Camp Roberts Reveille

CALIFORNIA STATE MILITARY RESERVE

CALIFORNIA MILITARY HERITAGE COMMAND
MUSEUM SUPPORT UNIT-CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
CAMP ROBERTS, CALIFORNIA

23 November 2017 Fall Issue

Welcome to the Fall

Newsletter of the Museum
Support Unit-Central
California at Camp Roberts.

In this Issue:

Commanders Corner

Angel Island, US Army

Bastion of the Pacific

The Nike Missile Program on

Angel Island

Angel Islands Immigration

Story

On the Funny Side

And Much More!

We hope you enjoy this

edition of the Camp Roberts
Reveille!

--CW4 (CA) Henry Leon

Commanding

California Military Heritage

Command

Museum Support Unit-

Central California
ON THE COVER:
Commanders Corner
Top: The Blackhawk
memorial at Camp San Luis The other day, I went to Walgreens for some odds and
Obispo. The Central ends that I needed. I quickly noticed the Halloween
Command recently displays with one of the long aisles stocked with large
completed cleaning and and small bags of candy, masks, face paint, and some
weeding of the memorial
dedicated to those who
costumes. Then, I noticed that the displays for
served in the 86th Infantry Thanksgiving were also out. My next surprise came
Division in WWII when I noticed that they were putting out the
Photo: SSG (CA) Jason Orton
Christmas displays as well! My first reaction was that
Bottom: Officers quarters at it was still October!
Camp Reynolds on Angel
Island. Camp Roberts This year has been filled with activities and changes
namesake, CPL Harold for the California Military Heritage Command
Roberts, trained on Angel Museum Support Unit-Central California. We are a small unit but a busy one.
Island during WWI and Aside from our main mission of museum support, we also put out a newsletter
Central Command soldiers
recently visited the island to
keeping California informed about our mission in the Central Coast region. Not
research its important part in only do we call Camp Roberts our units home, we also drill at Camp San Luis
Californias military history. Obispo. Our unit is also involved in community support activities promoting the
Photo: SPC (CA) Patrick Sheen
rich military history of California. We are Army Historians but, we are also
Camp Roberts Reveille soldiers with a primary mission to the State of California.
Fall 2017 Issue
Where has the time gone this year? It seems as if January was only a couple
Publisher: months ago. What will the future bring as we head into 2018? All I know is that
Museum Support Unit-Central
the past is already written but the future is a blank page of exciting events just
California
waiting to happen. Those that serve the State and Nation will continue to do so
Editor: much for so many because they feel a responsibility and pride in serving. May
SSG (CA) Jason Orton 2018 be a happy year of peace and joy for everyone.
Contributors:
CW4 (CA) Henry Leon
SGT (CA) Terrence Rogan
SPC (CA) Katrina Sheen
SPC (CA) Patrick Sheen
CW4 (CA) HENRY L. LEON
SPC (CA) Coy Briscoe
PFC (CA) Michael Brookman

Editing and Proofreading:

SGM (CA) Carlos Gama

All Rights Reserved. Material

herein may not be reprinted
without express written
consent of the publisher.

For mail correspondence:

1895 Ironwood Drive
Santa Maria, CA 93455

2
 This issue of the Camp Roberts Reveille focuses on a series of articles about Angel Island. The island was the location
where Camp Roberts namesake, Corporal Harold Roberts, completed Basic Training during WWI. Also, many of the
POWs from WWII interred along the Central Coast at posts like Camp Roberts and Camp San Luis Obispo were
processed on Angel Island before coming to the area. WWII Veterans that trained at Camp Roberts frequently
passed through Angel Island on their return to the United States at the conclusion of the war for out-processing.
Solders from the Central Command visited the island in August to better understanding the military history of the
island and how it contributes to our understanding of the military history of the Central Coast.

Angel Island, US Army Bastion of the Pacific

PFC (CA) Michael Brookman

Angel Island is located in San Francisco Bay, California, and it

is the largest natural island in the bay. It stands just east of The
Golden Gate, the bays entrance from the Pacific Ocean. The
islands military strategic significance was immediately apparent
to the early European explorers. The first military presence on
the island was established in 1775 by the Spanish. They camped
in a cove where a ship could be safely anchored and out of site.
The partys mission was to survey the bay for mapping and
resources. It was their Commander, Lt. Juan Manuel de Ayala
who named the island after angels. The cove where he camped
came to be known as Ayala Cove.

