wassup?? - Selfridge Military Air Museum

WASSUP??
January 2015
DEATHS IN OUR MUSEUM FAMILY
It hasn’t been a good year…since our last WASSUP we lost Museum volunteers RALPH CRAIG on 10 December and
ANDY TOMLIN on 20 December. Sleep well…
NEW 127TH WING COMMANDER
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In case you haven’t heard yet, Brig Gen John “Odie” Slocum assumed command of the 127 Wing at Selfridge ANG Base
on 2 November 2014. General Slocum has already demonstrated his commitment to our Museum by visiting us with his
family on 26 October 2014, attending our 5 December 2014 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, and having a personal briefing
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about our Museum from Lt Col Nigro on 23 December 2014. 127 Wing Commanders have supported us throughout the
years. This one is going to be special!
VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNERS
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The 127 Wing Commander, BG Slocum, presented volunteer awards at our 5 Dec 14 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. A
CD with all the photos taken at the event is available by contacting Lou Nigro. And a collage of some of the photos taken
is on the last page of this newsletter.
Volunteer of the Quarter, October – December 2014: JOE STANK
Volunteer of the Year Award for 2014: DAVE LEASIA
2014 Special Achievement Award: RUSS VALERI
Volunteer of the Quarter: Team Chiefs are reminded that nominations for the Volunteer of the Quarter awards should be
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submitted to Lou Nigro no later than the 15 day of March, June, September, and December. If no one is nominated, a
Volunteer of the Quarter award will not be made.
NEW VOLUNTEERS
We continue to be blessed with new people volunteering their time to help us here at the Museum. Since the last issue of
the WASSUP, we’ve added the following:
WILLIAM CONAWAY – Maintenance Team
DAVE SCHNEIDER – Restoration Team
STEPHEN SIBAL – Restoration Team
JAMES STARR – Maintenance Team
UNAUTHORIZED USE OF MUSEUM CREDIT CARD
Our Museum MasterCard credit card has been hacked (again), this time for an X-Box 1 software download over the
internet. The fraudulent charge has been reported, the existing card cancelled, and a new one has been ordered. If you
have the cancelled number on file, it won’t work!
BASE ACCESS FOR MUSEUM VOLUNTEERS/SPOUSES
For those who do not use a Government ID card to access the Base, I will be sending a revised list of volunteers (and, if
applicable, their spouse or, for those that don’t drive yet, the person bringing them to/from the Museum) to Selfridge
Security in early June 2015 to renew their Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDs) card that will allow them
access to the Base. The AF-mandated background check on the individuals listed may be done at the Visitor’s
Center when the DBIDS card is renewed or in advance by the Base Access Control Office. When you come thru the
Gate, just show them that card, they’ll scan the bar code on the back, and you’ll be on your way. REMEMBER that: (1)
Only the persons on the list I send can have their DBIDS card renewed and allowed access to the Base. (2) If your
spouse may need unescorted access to the Base to drop you off or pick you up, he/she will need to get their own DBIDS
card.
The previous DBIDS cards were requested for the period 1 August 2014 to 31 July 2015 BUT if you picked up your new
DBIDS card before the expiration of the old one (31 July 2014), the new one will expire one year after the issuance of the
new one. Future renewals will be requested for only six months (July thru December and January thru June) to insure that
all the DBIDS cards issued to Museum volunteers expire on the same day.
DBIDS cards are issued at the Vehicle Registration desk in the Visitor’s Center north of the Main Gate adjacent to our
Main Gate at the intersection of M-59 and Jefferson Avenue. Their hours are from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm on Monday and
from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm on Tuesday thru Saturday. They are closed on Sundays and Federal holidays and they close for
one hour on Saturday for lunch. I would recommend that you call before you try to get your pass, regardless of the day
you plan to arrive, as they frequently close for an assortment of reasons and their lunch hour on Saturday varies
depending on the workload. Their phone number is 586-239-6849.
DBIDS cards have been requested solely for participation in Museum activities, the performance of Museum
business at other locations, and transportation to/from eating establishments. Use of the pass for other reasons
is not authorized.
