This Week in USBP History, Vol. 175

January 5 - January 11

Welcome to another This Week in USBP History!

This week offers a fascinating glimpse into the organization’s evolution and stories of heroism. From early intelligence operations and uniform recommendations to acts of bravery and tragic line-of-duty deaths, these events illuminate the Patrol’s storied past. We reflect on the establishment of the earliest intelligence divisions, Agent John Marquissee’s courageous life-saving rescue, and the legacies of fallen agents William McCalib and Jose Nava. Milestones like Carol Anne Fetty’s historic promotion as the first female Supervisory Border Patrol Agent underscore the progress within the Patrol, while operational insights from initiatives like Operation Rio Grande highlight its commitment to border security. Join us as we honor the individuals and events that shaped the U.S. Border Patrol’s enduring mission.

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

January 5
 
On January 5, 1926, George T. Montague, the PIIC of the Detroit Intelligence Division submitted an activity report to District Director Prentis.  This is the earliest Border Patrol intel unit of which I am aware.

• This 1925 document is the earliest document of the “so-called Intelligence Division” the Detroit District and in the Border Patrol.
• I could not locate the gravesite of George T. Montague.  However, I did find newspaper articles that showed he was transferred to Baltimore as an Immigrant Inspector in 1927.  He resigned from the Immigration Service approximately two months after that transfer.  In 1929, he was detained and subsequently release for suspicion of bootlegging while he was assigned to Detroit.  Although, I could locate other people with the same name, I could not confirm any of them were this George T. Montague.

 
On January 5, 1927, Supervisor of the Border Patrol George Harris wrote to the Commissioner-General his recommendations for Border Patrol uniform fabric.

• The position “Supervisor of the Border Patrol” is synonymous with the modern position “Chief of the Border Patrol”.  Later in 1927, Harris would be reassigned leaving only Davenport as the sole “Chief” until 1932.

 
On January 5, 1932, GO61 was superseded with two other General Orders which created two Border Districts, and the position of Supervisor of the Border Patrol was changed to Director, Border Patrol. The two-border district approach was very short lived, beginning in 1932 and ending in 1933 when the General Orders below were superseded with General Order 203 which reinstated GO61 effective June 1, 1933.

• General Order 183 - Created the Director of the Border Patrol for the Mexican Border, Gulf and Florida immigration districts.  The district was headquartered in El Paso and George Harris came back to be the "Chief" for a nonconsecutive term.
• General Order 184 - which created the Director of the Canadian Border District.  The district was headquartered in Detroit and Frank Berkshire (1870-1934), the Father of the Border Patrol, became the third person to be "Chief" of the Border Patrol.

 
Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary
John P. Marquissee - ​photo, award set, certificate
Border Patrol Agent
Westmore, VT 
On January 5, 2012 at approximately 4:00 PM, off-duty Border Patrol Agent John Marquissee saw a vehicle accident in which a car was overturned and partially submerged in Lake Willoughby near Westmore, VT. Knowing a person was in dire need of help, Agent Marquissee, beyond the call of duty while facing grave danger, entered the partially frozen lake. Once at the vehicle, Agent Marquissee saw that a female victim was trapped in the car. Agent Marquissee then broke out the rear window of the car and helped the victim escape the vehicle. Agent Marquissee took the victim to shore saving her life. Agent Marquissee’s actions brought great credit upon himself and the United States Border Patrol.
 
 
January 6
 
On January 6, 1934, William P. Blocker (1893-1947), the American Consul in Ciudad Juarez, wrote, "Since January 16, 1920, according to Border Patrol records, fifty smugglers have been killed in the El Paso vicinity, and nineteen immigration and customs officers have met death at the hands of the smugglers. Besides these figures of actual deaths, a number of persons have been wounded on both sides of the river."

• From - HONOR FIRST:  The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume I by Joseph Banco

 
Planning for Operation Rio Grande began around the same time as Operation Gatekeeper was first making a difference in San Diego. On January 6, 1995, Attorney General Janet Reno announced that Texas would see unprecedented increases in border enforcement personnel and equipment. She committed to adding 300 Border Patrol Agents to the Sectors along the Rio Grande, with McAllen Sector receiving 75 new Agents. 

• From - HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume Three 1975-1999​ by Joseph Banco

 
 
January 7
 
On January 7, 1927, the Commissioner of Immigration of District #1, the Montreal District, Harry R. Landis (1880-1950), wrote a request to the Commissioner-General to rent approximately 20 horses from the U.S. Army so that Border Patrol Inspectors could use them to patrol the border in the winter months.

• It should be noted that the district was headquartered in Montreal, Canada.  The district included Houlton, Newport, Rouses Point, and Massena Sub-districts.