The Spanish military did little more with the island during their
time overseeing California. The native coastal Miwoks had used
the island for seasonal fishing, foraging, and hunting for an
estimated 2000 years but seldom returned after European
occupation. The twenty-four years of Mexican rule over the
island, after the Spaniards relinquished control, saw some cattle
ranching and simple farming but no military use.

The Mexican-American War did not affect Angel Island as there

was no government presence on the island and there were no
battles or shots fired when the surrounding area was surrendered
in 1846. U.S. President Millard Fillmore, although not a
military veteran, pressed for the Army to establish a camp on the Members of the Central Command in front of
island. He saw that the California Gold Rush of 1849 increased the Fort McDowell Guard House. Unit
Californias importance to the Union and was concerned about soldiers recently visited Angel Island State
Park and learned about its place in California
Russian and other Pacific nations interest in California.
military history. Photo: SGT (CA) Todd Sampson
Statehood was granted in 1850 and Fillmore declared Angel
Island a Military Preserve. Army engineers made a military survey in 1858 but the results were filed and
forgotten.

Tension between U.S. states was increasing and President James Buchanan again recognized the strategic
importance of the island by declaring it a Military Reservation in 1860. The U.S. Civil War began in 1861
3
intensifying military development. Another survey was conducted and orders were issued in 1863 for
construction of a base with six to seven artillery batteries. With the renewed attention in 1863, the site became
Camp Reynolds, named after Army of the Potomac Major General John Reynolds. He had been killed by a
Confederate sniper at the Battle of Gettysburg earlier that year.

Most of the Civil War construction was completed in 1864, although it was hasty and engineered for a short life
span. Samuel L. Clemens, a San Francisco newspaper journalist, toured the site with then Brigadier General
Irvin McDowell (remember his name) and proclaimed the fortifications and earthen batteries were fast
growing into formidable proportions. Clemens would gain fame later under the pen name, Mark Twain. The
Civil War ended in 1865 and it was good for the camp that it did. Storms, earthquakes, and the general climate
took a toll on the batteries and they began to fall apart before the end of the year. One casemate slipped fifteen
feet downhill! The batteries were abandoned and the guns removed in 1866.

The end of the Civil War saw Camp Reynolds

transition to a general recruit depot, staging area for
troop movements, and a supportive infantry camp.
The poor pay, lousy weather, and boredom of island
life hurt morale. The Armys general desertion rate
by 1868 was almost 43%. Things on the island were
so bad that the Post Sutler (a non-military merchant
providing civilian comforts for a price to Army
personnel) was prohibited from selling any liquor
and a reward of $1800 was offered to San
Franciscans reporting deserters!

The third period of California wars with the First

Citizens began in 1870 and changed the life of the
Officer housing and parade grounds at Camp Reynolds soldiers stationed at Camp Reynolds. They were
on Angel Island. The Islands U.S. Military history goes
now actively engaged in a campaign as well as
back to 1850 and includes the Civil War era.
Photo: SPC (CA) Pat Sheen manning a static post. This relieved some of the
boredom and morale improved. There are tales of
Prisoners of War (POWs) held at the camp during this time but, no documented evidence has been found. A
census in 1869 shows approximately thirty-four Indian convicts which indicates they were probably civil
prisoners and not POWs.

A government defense report was completed in 1886 that was very critical of the West Coast military readiness.
Funds were approved as a response and construction began on three secondary batteries. These batteries
provided fire support to the main batteries of Fort Point and Fort Baker at The Golden Gate. It was realized
within a year that the new Camp Reynolds batteries and guns were obsolete due to advances in naval
construction. The speed of new steamships along with the short trajectory and slow traverse of the guns made it
almost impossible for gunners at Camp Reynolds to hit their water born targets.

Once again, impending war brought improvements to Camp Reynolds. U.S. foreign policy was still heavily
influenced by Manifest Destiny and support of the Monroe Doctrine as the country annexed Hawaii in 1898. A
short time later, the U.S. supported the Cuban Insurrection against Spain and the Spanish-American war began.
This brought quick funding and new batteries with modern guns were installed at Camp Reynolds before the
end of 1898.
4
The Spanish-American War brought significant combat in the Pacific Theater. Camp Reynolds was one of the
busiest bases in the U.S. as it was the only overseas processing station. A special detention camp or quarantine
hospital was built in 1899 for troops returning to the mainland with tropical diseases. They stayed there until
they were deemed to be non-contagious.

