REGULAR VETERANS ASSOCIATION, Kansas City 6, Mo., June 25, 1945. Hon. JOHN LESINSKI, Committee on Invalid Pensions, United States Congress, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: During a recent tour of inspection of the RVA posts of this area, in my capacity of national deputy inspector, at which times the units were before meetings assembled, there has been much discussion on two pending bills, and I have assured them I would communicate with you on the matter. In compliance with the above requests, may I ask your sincere effort in lending your support on the two bills, viz, H. R. 2073 (or 1653), with reference to the Mexican border veterans. Thanking you in advance for your kind support on these above bills, I remain, in the interests of service to all veterans, past, present, future, and their dependents, I am, Most sincerely, W. SCOTTY CAVANAUGH, JOHN W. TIFFANY POST, No. 53, VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES, Hon. JOHN LESINSKI, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN LESINSKI: We, the officers and members of John W. Tiffany Post, No. 53, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, request that you report bill H. R. 2073 out of your committee in order that it may reach the floor for action. We further plead that you use your influence to bring about its passage in the House of Representatives. We feel that those men who served on the Mexican border during 1916-17 should be accorded the same rights as those who served during the SpanishAmerican War. HONORABLE SIR: I had the privilege of serving on the Mexican border during the emergency of 1916, from June 19 to November 10, as second lieutenant in the Fifth Infantry, National Guard of New Jersey, and write to respectfully ask you to give H. R. 2073 your earnest support at this session of Congress, as those who served at that time are about 30 years older now and many of them are not able to do the work they formerly did, and this would aid them some, I am sure. Thanking you very kindly, I remain, Very truly yours, CHESTER H. CLIFT. STATE OF NEW MEXICO, Re H. R. 2073. Hon. JOHN LESINSKI, House Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. LESINSKI: At the request of numerous Mexican border veterans of this area, which service includes myself, I am writing you concerning H. R. 2073. I understand that you are chairman of the committee to whom this resolution was referred. Many New Mexico boys were rendering service to the Government in the National Guard; and, as you recall, the guard was called out for border service. However, many young men were impressed with their patriotic duty and volunteered to remain in that service for 18 months. Most of these boys were young, attending high school, and I have had opportunity to observe that so many of them, after having been disassociated with school work for that period of time, failed to acquire the educational advantages which undoubtedly they would have attained had it not been for their services in behalf of the Government at that time. I have in mind widows of Mexican border veterans who seem to have been more or less forgotten, by reason of the fact that no provision was made for their recognition by the Government. This I am confident that you see the justice in the passage of this resolution. matter has been delayed so long that it will not benefit all of those who gave their services, but it will be a recognition of their service, and it will go a long way to recognizing those men who gave their services during those troublesome days. Perhaps the men living in New Mexico were most impressed with the seriousness of this service, as it was across the border in New Mexico where the marauding bands of Mexicans made their raids, killing our citizens, destroying our property, and kept our subjects in a state of turmoil and fear throughout the revolutionary period in Mexico. Therefore, may I ask that you urge a favorable report of your committee in order that the matter may come out for consideration at the earliest possible time. Very respectfully, J. C. COMPTON. PROVIDENCE, R. I., August 9, 1945. The Honorable JOHN LESINSKI, Chairman, House Committee on Invalid Pensions, House Office Building, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR CONGRESSMAN: I have just been requested by a Col. A. L. Moudy, who signs himself "Chairman of Legislative Committee, Mexican Border Veterans Association," to write to you concerning H. R. 2073. This I am very happy to do and to say that I am ashamed of anyone who would associate themselves with an organization created for the purpose of milking the Government on account of having rendered service on the Mexican border. I sincerely hope that the proposed legislation will not be taken seriously by any Member of our Congress. Sincerely, Hon. JOHN LESINSKI, HERBERT R. DEAN, Brigadier General, United States Army. FORT WAYNE, IND., August 14, 1945. Chairman, Committee on Invalid Pensions, House Office Building, Washington 25, D. C. HONORED SIR: As a border-service man in 1916 and 1917 and as a Spanish War veteran of 1898, I believe I am in a position to compare the two services. I see no reason why the veterans of the former service are not entitled to the same benefits under the law as are the veterans of the Spanish-American War. This legislation now under consideration as H. R. 2073 should be passed. I can cite you just a few of the benefits to our country which came out of the American border service. Six lieutenants of our regiment (the Second Indiana Infantry, which became the One hundred and Fifty-second Infantry in World War I and which is now in the Philippines) were loaned to the Twenty-sixth Regular Army Regiment while on the border. The Twenty-sixth was commanded then by Col. Robert Lee Bullard, afterward lieutenant general, second in command in Europe to General Pershing. These six lieutenants were asked to take the examination for commissions in the Regular Army, which they did, and became Regular Army officers. One of them became the Maj. Gen. Edwin D. Patrick of Tell City, Ind., who was killed a few months ago in the Philippines commanding the Sixth Division on Bataan. Another of these lieutenants is Maj. Gen. William E. Kepner, of Miami, Ind., who directed the fighter command of the Eighth Air Force in our war against Germany. Further proof of the value of this service is that Company C, of the Second Indiana Infantry (afterward the One hundred and Fifty-second Infantry) had 28 of its 62 members receive commissions in World War I. Among these was Maj. Fred Eglin, who received a commission in the Regular Army and after whom Eglin Field in Florida is named. Personally, this legislation is of no benefit to me, a veteran of the Spanish American War and of World War I, but it is of benefit to those men who left home in many cases leaving dependent wives and children, to do military service of great benefit to our country and whose remuneration was in many instances but $15 per month. Many of these men suffered injuries and died in this service. Among the latter was the son of Cyrus Fairfield, of Angola, at that time Congressman from this district. Surely these men are veterans of a campaign very important to the safety of our country and of benefit to the country at large, and they should be entitled to the benefits given to other soldiers of comparable service. Most respectfully, CLYDE F. DREISBACH, (Formerly Major, Second Indiana Infantry, Lieutenant Colonel, One Hundred and Fifty-first Infantry, Colonel, One Hundred and Fifty-second Infantry.) The Honorable JOHN LESINSKI, PALO ALTO, CALIF., Sept. 4, 1945. Chairman, Committee on Invalid Pensions, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. LESINSKI: Shortly after Congress convenes in September a bill designed to give Mexican border veterans the same benefits as are now received by veterans of the Spanish-American War (H. R. 2073). This bill is, I understand, already before your committee, and may shortly be presented on the floor of the House. I desire most earnestly to urge favorable action on this bill, both before your committee and on the floor of Congress. As a veteran of the Mexican border, and also of the World War (with more than a year overseas service) I know whereof I speak when I say that that border expedition, though little shooting was involved, was arduous. Thousands of men were called from their work, and spent months on the border, enduring, if not great danger, at least a very considerable degree of hardship and discomfort-hardship and discomfort at least equal to that endured by a majority of those who took part in the Spanish war, or for that matter, by many in the two World Wars. It is only simple justice that if the veterans of other expeditions are recognized by special benefits, the veterans of the Mexican border should be likewise recognized. I hope very much that you will give your support to this bill. Very truly yours, SAMUEL B. HEPBURN. INDIANAPOLIS 4, IND., September 10, 1945. Hon. JOHN LESINSKI, Chairman, House Committee on Invalid Pensions, DEAR CONGRESSMAN LESINSKI: We have had a Mexican Border Veterans Association in Indiana for a good many years, for the benefit of those men who volunteered for this service in 1916-17. Our records show that there were 3,702 volunteers from Indiana, who served the United States during this period. You are probably aware of the fact that no emoluments of any kind have been tendered these men either by the Federal Government or the State. Several of these volunteers did incur disabilities while in the service from which they have never recovered, and the attention of our association has been called to a few of such men who are now in destitute circumstances. I have been informed that hearings on H. R. 2073, which provides that Mexican border veterans shall be entitled to the same benefits as now received by the Spanish-American War veterans, have been scheduled for Thursday, September 13, 1945. Your wholehearted cooperation in endeavoring to secure passage of this legislation is solicited, On behalf of the members of the Mexican Border Veterans Association of Indiana, I should like to thank you, as chairman of the House Committee on Invalid Pensions, for your interest in this measure. Very sincerely yours, JOHN LESINSKI, Chairman, House Committee on Invalid Pensions, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. LESINSKI: As a veteran of the Mexican border patrol I am writing regarding the passing of this measure H. R. 2073. I served with Company G, Fourth South Dakota Infantry, throughout the entire period. We were called out on June 18, 1916, and returned home to our old base on March 4, 1917. This was in peacetime as you know, and since many adjustments have been made to help the present-day veteran, for which I am glad, I now feel that the old veteran of the border is entitled to some benefits. So I would very much appreciate your favorable support on this measure. I trust that you and your committee will give a favorable