December 1 - December 7Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! This week, we reflect on remarkable moments that shaped the U.S. Border Patrol’s history, celebrate its enduring legacy, and honor the sacrifices of those who served. On December 1, 1913, Jeff Milton, a legendary lawman, was promoted to Immigration Inspector. His fearless dedication and rugged independence inspired generations of Border Patrol Inspectors. A December 7, 1931, memo highlights how the Patrol’s long-standing emphasis on marksmanship strengthened its operational readiness, with detailed scores showcasing its agents’ competitive spirit. We also delve into key historical events, such as President Hoover’s December 2, 1930, address to Congress, where he underscored the importance of strengthening the Border Patrol to combat smuggling and enforce immigration laws during the Great Depression. Meanwhile, a December 3, 1929, proposal sheds light on early border fencing concepts, offering detailed designs and costs. This week, we remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Patrol Inspector Doyne C. Melton was tragically killed in a gunfight with smugglers on December 7, 1933, in El Paso. Border Patrol Agent Raul Gonzalez Jr. lost his life on December 7, 2022, in an ATV accident while patrolling the border near Mission, Texas. Their sacrifices, along with others who have fallen, remind us of the daily risks taken to secure our nation. Join us in this week’s blog as we uncover stories of bravery, evolution, and service that continue to define 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 MILESTONESDecember 1
On December 1, 1913, {Jeff} Milton (1861-1947) was promoted/converted to an Immigration Inspector and reassigned to Fairbank, Arizona. He remained in this position until officially transferred to Tombstone, Arizona, on November 10, 1931, where he retired on June 30, 1932 at the age 71. A few years earlier, when asked if Jeff Milton should continue working for the Immigration and Nationalization Service or be forced to retire, Assistant Commissioner General George J. Harris stated:
On December 1, 1927, a gunfight occurred in El Paso between two Border Patrol Inspectors and alcohol smugglers. This document describes the encounter. The Patrol Inspectors were:
This December 1, 1931 document from the Seattle District is in response to an earlier and unfound memo from the Central Office (Immigration Service HQ). The document defines a shooter qualifying “expert” as having attained “80%”. The document lists the names and scores of the Inspectors that qualified as experts. This comprehensive collection of documents from December 1933 reveals the locations and manpower of the nine-year-old USBP. These five pages of sketches and notes were found at the National Archives surrounded by documents from 1938. The documents appear to be the notes concerning updating the USBP uniform and includes insignia, with a note from "Ernie" humorously associating the silver bar with a 'jackass'.. Most importantly is on page five which is believed to be the earliest sketch of what would become the U.S. Border Patrol Patch. See the HonorFirst History Page for more information. On December 1, 1954, a memo was written concerning the wearing of military ribbons on the Border Patrol uniform. It was reported, “…the Department of Defense does view with favor the wearing of ribbons on police uniforms”. Atlanta Federal Penitentiary, Georgia - On December 1, 1987, Patrol Agents assigned to BORTAC and Sector Emergency Response Teams were pulled from the Oakdale Facility and deployed to the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary where the Cuban prisoners had taken control of a portion of the facility. The riot at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary had started two days after the Oakdale riot began.
December 2 In his December 2, 1930, Annual Address to Congress on the State of the Union, President Hoover focused on addressing the Great Depression and how the government could combat it. President Hoover stated, “forces of the depression now lie outside of the United States, and our recuperation has been retarded by the unwarranted degree of fear and apprehension created by these outside forces.” A measure included in the State of the Union under proposed legislation was action to address foreign influences through a:
On December 2, 1954, a new Border Patrol uniform policy was issued. The policy also identifies Border Patrol field ranks/positions of the time.
