December 31 - January 6INTROGood morning! Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! Happy New Year! As we bid farewell to 2023 and welcome the dawn of 2024, I extend my warmest wishes to each of you. May the new year be filled with fulfillment, contentment, and happiness. It's a time for new beginnings, and in that spirit, I'm thrilled to announce some exciting changes to our weekly journey through the history of the U.S. Border Patrol. Starting with this week's edition, you'll notice a fresh format in presenting our weekly history. We're transitioning from a year-based organization to a date-based layout. This new approach allows us to explore historical events and documents in a more chronological flow within each specific date, providing a clearer and more cohesive narrative of our past. Furthermore, I'm integrating the Newton-Azrak Award action anniversaries and the Line of Duty Death (LODD) anniversaries into the main Documents and Events section. While these significant moments will continue to have their dedicated sections later in the blog, their inclusion in the main historical timeline underscores their importance and relevance in our shared history. As always, I am committed to honoring our heritage and the brave individuals who have shaped the U.S. Border Patrol. Your continued support and engagement with this blog mean the world to me. Here's to a year of learning, remembering, and moving forward together in 2024. This week in USBP history, we spotlight key moments that have shaped the legacy of the Border Patrol. On December 31, 1940, a significant advancement occurred as the Border Patrol introduced its first official aircraft, three autogiros, marking a new chapter in aerial patrols. This initiative led to the first Border Patrol Pilots: Ned Henderson, Gregory Hathaway, and James Parker. Moving to January 1, 1929, we recall the bravery of Senior Patrol Inspector Carson Morrow in Arizona, who, despite a severe stabbing by liquor smugglers, managed to defend himself and survive, later becoming the Chief Patrol Inspector of the Tucson Sector. On January 6, 1934, William P. Blocker, the American Consul in Ciudad Juarez, highlighted the perilous nature of border enforcement, reporting the fatalities and injuries sustained in the El Paso area since 1920. These events, along with strategic developments like Operation Rio Grande in 1995, are just a few of the many milestones in the storied history of the United States Border Patrol. This week, we proudly recognize four recipients of the Newton-Azrak Award, commemorating the anniversaries of their courageous and heroic actions. Also, we solemnly remember Border Patrol Agent Manuel Salcido Jr. on the anniversary of his death. Enjoy, have a great week and a happy new year! 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. ESPRIT DE CORPSThe workplace climate resulting from a combination of organizational pride and employee morale.
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. THROWBACK PHOTO OF THE WEEKEchoes of 1935 Senior Patrol Inspector George Dole's Legacy This historical photograph, taken around 1935, showcases Senior Patrol Inspector George Dole (1898-1970) in the Houlton Sector. Dole, an English-born WWI veteran, began his distinguished career with the Border Patrol in 1930. His uniform, adorned with puttees, riding breeches, a Pershing hat, and the notable silver bars indicating his rank, captures the essence of the Border Patrol's style and structure in the mid-1930s. Dole's dedication to duty led to his promotion as the Chief Patrol Inspector of Houlton Sector, a position he held from 1946 to 1951. This image is more than a portrait; it's a window into the rich history and evolution of the Border Patrol, reflecting the commitment and legacy of its early members. DOCUMENTS AND EVENTSDecember 31
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NEWTON-AZRAK AWARD ACTION ANNIVERSARIESFollow this link to see examples of USBP employees Upholding Honor First.
