December 29 - January 4Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! This week, we reflect on the enduring bravery, resilience, and evolution of the U.S. Border Patrol. On December 29, 1944, discussions about consolidating the Customs and Immigration Border Patrols highlighted competing visions for the agencies’ futures. December 31, 1940, marked the inception of the Border Patrol’s first air patrols with autogiros, demonstrating early innovation in border security. The heroism of Border Patrol Agents is evident in the Newton-Azrak Award recipients we spotlight this week. Agents Mark Jones and Sevin Neufner risked their lives to save a struggling individual from the Rio Grande in 1998, and Agent Michael Linder rescued a driver from a burning vehicle in 2020. Additionally, we recount Senior Patrol Inspector Carson Morrow’s incredible perseverance after surviving a life-threatening attack on January 1, 1929. This week, we also honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Border Patrol Agent Manuel Salcido Jr., who tragically died in a vehicle accident on January 2, 1985, and Patrol Inspector Bert G. Walthall, who was killed in a gunfight with smugglers on December 27, 1933, remind us of the profound risks taken by agents to secure our nation. Join us in this week’s blog as we explore these powerful stories of service, sacrifice, and 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 MILESTONESDecember 29
On December 29, 1944, El Paso District Director Grover W. Wilmoth (1884-1951) wrote a memo to Assistant Commissioner for Alien Control Willard Kelly (1903-1969) (Chief of the Border Patrol 1933-1943) concerning the “Proposed consolidation of the Border Patrols”. His last paragraph was:
December 30 On December 30, 1927, see the report of two Border Patrol Inspectors engaged in a brief gunfight with an alcohol smuggler. The smuggler was apparently wounded. Patrol Inspectors involved in the shooting were:
This undated list of uniform vendors is believed to be from 1927. ...the Crystal City Family Internment Camp reached its peak population of 3,374, which consisted of 2,371 Japanese, 997 Germans, and five Italians on December 29, 1944. As reported by the initial Camp Commander Nick Collaer (1896-1977), “many of the camp’s residents were not ordered interned, but had requested voluntary internment in order that the family unit might not be split up.
Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary. Mark M. Jones Border Patrol Agent McAllen Sector Sevin K. Neufner Border Patrol Agent McAllen Sector On December 30, 1998, Border Patrol Agents Mark M. Jones and Sevin Neufner were assigned boat patrol duties in the McAllen area of responsibility. While patrolling and area known for alien and narcotic smuggling activities, Agent Neufner, using night vision equipment, observed what appeared to be an individual in distress in the middle of the river. He informed his partner, Agent Jones, who was operating the boat and directed him to the person, who was struggling to stay afloat. While attempting to close the distance between the boat and the person, Agent Neufner observed him slip beneath the surface for several seconds and then reappear still struggling to stay afloat. Upon reaching this person, Agent Neufner observed him go underwater for a second time and acting instinctively, jumped into the river and grasped him by his shoulders, rotating his body to a position where his face was out of the water. Agent Jones assisted his partner by throwing in a line and pulling Agent Neufner and the person into the boat. Once safe inside the boat, the person began coughing out water he had swallowed and regained consciousness. December 31 This undated map of the El Paso District contains tons of historic information for modern day Tucson, El Paso and Big Bend sectors. December 31, 1940, “The U.S. Border Patrol obtains three autogiros and begins air patrols. These autogiros were the first official U.S. Border Patrol aircraft and were put in service in May 1941 after training and certification of three Patrol Inspectors to fly them. The three were the first Border Patrol Pilots: Ned Henderson, Gregory Hathaway, and James Parker. After the November 1945 crash and death of Border Patrol Pilot Ned Henderson, the autogiro program came to an end.”
Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary 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. January 1 Another incident from Arizona shows the tenacity and drive of those early Patrol Inspectors to “stay in the fight.” On January 1, 1929, Senior Patrol Inspector Carson Morrow (1896-1959) of the Nogales, Arizona Station had apprehended two Mexican liquor smugglers in a canyon and during a struggle, one of the smugglers “imprisoned Inspector Morrow’s arms” behind his back as the other stabbed him in the chest with a large knife. The two stepped back expecting Morrow to fall dead, but he quickly drew his revolver and shot the alien that had stabbed him dead as the other made his escape. The knife wound was “an inch and a quarter in length and had pierced Morrows’ chest wall and punctured the pleural sac around the left lung.” Although severely injured, Morrow managed to get back to his horse, ride back to his station in Nogales to make a report, and then proceeded to “St. Joseph’s Hospital for medical and surgical attention.” Morrow made a full recovery and would later become the Chief Patrol Inspector of the Tucson Sector.
Although difficult to see clearly, this undated map from 1930 presents a reorganization plan for the El Paso District (covering modern day Tucson, El Paso and Big Bend Sectors). The plan was to have three sub-districts (sectors) just like modern times with each sub-district having only three stations (referred to as sectors on the map). January 2 On January 2, 1929, the Commissioner of Immigration for District #17, the New Orleans District, William W. Tuttle (1878-1948), wrote a 10-page paper concerning the activities of the Border Patrol Inspectors under his supervision. At the time, the district contained two sub-districts (sectors), New Orleans and Gulfport. Line of Duty Death anniversary 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 January 3 On January 3, 1925, District Director of the Detroit District, Percy L. Prentis (1870-1928), forwarded an activity report of the Marine City Sub-district to the Commissioner-General. The report was written by Ruel Davenport (1878-1961) who was the Patrol Inspector in Charge (PIIC) for the sub-district.
Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary 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 an 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. Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary 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. January 4 On January 4, 1926, PIIC Ruel Davenport submitted a Report of Activities for the Month of December 1925 for the Marine City Sub-district. Like the report from a year earlier, this offers an interesting glimpse into the early work conducted by the Border Patrol in the Detroit area.
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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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