Mission Statement - Mississippi Armed Forces Museum

Mississippi Armed Forces Museum
Building 850
Camp Shelby, MS 39407
Nonprofit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Hattiesburg, MS
39402
Permit No. 20
601.558.2757
www.armedforcesmuseum.us
The Military History Museum for
442nd RCT Camp Shelby Baseball Champions
Mission Statement
The mission of the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum is to collect, preserve, interpret, exhibit,
and hold in public trust for the exclusive benefit of the people, significant historical property related to
the history of the State of Mississippi and its contributions to the Armed Forces of the United States
from the early nineteenth century to the present. The Museum directly supports training,
study, research, and education in related subjects.
The Museum honors the service and sacrifices of servicemen and women of all branches from Mississippi
and others who received wartime training in Mississippi during times of war. The Museum’s state-of-theart exhibits tell personal stories of the heroes and heroines of our Republic and serve to educate future
generations about the price paid for the freedom and prosperity Americans enjoy today.
Colonel Joseph B. Phillips, Jr. (left), a native of
Hattiesburg, MS, commanded the 593rd Field Artilery
(above) during the Second World War
the
State
of
Mississippi
Museum Newsletter
Fall 2014
Recent Acquisitions
Director’s Message
A Message from the Museum Director
by Chad Daniels
Hours of Operation
Tuesday through Saturday – 9am-4:30pm
Closed Sundays, Mondays & State Holidays
Open Memorial Day, July 4th & Veteran’s Day
museum staff
Chad Daniels
Director
Christy Calhoun
Archivist
Brenda Crowley
Office Manager
Brooke Cruthirds
Museum Conservator
Neil Fairley
Facilities Supervisor
Lisa Foster
Registrar
MSG (Ret) Glenn Husted
Arms & Vehicle Conservator
Gary Johnson
Museum Curator
Michael Rucker
Graphic Designer
Tasha Lowry
Yessica Ewing-Hancock
Dusty Mercier
Visitor Services Representatives
This year has been
one of great changes
for both the Museum
and Camp Shelby.
During the past ten
years, Camp Shelby has mobilized
and demobilized almost 300,000
American and Canadian military
personnel in support of operations
in Iraq and Afghanistan. With that
mission now ended, the post looks
to both resume its traditional roles
and take on new missions in support
of national defense and readiness.
The Museum’s near future looks
bright. Beginning in late 2014,
the Museum will begin enclosing
the central courtyard to create an
additional 5,500 square foot multipurpose area. This new area will
allow the Museum to host large
military and public events, travelling
exhibits from other institutions, and
special exhibits that require more
space than the existing galleries
allow. Also included in the project
are larger public restrooms and
lobby areas. The main galleries will
be revised to include new stories and
artifacts and widened to facilitate
larger groups of visitors. Visitation
at the Museum has far exceeded
initial projections made during the
Museum’s planning phases (19982000) and these changes are very
much needed. The vehicle park is
also under renovation with larger
interpretative signs to accompany
the artillery, tanks, and aircraft
on exhibit.
While we are in this growth
phase, there will be periodic closures
in 2015 for safety reasons during
construction. We will post regular
updates on the Museum’s website
(www.armedforcesmuseum.us ) and
via social media.
A Salute to the Honorable Bobby Lee Chain (1934-2014)
The Museum lost a great friend and supporter, Mr. Bobby Lee Chain
of Hattiesburg. Mr. Chain served as the President of Chain Electric,
as Mayor of the City of Hattiesburg, and he stands among the
greatest political and civic figures in Mississippi’s history. Mr. Chain
served in the Army during the Korean War and was a strong supporter
of the United States military and our veterans. He joined the Board
of Directors of the Armed Forces Museum Foundation in 2005 and
served as Vice President for the duration of his tenure on the Board.
Mr. Chain’s association with Camp Shelby began as a newspaper boy, selling papers to the
soldiers during World War II, including the Japanese American soldiers he always noted
as among his best customers. As Mayor, and as a civic leader in Hattiesburg, Mr. Chain
exerted every effort to support and promote Camp Shelby and later, the Mississippi
Armed Forces Museum. Mr. Chain’s contributions are innumerable, his presence
irreplaceable, and his legacy enduring.
