HomeMy WebLinkAboutPortfolio of Opportunities •
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of Opportunities
....A living history museum preserving the equipment, uniforms,
and memories of the American serviceman.
•
• I IESEUM OF THE •
II(,AN t 7.I.
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• Mission Statement 3
• Board of Directors
• 4
• USS Iwo Jima as a Museum 9
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• Budget Proposal 10
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• USS Iwo Jima LPH -2 History 13
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• Open House & WWII Battle Re- enactment 19
• Restorations - In Progress & Completed 22
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• Library - On Site & Online 24
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• Collections - Uniforms & Gear 25
• Education for Future Generations 26
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• Press - Local & National 27
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• Sponsors - In Kind & Financial 59
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• Affiliations with Local & National Organizations 60
• Contributions - Corporate and Individual 61
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• Letters, Articles & Press Releases 62
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• Architectural Drawings and Photographs 70
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• • r 1
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• of Contents
• ....A living history museum preserving the equipment, uniforms,
• and memories of the American serviceman.
•
•
• MUSE' M OF i ' AMERICAN G.I.
•
'I'IIE MUSEUM OF 'I'IIE AMERICAN GI, INC.
• A 501 c (3) Non - Profit Corporation
• Fed ID # 74- 3007981
P.O. Box 9599
• College Station, Texas 77842
• United States of America
• OFFICE: 979.690.0203
• FAX: 979.690.0536
•
• MISSION S'I'��'I N
•
• �� e endeavor to keep the living history of the American Servicemen who proudly served
• V our country and continue to do so today. We are a 501 c (3) organization and proudly work
• to maintain historical equipment that has been used to keep our nation free and provide
• historical re- enactments.
•
• PHYSICAL ADDRESS
•
• 1303 Cherokee Street
• College Station, Texas
•
• DRIVING DIRECTIONS
•
• From Houston: Drive north on SH 6 toward College Station. After Navasota, take the
• Texas World Speedway exit to the right, cross over SH 6 and go south on the service road
• to Cherokee. Turn right on Cherokee and take the first entrance on the left.
• From College Station: Drive south on SH 6 toward Navasota. Take the Texas World Speed-
• way exit. Continue on the access road to Cherokee, turn right on Cherokee and take the
• first entrance on the left.
• - T
• bA o c
• De
• S4, 6 St a1' ° 4
•
•
GO MUSEUM OF IIIE ` r
to AMERICAN G.I. oNag
• as°
1303 Cherokee Street ��• ta,,
• College Station, Texas `o�� `�, Sy
• r � i� s
G
d i •
•
Brent Mullins, President & CEO
brent @magicstx.org
979.690.0203
Leisha Mullins, Secretary & Treasurer
Ieisha @magicstx.org
979.690.0203
Emmett Fox, Vice President
emmett @magicstx.org
972.567/151
Robin Silva, Operations Director
robin @magicstx.org
979.739.4037
Anne Boykin, Communications Director
anne @magicstx.org
979.450.3296
Steve Hickman, Special Projects Director
steve @magicstx.org •
713.248.0739 •
•
WERSITE •
www.magicstx.org
() Alt])
•
•
•
of Directors ' •
•
....A living history museum preserving the equipment, uniforms,
and memories of the American serviceman.
MIJSEIJM OF THE 1AMERICAN G.I.
1 -4-
•
• if lil:NT'I MIJI.LINS
• President & CEO
•
• 'lo say that Brent Mullins is an avid collector of all things military would be an understate-
• ment. Edward "Brent" Mullins has spent the last thirty years amassing the largest civilian-
• owned operational military equipment and technical manual library in the nation. He is
• known worldwide as a leading expert in military hardware. Mullins' expertise in military
• hardware and memorabilia has become highly sought after providing appraisals for both
• private and museum military collections.
• Ilrent began collecting uniforms, which led to Jeeps, which led to trucks, which led to
• tanks, which led to aircraft carriers. Brent recognized the need for spare parts and in 1979
• began Mullins Jeep Parts. By 1985 the business had grown into a full -time operation. Mul-
• fins Jeep Parts receives requests for parts from all over the globe. Mullins served in the
• Marine Corp Reserves from 1979 to 1987 attaining the rank of Sgt. During his time in the
• corps, he specialized in small arms repair. This formal training coupled with Brent's natural
love and talent for fixing things further fueled his passion for restoring old military hard-
• ware. The museum's oldest artifact is a WWI tank currently under restoration. Mullins also
• recently acquired a LCVP "Higgins" boat that will be restored when funding allows.
•
• Currently, the Mullins' collection is one the largest privately owned compilation of opera-
• tional WWII military vehicles in the nation. The museum also houses an extensive and fas-
• cinating collection of original military uniforms, over 300 military history books and a huge
cross section of other memorabilia. The entire collection will be on permanent display at the
• Museum of the American G. I.
•
• In February 2001 Brent, his wife Leisha, and fellow military enthusiast Emmett Fox incor-
• porated the Museum. Vietnam Veteran, Steve Hickman joined the trio in 2002. The follow-
• ing year they purchased 40 acres in south College Station for the sole purpose of realizing
• Brent's dream of being able to share his collection and love of military history with others.
In 2006, the museum acquired its largest single artifact from another museum, the island of
• the USS Iwo Jima. Over an eleven -month period the island was moved in sections to the
• Museum grounds. When re- assembled the island will serve as a focal point as visitors arrive
• on the museum grounds.
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• kE
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l:MME'I "I FOX
Vice President
William Emmett Fox III lives in Ovilla, Texas, and has been collecting militaria for many -
years. He met Brent in 1974 and in 2001 he helped in incorporating the museum.
Emmett's expertise is in uniforms, weapons, photographs and documents. His collection
includes a service cover of a Medal of Honor recipient, the uniform of the first man to sum-
mit Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima, and has the largest collection of First Special Service Force --
items in the state. His photographs have been used in the illustration of a book on Johnson
Rifles by American Rifleman Contributor Bruce Canfield.
Emmett earned a BS in Mechanized Agriculture at Texas A &M University in 1982. He is self
employed as a manufacturer's representative covering three states. He is currently the vice
chairman on The City of Ovilla Planning and Zoning Commission and serves as a director
on The City of Ovilla 4B Economic Development Corporation.
LEISIIiI MULLINS
Secretary & Treasurer
Leisha Mullins, when she is not working diligently beside her husband, Brent, teaches three d
sections of upper level Biochemistry classes at Texas A &M University where she earned her
PhD in Chemistry in 1989. Her curriculum vitae include numerous accolades and affiliations •
including: Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Alpha Zeta Honor Society, and Phi Lambda Delta
Honor Society. She has authored and co- authored over 30 technical publications. She is a •
respected research scientist and in her spare time, the Secretary Treasurer of the Museum •
of the American G.I. •
•
Mullins came by her interest in things military honestly. She is the wife of Brent Mullins, the
museum's founder, and she has worked closely with him, over many years, to compile one •
the nation's largest privately held collections of operational WWII military vehicles.
Balancing devotion to preserving the memory of those who fought and died for our free-
doms with a grueling teaching schedule is never easy, but Mullins enjoys the challenge and
feels that each moment she devotes to the museum is a privilege and a way of thanking the 3
nation's troops.
Mullins believes that science leaves many differing marks on humanity's progress. "I am
proud to teach this country's future biochemists," she says, "and I take equal pride in pre-
serving machinery that was, in its day, the best technology had to offer." .�
i ROBIN SILL A
Operations Director
•
•
Robin Silva is a Vietnam -era veteran who served as a SP6 Senior Operating Room Techni-
• cian in the U.S. Army Medical Field Corps from 1962 - 1967 both stateside and overseas
• in Germany and France.
• • Currently, Robin freelances as a web designer and web master for 13 websites including
www.magicstx.org. She is a researcher for veteran orientated subjects including Gulf War
• Illness and gathers statistics on the Desert Shield /Desert Storm veterans who have died of
• Gulf War Illness. Her research endeavors extend to genealogist and researcher document -
• ing family histories. Robin is also building a genealogy tree, based on information from
banded birds (Canadian Wildlife Service, and US Fish and Wildlife Services in Grand Island,
NE and Texas, unpublished data) for Karine C. Gill, Ph.D., with The Platte River Whooping
Crane Trust. Wood River, Nebraska.
•
Robin's efforts to preserve the history of and honor the veterans of Brazos Valley have led
• her to chair the Veterans Day Celebrations in Bryan, Texas, in 2007 and 2008. She is presi-
dent and web master of www.honorthenames.com. Robin is an active member of American
• Legion Post #159, the George Bush Presidential Library Foundation, and the 14th Armored
• Division Association.
•
• ANNE BOYKIN
• Communications Director
•
Anne Boykin is Heritage Programs Coordinator for the City of College Station. Her work
• involves archiving the history of Brazos Valley. Her special interest is veterans. Anne's fa-
ther, the late Calvin C. Boykin, Jr., was a WWII veteran and noted military historian, author
•
of "Gare le Bete, the History of the 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion ", a monograph on Gen.
• A.D. Bruce, as well as various articles of military interest. Anne worked with her father on
• "Gare le Bete" and is continuing his literary work. She recently assumed ownership of C &R
Publications, started by her parents in 1995. Anne is working on her father's memoir of his
• WWII experiences.
• Anne's mother, the late Rosemary DePasquale Boykin, was an accomplished author in her
own right. She chronicled the history of the Brazos Valley Italians, her own DePasquale
family history and ships' passenger lists of early Italians immigrants through the Port of
• New Orleans. Anne co- authored the latest edition of "The DePasquales, from Italy /Sicily to
Texas" with her mother.
•
• Anne's background is in graphic design and corporate event planning as owner of Left-
Write Ink for over 30 years. She is currently writing her memoir of growing up in College
• Station in the mid -50s. She has written and illustrated five books for her own children and
grandchildren and currently serves on the Brazos County Historical Commission, Brazos
• Valley Veterans Memorial Board, and as city staff liasion to the City of College Station
Historic Preservation Committee. Anne is a former student and member of the Texas A &M
University Class of '71.
•
S'I'EPIIEN IIICKMj1i'
Special Projects Director
itephen Hickman is a United States Navy veteran who served in Vietnam and is an active
member of the American Legion Post #0345, Austin, Texas.
During his military service, Engineman Hickman was assigned to A -Gang aboard the USS
Ault, DD698, where he was responsible for maintaining and repairing diesel engines, steam
turbines, high pressure air compressors, air conditioning and heating, auxiliary generators,
machinery repair and welding equipment. His knowledge of such machinery in unsur-
passed. "'
Hickman has been a full time Licensed Texas Peace Officer for 35 years and has now
reached the highest possible rating, as a Licensed Master Police Officer.
