Military History Talks
Visit all of our videos on VBMA TV
We are sorry, but there were no military history talks in 2020, and none are scheduled for 2021.
However, we are slowly digitizing some of our previous military history talks, which were on PowerPoint. They will be accessible as slideshows, and viewable on our You Tube page.
Slide Show Number 1: What is the VBMA?
Slilde Show Number 2: Images of the Vancouver Barracks, 1850 - 1890
Please follow the links to our previous years talks. If you find one that interests you, we might be able to repeat if, upon your request.
17
January 2019
Speaker: CW3 (retired) Dan
Sockle
Title: ICE, ISIS, and Political
Tribalism in America
A discussion about the
political tribalism, fueled by mainstream and social media, that is
overwhelming all of us today. We know that our historical adversaries like
Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, among others, are especially exploiting
vulnerabilities throughout the Western World where liberty and convenience
prevail. We will assess some of the non-military and less obvious, often
internal threats to our once ‘United States of America,’ tracing back to
the fifties. Can we turn the tide on the polarization that is tearing our
country apart?
21
February 2019
Speakers: SSG Frazier Raymond
Jr., (U.S. Army, Retired)
Mr. Wilson Keller
Title: Buffalo Soldiers at the Vancouver Barracks, and Cathay Williams, the
First Female Buffalo Soldier
In the 1890s and in
World War II, African American soldiers sometimes called Buffalo Soldiers
served at the Vancouver Barracks. Mr.
Wilson Keller will talk about an interpretive sign about the Buffalo
Soldiers, he is designing and installing at the Vancouver Barracks.
Retired U.S. Army Staff
Sergeant Frazier Raymond, will speak about the history of the Buffalo
Soldiers from the end of the Civil War until the early 20th Century, as well
as their time at the Vancouver Barracks.
21
March 2019
Speaker: Mr.
Matthew Mawhirter
Title: The Civilian Conservation Corps in the Vancouver Barracks District
18
April 2019
Speaker:
SGM Jeff Dacus (U.S. Marine Corps, Retired
Title: Predator-A Marine Corps Tank Company in Operation Desert Storm
B
Company, 4th Tank Battalion, a Marine Corps Reserve Company was
activated in December of 1990 to serve in Operation Desert Storm after the
invasion of Kuwait by Iraq in August of 1990. This was the first large scale
call up of the Reserves and National Guard since the Korean War in 1950
The
company led the Second Marine Division assault into Kuwait that liberated
the country. They received the Navy Unit Citation for their part in
the largest tank versus tank battle in Marine Corps history.
16
May 2019
Speakers: Mr. Paul Fanning
Title: The Portland Metro Area Response Plan in World War II
When the United States
entered World War II, it was the first time since the War of 1812 that the
United States feared a full-scale enemy invasion.
Across the country, as military bases beefed up their security and
war plans, so did civilian governments.
In Portland, Oregon, the city developed and implemented a
comprehensive plan to combat enemy attacks, as well as implementing the
changes necessary at home to support the war effort abroad.
These plans included the City of Vancouver.
20
June 2019
Speaker: LTC James Pestillo
(U.S. Air Force, Retired)
Title: The Development of the
Vancouver Barracks and City of Vancouver's Water System
The talks described below were given by the VBMA in the past. It may be possible for the presenters to give the talk again upon request.
18
January 2018
Speaker: CW3 (retired) Dan
Sockle
Title: ISIS, Where Are You Now?
Subject: Is
Abu Bakr al Baghdadi still alive? Did
he die in an airstrike in July 2017? If
not, with the fall of Raqqa, where have he and his followers gone?
They have gone into Niger, Mali, and Libya, as well as
relatively ungoverned areas on the African continent (and central/south
Asia). Sometimes they compete
with the Taliban or align with the likes of Boko Haram, Al Shabab, and
others. If he is dead, will ISIS
survive, as Al Qaeda has done? If
so, will ISIS and Al Qaeda be competitors or collaborators against the West?