The Spanish-American war ended and the decision was made to further expand the military facilities on Angel
Island. The base boundaries now covered the whole island and the name was changed to Fort McDowell in
1900. Major General McDowell, Mark Twains guide in 1864, had been Commander of the Pacific and later
Commander of California. Although he had suffered defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run and was partially to
blame for the U.S. defeat at the Second Battle of Bull Run, he had been immensely popular in California and
especially in San Francisco. He had died in 1885 and was buried at The Presidio in San Francisco. Separate
geographical areas of the island were now referred to by their compass orientation such as the East Garrison and
West Garrison. Camp Reynolds was stricken from the Army roster after thirty-nine years as an active military
post.

Fort McDowell saw continued growth in the early

years of the twentieth century. 126,000 troops
passed through and mustered out between 1900 and
1907. The fort became a major Recruit Depot and
Processing Center in 1910. Construction increased,
using military prisoners from the nearby Army
prison on Alcatraz Island. Military prisoners were
also used at the islands serpentine quarry for road
building material. Serpentine, Californias state
rock, is a pretty, sparkly green, brown or spotted
rock of magnesium and asbestos. The health hazards
of asbestos only began to be understood in the
1920s and the pit mining on Angel Island ceased at
The old Fort McDowell Administration building on Angel that time.
Island. Fort McDowell served the needs of the U.S.
military during both World Wars. Photo: SPC (CA) Pat Sheen World War I began for Europe in 1914 and activity
stepped up at Fort McDowell as a Recruit Depot.
The U.S. entered the war in 1917 and, by that time, over 4000 men a month were passing through the fort. Fort
McDowell also began to process enemy aliens during this time. These were primarily men of German
nationality or descent. These men had been collected throughout the West Coast and Pacific Ocean. They
spent a little over two weeks at the fort before being interned, paroled to a sponsor, or repatriated to Germany.
None were ever proven to have malicious intent towards the US.

The war ended in 1918 but military activity at Fort McDowell did not. The mission returned to processing
soldiers who were leaving service and training recruits. Construction of a new barracks was begun about 1919.
The architecture and construction style was significant as it was one of the first reinforced concrete buildings in
the U.S. The barracks at the East Garrison became known as The 600 Man Barracks in architectural circles.

Fort McDowell became the Armys Overseas Discharge and Replacement Depot in 1922. Surprisingly, some
of the busiest Army years on the island were between 1920 and 1940. The only offshore U.S. Army bases were
in the Pacific Ocean and all troops had to go through the McDowell, coming or going to the Pacific. They
averaged over 22,000 each year between 1926 and 1938 with over 106,000 men being discharged at the fort.
5
United States entrance into World War II was anticipated by many but its abrupt start was a surprise. Fort
McDowell was fairly well prepared and yet still had to make accommodations to process an unprecedented
number of soldiers at the beginning of 1942. It served as the main embarkation point for all troops going to the
Pacific Theater of Operations from 1941 until the end of the war in 1945. The average stay for troops on Angel
Island was anywhere from a week to three months, depending on organizational marshalling. It was reported
that over 12,000 meals per sitting were served in the mess halls. The logistics of handling so many soldiers was
immense. Most potable water and all supplies had to be brought to the island by boat after being brought to rail
terminals on the mainland. Soldiers were transported in the same manner.

The Army began to use Angel Island as a POW processing center in 1941. As in World War I, enemy aliens
had been collected throughout the West Coast and Pacific Ocean as early as 1938. These included citizens,
military, and merchant marine personnel mostly from the European Axis Powers. When war began, the military
and merchant marine captives became POWs. The first POW actually captured in combat to come to Angel
Island was the Japanese Navy officer Ensign Kazuo Sakamaki. He had been captured on Sunday, December 7,
1941, at Pearl Harbor when his mini-sub ran aground during the attack. There is argument that only German
and Japanese POWs were processed at the facility, but personal histories indicate otherwise. POWs were held
in the Immigration Station that had been abandoned in 1940. The POWs were sent to Prisoner of War camps
throughout the U.S. after about three weeks of processing at Fort McDowell. There are no documented escapes
by any POWs.

