This Week in USBP History, Vol. 136

April 7 - April 13

Good morning!

Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! ​​​​​

In this week's "This Week in USBP History," we explore pivotal moments that have shaped the U.S. Border Patrol. Our journey begins on April 7, 1928, with a foundational report from the Jacksonville District Director, detailing the structure of what would become the Miami Sector. This period also saw Supervisor Willard Kelly, on April 7, 1936, formalizing ranks within the Patrol, a structure still relevant today. Additionally, we mark the establishment of the first Border Patrol Intelligence Training School in El Paso on April 7, 1955, emphasizing early strategic intelligence training.

April 8, 1975, marked a historic change with six women joining the U.S. Border Patrol Academy, a significant stride towards gender inclusivity. That same day, we remember the courageous rescue efforts of Agents Jorge Arballo and Forrest J. Mauldin in 1994, exemplifying the Patrol's commitment to duty and humanity.

The week also includes quieter days, like April 9th, juxtaposed against April 10, 1931, when Patrol Inspector Charles Askins and his team engaged in a critical operation, reflecting the inherent dangers of patrol duties.

We pay tribute to Agent Christopher Shane Simpkins on April 12, 2021, honoring his sacrifice and service. The week's reflection concludes with a look back at April 13 across various years, highlighting key administrative decisions and milestones that have influenced the Border Patrol's operational framework.

These stories, from administrative strides to acts of bravery, embody the U.S. Border Patrol's enduring legacy of integrity, valor, and commitment. They continue to inspire and guide the men and women dedicated to protecting our nation's borders.

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 [email protected]). 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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THIS WEEK'S USBP ANNIVERSARIES AND MILESTONES

April 7

• On April 7, 1928, the Jacksonville District Director wrote a report to the Commissioner-General concerning the district’s manpower, assignments and locations.  The district had three sub-districts, Tallahassee, West Palm Beach and Tampa.  (Sub-districts would be renamed sectors in the 1940’s). This report is the earliest and most comprehensive one known for the area now comprising the Miami Sector.
• On April 7, 1936, Supervisor (Chief) of the Border Patrol Willard Kelly wrote a clarification memo concerning positions (ranks) within the Border Patrol.  The memo makes the unofficial position of “Assistant Chief Patrol Inspector” an official position.  It also makes two classes of Chief Patrol Inspectors, a concept that still exists today with GS-15 and SES Chief Patrol Agents (even though they share the same two-star rank insignia).  Further, the memo references the position of “District Supervisor of Border Patrol”.  Although not defined in the memo, the position of Assistant Superintendent, originally created in General Order 61, may have been renamed District Supervisor of Border Patrol with this memo.
• In recognition of the importance of intelligence and the need for trained officers functioning in a systematic, uniform manner, the first Border Patrol Intelligence Training School was convened in El Paso, Texas, on April 7, 1955. Seasoned officers who had demonstrated an aptitude for this type of activity were selected and attended a course which included organizational structure, aims, responsibilities and techniques.
  • From - HONOR FIRST:  The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume II by Joseph Banco

 
April 8

• The new era for the U.S. Border Patrol began on April 8, 1975, when for the first time in its fifty-one-year history, six women were among the trainees who would undergo training to become Border Patrol Agents as part of U.S. Border Patrol Academy Session 107 held April 8 to July 31, 1975 at Los Fresnos, Texas. At the time, Session 107 was the largest Academy class ever held, with 223 trainees.​​
  • ​From - HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume Three 1975-1999​ by Joseph Banco​
  • ​On April 8, 1975, six trailblazing women began their training at the U.S. Border Patrol Academy, Session 107 in Los Fresnos, Texas.  On July 31, 1975, the following four made history by successfully completing their training and becoming Border Patrol Agents:
    • Christine G. Davis (Gee) - Chula Vista Sector
    • Gail Durand - Yuma Sector
    • Doris H. Griffin - Yuma Sector
    • Leslie A. Mullins - Yuma Sector
  • See this document.
• Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary
  • Jorge Arballo
    Border Patrol Agent
    El Centro Sector
    Forrest J. Mauldin
    Border Patrol Agent
    El Centro Sector
    At approximately 12:15 a.m. on April 8, 1994, Agents Marshall Tjaden and Forrest J. Mauldin observed a group of nine suspected narcotics smugglers approximately one mile west of Drop 4 on the All American Canal.  The nine suspects were ferrying large bundles of contraband, in this case marijuana, across the canal in a rubber raft.  Agents Tjaden and Mauldin advised SBPA Donn Hoberg of the situation, who then instructed Agents Arballo and Lee to respond and assist Agents Mauldin and Tjaden.
     