Who are our friends and foes in the changing Middle East and
north/central Africa? Has ISIS secured itself in eastern Afghanistan?
As the world moves forward, what possible strategies will the West
follow? This will lead to a
discussion of new State Department approaches to Pakistan and possible North
Korea.
15
February 2018
Speaker: Major (retired) Jeff
Davis
Title: The Spanish Flu Comes
from Flanders Fields, to America
Subject:
Most soldiers returning from World War I thought only about their
families, and moving on to a rosy future.
Unfortunately, many returned bringing death with them, in the form of
a pandemic known as the Spanish Flu. This
devastating virus killed as many as 50 to 100 million people worldwide.
15
March 2018
Speaker: Mr. Dan Parshall
Title: Next of Kin
Subject: Dan Parshall
recounts his father’s experiences as a World War I ambulance
driver, based on letters, photographs, and other documents that highlight
his career.
19
April 2018
Speaker:
Mr. Douglas Auburg
Title:
Working on the Railroad with the Doughboys
Subject: Douglas
Auburg’s father was drafted into the Army and sent to Europe during World
War I. As a bugler and working
as a machinist, he served with the 33rd
Engineer Regiment from May 1918 to May 1919, at
the military railroad service facility located midway between Army
Expeditionary Force's Port of Embarkation in France and the American Front
Lines.
17
May 2018
Speakers: Captain (retired)
Warren Aney
Title: Oregon’s Military History
Subject: Oregon has a
rich military heritage from native warriors to settler militias to the
National Guard. Before Oregon achieved statehood, its settlers formed
their own militia and volunteer units for self-protection. In the
years since, Oregon’s citizen soldiers have answered the call of their
governor and nation many times. Historian Warren Aney will present an
overview of Oregon’s military history, with some emphasis on World War I.
21
June 2018
Speaker: Dr. Donna Sinclair
Title: African American Contributions to the Civilian Conservation Corps
From 1932 until 1942,
the Civilian Conservation Corps, or CCC was one of the largest public works
programs of the New Deal. The
program employed single young men to perform unskilled manual labor in jobs
related to the conservation and development of natural resources on federal,
state and local government lands. About
200,000 African Americans were employed by the CCC.
Their story has been largely forgotten.
Dr. Donna Sinclair will discuss the work and conditions of these
camps, the program’s benefits and drawbacks for African Americans, and the
shift from integrated to segregated camps.
Thursday, 19 January 2017, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Military History Talk
Speaker: Major Jefferson Davis, US Army (Ret.)
Topic related to Global War on
Terrorism
Title: Reminiscences
of a Military Historian
The Marshall House
1301 Officer's Row, Vancouver,
WA 98661
253
223-0125
Jeff Davis deployed to Southwest Asia in 2002 and from 2003-2004.
He worked as a military historian, both authoring reports, as well as
going from base to base interviewing soldiers about their experiences in the
Global War on Terrorism. While
respecting the privacy of those he interviewed, Jeff will share some of the
mostly humorous, often ironic experiences he had during his deployments.
Thursday, 16 February 2017, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Military History Talk
Speaker: CW3 Daniel Sockle, US Army (Ret.)
Topic related to the Global War
on Terrorism
Title: When Tomorrow Means More Than
Yesterday - Can We "Trump" the Roots of Extremism?
The Marshall House
1301 Officer's Row, Vancouver,
WA 98661
Marshall House phone number, 360 693-3103
When
humans start caring more about tomorrow than yesterday, about the lives of
our children and future generations more than ghosts of the past, conflict
arising from vengeance will fade into history.” We must find a way to
extract our instincts for revenge from the human condition – particularly
from the DNA of politicians, religious leaders, and a complicit media that
perpetuates conflict and victimhood around the world, 365/24/7
Thursday, 16 March 2017, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Military History Talk
Speaker: Speaker: Major Jefferson Davis, US Army (Ret.)