World War II ended in September, 1945 and Fort McDowell continued operation for several months processing
returning GIs. Twenty-two trains a day were needed for soldiers coming from the island ferries to the mainland.
They left the San Francisco Bay Area by rail for discharge centers throughout the US. The expense of bringing
all supplies and transporting personnel to and from
the island had been extreme. The Army realized that
a mainland base would be more cost effective and
the decision was made to abandon the site. Fort
McDowell closed in August, 1946, and the property
was listed as government surplus. A small unit of
troops remained on the island to maintain the
facilities until decisions for the ultimate disposition
could be made.

The Cold War began almost before the end of World

War II. Once again, Angel Island was strategically
significant. This time, it was for the ground to air
missile defense of San Francisco. A Nike Missile
Missile hatch doors to the old elevator at the Nike Ajax base was approved in 1954 and the San Francisco
missile site on Angel Island. The site served as a
Defense Area Nike Battery 91 or SF91 was
defense against Soviet Bombers during the Cold War.
Magazines stored missiles below ground that were lifted established. The Army moved troops back to the
to the surface by the elevator. Photo: SFC (CA) Eddie Colis island in 1955 and the site was manned by Battery D
of the 9th Army Antiaircraft Artillery Missile
Battalion. The Nike missile technology was quickly outdated by 1958 but the battery was maintained until
1962.

6
The Army left Angel Island for the final time in 1962 after the Nike battery closed. This event marked the end
for Angel Islands ninety-nine years with the U.S. Army protecting California and The Golden Gate from
enemies approaching from the Pacific Ocean. The island and the remnants of Fort McDowell are now a
California State Park and open to the public.

The Nike Missile Program on Angel Island

SPC (CA) Katrina Sheen &
SPC (CA) Patrick Sheen

The Nike Missile Program began in 1944

shortly after the War Department realized
that existing gun-based systems were
inadequate to deal with the increasing
speeds and altitudes where jets
operated. The Cold War and threat of a
possible nuclear strike by Soviet long range
bombers necessitated a new defense system.
A great number of the technologies and
rocket systems used for the development of
the Nike Ajax air defense system were re-
used for a number of subsequent missile
defense systems, many of which were given
the Nike name (after Nike, the Greek Underground view of the Nike Ajax missile magazine and elevator
goddess of victory). For the Nike system, on Angel Island. Missiles were moved to surface launchers on an
elevator for defense against Soviet Bombers.
three radars were used because a single Photo: SPC (CA) Patrick Sheen
radar was not capable of leading and
tracking targets effectively. The first successful Nike missile test was in 1951, intercepting a drone B-17 Flying
Fortress.

The first Nike missile system was the Nike Ajax and deployment of the new system commenced in 1953. The
Army initially ordered 1000 missiles for deployment. They were placed to protect strategic and tactical sites in
the United States. The new system replaced 896 obsolete radar-guided anti-aircraft guns operated by the
National Guard or U S Army to protect key sites. During the early to mid 60s, the Nike Ajax batteries were
upgraded to the Hercules system. The new missile had greater range and destructive power. It could also
intercept ballistic missiles. Nike Ajax sites that were not upgraded were decommissioned.

Angel Island was identified as Nike Missile base SF91 and opened in 1955. The radar was located at the
highest point on the island, Mount Livermore. Today, all that is left of this site is one building, some cables
coming out of the ground, and a couple of concrete pads where the radar was located.

Administration personnel for the system were located at Fort McDowell which was an Army base that opened
prior to WWI. The old base hospital became the headquarters for the unit. Fort McDowell was nearly
abandoned prior to the Nike personnels arrival. About 100 men were stationed on the island, with the Enlisted
men billeted in the old post hospital.

Angel Islands missile battery was manned by Battery D of the 9th Army Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion. The
battery had three launching sections, each one with four missile launchers. The Nike Ajax missiles were liquid
7
 fueled and carried TNT war heads. The
missiles had a range of approximately 40
miles. Each launching section had an
underground magazine that could hold up to
a dozen missiles. The missiles were raised
to the surface by hydraulic elevators and
then placed on the launchers. The only
missile system used at Angel Island was the
Nike Ajax and the site was decommissioned
in 1961 when the Ajax Missiles became
obsolete.