A man of many talents and avocations, Stephen is also a state licensed law enforcement
41
instructor and a law enforcement firearms instructor. He holds licenses as a rescue diver
and dive master, trained in search and rescue; a commercial pilot, an aerial applicator pilot, •
a commercial truck driver and a heavy equipment and crane operator, and he is also a certi- •
fied pressure vessel welder qualified in mig, tig, sub and stick welding.
Somehow, in addition to all this, Stephen Hickman manages to devote numerous hours
at the museum restoring engines and armaments. His skills are indispensable and greatly •
appreciated.
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, • INC
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4
All the sections for the restoration of the USS Iwo -
Jima, LPH -2 island are here at the Museum of
the American G.I. in College Station, Texas, and
are ready for reassembly. The plan is to assemble
the structure alongside the parking lot, with the ;-
parking lot taking on, not only, the appearance
of the flight deck, but the exact size and shape.
A museum will be located in the bow of the ship ,
.► When assembled she will stand 125 feet in the air • _ _
and will be seen from miles around.
The museum property is located on Texas Hwy 6 South, a major north -south corridor,
which allows maximum public visibility with easy access to the George Bush Presidential
Library and Museum. The property has diverse topography including open fields, woods, a
stream and a lake. An authentic WWII Corps of Engineers Bailey Bridge has been restored
16, and installed across the stream leading to the battle and vehicle demonstration area. The
lake is to be enlarged to a surface area of 14 acres for the use of amphibious vehicles and
landing craft along with providing a tactical reenactment staging area.
T he restoration of the USS Iwo Jima island is being carried out with the greatly appreciated
• help of Texas A &M University Department of Architecture. When completed, it will appear
• as though the USS Iwo Jima is docked next to a pier. The main building of the museum will
• be inside the bow. The island of the USS Iwo Jima LPH -2 is the last of this class of ships in
• existence. Our goal is to tell the story of her service and valor in defending our country and
Gfr to preserve her history and the history of the crews who served aboard her.
tip
r l'he museum also obtained a Grove TM -875 80T crane for the project. Originally the USS
Iwo Jima LPH -2 was a helicopter carrier. Eventually, we hope to line the bow of our ship
with helicopters of that era.
•
•
•
• I J 1MA
•
•
• as a Museum
• ....A living history museum preserving the equipment, uniforms,
• and memories of the American serviceman.
MUSEIJM OF THE AMERICAN G.I.
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....A living history museum preserving the equipment, uniforms, ■
and memories of the American serviceman. •
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J!JS OF 'I'IIE AAMERIC1AN G.I.
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•
•
•
• MUSEUM OF 'I'IIE AMERICAN G.I.
• Estimated Budget*
• for phased development of the museum property
•
• Phase 1
•
• USS Iwo Jima superstructure:
•
Foundation (incl. Retaining wall) $ 300,000
• Re- Assembly $ 100,000
• Scraping, painting and re- furbishing $ 100,000
•
• Site Improvements:
• Driveways (400 ft drive @$60 /Ift) $ 24,000
• Drainage $ 5,000
• Utilities $ 10,000
• Fence (1150 ft. @$25 /Ift) $ 28,750
• Aft Deck Parking:
•
• 28700 sqft @ $7 /sqft $ 200,900
• Allowance for the Unforeseen $ 131,350
• (cost currently based on prices as of June 2008)
•
• Total Cost Phase I $ 900,000
•
• Phase II
• Museum Building (20,000 sqft @ $120 /sqft) $ 2,400,000
• Exterior Metal Cladding (6,000 sqft (di $10 /sqft) $ 60,000
• Fore Deck Parking (20,000 sqft @ $7 /sqft) $ 140,000
• Total Cost Phase II $ 2,600,000
•
• TOTAL ESTIMATED PROJECT COST $ 3,500,000
• * Cost estimates are based on pre -2009 construction costs. Alternative materials and
• designs are being considered to further reduce costs.
•
•
•
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•
LEGEND •
Phase I Phase id •
1 USS Iwo Jtma (LPH2) superstructure 4 Museum Building
2 AR Flight Deck (parking) 5 Museum Building •
` f ' :'hale 11
6 WW 11 Bailey Bridge (existing)
t . y . 3 Fore Flight Deck (parking) with museum below 7 Re- enactment Area & Lake (existing) •
? 9. Spectator Area (existing) •
9. ON Well (existing)
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ENTRANCE SUPERSTRUCTURE ABOVE •
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• and memories of the American serviceman
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• 11 A MERIC A N G .I.
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IJSS Ii“) JIMA (I1 II -2) CARRIER (US) 4
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Laid down: 2 April 1959
111F a
Launched: 17 September 1960
Commissioned: 26 August 1961 ,. '
•
Decommissioned: 14 July 1993 -------
Struck: 24 September 1993 4 4
Status: Scrapped 18 December 1995 •
General characteristics
Displacement: 18,474 tons (full) •
11,000 tons (light)
L
•
ength: 592 ft (180 m) y - •
Beam: 84 ft (25.6 m)
Ator-
_
Draught: 27 ft (8.2 m) _ •
Propulsion: 2 x 600 psi (4 MPa) boilers, •
one geared steam turbine, •
one shaft, •
22,000 shaft horsepower •
(16 MW)
Speed: 22 knots (41 km /h) l •
Complement: 667
Troops 2,157 s •
Armament: 2 x 3 in (76 mm) / 50 caliber AA guns, ` _
8 cell Sea Sparrow BPDMS launchers,
2 x Phalanx CIWS 4
Aircraft carried: 25 helicopters _
•
• � he USS Iwo Jima (LPH -2) was the lead ship of her class —the first ship to be designed
• and built from the keel up as an amphibious assault ship. She carried helicopters and a
• detachment of embarked Marines for use in the Navy's "vertical envelopment" concept
• of amphibious operations. Iwo Jima was the second ship of the United States Navy to be
• named for the Battle of Iwo Jima.
• The Iwo Jima was laid down 2 April 1959 by Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton,
• Washington; launched 17 September 1960, sponsored by Mrs. Harry Schmidt; and com-
• missioned 26 August 1961, Captain T. D. Harris in command.
• Following shakedown training, she spent the rest of 1961 off the California coast in am-
• phibious exercises. In April 1962 the ship joined Joint Task Force 8 in the Johnston Island-
• Hawaii area for an important series of nuclear tests. The Iwo Jima evacuated several islands
• and took part in the test evaluation. She sailed for Pearl Harbor 26 July from the test area,
• and continued to San Diego, where she arrived 10 August 1962.
• In September, the ship took part in full -scale amphibious exercises off the California coast,
• departing 17 October from San Diego for her first deployment to the western Pacific. As
• a crisis flared 19 October over the introduction of offensive missiles into Cuba, however,
• the Iwo Jima returned to San Diego, embarked Marines 22 October to 27 October, and
• departed quickly for the Caribbean. As part of America's powerful and mobile force afloat,
she cruised in a "ready" status until December brought an easing of the Cuban situation.
• She arrived San Diego 13 December 1962.
•
• WES'I'PAC CRUISES
• The Iwo Jima operated out of her homeport during the first half of 1963, carrying out am-
• phibious exercises and training. She departed 30 August on her long- delayed Western Pa-
cific cruise. Joining the 7th Fleet, she ranged from Hawaii to the Philippines and Taiwan.
•
• On 31 October 1963, the Iwo Jima departed Philippine waters for special operations along
• the coast of South Vietnam, standing by to protect American nationals during a period of
increased strife. She returned to Subic Bay 12 November. The following months she sailed
•
with Special Landing Forces of Marines for rigorous amphibious assault and landing raids
• practice off the coasts of Taiwan and Okinawa. After unloading ammunition at Sasebo,
• Japan, she departed 13 April 1964 for return to San Diego, arriving 28 April. Following am-
• phibious training with Marines along the California seaboard, she overhauled in the Long
Beach Naval Shipyard. This work was completed by 7 December 1964 when the Iwo Jima
•
began amphibious refresher training ranging to the Hawaiian Islands. On 13 March 1965
• she departed Pearl Harbor for San Diego, arriving 6 days later.
•
• VIETNAM WAR
• The Iwo Jima received tons of supplies and scores of Army helicopters, tanker trucks, and
vehicles in her hangar and flight deck spaces. Nearly a thousand troops were embarked for
•
her western transit that began 12 April. She touched Pearl Harbor a few hours the 17th to
• off -load 50 Marines and their equipment, then steamed off St. Jacques, Republic of Viet-
• nam, 1 May to 2 May, flying off 77 Army helicopters, loaded with troops and combat cargo.
• From there she proceeded to Subic Bay in the Philippines, where troops and equipment
were received for amphibious landing at Chu Lai, Vietnam, 11 May 1965.
•
•
•
The Iwo Jima remained off Chu Lai for a month, protecting Marines and Seabees establish-
ing an air field on the sandy shore. Besides helicopter support ashore, including defense
perimeter patrol, she was a support center for laundry, showers, fresh provisions, store,
and mail service. She also supervised the continual off -load of ships over the beach for
the entire month, then on 7 June 1965, landed squadron personnel and helicopters ashore
at Hue -Phu Bai, some 30 miles north of Da Nang. After a few days rest in Subic Bay she -
was routed to Sasebo, thence to Buckner Bay, Okinawa, where she embarked Marines and
equipment. This was completed 26 June 1965 when she sailed for Quinohn, Republic of
Vietnam, in company with Talladega (APA -208) and Point Defiance (LSD -31). These ships
were designated Task Group 76.5, that part of the 7th Fleet that carries the Marine Special -
Landing Force. On the 30th she arrived at Quinohn, about 100 miles south of Chu Lai. The
following day Marines landed ashore to take up defensive positions for the protection of
Army engineers and communications units.
The Iwo Jima remained off Quinohn for defensive support until 20 July 1965, then steamed a.
for Pratas Reef about 240 miles southwest of Taiwan. Arriving the morning of the 22 July,
her helicopters were immediately pressed into service to aid the salvage of destroyer USS
Frank Knox (DD -742). The close approach of typhoon Gilda pounded the grounded de-
stroyer so badly that it was impossible for small boats to get alongside her. Extra men were
•
heli- lifted off the destroyer while surf rose 12 feet high to break completely over the stern
of the Frank Knox. Support given by Iwo Jima included such items as hot food, clothes, •
water, pumps, hose, gasoline, air compressors, welding machines, damage control equip- •
ment and technicians. Feed water was heli -lifted in special tanks constructed by destroyer •
tender Prairie (AD -15) who had faint hope of keeping the destroyer's boiler alive. Detached
from this duty 1 August 1965, the Iwo Jima made a brief call at Hong Kong, then proceeded
to the Philippines. •
•
On 17 August 1965 Iwo Jima steamed out of Subic Bay for Vung Tau, Republic of Vietnam,
•
to join in Operation Starlight, a 5 -day search - and - destroy operation that eradicated some
•
600 Viet Cong. The successful Navy- Marine Corps amphibious operation backed by gun-
fire support from cruiser Galveston (CLG -3) and two destroyers, came to a close late on 24 •
August. The Iwo Jima's evacuation and surgical teams kept the American casualties down •
to a very low percentage. During transit back to Subic Bay she learned the Frank Knox had
•
been re- floated, good news for the crew who had put in so many hard and long hours at
Pratas Reef. She landed her Marine Special Landing Force at Chu Lai 1 September to 2
September, embarked 800 Marines of a rotation draft, and sailed for Buckner Bay.