442nd Combat Team Album -1943
by Christy Calhoun
The Museum has
recently acquired a
new rare item: a copy
of the 442nd Combat
Team commemorative
album dated 1943. Albums such as
this one were frequently produced
by units or infantry divisions to
act as a sort of yearbook. They
included unit histories and lineage
information, both composite and
individual pictures of the members
of the unit, and candid pictures of
their activities during both training
and deployment. Photos of soldiers
visiting foreign cities while on leave
were also sometimes included.
The Museum has a large collection of annuals, mostly from
units and infantry divisions that
trained at Camp Shelby during
World War II.
The 442nd annual highlights the
time that the Japanese-American
soldiers spent at Camp Shelby and
in the city of Hattiesburg during
their activation and training.
A unique element of this annual is the amount of signatures
it contains – the original owner
passed it around and his buddies
signed above their faces. He also
kept a short list in the back of the
book of men who were wounded or
killed in action.
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Volunteer Spotlight
Shawna Guidry
My favorite aspect of
volunteering is seeing the vast
amount of artifacts that are
donated to the Museum. Then I
enjoy the process of preserving
the artifacts to be displayed
to the public. Also, I’m able
to help preserve history
for future generations.
My favorite exhibit at the
Museum is the WWI exhibit. I
like that it has the visitors walking
through a trench. It makes a
person feel that he or she is
actually in Europe and walking
where the soldiers walked.
Armament
Armament
Restoring a Tank:
What it Takes
by Glenn Husted
It has been nearly
eighty years since this
M26 tank (Serial# 86)
has looked so good.
This M26 “General
Pershing” heavy tank saw use
during the final months of the
Second World War. Desperately
needed by American tank crews,
newly produced M26, or T26E3
at the time, tanks finally reached
the European Theater of Operations (ETO) in January of 1945.
The Museum’s M26 was one of
those tanks.
This tank restoration has been
no simple task. A project of this
scale required many different
talents and disciplines all pulling
together. It started with finding
the right tank. In this case, a rusty
M26 was discovered in Florida in
1998, and a team transported the
static hulk to Camp Shelby. There
it joined a fleet of other vehicles
also awaiting restoration. Fourteen
years later, the efforts of everyone
associated with the project have
delivered an historic treasure for all
Mississippians to enjoy.
Much focused research went into
making certain that the work to be
done would bring this M26 back
to its desired historic appearance.
Through this research we found
that in 1944 after the Battle of the
Bulge, allied tank crews sustained
heavy casualties in both men and
vehicles while crewing their M4
Sherman tanks. Having weaker
armor and an inferior gun, these
Sherman tanks continually lost tank
fights. The Allies urgently needed
heavier tanks.
After extensive development and
testing, the M26 finally went into
production in November of 1944 at
the Fisher Tank Arsenal. About two
hundred of those produced were
issued to combat units while the
other one hundred vehicles were
held in reserve at army depots. Of
the two hundred Pershings issued,
only about twenty were able to close
in to combat ranges. As they arrived,
the balance of the tanks were
assigned to various armored units
which were quickly sweeping their
way across Europe.
Following the Second World War,
devastated European countries were
faced with a new threat – Soviet
Communist Expansionism. In order
to bolster their defenses, the Belgian
army leased M26 tanks under
the Mutual Defense Assistance
Program. Because of the data
plate markings on the inside of the
Museum’s tank, it is probable that it
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was one of those issued to Belgium.
In 1969, all M26 tanks were phased
out of the Belgian army and it is
believed that they were returned to
the custody of the United States.
After
the
research
came
restorative labor. Camp Shelby’s
Combined Support Maintenance
Shop (CSMS) worked intensely
on this project for close to two
months. They restored the tank
using original photographs and
technical drawings. Welders, metal
fabricators, sand blasters, painters,
and heavy lift operators teamed up
to bring this M26 back to life.