The underground magazines remain on

Angel Island today as part of the State Park
however, this area is off limits to visitors.
Limited access is available to researchers
Aboveground view of the Nike Ajax missile magazine elevator hatch and others by permission. For those who
doors and missile launch site on Angel Island. The site was
decommissioned after the introduction of the Nike Hercules system.
want to see a restored Nike site, the Golden
Photo: SPC (CA) Patrick Sheen Gate National Recreation area in the Marin
Headlands has a restored Nike missile
system. Nike site SF88L is the only fully restored Nike site today. Tours and demonstrations occur during the
first Saturday of each month. More information can be found at: https://www.nps.gov/goga/nike-missile-
site.htm.

Angel Islands Immigration Story

SGT (CA) Terrence Rogan

Soldiers from the California Military

Heritage Command, Central California
consider Camp Roberts home. We recently
toured Angel Island which is located in San
Francisco Bay. During my time on the
island, I reflected on the young man for
whom our post is named, CPL Harold
Roberts. He entered the U.S. Army on
Angel Island not far from where he grew up
in San Francisco during WWI. I knew
nothing about the history of Angel Island
when I first stepped foot on Ayala Cove. I
wondered if it was the same for Harold
Roberts in 1916 when he arrived at Fort
Immigration Station Barracks on Angel Island. Ships carrying
McDowell to enlist. I am sure that he had immigrants came directly to the island from 1910 to 1940 where
no idea he would later become a Medal of they were detained for long periods. Photo: SPC (CA) Patrick Sheen
Honor recipient and, forever, a part of
history.

8
 My initial focus was to learn more about the military history
of Camp Reynolds and Fort McDowell, both located on
Angel Island. I was not expecting that enthusiasm to shift
to the story behind the Immigration Station which operated
on the island from 1910 to 1940. Angel Island was
considered the Ellis Island of the west by some, but not the
Chinese and other immigrants that endured the hardships of
living there for months or years.

The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 barred the legal entry of

Chinese laborers into the country. However, the Chinese
Immigrants continued to come in search of a better life.
Government officials felt the island was a more secure site
than the San Francisco docks to regulate immigration from
Asia. According to the Immigration Station Foundation,
immigrants from 82 different countries were processed
through Angel Islands Immigration Station with U.S.
policies at the time primarily designed to exclude rather
than welcome immigrants.

Conditions were very crowded in the Immigration The Immigration Station was a low security facility because
Station Barracks on Angel Island with Chinese it was located on an island making escape nearly
immigrants being held from a few weeks to years. impossible. Barbed wire fences reminded immigrants that
Photo: SGT (CA) Terrence Rogan
their freedom was restricted. The Detention Barracks
housed 200 to 300 males and 30 to 50 females at any one time. The experience of immigrants on Angel Island
was very different than those who arrived in New Yorks Ellis Island. Immigrants had a much better experience
at Ellis Island and a faster processing time. The conditions on Angel Island were poor due to the overcrowding,
segregation, and poor sanitary conditions.
Detainees wrote or carved poems on the
walls of the detention barracks to express
their frustration and anger over their
incarceration.

The State of California took possession of

Angel Island in 1963 after earlier legislation
was passed that converted some military
posts into parklands. The initial plan of
California State Parks was to demolish all
the buildings on the island and make it a
nature preserve. In 1970, some of the
immigration station buildings were being
torn down when Park Ranger Alexander
Weiss noticed the carvings on the barracks
Restroom facilities for the one hundred or more male detainees at
walls. He contacted a professor at San
the Immigration Station were very primitive by todays standards
Francisco State University who concluded and seem inadequate for the large number of immigrants held in the
the poems had historical significance. This barracks. Photo: SGT (CA) Terrence Rogan

9
discovery launched the Asian American communitys effort to save the barracks with their historically
significant poems.

It is often said that if we dont learn from our history, we are doomed to repeat it. Although the government had
good intentions for establishing an immigration station on the island, some would consider it a blemish or dark
mark on our past. The events that took place are not something to be entirely proud of, but, it was fortunate that
this history was not erased with the demolition of the Immigration Station. If the Immigration Station was
destroyed and the island became a nature preserve, this fascinating part of history would have remained
unknown to many, including myself. It is important to learn about the good and bad parts of our history and not
erase those symbols that can teach us.

The writing on the walls

Detained in this wooden house for several
tens of days,

It is all because of the Mexican exclusion

law which implicates me.

Its a pity heroes have no way of exercising

their prowess.

I can only await the word so that I can snap

Zus whip.

From now on, I am departing far from this

building.