Enlisted heritage finds new home at Selfridge
By Tech. Sgt. Dan Heaton
127th Public Affairs
The 127th Wing Chiefs surround Col. Philip Sheridan, Wing commander, as he signs
the approval for Building 409 to be used as the Enlisted Heritage House at Selfridge Air National
Guard Base on October 31, 2014. The facility will be used for enlisted council meetings and host a
heritage, room, featuring photos and other information about the contributions of the Michigan Air
National Guard Enlisted Airmen.
10/31/2014 - SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. -- Quarters One has a new lease on life. One of the oldest buildings
at Selfridge Air National Guard Base has been designated for use as the Enlisted Heritage House at the historic air base.
Quarters One, officially designated as Building 409, served for decades, as the home for general officers assigned to both Selfridge and
to the Detroit Arsenal complex in nearby Warren, Michigan. Now the building will be used as meeting space for the 127th Wing's Chiefs
Council, Noncommissioned Officers Council and similar organizations. A heritage room, featuring photos and other information about
the contributions of Michigan Air National Guard enlisted Airmen, is planned and various artifacts will be placed throughout the building.
"The house will be used to recognize, support, and honor the enlisted members, past, present, and future, of the 127th Wing," said
Chief Master Sgt. Wayne Fetty, a member of the 127th Wing, and one of the organizers of the Enlisted Heritage House Idea.
The decision to approve the house was formally made on Oct. 31, 2014, by 127th Wing commander Col. Philip Sheridan.
"This is an idea that not only preserves and honors the history of so many dedicated Airmen of the past, but I believe will also help to
inspire today's Airmen," Sheridan said.
Built during a major period of construction at Selfridge, Quarters One was completed in January 1935 for a cost of $14,615. It has 3,187
square feet. While the house was not originally built specifically for use as a home for generals or commanders, from 1977 to 2006, it
was exclusively used by general officers, beginning with the arrival of Army Major Gen. Oscar Decker, who was the commanding
General of the Army Tank Command at the Detroit Arsenal. Since 2006, the home has been vacant, as a result of a Dept. of Defense
realignment plan that no longer authorized the use of on-base housing at Selfridge.
Though it was not the original "commander's house" on the base - an earlier building, since demolished, had that distinction -- it began
being used as such prior to World War II.
During World War II, the house became a nurses' quarters, accommodating seven women. Probably at this point the attached garage
was converted to a fifth bathroom (with bath), making Building 409 the sole set of quarters at Selfridge to have five bedrooms and four
baths. A detached, two-car garage was added at some point after World War II. Sometime after the war ended, the building reverted to
field grade officer quarters, but during the early Vietnam War era, it housed nurses again, from June 1963 to June 1966. After the
nurses left, Building 409 became the home of a series of families headed by majors through colonels to Colonel Decker's arrival in
1977.
Selfridge opened as an active duty military air base in the summer of 1917 during World War I. Following the war, the base was
originally slated for closure. In 1922, it became a "permanent" base, leading to a wave of construction in the late 1920s and early
1930s. Many of those buildings continue to serve as the nucleus of the base today, including several hangars and the base operations
building that were built in the same era. The base became an Air National Guard facility in 1971.
Today, about 1,350 enlisted Airmen serve in the 127th Wing at Selfridge, along with about 150 commissioned officers.
Michigan ANG Korean War Overview
Compiled by TSgt Dan Heaton
127th Wing Public Affairs
Michigan Air National Guard F-84 Thunderjet at Luke Air Force Base, circa 1952.
The Korean War prompted the first major mobilization of the Michigan Air National Guard, less than five years after the Michigan ANG
had been reorganized independent from the Michigan Army National Guard. The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when North
Korea invaded South Korea. The war ended with an armistice signed on July 27, 1953.