report, for which I wish to thank you. Very truly yours, E. R. LIEBIG. CLERMONT, FLA., September 10. Hon. JOHN LESINSKI, Chairman, House Committee on Invalid Pensions, Washington, D. C. DEAR JOHN: By way of introduction please be advised that the writer, prior to 1916-17, had served as a member of the Indiana National Guard for nearly 25 years, and when the call came for service on the Mexican border, I was then, and served thereafter, as quartermaster of the Third Indiana Infantry, and in the border service I carried the additional duties of commissary, paymaster, and commander of the supply company. General Hershey, who has been in charge of selective service in World War II, was a lieutenant in our regiment, and during the entire border service I had the honor of being his paymaster. It is needless to remind you of my interest in the passage of H. R. 2073, which I understand comes before your committee in a few days for consideration and recommendation, and I am all the more chagrined when I read of them any proposals that are now being made to repay those who have served in World War II, and then to think how generous our great Government was with those of us who served in the Mexican border service in 1916-17. Every man who responded to President Wilson's call did so willingly and we had to say good-by to our families, sacrifice our businesses and jobs, and go and fight an enemy which at that time was thought just as dangerous and far awayso we were told. We had to clear the camp sites, sleep in pup tents, and with arms and ammunition attached. And that condition lasted for several weeks, until, as quartermaster, I began to burn the wires to Washington, and supplies began to arrive. War was not motorized then as in the war just won, and I had 300 head of mules and 200 head of riding horses to care for, without a halter or strap, much less a corral. And at that time the quartermaster was the only accountable and responsible officer in the regiment, and I was held accountable even for errors in pay rolls that might have occurred, and deductions were made from my last pay check for any such errors. And for nearly 24 years' service in the Indiana National Guard and 6 months' Federal service on the Mexican border, I am denied hospitalization and all the other provisions, privileges, rights and benefits that are now enjoyed by veterans of the Spanish-American War, many of whom seen active Federal service on the border. I do have, however, a lapel ribbon in green and yellow with a gunmetal disc about the size of a half dollar dangling at the bottom, with the following inscription: "In honor of the Mexican border," which came from the Philadelphia quartermaster depot and the box bears the number 36651. It is my hope, Congressman Lesinski, that you and your committee may see your way clear to recommend H. R. 2073 and get back of its passage, and if there is any information or assistance that I can give, it will be a pleasure to DEAR CONGRESSMAN LESINSKI: Please pardon the liberty I am taking in writing to you, as I realize you are extremely busy and your time is limited. I am an honorably discharged veteran of the Mexican border service of 1916-17; also of World War I, 1917-19, and am requesting your most favorable consideration of the bill H. R. 2073 when it comes up for passage-if you please. On the Mexican border, 1916-17, I served in Company E, Seventy-fourth Infantry, Twenty-seventh New York Division, National Guard, United States, nearly 1 year, after which we were mustered into United States service of World War I-American Expeditionary Forces-in France and Europe in 1917-19. We have a Mexican Border Veterans Association here in Jamestown, N. Y. We had 136 enlisted men and 3 officers in our Company E serving on the Mexican border. Thirty-six were killed in World War I. There are 100 men left here in and about town. Our Seventy-fourth Regiment had over 3,600 officers and men serving on the Mexican border, 1916-17-all from Buffalo and western New York State. We hope the bill H. R. 2073, which will give Mexican border veterans the same benefits as now received by the Spanish-American War veterans, will be passed and become law. (1) My two grandfathers and my father served in the Civil War, 1860–65. (2) My cousin served in the Spanish-American War, also the Philippine war, 1898-1905. (3) I, myself served in the Mexican border service in 1916-17, also in World War I, in 1917-19. (4) I have 6 nephews who served and are still serving, the United States in World War II, 1940–45. One was killed in France last year; others are wounded or missing. Our family gave very generously to the service of our country in time of war, I believe. I believe we should have due consideration in some form for having rendered honorable service. I believe we are just as much entitled to benefits for long service, work, and hard work, as Spanish-American War veterans, or others, etc., etc. I hope you will read this letter to all the members of your House Committee on Invalid Pensions, including the 11 Democratic members and the 7 Republican members, respectively. We have waited 29 years for proper recognition. We wish this bill will be enacted into law. I wish to express to you my most sincere thanks and sincere appreciation for all your good deeds and kindnesses, and all consideration shown, given, and extended to all veterans of all wars in the past years and hope you will continue in the future. Sincerely and respectfully, yours very truly, WILLIAM H. MILLER. |