All of my fellow villagers are rejoicing with

me.
Some of the Chinese immigrants held at the immigration station on
Dont say that everything within is Western Angel Island carved their thoughts on the walls as they waited for
styled. days, sometimes years, and while undergoing intense
interrogations. Photo: SGT (CA) Terrence Rogan
Even if it is built of jade, it has turned into a
cage.

From a descriptive sign at the museum: In the first of these two poems, which are meant to be read as a pair,
the author refers to a 1921 Mexican law barring immigration of Chinese laborers as the cause of his current fate.
Yet, he vows to fight his detention. His defiance of the authorities is suggested by his reference to General Zu
Di, who defeated China around 300 A.D. The second poem describes the successful conclusion of the authors
case. The elegant writing and the references indicate that he was likely an educated man.

Both Mexico and the United States had severely limited Chinese immigration to their respective countries
through new laws during this time period. The author may have tried immigrating to Mexico prior to his
attempt to enter the United States. The Immigration Station Museum is open to the public from 1100 to 1500
Wednesday through Sunday. Tours are available at 1100, 1230, and 1345 for groups of five or more with a
reservation. An admission fee is charged for the museum. More information on the museum and its history can
be found at https://www.aiisf.org/visit.

10
Newsletter Odds and Ends
Soldiers Support Camp Roberts Museum Day
Soldiers from the Museum Support Unit-Central
California participated in the Camp Roberts museum
day on September 23, 2017, at the Sculptera Winery in
Paso Robles, CA. The winery hosted the event to
support the museum at their beautiful winery grounds
and sculpture garden. The event was attended by
several hundred people, including veterans of WWII,
Korea, Vietnam, and the Cold War, who enjoyed taking
rides in the museum's Deuce and a Half truck, checking
out the Chinese Antiaircraft gun, and looking at the
other vehicles and displays the museum brought as part
of the event. Guests also brought in classic cars, many
from the same time period that Camp Roberts was
utilized as a Federal training installation, for a car show
that was also very popular. Photo of the Central Command's display booth with
(left to right) PFC Michael Brookman, SGM Carlos
Monte Mills and his Lucky Horseshoe Band provided Gama, SSG Jason Orton, and SPC Coy Briscoe.
live music spanning the 20th century that guests Photo: Christa Orton
enjoyed while sitting at tables under the old oak trees
adjacent to the vineyard's tasting rooms. Tri-tip and cold drinks were available for purchase to the visitors that
milled around the displays and enjoyed the entertainment.

The Central Command, under the leadership of acting unit First Sergeant, SSG (CA) Jason Orton, set up a
display table at the invitation of the museum staff to promote the California Military Heritage Command and its
mission. The booth was manned by unit soldiers SSG (CA) Jason Orton, SPC (CA) Coy Briscoe, and PFC
(CA) Michael Brookman. PFC Brookman brought his collection of historic postcards from Camp Roberts'
WWII and Korean eras as well as a nice collection of
U.S. military bayonets for display.

The unit also had past copies of their newsletter and a

training model of a Claymore mine for the public to
learn about. SSG Orton also brought a Kevlar Helmet,
Tactical Vest, Ruck Sack, and Vietnam Era Pot Helmet
for the kids who attended the event to try on and for
picture taking.

Kids who visited the booth each received a free plastic

Grant Orton tries on some of the army gear available at
the Central Command's Booth. Children and adults
could try on helmets, a tactical vest, and a ruck sack at
the booth to get familiar with the types of equipment
used by soldiers today. Photo: SSG (CA) Jason Orton
army man as a souvenir of their visit. The plastic green
army men come in a large bag for one dollar at local
dollar stores and make a great, inexpensive item to hand
out to kids at public events.
SGM (CA) Gama, who was a trained recruiter for the
CSMR, also attended and provided information on
serving for those that were interested in learning more
about the what the California Military Heritage
Command does as part of the CSMR.

11
It was a long day but, visiting with so many veterans and their families was well worth the time. Every veteran
who visited the table was able to find something that reminded them of their time serving and many were able
to share stories about the time they trained or served at Camp Roberts.