During the restoration all of
the rusted external components
had to be removed and scavenged
for original parts. Two new fender
assemblies had to be fabricated
and attached. The entire tank had
to be sand-blasted, primed, and
repainted. New running lights had
to be built. An exact replica bow
gun barrel had to be machined and
fitted. The tank’s basic issue items
had to be permanently attached.
And the main gun elevation
mechanism had to be freed.
Because of the dedication and
attention to detail given by the
professional military tradesmen of
CSMS, this newly-restored M26
tank can now take its place in the
Museum’s Military Vehicle Park.
It not only stands as a tribute to
America’s greatest generation but
also shines as an example of the
U.S. Army today.
M26 for Armor Insignia
Before
In 1950, the US Army formally
reintroduced Armor as a Combat
Arm. The popularity of the M26 was
such that its shape was selected as
the third such tank insignia for the
armored (Tank) branch which is
still in use today.
After
Special thanks to the crew at CSMS:
CW3 John Bailey, SPC Christopher
Redlin, SSG Lyle Ledet, SGT Jason
Lambert, SSG Freddie Collins, SPC
Jeremy George, SGT Ben Hall, SFC
Billy Williams, SGT Marc Bullock; as
well as ECS: SPC Leon Leverette
for their tireless effort in this
massive undertaking.
Archival Projects
Calendar
1946 Baseball Team: Photo Restoration
by Christy Calhoun
Before
After
Above: An example of the
photo restoration work
done by Kim DuBoise. Right:
Various chemical baths were
used to separate the images
from the aged matboard.
Far Right: A close-up of the
poster collage early during
the restoration process.
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Until recently, a
photo collage of the
1946 Camp Shelby
baseball team hung
in the Museum lobby.
I noticed that, over the years, the
matboard upon which the pictures
were hanging was beginning to
deteriorate, as well as leach dye
onto the photos themselves. The
decision was made to remove the
collage from display and send
it for conservation work with a
local, but nationally-known, photo
conservator who just happens
to have her studio less than five
miles from Camp Shelby!
The Museum has made use
of this conservator, Kim Duboise
of PhotoArts Studios, in the past
with excellent results, and I was
excited to see how she would treat
the photos and the matboard.
Kim began by photographing
the collage in its original form,
and then she took apart the frame
and began to remove the photos
from the matboard. The matboard
was not acid-free, and some of the
photos had gotten stuck to the glass
due to the acid breaking down over
time. Kim carefully removed the
photos that had gotten stuck to the
glass using water or chemicals. On
a few of the photos, the emulsion
that makes up the image had faded
or flaked off the photo paper. In
these instances Kim was unable to
salvage the complete image, but
most of the photos were removed
without incident.
All of the photos were digitally
scanned by Kim, and then she
digitally repaired the damaged
images using software and her
artistic expertise to replace the
missing pieces. You can see an
example of her work in the pictures
that accompany this article.
Unfortunately, removing the
photos
from
the
matboard
damaged it too much to reuse
it, but the Museum’s graphic
designer was able to recreate the
collage, thanks to the detailed
work done by Kim. A new copy
of this display has been presented
to the American Legion Post 24,
as they were the original donors
of the collage.
MAFM Celebrates 13 Years!
The Mississippi Armed Forces Museum
is Mississippi’s only state-operated
Museum dedicated exclusively to
military history. In 2001, the Museum
moved from a small, World War II-era
recreational hall to a 16,000 square
foot, state-of-the-art facility. The
Museum houses over 15,000 artifacts,
representing all branches of the military.
Through unique exhibits and dioramas,
visitors can “walk through time” and
experience Mississippi military history.
Located in Building 850, Camp Shelby
Joint Forces Training Center (just twelve
miles south of Hattiesburg, Mississippi),
the Museum serves as the official
military history museum for the
State of Mississippi.
The Museum honors the service and
sacrifices of Mississippi’s servicemen
and women of all branches and those
from other parts of the country that
trained in Mississippi during times of
war. The Museum’s immersive exhibits
tell personal stories of the heroes and
heroines of our Republic and serve
to educate future generations about
the price paid for the freedom and
prosperity Americans enjoy today.