Iwo Jima landed the rotation troops at Okinawa, then came off Quinohn, 10 September
1965, to cover the landing of the Army's 1st Air Cavalry Division. She had supported three
amphibious assault search - and - destroy raids along the coast by 1 October when she
steamed to southern waters, remaining in stand -by status for possible evacuation of U.S.
nationals in revolt -torn Indonesia. Eight days later she sailed for Danang for a helicopter
squadron exchange, thence to Subic Bay where she was relieved by Valley Forge (LPH -8).
Following a visit to Yokosuka, she departed 1 November for return to San Diego, arriving —
17 November 1965. Several months later she again joined the 7th Fleet Amphibious Ready
Group, a fast moving assault force which had completed more than 20 search - and - destroy
operations along the South Vietnamese coast between March 1965 and September 1966.
One of these missions hit only 3 miles south of the demilitarized zone to search out and
decimate a regiment of the North Vietnam Army's 342B Division that had infiltrated South
Vietnam through the neutral zone.
.
•
•
• During the first 3 months of 1966, the Iwo Jima was at San Diego for upkeep and improve -
• ment changes. From April through June, extensive refresher training occupied all hands as
• the Iwo Jima, prepared for her forthcoming Western Pacific deployment. On 24 July, steam-
ing with a task group, she passed the volcanic island whose costly conquest by stoutheart-
ed sailors and marines had inspired her name. On board was one of the marine groups that
• had landed on Iwo Jima over two decades earlier. After operations in the Vietnam area, she
• sailed for Japan. December 30 once again found the Iwo Jima, on the line and underway for
• special operations in the Mekong Delta region of South Vietnam in a Navy -ready group with
• a two pronged punch. Early in January 1967 the Commanding Officer, Captain Nils W. Boe,
was relieved by Captain F. X. Timmes. Upon his departure Captain Boe said of his crew in a
• family -gram to mothers and wives, "I want to thank each of you for letting me borrow these
• magnificent young men for a little while. They have made me feel ten feet tall." On 1 July
• 1967, the Iwo Jima was reassigned to Amphibious Squadron 3 from Amphibious Squadron
• 1, with which she continued to sail with the Pacific Fleet.
• PACIFIC RECOVERY FORCES (TASK FORCE 130)
• On 17 April 1970, the Iwo Jima was the flagship of Task Force 130 that waited for the Apollo
• 13 spaceship's astronauts after their memorable "successful failure" mission. In the 1995
film Apollo 13, the Iwo Jima was played by her sister ship, the USS New Orleans (LPH-
• 11).
• CATASTROPHIC BOILER ACCII)EN'I'
• In October 1990, as the United States prepared for war with Iraq, a large number of the U.S.
• Naval fleet was in the Persian Gulf. Among the ships was the USS Iwo Jima.
•
By mid October, the Iwo Jima had been operating in the Persian Gulf for approximately two
• months and had developed some leaks and other repair needs in the ship's 600 psi steam
• propulsion plant.
• The ship was granted permission to dock in Manama, Bahrain and conduct repairs. A va-
riety of maintenance items were planned, including overhauling the main steam valve that
• supplies steam to one of the ship's turbine - driven electrical generators. This valve, inci-
• dentally, could also be considered a boiler- boundary stop valve. The overhaul of this large,
• rising -stem, bolted- bonnet gate valve was contracted to a local ship repair company, under
• the supervision of U.S. Government inspectors. Towards the end of October all repairs
• had been completed and the ship was ready to rejoin the fleet. Following a couple days of
steaming in -port and equipment testing, an early morning light -off of their second boiler
was planned in preparation for an 8:00 a.m. underway time.
• All seemed to be going well, and shortly before getting underway the engineers started
their second turbine generator as a normal part of the ship's restrictive maneuvering policy.
• (Note: when a ship is leaving or entering port, or in an otherwise hazardous navigation situ -
• ation, additional equipment is operated and additional control is assumed by the ship's
• bridge.) However, because of its location, this stand -by generator was rarely operated, thus
• the testing of its steam supply valve may have been overlooked. Consequently, very shortly
• after getting underway, and while the ship was still in the harbor, the recently overhauled
valve began to leak.
•
•
•
Within moments the valve was leaking badly. The engineers reported their concern to the
ship's captain on the bridge.
Before the Captain could stop and anchor the ship, the bonnet completely blew off the '"
valve, dumping the steam from two large power boilers into the boiler room. All 10 of the
engineers in the boiler room were killed. A few somehow managed to escape the steam -
filled boiler room, only to suffer for a few additional hours before finally succumbing. Amaz-
ingly, the ship managed to drop its anchor and safely stop. Later that day, tugboats pushed ..
the Iwo Jima back into port. —
Iwo Jima was decommissioned 14 July 1993, and struck from the Naval Vessel Register 24
September. She was sold for scrap 18 December 1995. The ship's island is at the Museum
of The American G.I. in College Station, Texas.
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search for Museum of the American G.I. I"`� •
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Restorations in progress: •
WWI FWD Truck - ~'
WWI French FT-17 Light Tank
•
WWII Ward La France Wrecker
WWII M3 Lee Tank • •
WWII M4A1 Sherman Tank
WWII M4A3 Sherman Tank i v.-, •
WWII LVT4A Amphibian Tank
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WWII LCVP (Higgins Boat) 4 _ •
Vietnam TH-1F Huey Chopper # vaie, •
Vietnam 75mm Pack Howitzer •
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The goal of the museum is to fully restore every vehicle and machine in our
collection. That means that each will be fully equipped, and operational with
all weapons and communications systems in working order.
Completed Restoration:
WWI French 1897 -75mm Field Gun
•
WWII MB Jeep
9 "► 1. WWII Dodge Weapons Carrier j4 �� ' � . .
WWII M -8 Armored Car - -.4 --r
.. WWII M -5 High Speed Tractor --- , _.._..,.,. -...
WWII M -5A1 Stuart Tank
WWII M -24 Chaffee Tank
WWII M -18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer i I
WWII M -3 Halftrack -75mm Gun
4 WWII 105mm Howitzer
4 WWII USMC Weapons Carrier
4 WWII German Half Track
4
Korean War M -38 Jeep: _,
Korean War M -100 Jeep Trailer
4 Vietnam XM -816 5 Ton Wrecker - m _
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Through the generousity of donors we have amassed a collection of over 600
books on all subjects military and a large collection of digital files relating to
wars, divisions, units, battles, plans, campaign histories, weapons, and ammo -`
to name a few. When we are fortunate enough to build our museum, the entire
collections will be available in our reference library.
The Texas A &M University Sam Houston Sanders Corps of Cadets Center _
has given over a majority of their book collections to our museum. -
The family of the late Calvin C. Boykin, Jr., a WWII military historian, has do- a
nated his lifetime collection of world military history books.
We have decided to place the digital part of our collection online and make it •
available to all those who are interested.
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MIJSEIJM OF THE AME1IICAN G.I.
1 -24-
. The museum collections are vast and varied. Recently, a local family donated
. a WWI bugle that was used by a relative. Many of our uniforms and acces-
sories have been used in historical displays, parades and re- enactments. The
authenticity of our productions is paramount in creating the actual look and
feel of times gone by.
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The education of our future generations is of the utmost importance. Our affil-
iation with Denny Hair's Patton Third Army Living History Museum has helped
fulfill this portion of our mission. Denny and his team of re- enacters travel to -
schools to present WWII history in a manner that keeps the students asking -
for more. Our Board of Directors frequently goes into the community present - �-
ing programs, hosting displays and conducting oral histories. We often partner _
with Heritage Programs and Project HOLD from the City of College Station. _
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MUSEIJM OF 'I'IIIE IIMIERJCAN G.I.
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., "What can you do with a warship when it stops
being a warship ?"
By Louellen S. Coker
The Bryan Texas Utilities magazine
April 2009
"Brent Mullins' Open House 2009" IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII .
By Linda & Gary Haas f th e What Can You Do With
" The Pintlehook, Arrowhead Chapter of A Warship When it Stops
Military Vehicle Preservation Association Being a Warship?
.. March -April 2009, 12 pages - ' . ........................
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"Thousands Attend WWII Re-enactment .°I :. :w :nn ha. fa� ° " . " ' ., ■
v` in College Station"
r. Ashlea Sigman, Reporter
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... KBTX -TV, 2009
o4. b " 4»4.n +tipa+w 51 M°F". W.d •e.b °ern Ytivn...., tlr r4 l "gape..
"Local museum in need of funding"
Laura Avila, Reporter r-d .h A"wLs fd d.n{
ABC -TV, 2009 , ice : p f * _ l _._ a ;
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to "Open House"
fir By Craig Macho '
Military Machines Internat onal
• November 2007, 6 pages
• United Kingdom-
•
"Seeing The Battle Up Close"
Pachatta Pope, Reporter
KBTX -TV 2007
16 and many others.
• ' 1 R ES S f v
• Local & National '
• ....A living history museum preserving the equipment, uniforms, i
• and memories of the American serviceman.
•
•
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• MIJSEIJM OIL 'I'IIL AMERICAN G.I.
.4.
-27-
•
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M3 75mm Gun Motor Carriage at Brent Mullins Open •
House 2009 •
•
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Nor •
won Photographs by Roderick Bell •
• . "0 4. Text by Roderick Bell
1�M •
•
•
•
M3 75mm Gun Motor Carriage History •
After the 1940 German victories over France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, Denmark, and Norway, the •
United States Army studied the German armored forces. From this study, the tank destroyer doctrine was •
born. The study theorized that the best way to counter mechanized forces was to have a force of self - propelled
units that combine gunner visibility, mobility, heavy armament, and very Tight armor - "Seek, Strike, and
Destroy ".
In 1941, the United States Army did not have much to work with so they looked •
at their assets to find a suitable chassis for a self - propelled weapon. The 75mm •
gun M1897A4 was available in sufficient quantities. The M1897A4 was a
0 modernized version of the French 75mm gun and was the weapon the Army •
V 00' 9 could utilize. All the Army needed now was to find the right chassis. The M3 half -
track personnel carrier was available. The Army decided to marry the two to •
U' m become the first United States Army Tank Destroyer.