Topic related to Vancouver
Barracks Officers
Title: The
Vancouver Barracks, Proving Ground for Generals
The Marshall House
1301 Officer's Row, Vancouver,
WA 98661
Marshall House phone number, 360 693-3103
The Vancouver Barracks was established in 1849, and was open as a military
post until the new millennium. In
the 150+ years of history, many young officers served at the Vancouver
Barracks, and later rose to the rank of general.
Jeff Davis will focus on many young officers who served from the 1849
to the early 1860s, and became generals in the Civil War.
Thursday, 20 April 2017, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Military History Talk
Speaker MSG Timothy Shotwell, US Army (Ret.)
Topic related to period from
Vietnam War to Global War on Terrorism
Title: C-4
Does Not Float
The Marshall House
1301 Officer's Row, Vancouver,
WA 98661
Marshall House phone number, 360 693-3103
Retired Master Sergeant Timothy Shotwell served in the U.S. Army and Army
Reserves for over 30 years, serving from the Vietnam War to the Global War
on Terrorism. He will share many
tales, some amusing, some not so amusing relating to his military
experiences.
Wednesday, 3 May 2017, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Military History Talk
Speaker: MSG Jack Giesen US Army (Ret.)
Topic related to World War I
Centennial
Subject: The
M1917 Army Ambulance
The Marshall House
1301 Officer's Row, Vancouver,
WA 98661
Marshall House phone number, 360 693-3103
Over the past year, the Vancouver Barracks Military Association has
constructed a replica of the Model 1917, US Army Ambulance, as part of their
commemoration of the 100 year anniversary of World War I.
This talk will be the public unveiling of the completed ambulance.
Weather permitting, this talk will take place outside, where the
audience can see the replica ambulance as well as uniforms and equipment.
If the weather is bad, the talk will take place indoors, but with
replica uniforms, and video footage of the ambulance construction.
Thursday, 15 June 2017, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Military History Talk
Speaker: Mr. James Moody
Topic related to The Spanish
American War, and Moro War
Title: The
Other Spanish American War
The Marshall House
1301 Officer's Row, Vancouver,
WA 98661
Marshall House phone number, 360 693-3103
Many people associate the Spanish American War with Teddy Roosevelt and the
Rough Riders charging up San Juan Hill, in Cuba. Fewer people know
that the Spanish American War was fought in the Western Pacific, in places
like Guam, and the Philippines. Local historian James Moody knows a
lot about that part of the war, and the conflict that raged afterward in
what some people call the Moro War, or the Philippines Insurrection, because
one of his ancestors fought there. Come listen to James talk about
this conflict, with its very personal associations.
Thursday, 21 January 2016, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Military History Talk
Speaker: Major Jefferson Davis, USAR (Ret.)
Subject: Guard House Tales from the Vancouver Barracks
The Marshall House
1301 Officer's Row, Vancouver,
WA 98661
Marshall
House phone number is, 360 693-3103
Thursday, 18 February 2016, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Military History Talk
Speaker: SSG Frazier Raymond US Army (Ret.)
Subject: Buffalo Soldiers and the Vancouver Barracks
The Marshall House
1301 Officer's Row, Vancouver,
WA 98661
Marshall
House phone number is, 360 693-3103
Thursday, 17 March 2016, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Military History Talk
Speaker: MSG Jack Giesen US Army (Ret.)
Subject: The US Army Ambulance Service in World War
The Marshall House
1301 Officer's Row, Vancouver,
WA 98661
Marshall
House phone number is, 360 693-3103
Thursday, 21 April 2016, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Military History Talk
Speaker: CW3 Daniel Sockle, US Army (Ret.)
Subject: America’s
Jihad: Joining Humanity’s Struggle with the Far
Left, the Far Right, and other Extremists since 9/11
The Marshall House
1301 Officer's Row, Vancouver,
WA 98661
Marshall
House phone number is, 360 693-3103
Thursday, 19 May 2016, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Military History Talk
Speaker SGM Kelly Jones US
Army (Ret.)