Recent Acquisitions
Goodrich Riding Trophy Restoration
by Brooke Cruthirds
The Museum now
has custody of one of
the prestigious Goodrich
Riding Trophies. The
trophy is given to
the recipient of the Draper Armor
Leadership Award which is bestowed
annually to recognize “effective
leadership in armor and cavalry
units [and/or] … individuals who
exhibit excellence in leadership or
training, or who make significant
contributions to the force.” The
award is financed by the Draper
Combat Leadership Trust Fund
in Fort Benning, Georgia.
The Goodrich Riding trophy is a
bronze casting of a rider on horseback
resting on a white marble base. The
rider symbolizes the early beginnings
of the Armor Division. The trophy
was designed in 1927 by A. Phimister
Proctor, a prominent American
sculptor of the day, who specialized
in animal and action pieces. He used
a cavalryman (Sgt. Wotiski) and his
horse, Peggy, as models to depict
an advancing, pistol-drawn trooper.
Later, in the 70’s when the award
was revived, 46 copies of the original
were created for dispersal as awards.
Of these 46 copies only 37 remain as
of March 2011.
Fortunately for me as Museum Conservator, this piece came in excellent
condition. Under magnification, the
surface was slightly dusty from
travel but a good micro-vacuuming
rendered the sculpture good as
new. Waxing is typical protection
for metal surfaces, however, this is
not recommended treatment for a
sculpted piece with multiple curves
and crevices as thorough buffing
would not be possible in this case. The
Goodrich Riding Trophy now resides
in the Adjutant General’s office at
Camp Shelby’s “White House.”
The 593rd Field Artillery
The Museum received archival
materials related to COL Joseph B.
Phillips, Jr. of Hattiesburg in late
2013. COL Phillips was commissioned
as an officer with the Mississippi
National Guard in 1934. He was
detached from the 31st “Dixie”
Infantry Division in 1942 and
assigned to the 593rd Field Artillery
at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Phillips
commanded this artillery unit of
African American soldiers throughout
World War II, from stateside training
through its combat service
in the Pacific.
The Museum developed a travelling
display of Colonel Phillips’ photographic collection from his time with
the 593rd Field Artillery during World
War II. He took great pride in his
excellent African American artillery
unit and the photographs reflect his
men in action on Bougainville, New
Guinea and the southern Philippine
Island of Morotai. The exhibit will
travel to several destinations in 2014
and 2015. Updates will be posted
on the Museum website and
via social media.
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Calendar
Membership
Armed Forces Museum Foundation
Armed Forces Museum
Foundation Members
MG Augustus L. Collins
The Adjutant General
New Donors List as of August 2014
Regimental
board of directors
G. V. “Sonny” Montgomery Foundation
Mr. William D. Mounger
Cohen Family ByPass Trust
Gertrude C. Ford Foundation
MG (Ret) Richard S. Poole
President
Lt. Gen. (Ret) Wayne O. Burkes
Vice-President
Lt. Gen. (Ret) Harold A. Cross
Director
Mr. David Dennis
Director
LTG (Ret) James H. Garner
Director
MG (Ret) Howard L. Goodwin
Director
Mr. S. Bryce Griffis
Director
Mr. William D. Mounger
Director
CMSgt. (Ret) Rickey L. Myers
Director
COL J. Roy Robinson
Treasurer
MSG (Ret) Gloria C. Young
Secretary
Battalion
Ms. Kathryn W. Senseman
Becky & Russ Hite
Company
Ms. Carol Williams
Platoon
Mr. Kenneth G. Koch
MSGT (Ret) Charles Bennett
COL (Ret) Robert M. Freeny
Mr. Walter K. Porter, Jr.
Mr. Pieter Cramerus
Mr. Kenneth Johnacki
Mr. Sherron H. Hargrove, Jr.
Dr. James T. McIlwain
CPT (Ret) Samuel A. Billingsley
Judge (Ret) Swan Yerger
LTC (Ret) Richard J. Thomas, Jr.
Mr. Bobby C. Scott
Planters Bank of Indianola
Dr. Toxey M. Morris, M.D.