Museum Support Unit-Central California Drill Schedule

2 December 2017
6 January 2018
3 February 2018
3 March 2018
7 April 2018
5 May 2018
2 June 2018

*California State Military Reserve soldiers wishing to perform a Substitute Unit Training Assembly with the Museum
Support Unit-Central California should contact CW4 (CA) Henry Leon in advance at: hhc20th@msn.com. Dates are
subject to change. All unit members will be notified of any changes as they occur. First formation time is 0800 hours

Camp San Luis Obispo Memorial Receives Some TLC

SPC (CA) Coy Briscoe uses a brush to remove dirt,
bird excrement, and cobwebs from the Blackhawk
memorial at Camp San Luis Obispo. The monument
commemorates a unit which served in Europe during
WWII that completed training on post. The Central
Command recently completed some cleaning of the
monument. Photo: SSG (CA) Jason Orton
As visitors enter the gate of Camp San Luis Obispo,
they cannot help but notice a monument located
towards the front of the post depicting a bronze statue
of a WWII infantry soldier. Those who stop and
examine the statue quickly realize it is a part of a larger
memorial honoring the 86th Infantry Division
(Blackhawks) during WWII. The memorial itself
consists of the bronze statue atop a marble pedestal on
a patio of bricks surrounded by benches and large metal
tablets listing the names of those who served in the
unit. On September 9, 2017, soldiers from the Museum
Support Unit-Central California were tasked with doing
some light cleaning of the memorial which primarily
involved weed abatement and washing the dirt from the
memorial.
The division itself did not originate at Camp San Luis
Obispo but it did conduct amphibious training on the
post before shipping off to the European theater. The
units history began in 1917 when it was activated for
service in WWI. The unit was sent overseas but did
not see any combat before the war ended. It was
officially deactivated in 1919.

The growing need for infantry units during WWII resulted in the Army reactivating the unit in 1942. The unit
trained in Texas and other locations in the southern U.S. but, often it had the misfortune of being stripped of
soldiers before it was ready to deploy. Those soldiers were shipped out as replacements for other units that had
suffered casualties during the war. The ranks were eventually replenished and training continued.

12
 In 1944 the unit was sent to Camp Cooke (present day
Vandenberg Air Force Base) and then on to Camp San
Luis Obispo for training. The soldiers liked Camp San
Luis Obispo and would frequently ride the train during
liberty to San Francisco or Los Angeles to see the
sights. The unit believed they would be sent to the
Pacific to fight the Japanese but a surprise offensive by
Germany that would come to be called the Battle of the
Bulge, changed that plan. On February 2, 1945,
soldiers from the 86th began boarding trains for the
long trip to the East Coast to board troop transports
bound for the European battlefield.

The Blackhawks (nicknamed after the Sauk tribal chief

After removing weeds from between the pavers and
from the flower beds, the area around the monument
was washed with water to remove dirt and debris. The
final result was a clean memorial and a sense of pride
at being able to pay tribute to those who served in the
86th Infantry Division during WWII.
Photo: SPC (CA) Katrina Sheen
of the same name) arrived in France in March of 1945
and proceeded to the front lines in Germany. They
eventually fought their way into Austria where they not
only were victorious but also captured the Crown
Jewels of Hungary! Time was running short on
Germanys ability to wage war and the fighting in
Europe officially ended a short time later on May 8,
1945.

Victory in Europe had been achieved but, a war was still raging in the Pacific theater against determined
Japanese forces. The surviving members of the 86th returned to the U.S. in June of 1945 and then shipped out
on troop transports for the Philippines for the expected invasion of Japan. While the transports were floating in
the Leyte Gulf, Japan surrendered. The unit came ashore in the Philippines shortly after arriving but there was
no fighting left for the men of the 86th. The unit was deactivated once again in December of 1946. In 2010 the
unit was reactivated as the 86th Training Division and
is today posted at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin.

As the 21st century began, Blackhawk veterans and

their family members began raising money for a
monument honoring those who had served in the unit
during WWII. The monument was officially dedicated
in a formal ceremony on September 17, 2009, attended
by surviving veterans, family members, and local
dignitaries. The monument honors their service and
sacrifices on behalf of the United States during the
War.

Aside from the recent cleaning performed by the

Central Command soldiers, cadets from the Grizzly
CW4 Henry Leon (left) and SPC Katrina Sheen remove
Academy also take a few minutes every week to
dead vegetation and weeds from the Blackhawk
remove any bird droppings on the monument. The
memorial. While the statue of a WWII era soldier is the
monument looks fantastic after the recent cleaning and
most noticeable feature of the memorial there are
it proudly continues to pay tribute to the soldiers of the
several other elements including benches, large
86th Infantry Division. plaques, and engraved pavers.
Photo: SSG (CA) Jason Orton

13
Central Command Hosts Commanders Meeting
The California Military Heritage Command (CMHC)
held a Senior Leaders Meeting at Camp San Luis
Obispo on October 28th. The event was hosted by the
Central Command at building 807 on post. The senior
officer and enlisted leadership teams from each region
were invited to attend the meeting. Colonel John
Goodnight, Commander of the CMHC, conducted the
meeting as attendees discussed what was happening in
their own region and the Museum Enterprise Plan.