Subject: Changing Army
Culture, A Female Perspective
The Marshall House
1301 Officer's Row, Vancouver,
WA 98661
Marshall
House phone number is, 360 693-3103
Thursday, 16 June 2016, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Military History Talk
Speaker Colonel Bruce Mulkey (Retired)
Subject: The Oregon Trail
and Today’s Mass Migrations
The Marshall House
1301 Officer's Row, Vancouver,
WA 98661
Marshall
House phone number is, 360 693-3103
Friday, 13 February 2015, 6 - 7 PM
Military History Talk
Speaker CW3 Daniel Sockle, US Army (Ret.)
Subject: ISIS/ISIL: How Did The Islamic State Gain Power?
40 et 8 Chateau at, 40 Et 8
Chateau
7607 NE 26th Ave, Vancouver,
WA 98665
360 574-3872
An Islamic State that exists beyond modern national borders has been the dream of many moderate and radical Muslims for centuries. In 2014, a radical group of Islamists formed ISIL or ISIS, and began a campaign to create their own Islamic state in Southwest Asia. Dan Sockle, a professional intelligence specialist and professor at Clark College will give a one hour presentation on the rise of ISIL, taken from his Clark College lecture course. To learn more about his course, read the course syllabus.
Saturday 26 February 2015, 6 PM
Buffalo Soldiers History Event
Vancouver Barracks Red Cross Building
605 Barnes Road, Vancouver,
WA 98660
Friday, 13 March 2015, 6 - 7 PM
Military History Talk
Speaker COL Larry Smith US Army (Ret.)
Subject: Special Operations Forces in Vietnam
40 et 8 Chateau at, 40 Et 8
Chateau
7607 NE 26th Ave, Vancouver,
WA 98665
360 574-3872
The work of Special Operations Forces in Vietnam is a subject still shrouded in mystery. What was their mission? Where did they operate? What were their tactics and who were their allies? Retired Colonel Larry Smith was a Special Forces commander during the Vietnam War and he will talk about some of his experiences in what some have called, the Ten Thousand Day War.
Friday, 10 April 2015, 6 - 7 PM
Military History Talk
Speaker Christopher Heagy
Subject: The Congressional Medal of Honor
40 et 8 Chateau at, 40 Et 8
Chateau
7607 NE 26th Ave, Vancouver,
WA 98665
360 574-3872
The highest award for valor that the United States can award is known as the Congressional Medal of Honor. Since this medal was created in the Civil War, only a few thousand have been awarded to service members, from among the hundreds of thousands who fought in America's wars. Christopher Heagy will discuss the history of the medal, and some of the unique customs surrounding it as well as some of the special people who received the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Friday, 8 May 2015, 6 - 7 PM
Military History Talk
Speaker SSG Frazier Raymond US Army (Ret.), and Maj Jefferson Davis (Ret.)
Subject: Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients in the Vancouver Barracks
Post Cemetery
40 et 8 Chateau at, 40 Et 8
Chateau
7607 NE 26th Ave, Vancouver,
WA 98665
360 574-3872
As a prelude to the Memorial Day commemorations for 2015, Frazier Raymond, will talk about four soldiers buried in the Vancouver Baracks Post Cemetery; who were singled out for their courage, and received the Congressional Medal of Honor. These four soldiers were Moses Williams, William Wallace McCammon, Herman Pfisterer, and James Madison Hill. From service in the Civil War, to the Indian Wars of the American Southwest, to the Spanish American War, these four soldiers showed extreme courage under fire.
Friday, 12 June 2015, 6 - 7 PM
Military History Talk
Speaker Colonel Bruce Mulkey (Retired)
Subject: The Vancouver Barracks in the 19th Century;
40 et 8 Chateau at, 40 Et 8
Chateau
7607 NE 26th Ave, Vancouver,
WA 98665
360 574-3872
The Vancouver Barracks were the 'old frontier' long before the Indian Wars of the late 19th Century. From 1849 until the 1880s, soldiers from the Barracks were active, patrolling the Pacific Northwest, guarding against both Native American and domestic threats. Retired Colonel Bruce Mulkey will speak about some of these events.
