You know, I think every week is a huge week in USBP history.  This week is no different!

There are documents from 1918 that show the authorized and actual strength of the Mounted Watchmen.  There's a 1924 document where the Commissioner-General recommended changing the title of ​Patrol Inspectors to Junior Immigrant Inspectors.  

From Joe Banco's HONOR FIRST:  The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume II, we have information about the "Boatlift" in 1953, USBP canines being used in 1955, and the termination of the Border Patrol Air Transport Operation in 1972.  (Thank you Joe!).

We celebrate the heroism of four Newton-Azrak Award recipients on the anniversaries of their actions.

We also remember two of our fallen on the anniversaries of their deaths.

Have a great week!

Cliff

PS - 

• 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 attach them to a reply to this email).
• If this email doesn't render well, please follow the "View in Browser" link in the upper right corner.
• As always, make sure to explore all of the hyperlinks to documents and pages.
• Finally, please forward this email to whomever you think may enjoy it.

The workplace climate resulting from a combination of organizational pride and employee morale.

• Organizational pride is the positive feeling experienced by employees from being part of a meaningful team that is rich in history, tradition and culture.
• Employee morale is the feeling experienced by employee based in part on their perception of:
  • Being valued by the organization,
  • Fairly compensated, and
  • Performing meaningful work.

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.

1918

• Two documents from 1918 have been found where the Commissioner-General responded to a request concerning staffing levels along the Mexican border.  The document from September 3, 1918 shows authorized numbers and the document from September 4, 1918 shows actual numbers.
   
  The documents specify that there were 68 Mounted Watchmen employed but 84 authorized.  Mounted Watchmen were also known as Mounted Guards and Mounted Patrol.  It is unknown and unverified where the "maximum strength of 75 watchmen" quote originated.  The September 3rd document is the best evidence yet located that indicates the maximum strength of the mounted force (68 Watchmen).
   
  ​The September 3rd document
  The September 4th document 

1924

• On August 30, 1924, the Commissioner-General sent a memo to the Second Assistant Secretary in the Department of Labor that began, "A question has arisen concerning the source of authority, if any, possessed by officers connected with the border patrol service who have been given the designation of Patrol Inspector."  By law, authority rested with employees who had the title "Immigrant Inspector" who were paid more than Border Patrol Inspectors.  In order that Border Patrol Inspectors might receive legal authority without being paid more, the Commissioner-General proposed to resurrect a plan that was used in 1913 for Mounted Watchmen, and to rename Border Patrol Inspectors, Junior Immigrant Inspectors.

1931

• On August 31, 1931, Chief of the Border Patrol Ruel E. Davenport (1878-1961) responded via a memo to the National Rifle Association.  The response mention that the Border Patrol shooting team article in The American Riflemen (see page 36 of 50), and that the Border Patrol was unable to send a team to compete in Camp Perry, Ohio due to "economical reasons".
• On September 1, 1931, Commissioner-General Harry E. Hull (1864-1938) sent a memo to the Commissioner of Immigration for the Montreal District (District #1) concerning firearms and competing in Camp Perry, Ohio in 1932.
  • A "Commissioner of Immigration" was one of two titles used for people who were in charge of and immigration district.  The other title was, "District Director".
• On September 2, 1931, Chief of the Border Patrol Ruel E. Davenport (1878-1961) wrote a memo to Bert R. Landis of the Bureau of Immigration concerning, "...draft of revised specifications tor Border Patrol uniforms."
  • The suggestions provided by Davenport would be incorporated into the Border Patrol's second uniform policy General Order 179.
    

1953

• As part of the deterrent effort and interior repatriation program, the INS and U.S. Border Patrol implemented a “Boatlift” from Port Isabel, Texas to Tampico and Veracruz, Mexico beginning in 1953. Transporting Mexican nationals by Boatlift as part of interior repatriation was seen as a more economical, timely, and “cleaner” option than Bus or Train-Lifts for interior repatriation by the Mexican government. Three Mexican flagged vessels with Mexican crews were used for the Boatlift: the S.S. Emancipation, S.S. Mercurio, and S.S.Veracruz. The first “Boatlift” repatriation left Port Isabel, Texas, on September 3, 1953, with 800 Mexicans aboard the S.S. Emancipation. The Boatlift was responsible for repatriating 2,000 illegal aliens a month, with a total of 49,503 deported between September 3, 1953, and August 25, 1956, when the Boatlift was terminated.
  