The prototype vehicle was designated T12. A total of 86 of these vehicles were
® imaa® rapidly reproduced in August and September of 1941. The first 36 T12's went to
Aberdeen Proving Ground for field- testing. The other 50 were sent to the United •
STROP States Army in the Philippines to provide a anti -tank counter punch for General
/
MacArthur's forces in case of a Japanese invasion. •
In October 1941, the T12 became the 75mm Gun Motor Carriage M3. After field- testing of the T12 several •
recommendations for improvement and passed onto the design team. These improvements were included for
the production runs of the vehicle. A total of 2,116 M3's and M3A1's were built. However, only around 900 saw •
combat and the remaining vehicles were converted into personnel carriers.
The United States Army and the United States Marine Corps both utilized the 75mm Gun Motor Carriage during •
World War II. The 75mm Gun Motor Carriage saw combat in the Philippines in 1941 and 1942 as well as in •
1944 and 1945. A few of the T12's were captured by the Japanese Army and were used against the United
States Army and United States Marines. The other combat areas were in the Southwest Pacific Area •
(Guadalcanal, New Guinea), North Africa, and the Central Pacific. The British used the 75mm Gun Motor
Carriage in Italy until the end of the war. •
•
M3 75mm Gun Motor Carriage Gallery •
•
In April 2009, Russ Holm, Bruce Burden, Eric Choy, and I took a road trip to the Museum of the American •
G.I. . in College Station, Texas. This is also known as Brent Mullins Open House. We saw many restored vehicles
and we attended the reenactment of storming the Siegfried line. The M3 75mm GMC "TARHEEL" was back again and •
I had a chance to get some up close photographs of it.
I hope that modelers who are building the new Dragon M3 75mm Gun Motor •
Carriage can use these shots (Kit No: 6467). "TARHEEL" is a USMC version of the •
M3 75mm Gun Motor Carriage. Last year a Marine Veteran from the Okinawa
battle was reunited with his vehicle. He was able to fire the 75mm gun for the •
~^� spectators.
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I used the following references:
•
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VEHICLES
M3 Infantry Half -Track
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Ati(itanuj Vehicle. ClaaaciaGan March /April 2009
BRENT MULLINS
OPEN HOUSE 2009
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• Mike Haas, Pat Koester & Gary Haas in Mike's `42 White M2A1 Halftrack and Gen. Patton (Denny Hair) during
the Open House 2009 Event hosted by The Museum of the American GI in cooperation with Brent Mullins Jeep
ter
Parts in College Station, Texas. Story on page 3 .
•
•
•
Brent Mullins R �: ■i
Op en House 2009 The MVPA Arrowhead Chapter members again par- ' ticipated in the Brent Mullins' event on 19 -21 March 4
V
2009 in College Station, Texas. This year's event in- r
eluded numerous militaria vendors providing many
"treasures" to purchase. I vb
Gen. George Patton (Denny Hair) was on hand to 4 4° ° • " � J
harass the troops, often levying fines if a soldier was _
not wearing a necktie or helmet. When not at his 3rd
Army Hdqtrs. tent or customized GMC Shop Van,
AI
Gen. Patton prowled the encampments in his Dodge '` '
Command Car, striking fear in the troops. L�
Saturday afternoon's activities included a demonstra-
tion of WWII weapons and a parade of Allied & Ger-
man WWII vehicles along the spectator seating area.
The featured event of the weekend was the WWII re-
enactment battle, which included numerous examples Brent Mullins
of WWII armor: •
• Ford M8 Armored Car •
• M4 Sherman Tank
• M5 Stuart Tank
• M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer (2) $ •
• M24 Chaffee Tank .lI.ULL 3 ' L. t t c5
•
• M2A1 White Halftrack
• M16 Quad Mount (.50 cal. MG) C M S ROunar • TRACTORS
•
• M3 Halftrack with 75mm Howitzer SPECIALTY TIRE DISTRIBUTOR •
IF WI 1)0037 HAW IT • WE'LL Ger R-
• SdKfz 251 German Halftrack
• M5 High -speed Tractor .
Additionally, many Jeeps, Dodges, Kubelwagens and •- ... •
•
Motorcycles also participated in the battle, along with x.
numerous infantrymen, including Jeff Hunt and Co. G •
(36th Division) from Camp Mabry (Austin, Texas)
•
Brent's annual event features the largest collection of
WWII armored vehicles in Texas, and certainly one of •
the top collections in the U.S. This is a "Don't Miss" Wallace Wade's Tire Display
event every year! P Y •
Gary Haas • •
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• Duncan & Kim Rolls with their "Jeep" cooking grille
• (I -r) MPs Dave Austin, Les Young, and Chuck McCarty
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• . (above) Steve Damon & Jack Slattery with
Steve's '45 Dodge KD Ambulance
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• (left) Gen. George Patton, Jr (Denny Hair) surveys
• , s the event from his Dodge Command Car
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Andy Morris in his 1952 Rolls-Royce Champ FV 1800 Mike Haas (driver), Connie & Linda Haas in ",
`42 White M2A1 Halftrack
I.. ' ' ! ; :1 (l eft) Dee & Peter r
* ^ Bronikowski '
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V track & 75mm E . -.4.14( -.4.14( .
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90mm & 75mm r , •
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• German motorcycle convoy Sean Gourley driving his GMC CCKW Truck
•
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opoopoommmetiomo
•
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• M -16 Halftrack with .50 cal. Quad Mount Brent's Dodge WC -52 Weapons Carrier and
• '42 Ford GPA Amphibious Jeep
•
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4wer •
•
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•
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a ip . ' "Sgt: Schultz, where is my driver ?" •
(left) Brent Mullins' MSAI Stuart
Light Tank
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Infantry forms a skirmish line Brent Mullins SdKfz 251 German Halftrack
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(above) Fred Kager's M4A3E8 Sherman Tank with 76mm Cannon
(below) Brent Mullins' MI8 Hellcat Tank Destroyer
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• Chad Sloan and his Motorcycle
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' , i. ,. Brent Mullins' WWII Bailey Bridge
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• (left) Infantry on the march
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hat Can You Do With a
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1 4
. a STORY AND PHOTOS BY LOUELLEN S. COMER
,
6
I f you've ever wondered what you age of 16 with the purchase of his first collections is that this will be a 20,000 •
can do with a warship after it jeep. Since then, he has expanded the square foot repository of fully restored
has been decommissioned, you'll collection to include trucks, tanks, and working military vehicles. The
soon be able to witness how it can boats and his most recent large design will make room on the bottom a
enrich the lives of many. Just south purchase, the USS Iwo Jima island, level for the museum's collection of
of College Station on Highway 6, a warship that was an integral part vehicles, boats and aircraft while
the Museum of the American GI of the American military from 1960 a balcony walk- around will allow •
contains an unparalleled collection through 1990. The ship was active in optimum viewing of the machines
of transport and tracked armored the Cuban Missile Crisis, Viet Nam, below while providing display areas
vehicles, artillery pieces and other WestPac Cruises, Operation Desert for the uniforms and memorabilia of •
hardware components that were Storm and even pulled Apollo 13 from the servicemen and women.
•
used in the 20th century as well as the ocean. Each March, Mr. Mullins and a
a library that contains a thorough The Museum of the American GI group of living historians bring the •
collection of technical, training and has acquired 40 acres of land in South vehicles to life to reenact a battle •
parts manuals for a good many of the College Station and hopes to have the from World War II to hundreds of
known military vehicles, weapons or USS Iwo Jima island, which is four spectators in the property's open •
equipment that have been used in stories tall and includes everything fields and wooded areas. During this •
the American arsenal. above the flight deck, reassembled exciting activity, everyone present
Brent Mullins, who has always been and used as the main structure of the experiences the clomp of boots over •
interested in military history, extended museum. This museum, which was the fully restored WWII Corps of •
his military collection to include officially established in February 2001, Engineers Bailey bridge, the rumble
vehicles, 30 years ago, at the tender will house one of the nation's most •
extensive aggregates of memorabilia x .,
r •
related to the American GI. Setting -' ' s . `+"` a
the museum apart from other �; ' .° , ,. k •
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gik of tanks, the whine of engines and
I F the whizzing of artillery as the actors -
• strive for absolute accuracy in their
historical portrayal. They even have — -°—
w ., the opportunity to dine military style
• on chow prepared by a former GI cook
• in a WWII field kitchen.
"The goal for every machine in this ' ` "¢
• museum," explained Mr. Mullins, is -,.... .,. '" a" : ~ _ '
•
to be fully equipped and operational -
with all weapons and communications -
• systems in working order. We restore
•
everything completely. Not only will
the vehicles move and fire, every il .
• piece of added on equipment down
to the supplies in the medical kit are
• present." Brent Mullins, who began restoring jeeps when he was a young man, along with a handful of
• Mr. Mullins, who began restoring helpers, lovingly restores the vehicles themselves.
•
Jeeps when he was a young man,
lovingly restores the vehicles himself. George Bush Library. While The unique collection of memorabilia and
• He explained, "Depending on the Museum of the American GI has an have focused on accurately preserving
•
condition of the vehicle, quite a bit excellent collection of World War I history. It is only natural that I share
of long -term dedication is required and World War II artifacts, as well this history with the world. We are
• to restore it to a functional level. We as the makings of the facade, the happy to take individuals on tours of
•
just finished, for example, a two -year museum lacks the structure in which our grounds and to work with area
renovation of a Sherman tank :' to tell the story of the American GI. schools to supplement their study of
• Truly dedicated to his passion, The Board of Directors is currently history."
•
Mr. Mullins runs a business in which undergoing a capital campaign to raise We recommend you call ahead
he restores Jeeps and other military money to facilitate the construction of to ensure someone is available to
• vehicles. Through this endeavor, he the museum. Mr. Mullins explained, conduct your tour. If you would like
•
has been able to find many of the "We have the history and we have the more information about this unique
historical treasures that he will use plans, but what we are lacking now addition to the Brazos Valley or want
• to turn the museum into a tourist are the funds with which to build. We to learn how you can be a part of
• destination that complements the are ready to build as soon as we have giving a historical warship a job in its
the collateral necessary to complete retirement, please visit the museum's
• the endeavor:' website at www.magicstx.org. And
„ ?t - Though the museum is not in its who knows, when the museum is
ultimate home, Mr. Mullins is happy established, Mr. Mullins may be able
4 a- , , to open his workshop and library to to acquire a spaceship (the Apollo
impromptu tours. He explained, "Over 13 that is currently in storage at the
• " w �ti, ' the years, I have accumulated a very Smithsonian Institute) to complete the
„ collection.
, rte
aloft
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lit ___ --r l "We have the history and we have the
4 4 ,,,-,-.• .. plans, but what we are lacking now are
the funds with which to build."
25
Patton's •, _
*.. 4* ....