Friday, 10 July 2015, 6 - 7 PM
Military History Talk
Speaker Major Jefferson Davis (USAR Retired)
Subject: A New Book, Custer's Other Brother-in-Law, Frederic Calhoun
40 et 8 Chateau at, 40 Et 8
Chateau
7607 NE 26th Ave, Vancouver,
WA 98665
360 574-3872
Many
people have heard of George Armstrong Custer; and know that many of his family
and friends, often called the Custer Clique, died with him at the Battle of the
Little Bighorn. Fewer know that his
brother-in-law, Lieutenant Frederic Calhoun who fought in the Great Sioux War, survived
because he was not at the Little Bighorn.
Later Fred Calhoun was stationed at the Vancouver Barracks, before he
retired in 1890. Decades later, family
members donated Fred Calhoun’s personal orders book to the Barracks. As de facto post historian, Jeff Davis had temporary
custody of the book, which he is publishing, in the hopes of shedding light on
the lifestyle of soldiers and their families in the American West.
Friday, 14 August 2015, 6 - 7 PM
Military History Talk Cancelled
Speaker
40 et 8 Chateau at, 40 Et 8
Chateau
7607 NE 26th Ave, Vancouver,
WA 98665
360 574-3872
2014 Military History Talk Schedule is not available, Sorry
2013 Military History Talk Schedule:
Thursday, 11 April 2013 8 - 9 PM
Military History Talk
Speaker Major Jefferson Davis (Ret.)
Subject: The Liberation of
Concentration Camp Dora Mittelbau.
40 et 8 Chateau at, 40 Et 8
Chateau
7607 NE 26th Ave, Vancouver,
WA 98665
360 574-3872
The 104th Division, known as the Timberwolves, called the Pacific Northwest home for many years. The Division Headquarters was stationed at the Vancouver Barracks from 1946 to 2011. Before it came to the Northwest, the 104th Division had an illustrious history in World War II. It is listed as one of the Holocaust Liberation units, after the Timberwolves helped liberate the Concentration Camp Dora Mittelbau, where slave laborers built the dreaded V2 rockets. This talk includes photographs of the camp, then and now as well as an audio recording from one of the liberators.
Thursday, 9 May 2013 8 - 9 PM
Military History Talk
Speaker Major Jefferson Davis (Ret.)
Subject: The 14th
Infantry Regiment at the Vancouver Barracks.
40 et 8 Chateau at, 40 Et 8
Chateau
7607 NE 26th Ave, Vancouver,
WA 98665
360 574-3872
From the earliest days of the United States military, it was a common practice to move units from one location to another. This was done for many reasons. Sometimes units moved to gain expertise in fighting in many different environments. Others moved as periodic breaks from hostile environments. The 14th Infantry Regiment was one such unit. Formed in the early days of the Civil War, it fought t at Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness and Petersburg. Following the Civil War, the 14th Infantry Regiment served in the Pacific Northwest several times. Its post-Civil War fame came when it led the assault on Manilla in the Spanish American War, and later rotated to the Western Pacific in the early 20th Century. Many people called the 14th Infantry Regiment, Vancouver's Own.
Thursday, 13 June 2013 7 - 8 PM
Military History Talk
Speaker Dr. Anita Fisher
Subject: Civil War Medicine
40 et 8 Chateau at, 40 Et 8
Chateau
7607 NE 26th Ave, Vancouver,
WA 98665
360 574-3872
In the early 1860s, medicine had a coming of age in Europe and enlightened locations in the United States. The first use of modern antiseptic practices, allowing doctors to set compound fractures without amputation dated to the mid-1860s. Unfortunately, most of these new practices were late in coming to the battlefields of the United States Civil War. Historian Dr. Anita Fisher will describe some of the techniques and practices of doctors and caregivers in those years and its impact on later medicine in the United States.