  • From - HONOR FIRST:  The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume II by Joseph Banco​​
    

1955

• The Mexican Government began complaining to the Department of State about the use of canines by the Border Patrol, not based on actual incidents with their nationals, but because of news reports and some of the verbiage used in the reports. Specifically mentioned in a Diplomatic Note dated August 31, 1955 was the term “trapping” used in a news report. Based on the article, the Mexican Government claimed that the Border Patrol was “hunting down and guarding” Mexican nationals with dogs and that the practice had “discriminatory appearances”
  • ​​From - HONOR FIRST:  The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume II by Joseph Banco

1972

• In FY 1972, the INS made the decision to terminate the Border Patrol Air Transport Operation in favor of “more cost effective” bus transportation. Alien transport requiring air services would be contracted out or carried out by the U.S. Marshals Service’s new National Prisoner Transportation System, later to become the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS). The final flight for the Border Patrol Air Transport fleet occurred on September 1, 1972, when Convair N1179 landed and was declared excess property by the General Services Administration. Twelve transport aircraft were used between 1954 and 1972, accumulating 78,859 flight hours and 330,073,133 passenger miles.
  
  • From - HONOR FIRST:  The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume II by Joseph Banco​
    

2019

• On August 29, 2019, the USBP issued Interim Wear Guidance for U.S. Border Patrol Honorary Awards ​that authorized the following to be worn on Ike Jackets, dress shirts and rough duty uniforms (see the table below):
  • Newton-Azrak Award
  • USBP Purple Cross
  • USBP Commendation Medal
  • USBP Achievement Medal
  • USBP 75th Anniversary Medal

Follow this link to see examples of USBP employees Upholding Honor First.

• An organization’s values are codified in its awards system. Recognizing the achievements, service and heroism of employees is important.  It is critical for those in positions of leadership to value the workforce.  Awards are a fundamental manner for leaders to demonstrate appreciation to the workforce for upholding the organizational values. – U.S. Border Patrol Honorary Awards​

2002

Jered Bacon
Border Patrol Agent
Tucson Sector
Robert M. Lawler
Border Patrol Agent
Tucson Sector
On August 31, 2001, at about 1:15 a.m., while patrolling the border, Border Patrol Agents Robert M. Lawler, Jered Bacon, and Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Ed Tracy noticed an apartment building fire at 1850 Patagonia Highway near Nogales, Arizona.  The agents immediately called for the Nogales Fire Department.  The fire spread so quickly that the building was engulfed in flames without warning to the occupants.  Realizing that the Nogales Fire Department would not arrive on time, and being the only individuals in the area, the agents took immediate action.  Without regard for their own safety, the agents risked their lives to evacuate the building.  Most of the occupants were sleeping in their beds at the time of the fire.  By the time the Nogales Fire Department and the Nogales Police Department arrived, the agents had extracted all 22 occupants from the building, which by then was totally engulfed in flames.

2022

Ruben Gonzalez - photo, photo 2, award certificate, award set
Border Patrol Agent
San Diego, CA
On September 1, 2021, at approximately 1:30 PM, beyond the call of duty, Border Patrol Agents Ruben Gonzalez and Christian Llamas entered a sewage contaminated area of the Pacific Ocean at great personal risk to save a swimmer facing certain death by drowning. After swimming approximately 50 yards through battering waves, BPA's Gonzalez and Llamas reached the exhausted swimmer and pulled him to shore, saving his life. BPA's Gonzalez's and Llamas' actions brought great credit upon themselves and the United States Border Patrol.


Christian Llamas - ​photo, award set
Border Patrol Agent
San Diego, CA
On September 1, 2021, at approximately 1:30 PM, beyond the call of duty, Border Patrol Agents Ruben Gonzalez and Christian Llamas entered a sewage contaminated area of the Pacific Ocean at great personal risk to save a swimmer facing certain death by drowning. After swimming approximately 50 yards through battering waves, BPA's Gonzalez and Llamas reached the exhausted swimmer and pulled him to shore, saving his life. BPA's Gonzalez's and Llamas' actions brought great credit upon themselves and the United States Border Patrol.

As of May 16, 2022, the U.S. Border Patrol has suffered 152* fallen.
Titles:

• 3 Mounted Watchmen fell before 1924 and are carried as Border Patrol fallen
• 48 Border Patrol Inspectors fell between 1924 and 1970
• 100 Border Patrol Agents have fallen since 1970
• 1 Enforcement Analysis Specialist

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.

*With the exception of two of the fallen immediately below, all names are listed (or in the process of being included) on the official Honor Roll of U.S. Border Patrol Fallen and inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.  The U.S. Border Patrol should fix these discrepancies. HonorFirst.com honors both of the fallen.

• Joe R. White - He is recognized as officially fallen by the U.S. Border Patrol but his name is not inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial.
• John Charles Gigax - He is not recognized as officially fallen by Customs and Border Protection or the U.S. Border Patrol. He is remembered by all except his own agency with his name being inscribed on the:
  • National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial (see this link),
  • Officer Down memorial Page (see this link), and
  • Texas Peace Officer's Memorial (see this link).