Like all state Air National Guard units, Michigan’s ANG was officially established on Sept. 18, 1947, when the U.S. Air Force was
created as an independent component of the U.S. Armed Forces. Three and a half years later, essentially the entire Michigan ANG was
mobilized due to the conflict in Korea. The Michigan units from the Detroit area – the 107th Fighter Squadron (Jet) and the 171st Fighter
Squadron, both of which had been operating at Detroit Metro Airport – were deployed to Luke Air Force Base, and there re-designated
as the 127th Pilot Training Wing. The Battle Creek-based 172nd Fighter Squadron was then sent to Detroit, on active duty, and assigned
to Air Defense Command at Selfridge Air Force Base (today Air National Guard Base). The Michigan ANG’s 127th Aircraft Control &
Warning Squadron was mobilized and sent to Fort Williams, Maine.
During the Korean War era, all three Michigan flying squadrons were components of the Michigan Air National Guard’s 127th Fighter
Group, which was commanded by Lt. Col. Donald W. Armstrong, January 1950-February 1951, Col. Henry J. Amen, February 1951September 1952, and Col. Magnus B. Marks, September 1952-October 1958.
The 107th Fighter Squadron in the Korean era
In the spring of 1950, the 107th Bomb Squadron Light converted from B-26 Marauders to F-84 Thunderjets and on July 1, 1950, was redesignated as the 107th Fighter Squadron (Jet). The F-84 was the first jet-powered aircraft assigned to the Michigan Air National Guard.
On Feb. 1, 1951, the 107th was mobilized for the war and deployed to Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. On Feb. 10, 1951, the 107th and
the 171st stood up the newly-created 127th Pilot Training Wing, Air Training Command, at Luke. 107th Airmen officially began training
new pilots on March 1, 1951, initially training new Airmen to fly the F-51 Mustang (an aircraft 107th Airmen had flown prior to being
assigned the B-26 at home station). Training with the F-51 lasted only a few weeks before the training moved to the F-84. The 107th
remained on duty at Luke through Sept. 11, 1952, when it was released from active duty and returned to the Michigan Air National
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Guard. After the 107 returned to Michigan, it transitioned into the F-86 Sabre and continued to operate at Detroit Metro Airport, which
was then known as Detroit-Wayne Major Airport.
The 171st Fighter Squadron in the Korean era
In the spring of 1950, the 171st was converted from F-51 Mustangs to F-84 Thunderjets. On Feb. 1, 1951, the 171st was mobilized for
the war and deployed to Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. On Feb. 10, 1951, the 107th and the 171st stood up the newly-created 127th Pilot
Training Wing, Air Training Command, at Luke. 171st Airmen officially began training new pilots on March 1, 1951, initially training new
Airmen to fly the F-51 Mustang. Training with the F-51 lasted only a few weeks before the training moved to the F-84. The 171st
remained on duty at Luke until Nov. 1, 1952, when it was released from active duty and returned to Michigan. After the 171st returned to
Michigan, it was re-designated as the 171st Fighter-Bomber Squadron and transitioned back to the F-51 Mustang for about a year
before transitioning again into the F-86 Sabre. Back in Michigan, the squadron continued to operate at Detroit Metro Airport for the next
two decades.
Michigan Air National Guard F-51 Mustangs, circa 1951
The Michigan ANG at Luke AFB
Luke Army Air Field was the largest fighter training base in the Army Air Forces during World War II. The base was deactivated Nov.
30, 1946, about a year after the war ended. After several years of relative dormancy, the base was re-activated as Luke Air Force Base
on Feb. 1, 1951, for use as a training site. The Michigan ANG units arrived at Luke on Feb. 23, opening shuttered World War II
buildings for use as the new USAF Air Crew School (Fighter-Bomber/Escort). On Nov. 1, 1952, the active-duty 3600th Flying Training
Wing (Fighter) was stood up and assumed the primary flight training duties at the base, allowing the two Michigan squadrons to be
released from active service.
The 172nd Fighter Squadron in the Korean era
The Battle Creek-based 172nd was mobilized on Feb. 1, 1951, re-designated as the 172nd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, and assigned
to the 56th Fighter Wing, part of the Air Defense Command, at Selfridge Air Force Base. The squadron was one of 16 ANG flying
squadrons activated on the same day and assigned to ADC at locations around the nation. The 172nd was flying F-51 Mustangs prior to
the mobilization and continued to be assigned that aircraft through the end of the war. The 172nd remained on active duty at Selfridge
through Nov. 1, 1951, when the squadron’s mission – and aircraft – were assigned to the active duty 431st Fighter-Interceptor
Squadron, which was stood up the same day. Following the demobilization, the 172nd returned to state control and home station at
Kellogg Air National Guard Base in Battle Creek. It continued to fly the F-51 Mustang after demobilization until transitioning to the F-86
Sabre in 1954.