Thursday, 11 July 2013 7 - 8 PM
Military History Talk
Speaker Ms. Alisha Hamel
Subject: Oregon and Washington's Role in World War II
40 et 8 Chateau at, 40 Et 8
Chateau
7607 NE 26th Ave, Vancouver,
WA 98665
360 574-3872
Alisha Hamel, an experienced historical presenter, will talk about Oregon and Washington's role in WWII. This presentation will tell the story of what happened in Oregon and Washington that is unique from other areas of the United States. Did you know that the United States was sure that the west coast would be attacked after the attack at Pearl Harbor? What did Oregon and Washington do? Did you know that Oregon was attacked? Come and hear that story. Also the 41st Infantry Division, an Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana National Guard Infantry Division was activated on September 16, 1940 over a year before the attack at Pearl Harbor. Where did they go? Where did they fight? Where did their first casualty happen? This unit was considered the "best" National Guard Infantry Division prior to WWII so was one of only four Infantry Division activated so early to fight during WWII. Come and learn your WWII history. Alisha will also bring touchable artifacts from actual WWII veterans and maps of WWII free for all attendees.
Thursday, 8 August 2013 7 - 8 PM
Military History Talk
Speaker Master Sergeant (Ret.) Jack Giesen
Subject: The North Vancouver Barracks
40 et 8 Chateau at, 40 Et 8
Chateau
Today, most of Vancouver’s citizens think of the Vancouver Barracks as a
plot of ground and buildings from Evergreen Boulevard, south to the Columbia
River. For nearly a century, the Barracks was much larger, taking in the land
from the Columbia River to what is now 4th Plain Boulevard. For much of that
time, this northern portion was a field training area. However, during World War
II, it was converted into a series of camps and military hospital to support
World War II. This talk gives an overview of that forgotten portion of the
Vancouver Barracks.
Thursday, 12 September 2013 7 - 8 PM
Military History Talk
Speaker Colonel Bruce Mulkey (Retired)
Subject: The 1856 Battle of the Cascades
40 et 8 Chateau at, 40 Et 8
Chateau
Late in 1855, Indian Agent Andrew J. Bolon (or Bolan) was killed by members of the Yakamas Indian Tribe. A few weeks later, the United States Army led a failed punitive expedition against the Yakamas. Early in 1856, army forces moved from the Vancouver Barracks to Fort Dalles, to begin a spring campaign against the Yakamas and their allies. The army commander, Colonel George Wright did not suspect that the Yakamas and their allies had planned an attack on the US Army post and civilian settlements at the Cascades of the Columbia River.
In March 1856, they struck with complete surprise. In a three day fight, the US Army eventually drove away the attackers. One prominent name in the fight was Lieutenant Philip Sheridan. To learn more about the background behind the attack, and how it unfolded, please come.
Thursday, 10 October 2013 7 - 8 PM
Military History Talk
Speaker CW3 Dan Sockle (Ret.)
Subject: Unforseen Consequences, Operation Iraqi Freedom
40 et 8 Chateau at, 40 Et 8
Chateau
7607 NE 26th Ave, Vancouver,
WA 98665
360 574-3872
In March 2003, the United States and its Coalition of allies extended what was
then called the International War on Terrorism to Iraq.
Their invasion, which began on 20 March reached Baghdad in a little over
a month. The years after the successful invasion of Iraq, the Coalition strategies did
not go as planned either inside of Iraq our outside.
In part this was due to a lack of understanding of the peoples of
Southwest Asia, their religion and customs.
2012 Military History Talk Schedule:
12 April 2012
Masonic ties to the U.S. Army in the Early Days of the Vancouver Barracks
By Major Jeff Davis (Ret.)
The Vancouver Barracks were established in 1849 by a diverse group of soldiers. Many of the officers were born in the United States, but came from an already divided North and South. Many of the enlisted men were foreign born. Their common service could either bond them together or divide them. Many found unity in joining fraternal organizations such as freemasonry. Some of the famous (or infamous) alumni include artist Gustav Sohon, Marcus Reno and Henry Weinhard.
