July 14 - July 20Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! This week we delve into moments of bravery, dedication, and profound sacrifice. From Irving F. Wixon’s encouragement of Patrol Inspectors’ marksmanship in 1933 to the tragic loss of Air Operation Supervisor David F. Roberson in 1989, these stories highlight the valor and resilience of our agents. We also revisit significant operations like the third phase of Operation Wetback in 1954 and the first Border Patrol Air Transport overseas deportation flight in 1955. Join us as we commemorate the heroics of agents like Guadalupe Chacon and Elizabeth Ebisuzaki, who rescued individuals from a burning vehicle in 1997, and the founding of the USBP Pipes and Drums Unit in 2007. This week’s history is a testament to the unwavering commitment of those who serve. Dive into these compelling narratives and more in this week’s blog. Don’t miss these powerful stories that shaped the legacy of the U.S. Border Patrol. 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. THIS WEEK'S USBP ANNIVERSARIES AND MILESTONESJuly 14
On July 14, 1933, Irving F. Wixon (1884-1962) wrote a memo to the Jacksonville District Director, not only giving permission for Patrol Inspectors to participate in local shooting competitions, but encouraging their participation. By Wixon's response, the District Director was concerned that by competing, Patrol Inspectors may indiscriminately use their firearms. See the quote below (emphasis added):
July 14, 1961, “The U.S. Border Patrol Academy moves to Los Fresnos, Texas. Session 78 is the first to graduate.”
Line of Duty Death anniversary David F. Roberson Date of Birth: January 9, 1941 Entered on Duty: April 11, 1966 Title: Air Operation Supervisor End of Watch: July 14, 1989 Details: On July 14, 1989, Pilot David F. Roberson departed the Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Arizona, at 5:50 a.m., in Service aircraft N29162. Shortly after takeoff, he responded to a request for assistance in the Yuma freight yards where Border Patrol units were conducting freight train check operations. At 6:10 a.m., Pilot Roberson departed the freight yard area and proceeded south to County 23rd and Avenue 2E to assist ground units in working a trail of three aliens. Upon arrival, Pilot Roberson commenced “sign cutting” while maintaining radio contact with Senior Patrol Agent David Ramirez and Patrol Agent Rosendo Guillen, who were working in the immediate area on the trail. At 6:24 a.m., Pilot Roberson stalled the aircraft and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed by the impact and post-crash fire. Pilot Roberson died instantly. Gravesite July 15 On July 15, 1931, in an ongoing correspondence with the National Rifle Association (NRA), Commissioner-General Harry E. Hull (1864-1938) sent a response of appreciation.
On July 15, 1932, El Paso District Director Grover W. Wilmoth (1884-1951) sent a memo concerning the retirement of the famed Jefferson Davis Milton (1861-1947). The last page of the five documents outlines his federal career. Debunking decades of Border Patrol folklore, the outline clearly shows that Milton was neither a Patrol Inspector nor a member of the Border Patrol:
The third phase of Operation Wetback began on July 15, 1954, with Patrol Inspectors conducting illegal alien sweeps in Utah, Nevada, and Idaho. At the same time, Patrol Inspectors were deployed to Chicago to conduct additional sweeps.
On July 15, 1955, the Attorney General wrote a letter to the Speaker of the House concerning a bill to fund the purchase and construction of a new Border Patrol Training facility. At the time of the writing, Patrol Inspectors were being trained in buildings located in Fort Bliss that had been constructed 15 years earlier and abandoned by the U.S. Army.
Theodore L. Newton, Jr., and George F. Azrak Border Patrol Station - On July 15, 2008, the designation would be approved with Public Law 110- 264 by the 110th Congress, signed by President George W. Bush, making Murrieta Station (formerly Temecula Station) the first to be officially named for a Border Patrol Inspector/Agent.
July 16 July 16, 1955, “The first Border Patrol Air Transport overseas deportation flight departed Miami, Florida, with stops in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.”
Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary Guadalupe Chacon Senior Patrol Agent San Diego Sector Elizabeth M. Ebisuzaki Border Patrol Agent San Diego Sector On July 16, 1997, Senior Patrol Agent Guadalupe Chacon and Border Patrol Agent Elizabeth Ebisuzaki had initiated an immigration stop on a car. The car failed to yield and the pursuit was terminated. A few moments later, the vehicle was found on the shoulder of the road. As the agents pulled over, several people fled from the car into the heavy brush. After returning to the car with apprehensions, the agents noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. They were then informed that there were four people locked in the trunk. Flames and acrid smoke quickly filled that passenger compartment. Agent Ebisuzaki attempted to fight the fire and open the trunk with a crowbar. Simultaneously, Agent Chacon was able to pry off the back seat and rescue the four from the trunk. July 17 On July 17, 1930, Chief of the Border Patrol Ruel E. Davenport (1878-1961) wrote a memo to the Commissioner-General recommending equipment approvals for the Montreal District. On July 17, 1941, the first of three escape attempts were detected at the Fort Lincoln Alien Detention Center when a truck carrying construction material sank into the ground up to its axle and revealed a tunnel running from the kitchen of the mess hall to within 70 feet of the fence.
