January 26 - February 1Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! This week we explore pivotal moments that shaped the Patrol’s proud legacy. On January 27, 1925, Commissioner-General William W. Husband highlighted the Border Patrol’s independence and secured vital funding that signaled Congressional support for the growing organization. The 1980 Winter Olympics saw agents deployed to safeguard the Olympic Security Area, demonstrating the Patrol’s operational adaptability. In 1928, Border Patrol Inspectors in El Paso united to counter disinformation, showcasing their camaraderie and high morale. From badge inventories in 1939 to the formation of anti-smuggling units in 1978, these milestones honor the evolution and resilience of the Border Patrol. 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 MILESTONESJanuary 26
Today marks a quiet day in USBP history. January 27 On January 27, 1925, Commissioner-General William W. Husband (1871-1942) wrote a memo to Irving F. Wixon (1884-1962) who was the Commissioner of the Montreal District. A few of items of interest:
From January 27, 1980 to February 27, 1980, a Lake Placid Operational Detail from the Rouses Point Station (ROB) consisting of Harry Van Leuvan (1923-1995), John Koren, Thomas McGrath, Richard Walker, and John Ward were deployed to patrol and respond to incidents in what was designated as the Olympic Security area, which included Olympic venues and support facilities located both in the Swanton and Ogdensburg Sector AORs.
January 28 Today marks a quiet day in USBP history. January 29 Today marks a quiet day in USBP history. January 30 In another article posted in the El Paso Herald on January 30, 1928, anonymous sources were spreading disinformation claiming that “there was friction and dissatisfaction among the members of the United States Immigration Border Patrol at El Paso, Texas.” This prompted the 44 Border Patrol Inspectors of the El Paso Sub-District to send multiple memoranda with their names to Headquarters to “go on the record and state, that, THERE IS NO FRICTION OR DISSATISFACTION AMONG US AND OUR MORALE IS HIGH.”
January 31 On January 31, 1939, in response to a request from the Central Office (HQ) to send an inventory of all badges and cap insignia, two districts completed their reports; the Seattle District and the St. Paul District. The San Antonio District would complete their report on February 3rd.
February 1 This February 1, 1941, memorandum discusses constructing a new HQ building in El Paso, replacing Camp Chigas. The new El Paso HQ would be constructed in the mid-1950’s. However, due to border adjustments from the Chamizal Treaty, the building now lies in Mexico. When Commissioner Leonel Castillo (Tio Leo) (1939-2013) directed the formation of a National Anti-Smuggling Project on February 1, 1978, the Border Patrol already had a force of 67 Border Patrol Agents conducting anti-smuggling operations at the Sector level. While in comparison, the Inspections side of the INS house had 25 Criminal Investigators conducting anti-smuggling operations.
Comments
|
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
February 2025
I prefer that you leave comments. However, if you wish to contact me, please do so by emailing [email protected].
|