    At the point on the canal where this activity was taking place, the canal is approximately one hundred yards wide, deep, and had an extremely swift moving current.  It should also be pointed out that on this particular night, the weather conditions were poor.  The wind was strong, gusting up to 30 miles per hour and the temperature was in the forties.   
     
    Agents Tjaden and Mauldin maintained surveillance on the group until all nine suspects, with large bundles of contraband and the rubber raft were all out of the canal and on the north side of the north berm of the canal.  Agents Tjaden and Mauldin began to sneak up on the group and got into position less than eight feet from them.  They made their move and apprehended two of the nine suspects and 366.5 pounds of marijuana.
     
    While Agents Tjaden and Mauldin were securing the apprehension scene and checking the immediate area for the seven suspects who had fled, they heard screams coming from the direction of the canal.  Agent Tjaden climbed to the 40-foot berm and saw an individual in the berm.  The person was screaming for help and appeared to be drowning.  Agent Tjaden called for Agent Mauldin to assist him.  Agent Mauldin climbed to the top of the berm while Agent Tjaden ran down to the canal bank.
     
    At this point, Agents Arballo, Lee, and SBPA Hoberg arrived on the scene.  Agent Mauldin guided Agent Arballo to his location on the north side of the canal.  He then directed Agent Lee and SBPA Hoberg to the south side of the canal as the drowning man appeared closer to that side.  Agent Tjaden was telling the man in the water not to fight the current, but to swim with it.
     
    Agents Arballo and Mauldin were preparing to make another rescue attempt.  This time, the drowning man was able to grab onto a small outcropping of brush, which slowed him down considerably.
     
    Without hesitation, Agent Arballo again jumped into the icy water while Agent Mauldin anchored the tow strap.  This time, Agent Arballo was successful in reaching the man.  He grabbed the man and yelled for Agent Mauldin to start pulling.  Agent Mauldin pulled as hard as he could, and after several minutes, managed to pull Agent Arballo and the drowning victim to safety.
     
    Because of the extremely cold water, the distance they had traveled, which was over one mile, and because this entire ordeal had lasted approximately 30 minutes, Agents Arballo and Mauldin were physically exhausted.
     
    Agents Arballo and Mauldin acted on instinct more than anything else. They disregarded the fact that a large load of narcotics had just been apprehended and the fact that the drowning man was probably one of the drug smugglers.  They saw a person in desperate need of help, rushed to his aid, and saved his life.
     
    What Agents Arballo and Mauldin did was extremely dangerous.  However, they acted without hesitation.  They thought about what there were going to do, planned their moves, and executed them to the best of their ability. 

 
April 9

• Today marks a quiet day in USBP history.

 
April 10

• The document in this file describes a brief gunfight that occurred on April 10, 1931 involving Patrol Inspector Charles Askins, two other Patrol Inspectors and shooters believed to have been Mexican Fiscal Officers.  The shooting occurred immediately after the Patrol Inspectors intercepted alcohol smugglers on the riverbank in El Paso, TX. Patrol Inspectors involved in the shooting:
  • Patrol Inspector Charles Askins, Jr.​ (1907-1999)
  • Patrol Inspector Brett Burgett Hurff (1897-1952)
  • Patrol Inspector Chloe John McNatt (1898-1977)
• On April 10, 1942, Assistant Chief Supervisor of the Border Patrol Walter Frederick Miller (1893-1967) wrote a letter, forwarding a request for 20 guard badges to be furnished to the Oak Grove Inn in Asheville, NC.  This letter is noteworthy for several reasons:
  • It shows that the INS was headquartered in Philadelphia at the time.
  • It contains one of the earliest uses of the title “Assistant Chief Supervisor of the Border Patrol” which is believed to have evolved into the modern, “Deputy Chief of the Border Patrol”.
  • It shows an early connection between the USBP and the internment of Axis diplomats.  The Oak Grove Inn was one of the first places that foreign diplomates from enemy countries were interned.