On July 17, 1978, Border Patrol Agents Al Bose and Bruce LaBelle assigned to the Swanton Sector apprehended Kristina BERSTER, an associate member of the Baader-Meinhof Gang (Red Army Faction) terrorist organization. BERSTER was apprehended while illegally crossing the border from Canada into Vermont. BERSTER was wanted by the German government as a suspect in a series of bombings, bank robberies, kidnappings, and hijackings. BERSTER was the subject of an INTERPOL Red Notice, its highest alert for an international fugitive.
July 18 Today marks a quiet day in USBP history. July 19 July 19, 2007, “The U.S. Border Patrol Pipes and Drums Unit is formally established following the dissolution of the USBP National Bagpipe Team and Sector pipe bands from Tucson, Del Rio, Laredo, and Rio Grande Valley.”
Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary Christopher J. Dlugokinski - photo, photo Border Patrol Agent Houlton Sector Michael Mielnicki - photo Border Patrol Agent Houlton Sector Gabriel Pratt Border Patrol Agent Houlton Sector Erich S. Rohr - photo Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Houlton Sector Abraham Reeder - photo Border Patrol Agent Houlton Sector Border Patrol Agent Christopher J. Dlugokinski, along with Border Patrol Agents Gabriel Pratt, Michael Mielnicki, Abraham Reeder and Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Erich S. Rohr, received the Newton-Azrak Award for the bravery they displayed during the Mahaney rescue efforts on July 19, 2011, in Jackman, Maine. The Mahaney family’s home was virtually destroyed by a truck carrying a full load of tree-length logs that flipped over on its side, crashing into the two-story residence in which the family of six slept. Agents disregarded their own safety as they courageously crawled and dug through the wreckage and rubble during the unsuccessful attempt to rescue Border Patrol Agent Mahaney’s 5-year-old son Liam. Line of Duty Death anniversary James R. Dominguez Date of Birth April 5, 1971 Entered on Duty: May 7, 2000 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: July 19, 2012 Details: On July 19, 2012, Border Patrol Agent James R. Dominguez succumbed to injuries received when he was struck by a passing vehicle along Highway 90 near Cline, Texas. At the time of the accident, Agent Dominguez was on duty. Agent Dominguez, age 41, entered on duty with the U.S. Border Patrol on May 7, 2000, as a member of the 434th session of the Border Patrol Academy. Upon graduating from the Academy, he was assigned to the Uvalde Station in the Del Rio Sector. Agent Dominguez is survived by his wife and four children. Gravesite July 20 On July 20, 1928, El Paso District Director Grover W. Wilmoth (1884-1951) sent a package of documents to the Commissioner-General describing a shooting that had occurred on the 17th and left one person dead. Chief Patrol Inspector Herbert Horsley (1878-1962) interviewed Patrol Inspector William A. Holt (1881-1950) and Patrol Inspector Herschel W. Patterson. Line of Duty Death anniversary Ivan E. Scotten Date of Birth: June 17, 1903 Entered on Duty: October 29, 1928 Title: Patrol Inspector End of Watch: July 20, 1929 Historic photograph of the scene of the shooting. Details: Patrol Inspector Ivan E. Scotten was shot and killed in the early morning of July 20, 1929. Scotten and three other Patrol Inspectors were ambushed by approximately 15 to 20 smugglers while patrolling at the upper Los Pompos crossing on the Rio Grande River, near San Elizario, Texas. The smugglers, who had come off second best in a brush with Patrol Inspectors earlier in the night, saw the lights of the returning patrol car, crossed the river to the American side, and hid themselves in the brush at the side of the narrow road along an irrigation ditch that the road crossed. They opened fire on the patrol car from two sides at almost point blank range, killing Scotten before the other officers succeeded in driving them off. One of the smugglers fired a shot through Scotten's head while Scotten lay wounded in the road. Survivor benefits - As per this document, his mother receive $18.75 per month. Gravesite On July 20, 1952, former Chief of the Border Patrol Willard F. Kelly (1903-1969) was reassigned/promoted as Assistant Commissioner, Border Patrol, Detention, and Deportation Division. He had been serving in the role of Assistant Commissioner for the Enforcement Division since 1949.
USBP Purple Cross Recipient - Border Patrol Agent Gerald Wilke, near Calexico, California, July 20, 1992, for wounds sustained during the performance of his official duties as a Border Patrol Agent on July 20, 1992, near Calexico, California, while engaged in a near death-struggle with an illegal alien. Throughout this harrowing ordeal Agent Wilke exhibited exemplary inner strength and courage, which were in keeping with the finest traditions of, and reflect highly upon, the United States Border Patrol.
Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary Jason Robbins - photo Border Patrol Agent Imperial Beach Station San Diego Sector On July 20, 2021, at 9:08 p.m., Border Patrol Agent Jason Robbins was reporting for duty. BPA Robbins observed a man on a motorcycle collide into a semi-truck on Interstate 805. BPA Robbins parked his vehicle on the freeway, turned on his hazard lights, and called 911. BPA Robbins attempted to pull the man to safety but failed as he was nearly struck by a vehicle that ran over the man’s leg. Agent Robbins, beyond the call of duty, while facing grave danger, ran back onto the freeway, and pulled the man to safety. The man suffered multiple injuries but is still alive due to the swift and selfless actions of BPA Robbins. Agent Robbins' actions brought great credit upon himself and the United States Border Patrol.
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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
October 2024
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