Mobile _
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By Ken Rose, #31293 / •
and Denny Hair, #9986 7 •
Denny Hair is no stranger to •
restoring military vehicles, having •
brought back to life a WC15 Dodge •
half -ton command car, had a part in I •
restoring both a Dodge VC1 •
command car, and a 1943 Ford GPW •
jeep over the past 20 years. But his ' - •
latest effort to fulfill a dream may be •
the most ambitious to date.,, •
�
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
ARMY MOTORS 3 •
•
•
■
•
• The GMC CCKW shop van
was completely sandblasted
• � , ' and primed at a local shop
• ''
• IL , 1„. ,,,, ,
in Waller, Texas.
al di t
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• '
•
•:
•
• ' , ° ' --
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•
• :. _
•
Denny has portrayed Gen. George S. Patton, Jr.
• hundreds of times since 1984 and his impression has
•
won him the accolades of no less an audience than the
• • 90th Infantry Division and the general's granddaughter,
• P Helen Patton - Plusczyk. He is now determined to
recreate, with as much authenticity as possible, the
• Patton Headquarters Field Command 6x6 van; establish
• a website dedicated to the men and women who served
• in the European Theater's 3rd Army during WWII; and
create a group of like- minded individuals who will
• support other groups and museums in their efforts to
• keep alive the memory and sacrifice of that generation
which defeated totalitarianism on all fronts across the
• world. He has named this group Patton's Lucky 3rd
• The van's interior color was matched to Army and it is rolling forward to meet his goals.
• Patton's original van at Fort Knox. Denny's group is establishing a traveling museum and
Patton Show to give the audience an authentic scenario
•
,, � . of command activity during battle.
• ° While most reenactments concentrate
4 � ,
• on the battlefront, the decision-
° .
making and field command process is
• often overlooked. They will address
• that gap by showing the leadership in
• ` — ` ,44
moments of battle planning, crisis and
response.
• 1 ---- - As for the new website,
• - . _ _ - .....�-- ---- -- -- ,, * <www.pattonthirdarmy.com> Denny
` MIA, has this to say, "We have said we
• � ,. wanted to educate the public... now we
• . i are going to do it. We are non - political, i II
•
so we will link it to all the clubs who
• , wish a link and help them as well. We
^—,..... `�`y
• - I 7" 1 MR ' . 5 . 0 Arrival at Bryan, Texas, Veterans Day
• . -` Parade November 8, 2008.
• 4 ARMY MOTORS
•
•
•
will eventually have our impression on 7 *��7,�r ;, •
YouTube, MySpace and anything else it takes 1 , µ .F ' .'
to tell the story. Needless to say, this will also t ' s
•
get us publicity, events and places to come 1° ; ' $ , , ( ,
•
play. I want to promote our group and also ',
l ali t
4. our equipment for movies."
a
Central to this program is the 6x6 van ..
which, helped by many friends, is �•.. 4
emerging as an exact replica of the i
general's; even the can of talcum powder is "'
correct based on photos from the front. '4 ' " ,,,
Denny had mulled his idea for a long time IN!, ' "
and a conversation with Carlos Manning I
(MVPA #10401) earlier this year set the �'
wheels in motion. Carlos is a long time 1
r eenactor and facilitator in the hobby. ` ._..•�+-'.
After seeing what Denny had in mind, he ' 'k
became a strong supporter and helped
Denny find the right truck for the project. Based on exhaustive research in over seventy books these items are what
The photographs show the amount of George S. Patton would have had on his desk
progress that has been made in the last few
months. Carlos Manning, Homor Thomas, Will Bickers, Ken 6
The search began when he heard of Art Pope's efforts Spencer, Mario Vaca, Ken Rose, George Lindsey, Bill •
to reproduce a copy of the original HQ shop van. Denny McKown, and Cris Storms spent countless hours
contacted Art through the MVPA who assisted him in working on the van. Master antique furniture expert and
many aspects of the restoration. The hardest part was to military vehicle owner Mike Sabota and his son Andrew a
locate a shop van. They were once easy to find but not made the furniture for the van to exact specifications a
now. Art had a lead on one, as did Brent Mullins of Texas furnished by Art Pope and the staff of the Patton
il
and through them Denny finally located a 1942 CCKW Museum at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The museum staff also
GMC ST5 shop van in Pennsylvania. The truck was sent high - resolution photographs of the inside of the 0
purchased and prepared for its long journey original van. •
from Pennsylvania to Hockley, Texas, in •
March of 2008. Art supplied Denny with
his restoration plans and the restoration
and recreation of history began in earnest.
•
The truck had sat for some time so the o
gas tank was cleaned and coated. �-
•
Remarkably, the engine and running , *. 4 14 11' • ,.......j
components were in good shape. A local i
church youth group took on the van as a ! '
•
youth project and cleaned and masked the
truck off in preparation for sandblasting. ,.•%.'; •
Some twelve young people spent a whole
•
day on top, underneath and in every nook l '
and cranny taping it off. The vehicle was �'
•
sandblasted and primed. Denny was very 4
i
•
fortunate when a group of military •
enthusiasts came to help and lend their
talents to what would become a large •
group effort. Bill Warren, a superb and Patton always had a library with him; he, and later his son, read The Collective J
experienced military vehicle restorer Verse by Rudyard Kipling. This is the exact dated 1940 copyright edition that
contributed his time to paint the truck. Patton carried with him. He always had his beloved cigars with him as well.
4
ARMY MOTORS 5 J
4
4
•
• and future generations. Americans from
all parts of the country helped to defeat
• W Hitler's forces. Now many Americans
" have donated their time, efforts and
resources to make this project a success.
A LITTLE HISTORY OF PATTON'S
•
; 1: ARMY MOBILE
• + HEADQUARTERS IN EUROPE
Letter June 10th 1944. i
• 1 , In a letter to his wife Beatrice while
• I 1 • still stationed in England, he wrote,
• "I have a truck to sleep in. It is quite
swell -like the cabin in a cruiser only you
• can stand up. There is a bed with an air 1
• 16. a mattress, a wash stand, clothes closet, desk
• map board, heater and a 110 electric
circuit with a built -in radio; also a sort of
1 canvas porch effect The horrors of war are
• The inside of Patton's van was carefully duplicated. The top photograph is the fast departing and the far off booby traps
•
inside of the original van and the bottom photograph is the inside of ours. are gone. It can also black out and has a
Even the Molly toothpaste and tooth powder was duplicated. huge map board so one can work at night.
• It is made out of an obsolete truck body
• and runs well or at least well enough. "
This is the first mention of a unique
` traveling headquarters assigned
• exclusively to Patton. The US Army had
• ' , technical designations for their vehicles
so, officially, he was assigned a 1942
CCKW GMC ST 5 Shop Van, truck
• 1
+ ' ordnance, maintenance, 2_ ton truck,
• " s` powered by a GMC 270 cu. In., 6-
t cylinder, gas engine. Fully loaded at
13,265 pounds it could go about 240
miles on a 40 gallon gas tank at an
• F 1 ! �� average of 6 miles a gallon with a
• maximum allowable speed of 45 mph.
• - The electrical system was powered by 6-
• __ volts. It was modified on the inside rear
• portion of the van to suit Patton's needs.
The original van is on display in the
• I _ Patton Museum at Fort Knox Kentucky.
• There are few WWII pictures of the van's
What had started out, as an idea now became a determination to interior and none have been found
• duplicate a piece of history and use it to educate the public. Brent Mullins showing an inside view during the war.
• was able to help and gave a rare part that made the project much easier to The display at Fort Knox is not
• complete. Many CCKW owners and members of <www.cckw.org> lent complete, as it does not have all that it
advice and help online in locating manuals, specifications and sharing their would have contained during the war.
expertise. Robin Silva is preparing the web site describing Patton's charge Most of the general's personal
• across Europe to help keep this part of American history alive for present belongings are either on display
•
• 6 ARMY MOTORS
•
a
elsewhere or gone. The radio set -up above • i,' r - . , Y , •
his desk remains a mystery that we are still w 1 �` * ��' ' .
trying to solve. t � i 4 , •
There is evidence that at least two more ¢ } 4 t a ` Z i , •
shop vans were assigned to Third Army HQ. "`
O
•
ne was assigned to Patton's Chief of Staff e ° -"
General Hobart Gay. The other was most „ z..
probably assigned to Major General Hugh _,
Gaffney who also served as his chief of staff. t ,..
Patton did take a photograph of three shop
I,
vans assigned to his command while they < < --
were still in England waiting to become s.. * 'a,
operational.
Patton's 3rd US Army was and had
always been designated as the army to take i--" a
the war to the Germans after D -Day under a
plan called Operation Cobra. On the
Aiiir
morning of July 6th, 1944 Patton's C -47
landed on an airstrip near Omaha Beach in France and Patton Denny Hair, impersonating Patton, is looking at a
was now back in the war to command his army. photograph of the general in Life magazine, as
As Patton was waiting for 3rd Army to become operational Patton would have done when he received his copy.
his field headquarters was organized. His mobile office and
quarters had a large camouflage net over it. Under the net were i his jeep, 3/4 -ton Dodge command car and his mobile HQ
truck. In the rear of the truck was a canvas canopy just under [ _ •
the camouflage netting. Just out from there was plywood, laid
1 *w. •
on the ground to walk on, a field desk and several director style
chairs. The ladder leading up to the rear entrance had been ` 1 •
modified with wood slats over the stairs so Willie (Patton's •
dog) would not catch his toenails on the wire mesh covering color,
_ •
•
•
e
rii •
i ■ i 1 1'.; 1 li
s ...
•
f ' •
•
„... A Or
i 41
'w • e
,....
ill
•
.• Col. Carlos Manning, (left) our Chief of Staff. He
Mike Sabota, who built all the furniture, plays the part of Col. Oscar Kotch, Chief of
f points to one of our Intelligence for Patton. It was his loving hand that a
prize processions. We have an original dated command staff made this all possible. He was the glue for all of us
map from 3rd US Army. It was bought at a bargain price for to get involved, kept the group together, and is like a
$40 on eBay and is possibly worth thousands. It has Patton's 'father figure' that we all love and admire. Carlos
Third Army HQ mark on it in the original marker. spent more time on the van than anyone but me. a
a
ARMY MOTORS 7 41
41
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•
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1 colorized the only photograph of General Patton exiting I�
from his HQ van in August of 1944.
•
• the stairs. Patton often moved a small map board to the
12 table and discussed pending operations with his staff -`' � °
• outside the van. 1
• The first mention of its use in combat during WWII
• was in his diary. ! fs :
/ `*
• Diary entry July 8th 1944.
fri
Patton liked the truck and it was comfortable enough
for him to write home and say... "The sleeping truck is 4
• really too comfortable. I fear I will get soft."
• t _
• i IIIII
•
0 , CI 41 4 ilk
( • A recreation of Patton exiting the HQ van
P • in August of 1944 to meet with his staff.
