport aircraft were used between 1954 and 1972, accumulating 78,859 flight hours and 330,073,133 passenger miles.
  • From - HONOR FIRST:  The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume II by Joseph Banco​

1997

• On August 27, 1997, [Gustavo De La Viña] was selected as Chief, U.S. Border Patrol, becoming the first Hispanic to hold the most senior position in the Patrol and overseeing a workforce of 6,948 Agents with a budget of $717,389,000.
  • From - HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume Three 1975-1999​ by Joseph Banco

2019

• On August 29, 2019, the USBP issued Interim Wear Guidance for U.S. Border Patrol Honorary Awards ​that authorized the following to be worn on Ike Jackets, dress shirts and rough duty uniforms. In 2021, the USBP updated its Uniform Policy and incorporated the 2019 guidance.  The awards are listed below.
  • Newton-Azrak Award
  • USBP Purple Cross
  • USBP Commendation Medal
  • USBP Achievement Medal
  • USBP 75th Anniversary Medal

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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

The USBP Newton-Azrak Award Scroll

2002

Jered Bacon
Border Patrol Agent
Tucson Sector
Robert M. Lawler
Border Patrol Agent
Tucson Sector
On August 31, 2001, at about 1:15 a.m., while patrolling the border, Border Patrol Agents Robert M. Lawler, Jered Bacon, and Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Ed Tracy noticed an apartment building fire at 1850 Patagonia Highway near Nogales, Arizona.  The agents immediately called for the Nogales Fire Department.  The fire spread so quickly that the building was engulfed in flames without warning to the occupants.  Realizing that the Nogales Fire Department would not arrive on time, and being the only individuals in the area, the agents took immediate action.  Without regard for their own safety, the agents risked their lives to evacuate the building.  Most of the occupants were sleeping in their beds at the time of the fire.  By the time the Nogales Fire Department and the Nogales Police Department arrived, the agents had extracted all 22 occupants from the building, which by then was totally engulfed in flames.


2022

Ruben Gonzalez - photo, photo 2, award certificate, award set
Border Patrol Agent
San Diego, CA
On September 1, 2021, at approximately 1:30 PM, beyond the call of duty, Border Patrol Agents Ruben Gonzalez and Christian Llamas entered a sewage contaminated area of the Pacific Ocean at great personal risk to save a swimmer facing certain death by drowning. After swimming approximately 50 yards through battering waves, BPA's Gonzalez and Llamas reached the exhausted swimmer and pulled him to shore, saving his life. BPA's Gonzalez's and Llamas' actions brought great credit upon themselves and the United States Border Patrol.

Christian Llamas - ​photo, award set
Border Patrol Agent
San Diego, CA
On September 1, 2021, at approximately 1:30 PM, beyond the call of duty, Border Patrol Agents Ruben Gonzalez and Christian Llamas entered a sewage contaminated area of the Pacific Ocean at great personal risk to save a swimmer facing certain death by drowning. After swimming approximately 50 yards through battering waves, BPA's Gonzalez and Llamas reached the exhausted swimmer and pulled him to shore, saving his life. BPA's Gonzalez's and Llamas' actions brought great credit upon themselves and the United States Border Patrol.

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U.S. BORDER PATROL FALLEN 
ANNIVERSARIES

U.S. Border Patrol Badge with a Mourning Band

​As of March 6, 2023 the U.S. Border Patrol has suffered 155* fallen.
Titles

• 3 Mounted Watchmen fell before 1924 and are carried as Border Patrol fallen
• 50 Border Patrol Inspectors fell between 1924 and 1970
• 101 Border Patrol Agents have fallen since 1970
• 1 Enforcement Analysis Specialist

The following names hold a distinguished position, as they have made the ultimate sacrifice in their unwavering commitment to uphold the oath each officer took to protect and defend the United States of America.

The facts concerning each officer are presented with minimal editing to preserve the "language of the day" found in the original reports, providing readers with a sense of historical context.

In compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the cause of death for employees who lost their lives in the line of duty due to exposure to lethal illnesses will not be disclosed.

​* Please note that despite their deaths meeting the criteria for Line-of-Duty-Deaths at the time, Patrol Inspector Garvis Field Harrell and Border Patrol Agent John Charles Gigax are not officially recognized as fallen by either the Customs and Border Protection or the U.S. Border Patrol.  However, HonorFirst.com respectfully recognizes and includes both Inspector Harrell and Agent Gigax among those who have fallen in the line of duty.

1950

Michael T. Box
Date of Birth:                      August 4, 1901
Entered on Duty:                November 25, 1926
Title:                                     Airplane Pilot
End of Watch:                     August 29, 1950

Details:
Just after dawn on August 29, 1950, Airplane Pilot Michael T. Box was patrolling by plane in the irrigated farm area about 20 miles north of El Paso, Texas, searching for aliens who had walked through the desert at night and were attempting to get away to the north through the upper Rio Grande Valley. Pilot Box was working with two ground crews who were in radio-equipped jeeps. The operation had netted several aliens and others were being sought when the engine of the aircraft stopped and the plane crashed. It burst into flames; however, fellow officers were able to remove Pilot Box from the aircraft within minutes after the crash occurred. Artificial respiration was commenced immediately and was continued until Pilot Box was pronounced dead by a doctor who lived nearby.
 
Investigation into the accident revealed that the motor of the aircraft ceased apparently due to difficulty in the fuel system. Pilot Box maintained control of the plane as it lost altitude and maneuvered the aircraft into position to make an emergency landing in an irrigation ditch. The aircraft struck a submerged object on the canal bottom upon impact. Pilot Box's seat strap was broken and he was thrown with terrific force into the wheel and instrument panel. He died instantly as his chest and skull were crushed, his jawbone was broken in two places, and both shoulders were broken.​

Gravesite


2010

Michael V. Gallagher
Date of Birth:                        July 5, 1978
Entered on Duty:                  July 21, 2008
Title:                                       Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch:                       September 2, 2010
 
Details:
On September 2, 2010, Agent Michael V. Gallagher was killed after being struck by a drunk driver on Federal Route 19 on the Tohono O’Odham Nation, near Casa Grande, Arizona. The collision caused Agent Gallagher’s vehicle to overturn multiple times; due to the impact, his body was ejected from the vehicle. The drunk driver was charged with negligent homicide, but pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in a plea agreement.
 
Agent Gallagher was a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was a member of the 794th Session of the Border Patrol Academy assigned to the Casa Grande Border Patrol Station within the Tucson Sector.
 
Agent Gallagher is survived by his wife, two sons, mother, father, stepmother, step- father, and two sisters.

​Gravesite


2021

Chad E. McBroom
Entered on Duty:                 February 7, 1997
Title:                                      Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch:                      August 29, 2021

Details:
Agent McBroom entered on duty on February 7, 1997, as part of the 329th Session of the Border Patrol Academy. At the time of his passing, he was assigned to the Tucson Sector Special Operations Detachment in Arizona. The circumstances of his passing were reviewed by an executive panel and the CBP Commissioner who determined that this death occurred in the line of duty.  He is survived by his wife Magaly; children: Jackielynn, Kaya, and Reagan; and parents: Don and Sherry.

Gravesite

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