December 3 On December 3, 1929, Grover Wilmoth (1884-1951), the District Director of the El Paso District (Tucson, El Paso and Big Bend Sub-districts), authored a proposal to build a border fence. The proposal goes into great detail concerning costs and design. A photograph (courtesy of the Border Patrol Museum) of a Border Patrol training class in session from December 3, 1934, to March 17, 1935, is recognized as marking the birthdate of the USBP Academy. It remains unclear whether Camp Chigas had been used by the El Paso District (encompassing the Tucson, El Paso, and Big Bend Sub-districts) for training district employees prior to this photograph. However, the idea of establishing a national academy was being discussed and researched as early as 1934, as indicated in related this document and this document. While records do not specify the exact date when Camp Chigas began training all new Border Patrol hires and thereby became the national Academy, documents from 1936 support the occurrence of this transition On December 3, 1934, the District Director for St. Paul sent a memo to Willard Kelly (1903-1969), the Chief of the Border Patrol. Kelly was the first Border Patrol Inspector to have become Chief, serving from 1933 to 1943. The memo addressed the Border Patrol Inspectors' decision, made through a vote, to discontinue wearing boots or puttees in favor of slacks during the summer months. Slacks would be authorized on the northern border in 1936. December 4 During the late 1920’s and early 1930’s, there were numerous bills introduced in the house concerning the USBP. Some would have the Patrol merge and fall under the Coast Guard. H.R. 6318 from December 4, 1929, would have the Patrol be an agency. December 5 On December 5, 1940, a memo was written describing the urgent need for space for the Rouses Point Sub-district headquarters. Evidently, the proposed improvements in this memo from April 1, 1935 were not implemented. The official U.S. Border Patrol flag, pennant, and streamers were designed with the assistance of the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry under the direction of Assistant Chief Beaumet. Chief Gustavo De La Vina made the following request of the INS Commissioner:
December 6 This document contains a cover memo and three sworn statements concerning a gunfight that occurred on December 6, 1929. El Paso Sub-district Chief Patrol Inspector Herbert Horsley (1878-1962) authored the cover memo addressed to his superior, El Paso District Director Grover Wilmoth (1884-1951). The three sworn statements were taken from the following Border Patrol Inspectors that had engaged in the gunfight:
December 6, 2005, “Operation Streamline is initiated in Del Rio, Texas. Operation Streamline is a consequence-based prosecution program designed to attain effective operational control of the border by conducting focused prosecutions within defined enforcement areas. Operation Streamline targets illegal immigrants apprehended in specific enforcement zones for immediate prosecution for illegal entry. Violators face punishment of up to 180 days in jail. Additionally, deportation procedures are initiated to formally remove the individual once they complete their jail sentence. The program was expanded in subsequent years to the Border Patrol’s Yuma Sector in Arizona, the Laredo Sector in Texas, and the Rio Grande Valley Sector in Texas. Operation Streamline resulted in an increase in criminal prosecutions and a reduction in apprehensions.”
December 7 On December 7, 1931, Assistant Superintendent L. Antonio Bonazzi (1890-1950) sent a memo memo to the Commissioner of Immigration for the Montreal District, detailing the competitive shooting scores of the Border Patrol Inspectors in the district. This memo was subsequently forwarded to the Commissioner-General of the Bureau of Immigration. The memo is interesting for several reasons:
Line of Duty Death anniversary Doyne C. Melton Date of Birth: January 17, 1902 Entered on Duty: October 29, 1927 Title: Patrol Inspector End of Watch: December 7, 1933 Details: Patrol Inspector Doyne C. Melton was shot and killed in a battle with Mexican smugglers at El Paso, on December 7, 1933. Six Patrol Inspectors were moving up in the darkness on seventeen Mexican smugglers who were wading across the river with packs of liquor. One of three smugglers acting as spotters who had preceded the main body of the smugglers over the river, concealed beneath a platform on the American side, opened hostilities by shooting Inspector Melton. The opening shot was fired without warning and before any challenge had been given. Inspector Melton was shot through the heart, dying instantly. The bitterness of the fight was evidenced by the fact that in addition to the slaying of Inspector Melton, four smugglers were killed and another was wounded. Survivor benefits - As per this document, his wife received $54.25 per month. Gravesite On December 7, 1937, El Paso District Director Grover Wilmoth (1884-1951) wrote a memo to three of his subordinates, the Chief Patrol Inspectors of the Tucson, El Paso and Alpine Sub-districts. Evidently, Border Patrol Inspectors in the district had doubts concerning their authority to stop vehicles. Wilmoth provided a quote from a federal case from the Southern District of Texas that shows the support from the judiciary for the USBP to stop vehicles. It’s a long quote, below is the last sentence:
Line of Duty Death anniversary Raul Gonzalez Jr. Date of Birth: October 31, 1984 Entered on Duty: August 11, 2011 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: December 7, 2022 Details: Border Patrol Agent Gonzalez entered on duty on August 11, 2011, as part of 980th Session of the Border Patrol Academy. At the time of his passing he was assigned to the McAllen Station in the Rio Grande Valley Sector, Texas Agent Gonzalez was patrolling the international boundary at approximately 1 AM on an all-terrain vehicle and tracking a group of individuals which illegally crossed the border when he was involved in an accident near Mission, Texas. He was found unresponsive by fellow agents who immediately initiated life-saving efforts and requested emergency medical services. Agent Gonzalez was taken to an area hospital be ambulance where he later passed away. BPA Gonzalez is survived by his five-year-old daughter, Camila; eight-year-old son, Sebastian; father, Raul; brother, Carlos; grandmother, Maria; aunt, Victoria; stepmother, Esther; uncles who are Border Patrol agents, Lucio and Miguel; girlfriend, CBP Officer Ivonne; and a host of family and friends who loved him. 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
January 2025
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