•
rii
• . 47 0
• . - A f Pilkt'
• 1
• ,, Left, Mike Sabota, as an MP, Denny Hair as
li t , General Patton and George Lindsey as an
• MP Mike and George helped restore the
• 4 Patton van.
1 1111111.. viiiMiiiir •
8 ARMY MOTORS
•
•
The exterior of the 1942 GMC
•
CCKW Shop Van shown with .. �
Brig. Gen. Hap Gay (played by "'.." •
Bill Mckown) at the Bryan, •
Texas, Veterans Day Parade. -
Patton had dropped a _ .
•
map board on his toe in
England and it had become -....-- •
infected. He wrote home and s.t •
mentioned the truck after he
•
was in France and waiting for
3rd Army to become 'V -._ ' ' 1 •
, ill operational. •
--.-''" RI-
Diary entry July l l th. ... ,,, NOW n •
"Stayed in the truck all day - ........
•
resting my toe..." T' 3A -X * 1111_1 •
Letter to Beatrice July 12th
1944. •
"My toe is much better and -- - "" .3 •
I can wear my shoe. As there is nothing I can talk about I
drew you ...the plans of the truck. It is quite roomy and Denny and his group of like minded reenactors are not
has lots of storage space." letting the grass grow under their feet as the Lucky 3rd •
Patton kept his dog Willie (William the Conqueror) Army has already participated in the 90th Anniversary of ,
with him in camp and the dog traveled and slept with the 90th Infantry Division, supported Brent Mullins
him in his truck. Museum of the American GI and rode in Bryan, Texas
veterans parade. The year 2009 promises to bring many a
Diary entry July 15th 1944. more opportunities to present history and educate
"Willie is crazy about me and almost has a fit when I people of all ages on our past.
come back to camp. He snores too and is company at
night."
Patton also had guards ! ;. ' ' �
(sentinels) posted near his truck. r •
He wrote on August 9th when •
interrogating a captured German ..- "' �� `` # -
g
•
eneral that... "I had two _
sentinels with fixed bayonets at my If,. ? • ' •
truck - usually I have more. I had ;.
•
•
one table and one chair and he had =' N •
to stand."
•
l •
One Happy Bunch of - -. .
folks. Kneeling, Will i' •
Bickers, standing left , -
to right George
Lindsey, Ken Spencer, 1¢
Mike Sabota, Mario $4
Vaca, Denny Hair, . I,, a
i pi I i 1 ii ik -
Homer Thomas, and
all Joe Nobles.
ARMY MOTORS 9 v.
vi
4
Si
•
•
•
• feature OPEN HOUSE
• ' --* Brent whirs Collection of military
1 ♦ ► ,. h e 4 . vehicles 6 as ale of the �,� �� •
' . ; . ` 't ` best m thew e the USA The fact ,, -
• r r! ; h ± t hat he has gathered his fleet of armoured `+
- . J .. As. : . and softskin vehicles without the aid of
kit. i
''.7.',L.._. V; • ' inherited wealth or due to heading up a
muttmatlonal company attests to his
• , .ii. ad....„... determination and enthusiasm few would s-r,
'.N.lirm—VIVAN argue that t is the best - pocx mans
Ti) • " Lk w collection.
• The whole thing started when Brent the n the US Maine Caps did nothing to
I
6 ,\ --- , i. them of m 4 M eight rear memorabilia in into n and what & left the Menses
• X 1 4 ' ., hts long-standing hobby flourished 'into • .41111. - 9. 1' - , Lea te quad .50 cal Mtr� Mfae e1e bathe rc Brel hurls jeep Spattsno+v bas 'r.
• ¢ ' " _ eadbnrnt a n d just w e a l may peas o! ( txas wnetcHVn of College Station central y C 6tauahAh cored modal, ep dement aMu a Hart Te
His collection is extersim and
• co stantly changing end whit the
• . 0
• H e mphasis n on the vehicles of Wo k] Wa
House Two the inch s on of a Huey helicopter
Be: Oren ere a number of future projects dotted
wound The site that have yet to be started, such as
this kfet as era Huey helicopter
e Craig Macho visfted the
Brent Mullins Collection, .: 4 ` ' r ''t• >-
`� 'V' S -fir j
one of the USA best ,� -- ' °."
•
military vehicle ' `.
collection — eL- • • + _ _�
• BAILEY BRIDGE FROM AFAR
• c
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• n MIIIfAnx MACHINES INaea4AnC'NAl fllovernber 2007
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OPEN HOUSE ' feature mii
- 9k --- , - ,, - , - 4 , -..* - 1 Ir
_ - - -- j Fx ^. a mock batik raga y
j � ' r in Ne Texan sunshine ' lI • ,yt
,'" r, t'''''''' .� i s I. , e Y �
St.z.. the man hunseB. Brent
: r -L? NuNrLS, an and cogeclor of
W f. . 6, •� 1� 1 ( ,t., ,. .. . . i mditery reMdes
e t • ♦ L9✓
t ; ter , 4 ., , t , I s 4. ..., ',!' i A f . , „, ,11141 ), . , --,,.: iff,0 , .4 , ,or
4
A '• 1,,,, �� t ;r ' L � l1'� . A4 4
.. at' 'F i r T a:
r , +e ` -- — -- s c- � "�_ i r rehrGes tinned up fa the
' r r� niceDoge1/2 ton
this rather r wk.
a � ! ; ,L. r , ,j _ 3 "Y'
mceDodgel -R
i y ' s 7777 CC1' 4 v, t' Command Car r •
4 ' , • • • r •, < 1 � .!'ls s s
- Mere can't be many
� . . a« r � on y fi ; Places where pith see a
1
4 -,t ' - ` 1 q ` — -- I BametMOwer berg used v
�. ,, _ _
woro
iv I
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■ 9 t C ` 14I 1 l� Qt. y! em
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r«
L ' r. ` h�� 'l i r s n„
Tit �. a • 'r '( .
, 4
1NJ Wald War One Elbert, trucks gives an -- E or
, rdication of the range of vehicles within
,.,
the collection �Y ll
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OPEN HOUSE .w
Once a year Brent and his wife Leisha r': .
host and co- ordinate a combined open
house and themed battle re- enactment / a** ° 1 go
The event is held on land that is soon to = ,
be the site for Brent's next big project - '> - "A ::,v
the esmbtishing of the "Museum of the .>
American GI' This ambitious, multi- million `
dollar development will, as its name - a Pi;? ?!` F :'
suggests, house a comprehensive
H w s ., r d
ls
s. ` . r . � i 1 Big Boys Toys •
r
the mortars may not have
- been firing explaslves. but wi
i4 A they were still taking the
odd hie down m the
q � e a : woods hall a mile away
1 n 1 ti° fie +4 .. 11 ► - •� s ,I�k' r`�- �• - hie Bailey 'Irvine was
k r �7` - taught Ore n hnm Europe
"f '' �`'r and lovingly restored. It
. , .. ; - 6 7 - . . .t• fi a.. pu sea a a 6 ndpe .. •
`+� \ t� , �('` } �; _ ,•++ Wrpnte as rMge ores
i It S �1 1 ( l t j• , 1 , t ,, * _ the creek Molbnects me
�� .M show site
rt , ss
. � _
s y
e x '
tt � -` y N
November 2007 MILITARY MACHINES INTERNATIONAL 2
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R I felt rrght al home at - �t . : - -- _.
• th e event partly because I kr •r tr ti •-''1 t • rt s ," # "' - )11 . 1 /
round As Weasel kke Me • i - a . I . I t I -• k ' � ` ,J- $. IA
46 one I us to own, acrd �_ w ttt��� ' T ` 1
partly because d the i , - ,-; - , ,r 4 x A' ` ,� , .. +: ,` ,tits/ ; • , i•.
fir 8ritish're- enactors ta in '.' x, y • , �
part m the event 'Al a
ii p ,. I i �. y � ,lf•r'� t sil
• kf5A Stuart tram ,ii ` ' - F
ti r the Brent Mullins — +.,..+.►.� „� ` y
Collection, one of several '�'�r' + +.►r, y � / � e ' R :. �}
vehicles brought out for ; • — " 3.' ,
the event +. b RJ R —.+�
t ip Howitzer firing daring the ` 1 s , # sl ! ► v •''''' ' s. ■ _
heat of the baffle.
} 3
Paratroopers �yi � 4f +' F- .Std., A l,, j.. 1 14f I f. :
lir Mrle'lee i ' " Y"I re i .. a e rl 1' ,r. ! ' - f Y Si4 — _ — _-
collection of US military hardware from
1k, Through the ages
k A chantable trust has been established
A , v to oversee the development of the 60
' i , acre museum site and the museum
'1 ,, .� . a _ •i n`, bulldog will house around 140 vehicles.
� + M. _ The site w ilt also have an offload course
and re- enactment area. National as well as
1' rt • . _ ' .4r- local funding, along with help from the
/, a A' '''.' nearby Texas A&M University is in place
• and plans are at an advanced stage
t .
;+ t Texan military events have a well-
-- 1 y' '. 4 ' ' - .w • deserved reputation for dramatic, high
• or f firepower pyrotechnics, w4 h, C0 ibined
a with th possibility of a bitQ warm Texan
• meant giant that the chance to attend
At- '147. this year's Open House and Chemed event
+A-is r. -.- 'Breaching the Siegfried tine' was riot to A.
• .> s= ,� �,'" -e missed.
r r The well-known relaxed Texan attitude
a t- • . • to firearms and explosives was to be pit
• �; "" a to good effect with the live firing of
Jr '. :. ,,, sever& weapons, flamethrower, mortar
;' ' / . , demonstrations and Dragons Teeth
• y , r , • I M r demolition all being part of the show
• t F r : ,, It w� taal y th
the theme
m keep rag wra
to of the event that the deep creek that
• r � „ � v bisects the show site had been crossed
r t r ; by a beautifully restored Batley Bridge, just
' { .. �a t ` „ r v ` as so marry of the original damaged
r ^
. ., s' - ' •4 v - .- , vi badges over the Saar aver adjacent to the
• x +r Siegfried line, had to be replaced by • • r '' a : "� Allies Bailey Bridges as the rncued through
•
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• 30 MILITARY MACHINES INT1RNATIONAL ovember 2007
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b "` • F x r . ' `<� \ ° ' 1 - T i was another of the British � , •
X L 1r' ei '�, + moving the event
.r
, r • °,' et : 4- • t, " � ` 'pi . , '7 another vehicles d.
!! g� f t 7 e - - from the Mullins collection •
�: ^ e V Higgins boar
- �' ' :
maim restoration
r ` r I : ' . - Baton left 1942 Chevraer
' ' l55ort 4x2 .ten.