BG (Ret) E.H. Pleasant
Dr. Frank Milling
Ms. Ginny Sidlowski
MG (Ret) Richard S. Poole
Stark Aerospace, Inc.
John & Joanne Andrews
Charles & Martha Sides
Don & Sally Roach
De L’Epee Deaf Center, Inc.
Children of the Confederacy
MS Chapter
September 11 Patriot Day
Annual commemoration of the 9-11 terrorist attacks on the United States and
beginning of the Global War on Terrorism.
September 19-20 Weekend for Heroes
Join us for the Weekend for Heroes at the Tupelo Veterans’ Park for Vietnam War
commemoration activities. The Museum will provide a Vietnam War exhibit for
the event. For more information, visit www. msvietnammemorial.com.
October 10-11 War of 1812 Exhibit
The Museum will provide a War of 1812 exhibit for the Living Marion County
History program at the Historic John Ford Home in Sandy Hook, Mississippi.
The event commemorates the 200th anniversary of Andrew Jackson’s army
passing the site en route to the Battle of New Orleans. For more information, contact the Marion County Historical Society at 601.731.3999.
October 27 MAFM’s Birthday
The Mississippi Armed Forces Museum marks 13 years since its grand opening.
November 11 Veterans Day
The Museum is open to the public on Veterans Day and will open a special exhibit,
Mississippians in Military Art.
November 27-28 Thanksgiving Holiday
The Armed Forces Museum Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3)
charitable organization created to support the institutional
development of the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum.
Squad
cut along dotted line
The Museum will be closed for Thanksgiving. Normal hours resume
November 29.
December 24-25 Christmas Holiday
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AFMF Membership Application
The Museum will be closed for Christmas. Normal hours resume
December 26.
Any individual making a contribution of $50 or more to the Armed Forces Museum Foundation is considered to be
an annual Member of the Foundation for the 12 months beginning the first of the month following receipt of the
contribution. The prospective member is encouraged to make a contribution comparable to his interest in supporting
the mission of the Foundation. Voluntary annual membership contributions are not considered a binding agreement.
January 1 New Year’s Day
Yes, I want to support the Armed Forces Museum Foundation in the amount indicated below.
Regimental Member ($2,500+)
Battalion Member ($1,000)
Company Member ($500)
Platoon Member ($100)
Squad Member ($50)
cut along dotted line
cut along dotted line
Mr. John S. Kochitzky
Mrs. Penny Kochitzky
Lt. Col. (Ret) Kermit Rushing
Mr. Leonard Yezefski
Magnolia Chapter Military Officers
Association of America
BG (Ret) John O. Mayo, Jr.
Ms. Ashley Skellie
Mr. Novel L. Rogers, Sr.
Mr. Joseph Froome
Mrs. Evelyn W. Williams
CPT (Ret) Larry Edwards
Daughters of the American Revolution
Picayune Chapter
Vineyard Productions
Mr. Don D. Tague
Chuck & Janet Ritchie
Mr. Norman Trigg
Ms. Betty Brockman
Fall 2014 Museum Calendar
The Armed Forces Foundation is
a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable
organization dedicated to enhancing
the future of the Museum through
tax-deductible contributions
from veterans, present military
personnel, and friends of the
Museum interested in preserving
and promoting an appreciation of
Mississippi military history. Your
financial support of the Armed
Forces Museum Foundation is
needed to enhance the operation
of the Museum. The Mississippi
Legislature is responsible for funding
the salaries of the staff members
and day-to-day administrative
activities. The Armed Forces
Museum Foundation supports
the Museum’s exhibits, artifact
conservation requirements,
educational programs, and promotes
the Museum to the general public.
The Museum will be closed for New Year’s Day. Normal hours
resume January 2.
Name: _________________________________________ Telephone:( ____ ) ______________ E-mail: ___________________________
Address: ________________________________________City: ______________________State: _____ Zip: __________
Yes, I would like to receive information about upcoming events and the newsletter via e-mail.
Please send form and payment to Mississippi Armed Forces Museum, Building 850, Camp Shelby, MS 39407
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