September 15 - September 21Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! This week we recognize significant events that shaped the Patrol's legacy. On September 15, 1943, the Immigration and Naturalization Service reorganized its districts from 22 to 16, streamlining its operations. Fast forward to September 16, 1982, when the Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) was authorized, providing the agency with a highly trained tactical response unit. On September 21, 1999, Lynne Underdown broke barriers by becoming the first woman to serve as a Chief Patrol Agent, leading the Miami Sector. We also honor Senior Patrol Agent William C. Spencer Jr., who earned the Newton-Azrak Award for his bravery on September 19, 1992, when he rescued a woman from drowning in the Niagara River, demonstrating the heroic nature of Border Patrol agents. Finally, we remember the tragic losses of three Border Patrol agents who made the ultimate sacrifice. Border Patrol Agent Jeffrey Ramirez succumbed to a heat-related illness on September 15, 2012, while Border Patrol Agents Travis Attaway and Jeremy Wilson drowned during marine operations on the Rio Grande on September 19, 2004. Their dedication and sacrifice are forever remembered. Join us in reflecting on these moments and more in this week’s blog. 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 MILESTONESSeptember 15
On September 15, 1943, INS Commissioner Earl G. Harrison (1899-1955) forwarded a memo describing the reorganization of agency's field offices from 22 districts to 16 districts. The document also includes a map of the districts.
Beginning on September 15, 1965, Mexican Passports and nonimmigrant visas were no longer required from Mexican nationals in possession of a border crossing card wishing to enter the U.S. for business or pleasure not to exceed six months.
On September 15, 1989, Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Houlton Sector (Maine) assisted the Edmundson Police and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in a cross-border weapons and terrorism investigation involving four members of a Colombian hit team arrested with machine guns, sniper rifles, pistols, and other weapons which they smuggled across the border into Canada. The Colombian hit team was tasked with freeing the nephew of Pablo ESCOBAR, who was in a Canadian jail for smuggling 500 kilograms of cocaine into Canada.
Line of Duty Death anniversary Jeffrey Ramirez Date of Birth February 6, 1987 Entered on Duty: September 1, 2008 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: September 15, 2012 Details: On September 15, 2012, Border Patrol Agent Jeffrey Ramirez, died at the age of 25. Agent Ramirez had been hospitalized in Laredo, Texas since the onset of a heat-related illness on August 22, 2012. Agent Ramirez entered on duty with the U.S. Border Patrol on September 1, 2008, as a member of Border Patrol Academy Class 810. Following graduation from the Academy, he was assigned to the Hebbronville Station in the Laredo Sector. Agent Ramirez is survived by his parents, sister, two brothers, son and a girlfriend. His brother is a Border Patrol Agent at the Freer Station. Gravesite September 16 On September 16, 1911, Acting Commissioner-General Frank H. Larned (1861-1937) wrote a memo to the Secretary of Labor concerning the compensation of "mounted inspectors", specifically their per diem rates.
On September 16, 1926, Border Patrol Inspector Frank Edgell induced 47 hostile Yaqui Indians to surrender peacefully to him. Back then, the press initially carried a different version of events, with the Yaquis kidnapping federal agents. The condensed version of the actual events is as follows and is primarily from the accounting of Mary Kidder Rak from her 1938 book, Border Patrol.
USBP time-in-service insignia was implemented in 1928 with an amendment to its first Uniform Policy, General Order 42. By 1942, the old bars and stars embroidered insignia (the image changes every 7 seconds) was was replaced by the modern stars as is evident in this September 16, 1942 document written by William H. Wagner (1877-1956). According to this document, the Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) was authorized on September 16, 1982.
September 17 Organizationally, the USBP has always prided itself on its involvement in various activities not exactly aligned with its primary mission set. Examples are the thwarting an aircraft highjacking, providing assistance to the USMS during segregation issues, deploying to Los Angeles during the riots, etc, etc, etc... This September 17, 1927 document is the earliest example of which I have found where the USBP beyond its traditional role. In this case, Border Patrol Inspectors were making plans to provide security for Colonel C. Lindbergh and the Spirit of St. Louis which was schedule to land in Tucson.
On September 17, 1954, with the transfer of a C-46 military surplus plane (N-1804M) from the U.S. Air Force. Two additional C-46s with a 50-passenger capacity were transferred in September 1954, providing the U.S. Border Patrol with an economical means of air transport for large numbers of aliens and other passengers where and when needed.
September 18 On September 18, 1953, the Los Angeles District Director issued a comprehensive 8-page memo covering the 242 miles of border of the Chula Vista ad El Centro Sector. The memo began, "...this report and recommendations is submitted on the proposed plan of operation following the construction of fences along certain designated portions of the Mexican border in this District." In early September 1954, Commissioner Swing used his military connections to secure three 50-passenger C-46 cargo planes from the U.S. Air Force considered military surplus for transport and repatriation operations for the Border Patrol. Two of the C-46s were assigned to Brownsville, TX, and one to El Centro, CA. Six Border Patrol pilots with previous experience flying multi-engine aircraft were recruited for the new “Airlift”. The pilots were John Landry, James “Ed” Parker, Alva Pilliod, Philip Pring, William Turner, and John Wright. Al Pilliod was designated as Chief Pilot and oversaw training and operations. The pilots received orientation and “refresher” training in Miami, Florida, with the U.S. Air Force Reserve. The inaugural flight of the Border Patrol Air Transport Arm was on September 18, 1954, from Chicago, Illinois, to Brownsville, Texas.