1950

Michael T. Box
Date of Birth:                     August 4, 1901
Entered on Duty:               November 25, 1926
Title:                                  Airplane Pilot
End of Watch:                   August 29, 1950

Details:
Just after dawn on August 29, 1950, Airplane Pilot Michael T. Box was patrolling by plane in the irrigated farm area about 20 miles north of El Paso, Texas, searching for aliens who had walked through the desert at night and were attempting to get away to the north through the upper Rio Grande Valley. Pilot Box was working with two ground crews who were in radio-equipped jeeps. The operation had netted several aliens and others were being sought when the engine of the aircraft stopped and the plane crashed. It burst into flames; however, fellow officers were able to remove Pilot Box from the aircraft within minutes after the crash occurred. Artificial respiration was commenced immediately and was continued until Pilot Box was pronounced dead by a doctor who lived nearby.
 
Investigation into the accident revealed that the motor of the aircraft ceased apparently due to difficulty in the fuel system. Pilot Box maintained control of the plane as it lost altitude and maneuvered the aircraft into position to make an emergency landing in an irrigation ditch. The aircraft struck a submerged object on the canal bottom upon impact. Pilot Box's seat strap was broken and he was thrown with terrific force into the wheel and instrument panel. He died instantly as his chest and skull were crushed, his jawbone was broken in two places, and both shoulders were broken.

Gravesite​ ​

2021

Chad E. McBroom
Entered on Duty:          February 7, 1997
Title:                              Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch:               August 29, 2021

Details:
Agent McBroom entered on duty on February 7, 1997, as part of the 329th Session of the Border Patrol Academy. At the time of his passing, he was assigned to the Tucson Sector Special Operations Detachment in Arizona. The circumstances of his passing were reviewed by an executive panel and the CBP Commissioner who determined that this death occurred in the line of duty.  He is survived by his wife Magaly; children: Jackielynn, Kaya, and Reagan; and parents: Don and Sherry.

Gravesite​

The green bubbles below are links.

Click to explore!

The Creation of the HonorFirst Website and Delphi Forums

​

The internet saw its popularity begin to grow in the mid-1990.  About that time, Ray Harris realized that there were no sites that contained information on the U.S. Border Patrol and its hiring process.  To address that shortfall, sometime around 1998, Ray created a one-page website that consisted of a simple announcement that the Border Patrol was hiring.  The site had a green background with a green font and included his email address.  Here is a capture of the website from 1999​.

After launching the site, Ray was soon was overwhelmed with applicants requesting additional information. In his attempt to answer the flood of applicants, Ray spent approximately four hours on the telephone per day speaking to applicants.  Realizing the unsustainable pace was problematic, Ray found a solution with Delphi Forums.  In March of 1998, Ray created an open forum that evolved to be the Agent's Forum.   The idea behind the forum was for people who were in the hiring process, and agents, to offer assistance to new applicants in navigating the convoluted hiring process.  At the time, the Agent's Forum was the only LEO forum on Delphi.  In the following year, Ray created the Applicant's Forum.

Ray realized that the government seemed to have no intention of creating a website to inform and assist applicants. Therefore, he expanded the information contained on HonorFirst.com and switched website providers.  HonorFirst.com  was dedicated exclusively to assisting Border Patrol recruiting and helping applicants.  Since its inception, the Applicant's Forum has accumulated over 48,000 members, with over 3.7 million additional people visiting. 

​The significant impact of the site became apparent when Ray received a call from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) stating that HonorFirst.com was skewing their statistics.  To correct the anomalies, OPM assigned a code to collect statistics of applicants who applied from HonorFirst.com.

​Years later, Ray received a call from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requesting to use content from HonorFirst.com to help establish what would evolve into today's CBP Border Patrol hiring page.  Since then, CBP's hiring websites have improved and are great sources of information for applicants. 

In March 2021, Ray invited recently retired Assistant Chief Clifford Gill to assist in moderating the Delphi forums and to be a webmaster for HonorFirst.com.  Cliff has built on the solid foundation created by Ray and has expanded HonorFirst.com to include pages to attract current and former Border Patrol agents as well as those interested in the USBP.

USBP - W.I.N. E30: Ret. Assistant Chief Clifford Gill​

Chief Patrol Agent Jason Owens, interviews Retired Assistant Chief Clifford Gill. Clifford Gill is considered the first Border Patrol Historian. Gill discusses several myths regarding Border Patrol history. Topics include the actual founder of the Border Patrol, and the first established Border Patrol Station.

The photograph above was taken of Cliff in December 2018 at the National Archives in Washington DC.  At the time, he was the USBP's historian was discovering many of the documents that were used to create this email.  

Joe Banco and Cliff have spent 100s of hours in that room constructing lost USBP history.