3 May 2012
Raising the Colors: The Founding of the Vancouver Barracks
By Major Jeff Davis (Ret.) as part of the Clark County Historical Museum’s First Thursday History Talk Program
The United States Army took the axiom, ‘One if by land… two if by sea’, when planning the establishment of the first U.S. Army post in the Oregon Territory, which became known as the Vancouver Barracks. Two separate forces took the journey westward, one overland, the other by sailing ship. The first force landed in 1849, and began construction, waiting for the second to arrive. Which force was it? Come to this talk and find out. Local historian Jefferson Davis will discuss the reasons why the site of the Vancouver Barracks was chosen, and the early years on the post.
10 May 2012
The 1856 Battle of the Columbia River Cascades
By Colonel Bruce Mulkey (Ret.)
Late in 1855, Indian Agent Andrew J. Bolon (or Bolan) was killed by members of the Yakamas Indian Tribe. A few weeks later, the United States Army led a failed punitive expedition against the Yakamas. Early in 1856, army forces moved from the Vancouver Barracks to Fort Dalles, to begin a spring campaign against the Yakamas and their allies. The army commander, Colonel George Wright did not suspect that the Yakamas and their allies had planned an attack on the US Army post and civilian settlements at the Cascades of the Columbia River.
In March 1856, they struck with complete surprise. In a three day fight, the US Army eventually drove away the attackers. One prominent name in the fight was Lieutenant Philip Sheridan.
22 June 2012
Failure Without Consequence: The U.S. Army, the U.S. Marine Corps, and Amphibious Preparation During the Interwar Period.
By U.S. Army Captain Richard Ingleby
All too often nations make the mistake of planning for future wars using tactics and equipment from the prior war. When this happens, the price the military of that nation pays can be costly in terms of lives, equipment, and lost battles. In World War II, it was the primary method used to deliver combat troops to many battlefields in the islands of the South Pacific and other locations. In 1914, the U.S. Navy conducted an amphibious assault at the beaches of Veracruz, Mexico, and occupied the city as result of the Tampico Affair. Captain Ingleby who has a BA in History from the University of Utah, and a MA in Military History from Norwich University will examine the planning and preparations that the United States military conducted in the years between World War I and World War II, and how it affect operations once the war began.
25 August 2012
The 104th Division at the Vancouver Barracks
By Major Jeff Davis (Ret.)
In 1945, after the surrender of Japan, the United States and its allies believed that the last world war had been fought. The U.S. War department disbanded its military quickly, too quickly. Many military posts were decommissioned and military units inactivated before the end of 1945. Within a few months, it became apparent that the United States needed a standing army, and large force of Army Reservists and National Guard soldiers. One of the units chosen for reactivation in the Organized Reserves was the 104th Division. In December 1946, it was reactivated, with its headquarters at the Vancouver Barracks, where it remained until 2011. This talk summarizes some of the activities of the division in World War II and the 60 years afterward.
13 September 2012
The North Vancouver Barracks
By Master Sergeant Jack Giesen (Ret.)
In 2012, most of Vancouver’s citizens think of the Vancouver Barracks as a plot of ground and buildings from Evergreen Boulevard, south to the Columbia River. For nearly a century, the Barracks was much larger, taking in the land from the Columbia River to what is now 4th Plain Boulevard. For much of that time, this northern portion was a field training area. However, during World War II, it was converted into a series of camps and military hospital to support World War II. This talk gives an overview of that forgotten portion of the Vancouver Barracks.
12 October 2012
The Congressional Medal of Honor and the Pacific Northwest
By Mr. Frank Krone
The Congressional Medal of Honor was created by Congress during the Civil War to recognize notable or supreme acts of heroism on the part of United States service members. Since its creation less than 4,000 medals have been awarded. Four soldiers who served at the Barracks and are buried in its Post Cemetery. Other service members who were born in the Pacific Northwest, or served there also received the Congressional Medal of Honor and are buried elsewhere. This talk discusses the Medal, and highlights some of its recipients.
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