January 29 - February 4IntroGood morning! Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! Today's intro is going to be a bit different, because I've turned the emailed newsletter into a weekly blog notification. I hope the change isn't too drastic, but I believe the benefits far outweigh any negative aspects. This blog has the same content as the newsletters and more. Let me spell out a few of the benefits:
Enjoy and leave a comment below to let me know what you think. I really want to see how well it works and to hear your suggestions. ![]() This week starts with a 1926 photograph of a snowmobile that was used in Vermont. I should note, that it is an extreme rarity to discover anything other than documents while researching at the National Archives. During my visits, I only found a few photographs, a swatch of uniform samples, and early examples of the USBP patch... Today, we have early examples of Immigration field hierarchy from 1929, and a 1939 document that ordered the inventory of all badges. All of the badge reports were collected giving us a roster of employees, their ranks and their assigned locations. Notice that we have five references from Joe Banco's books (including 4 references from Volume III of the Honor First series). I've said it before and it's worth repeating... Joe Banco has researched and authored books of USBP history that are without peer! Each of his books are meticulously researched with hundreds upon hundreds sources. Please click the image of his latest book to be taken to the About Joseph Banco page where you'll be given links to purchase his books. The are no Newton-Azrak Award action anniversaries for the week. However, I do highlight Immigration Inspector Willard T. Lamade, who was one of the first two recipients from 1973 and whose date of action is unknown. We remember two of our fallen on the anniversaries of their deaths. Have a great week! Cliff PS -
Esprit de CorpsThe workplace climate resulting from a combination of organizational pride and employee morale.
Esprit de corps is reinforced through the shared goals, mission and values of the organization and its employees. The definition turns Esprit de Corps into a simple formula and defines parts that comprise organizational pride and employee morale. Esprit de Corps = Organizational Pride + Employee Morale Esprit de Corps is the key to a healthy organization and engaged employees. Honor First is foundational to the Border Patrol's organizational pride and integral to its Esprit de Corps. Documents and events1926
Newton-Azrak Award Action AnniversariesFollow this link to see examples of USBP employees Upholding Honor First.
There are no Newton-Azrak Award action anniversaries for this week. Therefore, I will highlight Immigration Inspector Willard T. Lamade, whose date of action is unknown. 1973 Willard T. Lamade (1924-1997) Immigration Inspector San Ysidro, California Inspector Willard T. Lamade was recognized for his heroic action in assisting Federal agents in capturing a dealer in large amounts of narcotics and alien smuggling, at great risk to himself. U.S. Border Patrol Fallen![]() As of December 7, 2022, the U.S. Border Patrol has suffered 153* fallen. Titles:
The names that appear below hold a place of honor. They have made the ultimate sacrifice in an effort to fulfill the oath each officer took to protect and defend the United States of America. The facts regarding each officer are presented without major editing of the "language of the day" found in the reports detailing the circumstances of each event. This is done to provide the reader an association with historical timeframes. Employees who died in the line of duty due to being exposed to deadly illnesses will not have the cause of death listed. I will note that Border Patrol Agent John Charles Gigax is not recognized as officially fallen by Customs and Border Protection or the U.S. Border Patrol. The Border Patrol Foundation and the Border Patrol Museum also fail to recognize him. He is remembered by all except organizations containing "Border Patrol" in their title. He is remembered by the:
The U.S. Border Patrol, the Border Patrol Foundation, and the Border Patrol Museum should fix their oversight. HonorFirst.com remembers and lists Agent Gigax among the fallen. 1974 Edwin C. Dennis Date of Birth: March 3, 1912 Entered on Duty: April 17, 1941 Title: Senior Patrol Agent End of Watch: February 4, 1974 Details: At 7:10 p.m. on February 4, 1974, Senior Patrol Agent Edwin C. Dennis was in a van driven by Border Patrol Agent Richard Marroguin with one alien in custody. They were enroute from Ysleta to El Paso, Texas, on the border highway. They were traveling without lights when the vehicle struck some rocks that had been left by a construction crew. The vehicle turned over and Dennis was thrown out of the van and it rolled over him, crushing the upper part of his body. The other occupants in the vehicle were shaken up but not seriously injured. Gravesite 2019 Donna M. Doss Date of Birth November 6, 1969 Entered on Duty: November 3, 2003 Title: Border Patrol Resident Agent End of Watch: February 2, 2019 Details: On February 2, 2019, Border Patrol Agent Donna M. Doss responded to a request for assistance from a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper regarding a suspected illegal alien. After affecting the arrest of the subject at mile marker 276 on Interstate 20 near Tye, Texas, Agent Doss was struck by a passing vehicle. She succumbed to her injuries at the scene. Agent Doss entered on duty with the U.S. Border Patrol on November 3, 2003, graduated as a member of the 584th session of the Border Patrol Academy, and was subsequently assigned to the Brackettville Station in Del Rio Sector. On March 6, 2017, Agent Doss transferred to Abilene, Texas, as a Resident Agent responsible for enforcement operations in eight Texas counties. Agent Doss served with the U.S. Border Patrol for more than 15 years. Cremated Honor First Pages
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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
February 2025
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