Alter the
. •L .'r ., Iran Campaign
ewiN _+ , :* M
`�. - ' i ended up in Aryenhna and ---..."" - JB years ago d was driven .rr
..0 t. a ;
Nom Argentina b CNrago
• ` s 4 q • - --_ and n now restored
_ �. '�
r - I . ,,.. - Warn
r1 ti 0 LaFnnce wrecker horn the
4. • x`..44 , 4ta ' - A it Brent Mullins collection
- ,., M Serves
s
., 1 r
wrecke an important
piece of equipment that
- . : - , _ - -- " ,i earns its keep. .n
4.''' ' ," . 1 ` .. , r v rd _ - , 1 . 'k , Flt
(� w ✓t It AO..
L
• 1x.1 . . +P _ .. p.
Iii c„..,,,... 5 ••� •
6 .v. limp . . •
mow. . t e . x ' d
France. Sir Donald Bailey drew up the amounted to a total of 490,OOD4ors. � , ` t f I I I I I I I I I I I „ i
•
design for the bridge and the bridging &ent's bridge had ended its military J, .Ir i 44. or II •
system was adopted in early 1941 as the career in Belgium and had to be shipped D
standard Allied military system. At the back to Texas for full refitbishment 7 I - -.
heart of the system was the modular Tar* traps had been a significant e A
Wtticetacek truss that could be caned, feature of the Siegfried line and Brett had �" J r_
manhandled and assembled using simple manufactured his on set of Dragons,
hand tools by a six -man party. Wartime Teeth to provide a focal point for the re-
production of Bailey bodging equipment enactment Within the rows of concrete
.:
of # ' r ' : , ;t A
a
p 11 � �
1 , , . t I ,x ' i.
024242212
� \ 1 ; sal,_ ., IIk 1 r
r .. • i 1 L — 1. J ; ; 4 i a
' 100.0.. 4
_- . •
November 2007 MILITARY MACHINES INTERNATIONAL 31 •
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liar
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feature. OPEN HOUSE
ilur
teeth were a run.' of cunningly No Texan slaw would be complete his collection to the charitable trust that
Mr disguised polystyr exarnples wired . without a deny by the Texas Flame will administer the project As well as the
with demolition c •rges. Thrower Owners Club I am reliably usual and expected US military hardware
The afternoon the re- enactment saw informed that Napalm, whilst readily there were, hidden in his warehouses,
the Bailey Bridge : ted as heavy armo u, available, has to be bought by the ton so some true germ that will be stars of the
w atillery, vehicles . ,. the public needed club members 'just` use a petrol diesel museum.
across the creak t. take up battle cocktail! A couple of World War 1, 1918 Liberty
I , Brent Mons positions. Once . - ctatas were With the demonstrations over and the trucks had ended up in Paramount's
IMP
yard and storage sheds are organised behind : single rope barrier the Alfred and Axis forces introduced. the I Hollywood film studio after their miftary
lull to overflowing with au show got •' • with the ' battle began with a softening up artillery service and had made an appearance in
sorts of interesting bits demonstration fin ; of the full range of barrage, the Quad 50 joined in to add to the final Laurel and Hardy movie. They had
and pieces World War Twos aril arms- the noise smoke and confusion and then languished on the back lot fa years but
the amour with infantry support started to We to the benign Californian climate had
1918 FWD 4.4 mode move forward. A couple of massive not suffered too much deterioration. They
B awaiting restoration. The FIREPOWER detonations saw the polystyrene teeth are awaiting a sympathetic restoration to
Four Wheel Dnve Auto Texas gun law ::laces little Of no obliterated and the tank trap breached. full working order as are a Huey helicopter
r Company of Wisconsin
were pioneers of all wheel restriction on own g weapons so all of • and Higgins boat.
drive hocks. t he fi rearms . • . trate were f ul ly As well as money, skill and patience
low operational as wa- 60mm mortar. Okay the HIDDEN GEMS any good MV collection needs a good
• 1 ' 1918 Standard mortar rounds did not have expkxrve Back at Brent's commercial base are to wrecker and Brent has both an M816 6x6
r► B Liberty truck stored watmeads, but I - were still knocking be found many of the items that will end and aWard la France 6x6 to tend to his
awaiting reSlarabdn dawn trees in the ... half a mile awayr in the museum. Brent has donated all of flock
The establishing of the collection and
row -- Museum has been a true labour of lore
Brent Mullins recams he Is the luckiest
low person in the world as he gets to do what
he loves to do, every day
J �. y I � . -are%
yap
• _ ,.r
• .,, a
I � fir: � j �
♦ t t
r.' ti _ ._._.•_•_ - _.. --
_ •cS'.k it ter. .� r E • F 7 ' •
• 4'llp .. ..
-
• `<.", i
•
c, r
{ ,‘-t.
— _ 4
c w tr +8.t
e -
.►>t - v '' t!
w
a t
. ' pi-. .' ,. = it �' ^
n
MOP , Ole 't°'# 4 • 1 t
" l
® F
van ous crews T � .
taken around the _ • , + T • o•;., F
wow autajumble that was also ' �•. I" - y Z TK -
held at me same time as l 1v ' 1\. p
me Open House event ^ 41,
_
411/ There were plenty of `„
goodies up for grabs _ - r✓ !
R .� \
• 32 MILITARY MACHINES INTERNATIONAL N vernber 2007
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M OF ' IIME:RICAl\ G... 4.
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For Details, Contact: MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN G.I. Phone: 979.690.0203 •
Robin Silva POST OFFICE BOX 9599 Fax: 979.690.9536 •
Communication Director COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS 77842 Email: Brent @magicstx.org
Phone: 979.739.4037 U. S. A. Website: www.magicstx.org •
Email: openhouse @magicstx.org •
•
Press Release `' •
For Immediate Release ` •s•fr •
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MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN G. I.
OPEN HOUSE 2009 •
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COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS: The Museum of the American G.I., in cooperation with Mullins Jeep •
Parts, is hosting their 5 Annual Open House, 20 — 21 March 2009. The two -day event will •
showcase the museum's fully restored military vehicles, host a military vendors market, and present
a WWII battle re- enactment on the grounds of the museum's 40 acre site just south of College •
Station on Hwy. 6. The event is a fundraiser for the museum's latest and largest restoration project: •
the Iwo Jima LPH -2 island.
The Museum of the American G.I. is a living history museum preserving the equipment, uniforms •
and memories of the American serviceman. Established in 2001 as a 501(3)c non - profit corporation, •
the museum began with an inventory of multiple award winning artifacts of American military history. •
Vendors from all across the United States will be on hand both days to display and sell military •
memorabilia, books, and ephemera from 0800 hours (8 a.m.) until dark both Friday and Saturday.
For more vendor information, call 979.777.2820. •
A full working mess kitchen will serve dinner Friday night at 1800 hours (6 p.m.) for $6.00 per •
person. A replica of Gen. G.S. Patton's field office will be on display. •
The museum strives to be a repository of restored, working military vehicles used by the United •
States and to display the vehicles in action. There will be plenty of action at the WWII battle re-
enactment that begins at 1400 hours (2 p.m). on Saturday. •
Admission each day is $5.00 per person. Scouts in Class A uniforms are admitted free. Parking is •
free. Take Hwy. 6 South from College Station, exit at the Texas Motor Speedway exit, continue on •
service road for 1 /2 mile past Santa's Wonderland. •
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"' NATIONAL Brazos Union Lodge #159 Kay & Grant Conlee
"' United States Navy Brazos Valley Hospice KBTX/CW and KBTX.com
` United States Army Brazos Valley African - American Museum Kelly Burt Dozer
` 7th Armored Division Association Brazos Valley Elks Lodge #859 Melissa & Doug Havemann
` Bill Bauer Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History Novosade Enterprises
Pt. Lavaca, Texas
lip Bryan - College Station Rosewood Resources, Inc.
'eV C. W. Oilfield Sales, Inc. Convention & Visitors Bureau
Cypress, Texas Sam's Club
Bryan Texas Utilities
v.
Gulf War Memorial.com Sunbelt Tractor Equipment Co.
Camp Hearne German
44.
Honor The Names.com Internment Camp Museum Raymond Klechka
4" Maxim Crane Works CC Creations Texas Print & Copy
Houston, Texas
City of Bryan Names and Numbers Phonebook
Miller Welding Co.
i" Appleton,Wisconsin City of Bryan Parks and Recreation United Daughters of the Confederacy
` MP Nexlevel City of College Station Sam Houston Sanders Corps of Cadets
Maple Lake, Minnesota Center & Museum, TAMU
"' City of College Station Heritage Programs
Paul Staton Photography Donnie & Stephanie Manry
✓ Spring, Texas City of College Station Parks and
Recreation Department Suddenlink Communications
` Radio Research Instrument Co. Inc.
Waterbury, Connecticut Cushing Memorial Library Texas A &M University
"" & Archives, TAMU
Roy Moffitt Heavy Haul Texas Commercial Waste
.r Cypress, Texas Dale McMillan
The Eagle
` USS Iwo Jima Association Daughters of the American
Revolution Twin City Coffee Service
®` BRYAN & COLLEGE STATION
Daughters of the Republic of Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4692
" Abby Johnson Design
Earl Graham American Legion Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4692
r ABC40 -TV Post #159 Auxiliary
' AbouTown Press Earl Graham American Legion Vietnam Veterans of America
Post #159 Auxiliary Chapter # 937
" AOC Welding Supply
Dr. Flo Ridlon & Bob Wheeler Walmart Superstore - Bryan
Arts Council of Brazos Valley
L Frank Kocman Wilkerson Dozer
B /CS Chick -fil -A
1, George Bush Presidential WTAW -Radio
Brazos County Library & Museum
fo, Zane Anderson
Brazos County Historical Commission KAMU -
s p ( ) N 4 ,44 glp
ur IL s S 'I_
• In Kind & Financial
• ....A living history museum preserving the equipment, uniforms,
• and memories of the American serviceman.
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MIJSEIJM OF 'I'II1: AMERICAN (;.I.
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The Museum of the American G.I.
is a member of the following organizations:
American Association of Museums
American Association for State and Local History
Arts Council of Brazos Valley
(affiliate member)
Military Vehicle Preservation Association
(Brent Mullins)
Points of Light Foundation
Texas Associations of Museums
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AFFILIATIONS .,.,
with Local & National Organizations 0 J •
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I he Museum of the American G.I.,Inc. established in February 2001 as a 501c3 Non - Profit Corporation is
• off to a great start with an unbelievable collection of hardware and support materials. The museum already
• owns (debt -free) 40 acres of land for museum facilities and activities. The island of the USS Iwo Jima
LPH -2 is four stories tall and was purchased as the center point of the museum. When reassembled it will
• stand 125 feet in the air as a tribute to all who have served in defense of this great country.
• Our Executive Board of Director$ have diligently protected the financial structure of the museum through
• sacrifice and never wavering in thOr ultimate goal of preserving equipment, uniforms and memories of the
• American serviceman /servicewonhan. The time has come to build the infrastructure and we must ask
• for help.