September 18, 2012, “The Naco Station in Tucson Sector is rededicated as the Brian A. Terry Border Patrol Station.”
September 19 Refer to this 6 page PDF to see a cover memo and two sworn statements taken from Border Patrol Inspectors concerning a gunfight that occurred on September 19, 1929. No injuries were reported.
Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary 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. On September 19, 1993, the El Paso Sector implemented Operation Blockade, a high profile, high visibility linewatch operation on the Rio Grande River and land border area covering 20 miles, mostly within the city limits and high traffic areas. The 130 marked Border Patrol vehicles were placed in high profile areas from Monument One to the Ysleta Highgates, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, utilizing 350 local personnel from the El Paso, Ysleta, and Fabens Stations and Special Unit/Support personnel from Sector, as well as detailing 50 agents from outstations in the El Paso Sector... On September 24, 1993, just five days into the initiative, Chief Reyes announced that it would continue indefinitely. The success and visible impact of Operation Blockade led to it becoming Operation Hold the Line.
Line of Duty Death anniversary Travis W. Attaway Date of Birth: May 3, 1973 Entered on Duty: December 1, 1997 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: September 19, 2004 Details: On September 19, 2004, at approximately 2:45 p.m., Border Patrol Agent Travis W. Attaway was part of a three-man team conducting marine Border Patrol Operations on the Rio Grande River near the Free Trade Bridge at Los Indios, Texas when their boat capsized. Agents Attaway, Wilson, and Sandoval were ejected from the boat into the fast moving waters of the Rio Grande. Agents in a nearby boat responded to the distress calls and were able to rescue Agent Sandoval, but they could not locate Agent Attaway or Agent Wilson. An intensive multi-agency search and rescue operation that included the Government of Mexico was initiated, and on September 21, 2004, at approximately 1:30 a.m., the body of Agent Attaway was recovered. At approximately 3:05 a.m., the body of Agent Jeremy Wilson was also recovered. Both agents were located within 150 yards of where their boat initially capsized. Agent Attaway was 31 years old and was a graduate of the 359th session of the Border Patrol Academy. Gravesite Line of Duty Death anniversary Jeremy M. Wilson Date of Birth: July 31, 1975 Entered on Duty: November 3, 1997 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: September 19, 2004 Details: On September 19, 2004, at approximately 2:45 p.m., Border Patrol Agent Jeremy M. Wilson was part of a three-man team conducting marine Border Patrol Operations on the Rio Grande River near the Free Trade Bridge at Los Indios, Texas when their boat capsized. Agents Wilson, Attaway, and Sandoval were ejected from the boat into the fast moving waters of the Rio Grande. Agents in a nearby boat responded to the distress calls and were able to rescue Agent Sandoval, but they could not locate Agent Wilson and Agent Attaway. An intensive multi-agency search and rescue operation that included the Government of Mexico was initiated, and on September 21, 2004, at approximately 1:30 a.m., the body of Agent Attaway was recovered. At approximately 3:05 a.m., the body of Agent Jeremy Wilson was recovered. Both agents were located within 150 yards of where their boat initially capsized. Agent Wilson was 29 years old and was a graduate of the 356th session of the Border Patrol Academy. Gravesite On September 19, 2018, the USBP Honorary Awards and Recognition Program was implemented when Chief of the Border Patrol Carla Provost sent the IOP and cover memo to the field. September 20 On September 20, 1918, a memo was written that summarized a meeting where the enforcement of the Passport Act of 1918 and the regulations of August 8, 1918 concerning passports and permits were discussed, as well as an increase in the number 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. By the time this memo was written, future Chief and Father of the Border Patrol Frank Berkshire (1870-1934) had already submitted at least two proposals to create a Border Patrol. The following organizations were present in the meeting:
September 20, 1938, “The Border Patrol Mobile First Aid Units were formed in the late 1930s and were recognized by the American Red Cross for their response on September 20, 1938, to a mass casualty event near Tortuga, California, involving the head on collision of two passenger trains resulting in the deaths of 11 people and injuries to 139 others. The Border Patrol Inspectors of the Mobile First Aid Unit assisted in rescuing injured, providing first aid, recovery efforts, and protecting the scene from looters and souvenir hunters.”
September 20, 2007, “For the first time in its history, the U.S. Border Patrol Academy allows trainees (interns) to test out of Spanish beginning with Class 715 and the Academy is shortened to 55 days for those able to pass the Spanish Proficiency Test.”
On September 20, 2016, the death of Border Patrol Agent Javier Vega, Jr. was reclassified as having occurred in the line of duty. In light of information identified during the intensive investigation completed by the Willacy County Sheriff's Department, Agent Vega's actions were indicative of his law enforcement training. He instinctively acted to thwart a criminal act and protect others. September 21 On September 21, 1931, eleven days after the implementation of the Border Patrol's second uniform policy (GO179), Chief of the Border Patrol Ruel E. Davenport (1878-1961) 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.
On September 21, 1999, Lynne M. Underdown became Chief Patrol Agent of the Miami Sector, making her the first woman to be a Chief Patrol Agent in the U.S. Border Patrol’s storied history.
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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
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