Preparation for the meeting began during the October

drill on the 7th as the Central Command moved
artifacts into one of the smaller rooms in the building
and set up the tables and chairs. Some unit members
returned on unpaid State Active Duty orders on the
Senior leaders from the California Military Heritage
28th to assist with final meeting area preparation and
Command listen to an update on the Museum
picking up some snack items for those attending the Enterprise Plan from Sergeant Major Dan Sebby at
meeting. They then helped with clean up at the end of Camp San Luis Obispo. The meeting brought together
the day. Thank you to Specialists Patrick Sheen and leaders from each of the CMHCs regions in California.
Coy Briscoe for the extra time you served in October to Photo: SPC (CA) Patrick Sheen
help with this event.

Copyright Pending November 18, 2017

October November December May- September

What do you
mean there
are no more
food holidays?

14
Acknowledgements and Notes:
The California State Military Reserve with the California Military Heritage Command and the Museum Support Unit-Central
California at Camp Roberts, owe thanks to many people for this newsletter. First, our thanks to Brigadier General (CA) Frank D.
Emanuel, Commander of the CSMR and to Colonel (CA) John Goodnight, Commander of the CMHC.

Our thanks and appreciation for their support on Post:

Gary McMaster (SFC, USA, Ret.), Chairman of the Post Museum
Dirk Hale (SFC, USA, Ret.), First Vice Chairman and Treasurer
Don Avery, Secretary
Jan Grocott, Treasurer
Douglas Baird (COL, USA, Ret.), Advisor to the Board
John Scully (COL, USA, Ret.), Advisor to the Board
Loren Weeks (COL, USA, Ret.), Advisor to the Board
Tom Neill (CSM, USA, Ret.), Advisor to the Board
Dr. Warren Frankel, Advisor to the Board
Mark Hale, Construction Volunteer
Ron Hysell, Vehicle Maintenance Volunteer
Tom Irwin, Museum Volunteer
Anne Kemp, Museum Volunteer

In addition, all those others past, present, and future who have volunteered or financially supported the museum.

To the Camp Roberts Post Management and Leadership, also our gratitude.
COL Nicole M. Balliet, Post Commander
CSM James E. Norris, Post Command Sergeant Major

To the Unit members of the Museum Support Unit-Central California past and present, without which this
newsletter would never have happened:
CW4 Henry L. Leon
SSG Jason Orton
SGT Terrence Rogan
SPC Katrina Sheen
SPC Patrick Sheen
SPC Coy Briscoe
PFC Michael Brookman
Special thanks to SGM Carlos Gama for his assistance with editing and proofreading.

The Camp Roberts Reveille is dedicated to the memory of SFC Eddie Colis, who served as the First Sergeant of the 213th Military
History Detachment (Deployable). He was called to his final formation on January 29, 2015 after over 20 years of service. He was
the very first NCO to hold the position in the newly created unit and his dedication continues to inspire today. HOOAH!

This issue and past issues can also be found online at: https://www.scribd.com/document/365210391/Camp-Roberts-Reveille-Fall-
2017-Edition For best viewing, download the document from the website to your computer.

EMAIL ADDRESS. To receive this newsletter by email, send an email to CampRobertsReveille@hotmail.com with subscribe in
the subject line. To unsubscribe repeat the same process with unsubscribe in the subject line. Please update the SPAM filter on
your email account. If you need to update the email address your subscription is sent to, please let us know at our email address,
CampRobertsReveille@hotmail.com.

For any input or comments, contact CW4 Henry L. Leon at hhc20th@msn.com. All messages will be answered. Suggestions or
submissions for future article consideration are welcome. For mail correspondence: 1895 Ironwood Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93455

HENRY L. LEON
CW4 (CA), CSMR
Commanding

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any
agency of the United States Government, the State of California, the National Guard, the California State Military Reserve, the California Military
Heritage Command, the Museum Support Unit-Central California, Camp Roberts, or the Camp Roberts Historical Museum.

15