•
A ny contribution you make will go directly toward this goal. Whether your contribution is small or large,
its importance is the same. Your support will allow us to build the museum and preserve our military history.
•
• r�
hank you in advance for your most generous contribution! In addition to your financial contribution, we
• could use your help in getting the word out. Please send our home page link (www.magicstx.org) to all of
• your friends, neighbors, and co- workers who may have an interest in helping us achieve our goal.
• Your contribution, payable to Museum of the American G.I., may be sent to:
•
• Museum of the American G.I.
P.O. Box 9599
•
College Station, Texas 77842
• U.S.A.
•
• Your tax deductible contribution will go directly to the construction costs of the museum building
• and restoration of the USS Iwo Jima. Whether your contribution is small or large, its importance is
the same. It will allow us to build the museum and preserve our military history.
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Corporate & Individual p �`
• ....A living history museum preserving the equipment, uniforms,
and memories of the American serviceman.
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Lill 1 I .111%,M t :t -7
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Articles and Press Releases . 0■''' •
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• CITY OF BRYAN
The Good Lye. Texas lle
• May 1. 2008
•
The Honorable Chet Edwards
• United States House of Representatives
• 2369 Rayburn House Office Building
• Washington, D.C. 20515
• Dear Congressman Edwards:
• On behalf of the City of Bryan, we are voicing our support for the construction of the
• Museum of the American G.I. in Bryan /College Station, Texas, and encourage you to
• consider support, including federal funding, for this significant and historical effort. We
• believe the museum will honor the brave men and women who have served in the Armed
• Services.
For several decades, Mr. Brent Mullins, President of the Museum, and his colleagues have
collected and restored a significant number of working military vehicles, as well as
• numerous other artifacts including uniforms and memorabilia — used by U.S. service
• personnel. Undoubtedly, the collection is one of the nation's most complete libraries of
• 20` Century military vehicles and equipment manuals.
• As an asset to this community, the region, and the nation, the Museum of the American
• G.1. will serve as an educational exhibit while documenting the nation's past. It has been
• with great passion and dedication that this collection has been assembled. We believe with
the same passion and dedication, including your support, the museum can become a
• reality.
• We appreciate all that you do for Bryan and College Station, the region, and the nation.
Please consider providing assistance with this project as together we continue to build
upon the country's rich and successful history.
•
• Sincerely,
•
• //
• Laltd AWL
• D. Mark Conlee David F. Watkins
Mayor City Manager
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• 1)1 / • Sri; • 41 -O 'li') z■oot) •
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ARTS COUNCIL. a
"' BRAZOS VVAL1.El
February 29, 2008 a
'.1 Av RLUSSELI
r1•.I,1 Congressman Chet Edwards
EN KOS71 01 -N11
.,,,,,.,, 17 District, Texas
,•
111 University Drive East
; 'R"1. '`. H At:NE R Suite 216
College Station, TX 77840
1I111:11F.I.L MOREHEAD
.
11 Re: Museum of the American GI Support
141 S 1\LI�I:UVSI\v
, 1'i:1401%1,01 \11111111 1'1 I tl1 • • •
Congressman Edwards,
ill - kv1U\ (:dkRu Li
(:(),111. On behalf of the Arts Council of Brazos Valley and our 51 affiliate arts,
IIV II,1.1• culture and heritage organizations in seven counties I write in support of
11• "1 11.1■IAlO\ the Museum of the American GI and Mr. Brent Mullins efforts to preserve
.•,, ":,111,:,•1- 1' 1 and showcase our military and veteran heritage. Please join us in our a
NI(Iiii.%•1•. efforts to help make this museum a sustainable reality for the Brazos
•
• „,,L,;,.i Ifllr Valley and all American service men and women.
•
•
It is never too soon to preserve the past, educate our youth or honor those •
”. who have (and continue) to serve our country and our communities. The •
awe inspiring collection Mr. Mullins and his dedicated core of volunteers
have put together is a true testament to dedicated vision.
As a collection and museum it will prove a valuable resource of materials
and a strong regional (if not national /international) tourist attraction with
the potential to be the museum and collection of its type in the United
States. me
a
The Museum of the American GI embodies all the finest qualities a
museum and community partner can have: preserving, educating and
honoring. I hope and encourage you to join us, any way you can, in
helping establish and promote this effort. •
•
Yours,
Padraic L. Fisher
Uar 'month Slyer! Executive Director .a
:•,Ilcl;c Station • 1 czaa • 77810
N'1 979.6!)1, 278- •
q79.680. 072 •
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CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
• Office of the Mayor
• March 25, 2008
•
• The Honorable Chet Edwards
• United States House of Representatives
2369 Rayburn House Office Building
• Washington, D.C. 20515
•
•
• Dear Congressman wards,
•
• On behalf of the City of College Station, I would like to voice our support for the
• construction of the Museum of the American G.I. in College Station, Texas and urge you
to help find funding for this impressive undertaking.
•
• This museum, which will feature the Brent Mullins Collection of military vehicles, has
• established a charitable trust to oversee the development of the 60 -acre museum site. The
collection is already regarded as one of the best in the world and the construction of this
• museum will provide a fantastic venue for visitors to experience this important part of
• history. The site will house more than 120 vehicles, as well as an off road course and a
• re- enactment area. The collection will boast such attractions as a Huey Helicopter, World
• War I Liberty Trucks, a beautifully restored Bailey Bridge, and a Higgins boat. This
impressive collection was recently featured in Military Machines International.
•
• We feel College Station is the perfect place to create such an attraction due to its
• proximity to multiple metropolitan areas, such as Houston, Austin, and Dallas. As home
to Texas A &M University, College Station has a long history of military support from
• our own relationship with the Aggie Corps of Cadets, the largest military program outside
• of the military academies. This vested interest in military history and culture makes
• College Station an ideal location for a museum of this sort.
• The museum would be a valuable addition to our community and would be much
• appreciated by our residents as well as visitors from across the state, country, and world.
• Thank you for your continued service to this area and I once again ask you to support this
• exceptional project.
•
Res ctfully yours,
•
• Ben White
• Mayor
•
• P.O. BOX 9960 • 1101 TEXAS AVENUE
COLLEGE STATION •1 • 77R42
• 979.764.
• W W W.CEbC.QOV
715 University Drive East
College Station, Texas 77840
P 979.260.9898
3RYAN #COLLEGE STATION 800.777.8292
ON VENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU f 979.260.9800
February 29, 2008
The Honorable Chet Edwards
United States House of Representatives
2369 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Mr. Edwards:
Re: Museum of the American G.I.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and the professional staff of the Bryan - College Station Convention &
Visitors Bureau, as well as the many tourism businesses in our area, I am writing this letter to urge your
absolute support and assistance in advancing the plans to construct a permanent home for the Museum
of the American G.I., a Museum of National and indeed International momentousness.
There are, as I know you are well aware, few places in our great nation that are as rich in military bases
as Texas. Texas is a most fitting place for a Museum that will celebrate and pay tribute to our American -
Servicemen and Women.
Over the last 30 plus years Mr. Brent Mullins, President of the Museum, and his colleagues have
amassed an incredible collection of restored, working military vehicles, artillery pieces, and many other
hardware components used in the 20 century, not to mention it's impressive collection of uniforms
and memorabilia of U.S. servicemen and women. It has one of the nation's most thorough and
complete libraries of manuals for most every known military vehicle, weapon or piece of equipment
within the American arsenal. This collection has been put together with great passion, devotion and
commitment to honoring the memories of the American G.I. It needs a permanent home, it deserves a
permanent home and with your support that can become a reality.
Mr. Edwards, your support will be absolutely critical in this endeavor. Your most serious consideration -
and assistance in establishing the permanent home for this amazing collection is greatly appreciated as
is all you do not only for our area but for our great State of Texas and indeed our nation, the United
States of America.
Yours most respectfully,
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Barry H. Biggar
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President /CEO
BHB /me •
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• USS IWO JIMA (LPH 2/LHD 7) USS IWO JIMA CLASS ASSOCIATION
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• 0111 s olo J' George M. Agrecv, President
2693 Winchester Road
• Robertsdale. AL 36567
' (251) 947 -19%
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ssoci.no
• USS OKINAWA (LPH 3)
• USS TRIPOLI (LPH 10)
• USS NEW ORLEANS (LPH 11)
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• March 31. ?OUS
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• Robin Silva
Scrretary
• Museum of the American G 1
109 Holly dale
Bryan. TX 77g01
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• 17car Ms. Silva
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As President. and on behalf of the entire USS Iwo Jima Class Association membership.
please accept our heart felt appreciation for the work in progress on the restoration ou't's
• Island Structure of the ex -USS Iwo Jima (LPH -2). This Structure is from the first ship of
• its class_ and fittingly the last one to survive the test of time.
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• The USS Iwo Jima class ship was a very unique naval vessel. These ships carried names
• of famous USCM battles. /trod/ma. Okinawa. Guadalcanal. Guam. I rihoh. Nt-w
• Orleans. Inchon. Sailors and Marines alike are proud of these names and what they
signify. Honor. valor, tradition, and pride. The island super structure you are having
• restored has been seen by both friend and foe around the world, during times of peace
• and war.
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• When the restoration is complete, it will be the highlight of dour museum. Your boldness
• in acquiring, what some would describe as a hunk of rusting steel_ was truly visionary.
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When your project is open for viewing, it will be one of the best military/historic
attractions in the United States.
1 am looking forward to once again standing on what was a significant part of my military
career. Thank you so much for you efforts in making this a reality.
j
Sincerely,
George Agrecy
President
USS Iwo Jima ('lass Association
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• 3201 Lies! Court
• College Station, TX 77845
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• Merl -31:, 2008
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• Robin Silva
• Museum of the American GI
1303 Cherokee Lane {
1 { 1,.�, �.,. - �� 1.
College Station, TX 77845 r t ; Y_ ^ 4 -
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• Dear Robin,
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I wanted to thank you again for your kindness on Saturday. It may have
• appeared that Michael was not aware of what was going on around him,
4 but rest assured he truly enjoyed his visit to the museum. We talked about
• the re- enactment Saturday night and he said he enjoyed it a lot. He
• especially liked the tanks. I know he liked the jeep rides to and from the
• re- enactment site.
• I'll bet Michael is telling his teacher and classmates at College Station
• Middle School all about the Army 'guys' even as I write this letter.
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• Michael and I will enjoy looking at the pictures on your website's gallery.
• We'll definitely keep up with future developments out there and tell
everyone we know that they need to visit the museum.
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• Thank you for going out of your way for my special needs 14- year -old.
• Your gestures mean so much to my husband and me.
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Sincerely,
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• Lisa Trampota
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ARCHITIICTIJRAL
Drawings and Photographs
g
....A living history museum preserving the equipment, uniforms,
and memories of the American serviceman.
MIJS EIJM OF THE AMERICAN G.I.
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