The 127th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron in the Korean era
The 127th AC&WS was one of eight similar command & control ANG units from across the nation mobilized on Sept. 1, 1951. The
Michigan squadron was assigned from its home base at Detroit Metro Airport to Fort Williams, a shore defense fort in Cape Elizabeth,
Maine. The fort provided the harbor defense for the active shipping facilities in Portland, Maine. The squadron was assigned to the
4711th Air Defense Wing, providing command and control, operating the TPS-1B long-range radar system, for several fighter-interceptor
squadrons assigned to the region. The 127th AC&WS remained on active duty for exactly two years, demobilizing and returning to home
station at Detroit Metro Airport on Sept. 1, 1953. The active-duty 4711th was in operation for less than five years in total and was reassigned in early 1956 to Selfridge Air Force Base. The 4711th was de-activated on July 8, 1956. The 127 th AC&WS was de-activated
in the 1960s.
SELFRIDGE ORAL HISTORY PROJECT
The purpose of the Selfridge Military Air Museum Oral History Project is to gather and preserve historical documents by
means of audio-recorded interview.
Recordings and transcripts resulting from such interviews, collectively entitled oral memoirs, become part of the archives
of the Selfridge Military Air Museum. Oral memoirs will be made available for historical and other research, and for public
dissemination.
Participation in the project is entirely voluntary and may be withdrawn at any time.
If you have any questions regarding this research, please contact Lou Nigro, Director of the Selfridge Military Air Museum,
at 27333 C Street, Bldg 1011, Selfridge ANG Base MI 48045.
GOLF SHIRTS
One of the ways we say “thank you” to our volunteers who do more than just say they want to volunteer and then
either don’t show up or come in one time and then leave is to provide them with a golf shirt in a size of their choice
with the Museum logo and their name embroidered on it. The initial golf shirt is free. If additional or replacement shirts are
needed, we’ll order and mail them to you with an invoice for just our cost for the shirt(s) requested.
It’s hard to keep track of who wanted a shirt (some don’t) and who received one already so until I hear to the contrary, I’m
going to assume that all of our current volunteers have already received their shirt. If my assumption is incorrect,
and it probably is, please call me and we’ll get it on order.
WEBSITE/FACEBOOK
Museum volunteer Lori Nye has completely redone our website (www.selfridgeairmuseum.org) and Museum volunteer
Rob Sandstrom has been doing yeoman’s work in keeping our Face Book page (search for Selfridge Airmuseum)
updated. Check them out and if you have any recommended additions, deletions, or changes, please notify Lou. THANKS
LORI & ROB!
Military Christmas Poem
By James M. Schmidt, a Marine Lance Corporal stationed in Washington, D.C., in 1986
Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone, in a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.
I had come down the chimney, with presents to give and to see just who in this home did live
As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand and on the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.
With medals and badges, awards of all kind, a sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen. This was the home of a U.S. Marine.
I'd heard stories about them, I had to see more, so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone, curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.
He seemed so gentle, his face so serene, not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read? Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?
His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan. I soon understood, this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night, owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.
Soon around the Nation, the children would play, and grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year, because of Marines like this one lying here.
I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone, on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye. I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.
He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice, "Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more. My life is my God, my country, my Corps."
With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep, I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I watched him for hours, so silent and still. I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red, and covered this Marine from his toes to his head.
Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold, with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
And for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.
I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night, this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure, said
"Carry on, Santa; it's Christmas Day, all secure."
One look at my watch and I knew he was right, Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight.