 
April 11

• On April 11, 1918, the Commissioner-General wrote a letter to the Chief of Military Intelligence in Washington D.C.  The referenced document was written on February 5, 1918, by future Chief and Father of the Border Patrol Frank Berkshire (1870-1934), and provides a 10-page summary of the status of the border. 
• On April 11, 1935, former Chief of the Border Patrol Ruel Davenport (1878-1961)wrote a response to the current Chief of the Border Patrol Willard Kelly (1903-1969) concerning training newly appointed Patrol Inspectors.  
  • This response is believed to have been related to a December 22, 1934 memo that Chief Kelly had sent to all of the border districts (except for the El Paso District).  The memo shared the El Paso District training plan, requested all other districts to explain how they trained new inspectors and invited them to give suggestions and comments.
• On April 11, 1935, District Director Harry R. Landis (1880-1950) of the Montreal District (District #1), sent a telegram to INS headquarters in relations to a visit by Chief of the Border Patrol Willard Kelly.  The telegram pertained to the state of the facilities in the district, which includes modern-day Houlton, Swanton, and Buffalo Sectors.
• On April 11, 1935, in what would prove to lead to the birth of the USBP Pistol Team, the Tampa Sub-district issued a nationwide shooting challenge to all USBP sub-districts, “We will shoot any course of fire at any distance.”  See “How did the USBP Pistol T​eam begin?” in the HonorFirst History page for the full story and to find out how Tampa placed after issuing the challenge. 
• On April 11, 2011, “U.S. Border Patrol launches the Mobile Response Team (MRT) initiative.  The MRT is a national group of organized, trained, and equipped Border Patrol Agents capable of rapid movement to regional and national incidents of event in support of priority CBP operations across the United States.”
  • From - HONOR FIRST - United States Border Patrol Centennial Timeline 1924-2024 by Joseph Banco

 
April 12

• On April 12, 1926, Thomas A. Robinson received a letter of inquiry to ascertain if he would accept a probational appointment as a Patrol Inspector in the Jacksonville District.  Although Mr. Robinson indicated he would accept the position, there are no records that support him ever having become a Border Patrol Inspector.
• On April 12, 1970, the Van Horn Station and its area of operation covering 3,775 square miles including 31.1 miles of border, was transferred from the El Paso Sector to the Marfa Sector. Previously, Van Horn was a substation of the Sierra Blanca Station. Two decades later, its parent station would also be transferred.​
  • From - HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume Three 1975-1999​ by Joseph Banco 
• Line of Duty Death anniversary
  • Christopher Shane Simpkins
    Date of Birth:                       September 23, 1972                              
    Entered on Duty:                  July 6, 1997
    Title:                                     Border Patrol Agent 
    End of Watch:                      April 12, 2021
     
    Details: 
    Border Patrol Agent Christopher Shane Simpkins passed away on April 12, 2021.  The circumstances of his passing were reviewed by an executive panel and the CBP Commissioner who agreed that this death occurred in the line of duty.  Agent Simpkins will be remembered for his diligent service to the nation and for his bravery in the face of danger.
     
    Agent Simpkins entered on duty on July 6, 1997 at the Falfurrias Station, McAllen Sector, Texas, as part of the 342nd Session of the Border Patrol Academy.  At the time of his passing, he was assigned to the Lake Charles Station in the New Orleans Sector.
     
    A native of Selma, Alabama and a graduate of the University of Alabama, Agent Simpkins also honorably served his country in the National Guard as a military police officer.  He is survived by his wife, daughter, parents and two brothers.
     
    Gravesite

 
April 13

• On April 13, 1904, Milton was appointed as a Chinese Inspector with the Immigration Service at the age of 43 and posted at the Tucson District, covering the territory from Yuma, Arizona, to the New Mexico line.
  • From - HONOR FIRST:  The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume I by Joseph Banco
• On April 13, 1922, Frank Berkshire wrote a memo to the Commissioner-General concerning the suggestion of merging aspects of the Customs Service with the Immigration Service.  Berkshire divided his answer into two parts, administrative and patrolling functions.  Berkshire did not support merging customs and immigration inspection functions (which would occur in 2003 when the U.S. Customs Service was renamed and absorbed the Patrol and Immigration Inspectors).  However, he did support merging all federal border patrol functions under one organization.
• On April 13, 1937, Newport District Director Landis sent the Commissioner of the INS a report​ of all the Colt and Smith & Wesson Model 1917 revolvers in their inventory.  This was in response to the USBP transitioning to the Colt New Service Model .38 caliber revolver.  Interestingly, it is mentioned that Patrol Inspector Charles Askins visited the district in the memo.