 
Line of Duty Death anniversary
William D. McCalib
Date of Birth:                        December 20, 1895               
Entered on Duty:                   December 4, 1928
Title:                                      Patrol Inspector
End of Watch:                       January 7, 1930

Details:
On January 7, 1930, Patrol Inspector McCalib, together with Senior Patrol Inspector West, apprehended Pedro Rendon, at Alice, Texas. Rendon was suspected of being an alien unlawfully in the United States. Rendon claimed that the proprietor of a restaurant in Alice could vouch for him and, accordingly, the officers put Rendon in the back seat of the car and drove to the restaurant. Senior Patrol Inspector West entered the establishment to interview the proprietor while Inspector McCalib remained in the car with Rendon. During West's absence, Rendon drew a pistol and shot McCalib in the back of the head, killing him instantly. Rendon was subdued and taken into custody by Senior Patrol Inspector West. It was later discovered that Rendon, alias Jose Ramirez, was an escaped convict.

Survivor benefits - As per this document, his wife received $69.75 per month for her and their child.  Upon the death of his wife, his child received $38.75 per month.

​Gravesite
 
Line of Duty Death anniversary
Jose A. Nava
Date of Birth:                  July 6, 1958
Entered on Duty:            January 27, 1987
Title:                                 Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch:                 January 7, 1995
 
Details:
On January 6, 1995, Agent Jose A. Nava was on his way to conduct a train check. He was traveling on Farm Road 1572, 45 miles east of Del Rio, Texas. His Service vehicle struck a deer causing him to lose control. The vehicle overturned several times and Agent Nava was thrown from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:40 a.m. on January 7, 1995.
 
Jose Nava was born in Brownsville, Texas. He began his career with the Border Patrol in El Paso, Texas. On April 9, 1989, he transferred to the Del Rio Sector and was assigned to the Brackettville Station.

​Gravesite
 
 
January 8
 
January 8, 1984 - First Female Supervisory Border Patrol Agent (SBPA)

• The next significant milestone would be the promotion of Carol Anne Fetty to Supervisory Border Patrol Agent on January 8, 1984 at the Brown Field Station in Chula Vista Sector, soon to be renamed the San Diego Sector. SBPA Fetty had entered on duty with Session 116 of the U.S. Border Patrol Academy on August 1, 1977. At the time of her promotion, there were 60 female Border Patrol Agents nationwide and INS Commissioner Nelson (1933-1997) made note of the significance of SBPA Fetty’s promotion in the Commissioner’s Communique also recognizing that she was the mother of four teenagers. Chula Vista Sector Chief Patrol Agent Alan Eliason and former CPA Gene Wood did the honors of pinning on SBPA Fetty’s supervisory bars.
• From - HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume Three 1975-1999​ by Joseph Banco

 
 
January 9
 
On January 9, 1941, most likely in anticipation of changing from Department of Labor to Department of Justice badges, Assistant to the Attorney General Lemuel B. Schofield (1882-1955) issued a memo stating that if the, “…loss of a badge or credentials occurred through carelessness or negligence, the Central Office will take such disciplinary action as the circumstances surrounding the loss may seem to warrant, but in no instance will the penalty be less than suspension from duty and pay for a period of two days…” Plus, the officer would be required to pay for the lost items.

• Since April 4, 1928, the badges, cap insignia and buttons for Patrol Inspectors were, “Oxidized silver for Patrol Inspectors and Senior Patrol Inspectors; gilt as at present, for Chief Patrol Inspectors and Assistant Superintendents.” 
• Although they are known to have existed, there are no known examples of Department of Labor, gilt (gold) Patrol Inspector badges.  My guess is that the tenants of Honor First prevailed, and all old Department of Labor badges were turned in by the employees (none “lost” as keepsakes), with the old badges destroyed by the Central Office.
• Numerous newspaper articles describe an intense investigation of Schofield's estate after his death.  Reports state that he had not filed federal income tax for nearly six years and owed nearly $1,000,000 in back taxes and penalties.

 
 
January 10
 
On January 10, 1931, in El Paso, Texas, Senior Patrol Inspector Ammon Meshach Tenney III (1897-1961) and Patrol Inspector Charles Askins, Jr.​ (1907-1999) engaged in a gunfight with smugglers where approximately 12 rounds were fired and no injuries reported.  See this file for the cover memo and sworn statements describing the incident.
 
 
January 11
 
See the January 11, 1943 documents in this file to see the Organizational Chart and map of all the District 13 employees and work locations.  District 13 was the St. Paul District and primarily included the modern-day Grand Forks Sector.
 
In the early 1950’s, there was a significant initiative to construct fencing on the border with Mexico.  This document from January 11, 1954, shows the specifications of one of the proposals.