AN EDITORIAL
I need a place to vent. Please don’t take these ramblings personally…
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I’ll say it again and keep saying it until everyone gets the word! ONLY THE CURATOR (DICK SOULES) OR THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (THAT’S ME) CAN ACCEPT A DONATION TO THE MUSEUM! Do not bring anything
from your home or from others that is to be donated to the Museum unless you first come thru me or Dick! We
keep getting stuff that I have to back door thru the review, acceptance and inventory process and it’s getting a
little old trying to figure out what happened and when after the fact.
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For those of you who have our Museum Master Card number memorized or on a piece of paper, it has
changed! See me or call me and I’ll share it with you.
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Although membership in our parent organization, the Michigan Air Guard Historical Association (MAGHA), is
certainly not a requirement to be an Air Museum volunteer, the membership donations we receive are a
significant part of our yearly income and provide us with the financial wherewithal to reimburse you for purchases
you make on our behalf and to fund needed improvements to our operation. We presently have over 110
volunteers on our rolls and over 50% have chosen not to become members of MAGHA. Please consider joining
our Historical Association…a membership application is on the last page of this newsletter.
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If I sometimes seem a little frazzled or annoyed, please forgive me as I sometimes feel like I’m getting ready to fall
into my full plate. I can’t begin to count the number of times that a conversation begins with “Wouldn’t it be great if
we…” and “we” usually translates to me!
2014/2015 GOALS
It never ends…
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Purge our storage areas of assets that are excess to our current and future needs, a long-term and
ongoing effort.
Training more of our “full-time” volunteers on aircraft corrosion control.
Cataloguing, digitizing, and filing historic photos.
Finishing up some small items for the restoration of the F-89. It is almost completely restored, painted,
and on display in the Air Park. A thing of beauty!
The AT-6 “Texan” is undergoing the final stages of restoration in Bldg 1045 and when complete it will be
placed to the left front of the door that leads from the Museum to the Air Park near the Mobile Tower.
Restore the FG-1D “Corsair” using industry-standard components. The “plan” is to restore portions of it in
Bldg 1007 for final assembly in Bldg 1045. Expect the Corsair to be moved out of the Air Park when the
AT-6 gets placed in the Air Park and to be moved back to the Air Park in the summer/fall of 2015.
COATS
Two coats were left on the coat rack after our Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.
One of the coats is a black waist-length Clairborn microfiber jacket, size XL
The other is a black long wool Chaps coat, size 48L. We think that whoever owns that coat inadvertenly picked up Pete
Saldana’s long wool Calvin Klein coat, size 44 (we think).
Both coats are in Lou’s office.
If you wore a black long wool coat to the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, please check the tag…if it says Calvin Klein you
have the wrong coat!!
If you’re missing your black waist-length Clairborn microfiber jacket size XL, we have that too.
MAGHA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
I believe that my support for the goals of the Michigan Air Guard Historical Association and the Selfridge Military Air
Museum will attest to my commitment to the Michigan Air National Guard, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, and the
thousands of dedicated men and women who have served our great nation and the State of Michigan. I wish to
demonstrate this commitment by becoming a member of MAGHA as follows:
NEW MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
RENEWAL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
PATRON MEMBERSHIP ($1,000.00)
SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP ($500.00)
LIFE MEMBERSHIP ($250.00)
REGULAR MEMBERSHIP ($25.00)
DONATION ONLY
RANK & NAME ________________________________________________________________
UNIT OF AFFILIATION (ONLY ONE PLEASE) _______________________________________
MEMBER OF THE MI ANG (YEARS ONLY) FROM _______________ TO _______________
ADDRESS _____________________________________________________________________
CITY
STATE
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________
ZIP CODE ___________________________
E-MAIL ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________
HOW WOULD YOU PREFER TO RECEIVE YOUR NEWSLETTER (check one)
BY EMAIL
BY US MAIL
OFF THE WEB SITE (www.selfridgeairmuseum.org)
Complete your payment information below and mail to 27333 C St, Bldg 1011, Selfridge ANG Base MI 48045.
Your support of MAGHA is gratefully appreciated and REMEMBER your membership donation is
100% TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
MICHIGAN SOLICITATION LICENSE NUMBER: MICS 26603
O Check #__________ dated _______________ enclosed. Checks should be made payable to “MAGHA”.