2012 John P. Marquissee - photo, award set, certificate Border Patrol Agent Westmore, VT On January 5, 2012 at approximately 4:00 PM, off-duty Border Patrol Agent John Marquissee saw a vehicle accident in which a car was overturned and partially submerged in Lake Willoughby near Westmore, VT. Knowing a person was in dire need of help, Agent Marquissee, beyond the call of duty while facing grave danger, entered the partially frozen lake. Once at the vehicle, Agent Marquissee saw that a female victim was trapped in the car. Agent Marquissee then broke out the rear window of the car and helped the victim escape the vehicle. Agent Marquissee took the victim to shore saving her life. Agent Marquissee’s actions brought great credit upon himself and the United States Border Patrol. 2020 Michael G. Linder - photo Border Patrol Agent New Orleans, LA On December 31, 2020, while off duty, Agent Linder witnessed a vehicle skid to a stop after impacting a highway center-divider at high speed. Agent Linder immediately stopped and ran to the scene to render aid. Upon arrival at the vehicle, Agent Linder found it teetering precariously on the divider, still running, and with the engine compartment smoldering. Without regard for his own safety, Agent Linder took charge of the scene, supervising rescue effort and personally extracting the single male occupant from the burning vehicle. Agent Linder directed efforts to call 911 and extinguish the fire. Agent Linder's quick, decisive, and selfless actions ensured that the driver lived to fully recover from this harrowing event. Agent Linder's actions reflect great credit upon himself, New Orleans Sector, and the United States Border Patrol. 2021 Raul A. Rodriguez - photo, award certificate, award set Border Patrol Agent Del Rio, TX On January 3, 2021, Border Patrol Agents (BPA) Ruben Castillo and Raul A. Rodriguez placed themselves in harm's way in pursuit of a black Chevy SUV. After and exhaustive pursuit including a deadly force encounter and search through multiple counties with various agencies, resources and personnel in tow, BPA Castillo and BPA Rodriguez were able to apprehend all of the subjects without further incident. BPA Castillo and BPA Rodriguez demonstrated heroism in the face of grave danger. The agents' actions brought great credit upon themselves and the United States Border Patrol. Ruben Castillo Border Patrol Agent Del Rio, TX On January 3, 2021, Border Patrol Agents (BPA) Ruben Castillo and Raul A. Rodriguez placed themselves in harm's way in pursuit of a black Chevy SUV. After and exhaustive pursuit including a deadly force encounter and search through multiple counties with various agencies, resources and personnel in tow, BPA Castillo and BPA Rodriguez were able to apprehend all of the subjects without further incident. BPA Castillo and BPA Rodriguez demonstrated heroism in the face of grave danger. The agents' actions brought great credit upon themselves and the United States Border Patrol. U.S. BORDER PATROL FALLEN ANNIVERSARIESAs of November 14, 2023 the U.S. Border Patrol has suffered 157* fallen. Titles:
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 although the circumstances surrounding their deaths met the criteria for Line-of-Duty Deaths at the time, Patrol Inspector Garvis Field Harrell, Border Patrol Agent John Charles Gigax, and Border Patrol Pilot Howard H. Gay, who lost his life in the action that earned him the Newton-Azrak Award, are not officially recognized as fallen by either the Customs and Border Protection or the U.S. Border Patrol. Nonetheless, HonorFirst.com respectfully recognizes and includes Inspector Harrell, Agent Gigax, and Pilot Gay among those honored as having fallen in the line of duty. 1985 Manuel Salcido Jr. Date of Birth: April 25, 1950 Entered on Duty: March 12, 1984 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: January 2, 1985 Details: On January 2, 1985, Agent Salcido was enroute to Del Rio Sector Headquarters and travelling in a seized 1975 Ford sedan. Agent Salcido's vehicle went out of control on an ice-glazed concrete bridge and was struck broadside on the driver's side by a southbound vehicle in the southbound lane. The other vehicle was a 1984 Suburban enroute to Eagle Pass, Texas. Agent Salcido was killed and the driver of the second vehicle was hospitalized with head and chest injuries. No other persons were involved in the accident. Gravesite
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Clifford GillBlog author, retired U.S. Border Patrol Assistant Chief and, current U.S. Border Patrol employee advocate. Ray HarrisSite founder and owner, former Supervisory Border Patrol Agent and retired Immigration Special Agent. Joseph BancoU.S. Border Patrol historian and retired Deputy Chief Patrol Agent. Archives
April 2024
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