Please charge my: O VISA CARD
O MASTER CARD
O AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD
O DISCOVER CARD
Account # _________________________________________________
Expiration Date: ____________________________________________
Signature: _________________________________________________
This Day in History – Month of December: Michigan National Guard:
DECEMBER
December 3
2003
More than 200 soldiers from 1st Battalion, 119th Field Artillery, Michigan Army National Guard, depart
for the first leg of a deployment that ultimately takes them to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, a U.S. naval
base. Soldiers from field artillery batteries in Lansing, Port Huron, Alma, and Albion will head to Fort
Dix, NJ, where they will spend four to six weeks on mission-specific training and in-processing. Once
in Cuba, the unit will serve for six months providing security at the base.
December 6
2008
Officials unveiled Battle Creek decals on a newly assigned C-21. It was a bridge aircraft designed to
maintain a flying mission at that installation until the planned C-27 (the Joint Cargo Aircraft) was
assigned to the Michigan ANG unit, the 110th Fighter Wing, which was losing its A-10s. The Air Force
later cancelled plans for the C-27.
December 8
2008
The Michigan National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility #1 in Grand Ledge takes possession of
new Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. The UH-60M is an upgrade from the combat-proven
UH-60 model. The "Mike" model features improved payload, new digital cockpit displays, a
strengthened fuselage, more lift than the UH-60A model, and more powerful engines. The Mike
models also feature lower maintenance costs than the current fleet.
December 12
1862
Union engineers of the Volunteer Engineer Brigade, under the command of Brigadier General Daniel
Woodbury, composed primarily of the 15th and 60th New York Engineer regiments; finally succeed in
getting two pontoon bridges across the Rappahannock River. For more than a day they had failed in
accomplishing this goal due to heavy Confederate fire coming from the town of Fredericksburg. Most
of this fire came from Brigadier General William Barksdale's Mississippi Brigade (13th, 17th, 18th,
21st Mississippi regiments), who used houses along the shore as cover. While Union artillery
pounded the town, destroying many homes and other structures in the process, the rebel fire on the
bridge continued. It was only after 7th Michigan and other elements of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division
of the Army of the Potomac staged an assault river crossing in the face of enemy fire that the
Confederates were compelled to fall back through the town. Soon the bridges were finished and the
Union army moved across only to fight one of the bloodiest battles of the entire war on the 13th.
December 13
1862
The Army of the Potomac suffers terrible losses as it makes numerous attacks against entrenched
Confederates under the command of General Robert E. Lee. The federal army, under the command
of General Ambrose Burnside, numbers over 90,000 men. Before the disastrous assaults on this day,
Union forces had made a river crossing under heavy rifle fire from four regiments of Brigadier General
William Barksdale's Mississippi Brigade (13th, 17th, 18th, 21st Mississippi regiments) while northern
engineers, consisting primarily of two New York engineers regiments, constructed pontoon bridges
over the Rappahannock River. On this date General Lee had his men well positioned on a high ridge
known as "Marye's Heights." Burnside launched wave after wave of Union regiments piecemeal
against the strong rebel defenses, all to no avail. By the end of the battle more than 12,600 Union
soldiers are casualties while the southern loses were only 5,300. Pre-war militia (Guard) units exist in
both armies. Among the most famous are the 69th New York, part of the famed "Irish Brigade," plus
the Wisconsin and Michigan troops in the "Iron Brigade" On the southern side there are the five
Guard regiments comprising the "Stonewall Brigade" from Virginia along with three batteries of the
"Washington Artillery" from New Orleans. Descendent units of these and other Guard units who faced
each other on this field remain in the Guard today.
December 17
2013
A time capsule is buried at outside the chapel at Camp Grayling in northern Michigan. The burial of
the time capsule is the final event in a year-long series of events held at the camp to celebrate the
100th anniversary of the creation of the military training center. The time capsule is to be opened in
2113.
December 20
1943
The 107th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, formerly the 107th Observation Squadron, Michigan
Air National Guard, commenced combat operations over France from the United Kingdom with its F6A's in preparation for the Allied invasion of Europe.