QUARTERLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING FEATURES ARTHUR HEART

28 JULY 1998, 1900 hours, will be a big night for IMHS members. In addition to the fund raising raffle drawing, Arthur Hart, Director Emeritus of the Idaho Historical Society, will be our guest speaker. He will present enlightening insights into early Idaho military history with a pictorial discussion of "Idaho's Ethnic Diversity: The Frontier Army" Learn of the many interesting and surprising features of our fighters, from their unusual citizenship, their often near-total lack of military skills, to their battlefield success scorecard. His presentation is sure to make us all appreciate today's quality forces.

Arthur Hart was director of the Idaho Historical Society for 17 years, retiring in 1986 to pursue his favorite pastime -history. He has written seventeen books and authored a weekly history column in the Idaho Daily Statesman. Some of his recent books are: A Centennial History of the Western Idaho Fair, History of the Arid Club; Banu of the West, a vanishing Legacy; and Wings Over Idaho, an Aviation History.

The Board is excited to have such reputable speaker. Please join us in what is sure to be and memorable an enlightening evening. The IMHS Board of Directors holds monthly business meetings which are always open to the membership. Four Board Meetings each year - January, April, July, and October - are designed especially for the general membership and feature presentations or displays and business items of particular interest to members. Members are also encouraged to engage the Board in questions, suggestions, and discussion. Refreshments will be available.

The IMHS' Fund Raising Raffle will conclude at the 28 July meeting with a drawing to award the four raffle prizes:

Model 1861 U.S. Percussion Rifle-Musket

Model 1851 Colt Navy.36 Cal. Revolver

Model 1861 U.S. Cavalry Saber

Fourth Prize

Miniature Copy of Model 1861 U.S Cavalry Saber

One of the IMHS' recent activities was to help sponsor the Best Military History Project at Idaho's National History Day Contest.  The purpose of the contest was not only to help make students aware of the importance of the military in the development of our state and country, but also to help them realize the sacrifices made by the members of the armed services and their families.

The winning entry of the contest was put together by Elyse and Hillary Thonssen of Pocatello Idaho.  Their project was on the Battan Death March.  For their efforts, they were awarded a check in the amount of $75, and a Certificate of Appreciation and Acknowledgement.  They also had their photo taken with Governor Batt.  Both Elyse and Hillary stated that they enjoyed working on the project and learned a lot that they otherwise wouldn't have.   Their Project will be on display at the museum later this summer. 

Their is a great deal of focus in the country right now on youth and education.  There has also been a call by a very respected retired general for an increase in volunteerism.  A great many individuals and corporations are interested and are making a difference.  Here is your chance to help make a difference.

If you are interested in or know of anyone who would be interested in working as the Program Director for our Educational Outreach Program, please let myself or one of the Board Members know.  If you know of a corporation (perhaps the company YOU work for) who is interested in education and making a difference, let us know so we can make contact with them.

I can't begin to thank all of the Society members and volunteers.  We would not be where we are today without them.  Your support is greatly appreciated.  Keep up the great work! Thanks again, see you on July 28th.

SUBMIT YOUR MILITARY MEMOIRS

With this issue of Pass In Review, we inaugurate a new feature that, we hope, will appear in every future issue.  We have titled it "Idaho File Into History"  The purpose is to recognize that long file of Idaho veterans via their experiences in war and other conflicts.  We don't ask that you have five rows of decorations for valor (although that would be welcome), but just that it reflect your battle, campaign, Comm Z or stateside experiences.  Day to day life in military training is significant to historians.  We do want the memoir to be factual, that it accurately reflect military life and be of interest to those reading our file in say, the year 2053.

To you who may have already written your military memoirs, please send a copy to:
    The Idaho File
    Idaho Military History Museum
    4040 W. Guard Street
    Boise, ID  83705-5004

At the end of  your memoir and on the same sheet of paper, please write or type, 

"This memoir may be edited for publication in the Idaho Military History Museum newsletter, Pass In Review".  

Then sign and date the statement.  

To You Who have always meant to write your memoirs and haven't, start writing today.  Short or long we will take them. Obviously, they must be edited to fit our limited space in Pass In Review, but if long, we want your complete copy to remain in our file for posterity.  

It is our editorial policy to publish both enlisted and commissioned experiences as well as to recognize the various armed services.  This, of course, will depend upon what is submitted so the mix will be up to You.

O James Barker    O Norman Noonan 

A SPECIAL THANK YOU 
Our heartfelt thanks go out to Major General Kane and John Norris for expediting our request for air conditioning in the Museum.

Not only do we now have air conditioning, but we also have blown in insulation in the building attic, which significantly added to the comfort of visitors and staff members.

We are also informed that the Museum is scheduled for new siding next year. The support that we have received from the Idaho Military Division/National Guard is deeply appreciated. Again, Thank you, -  The Board.  

Due to the tremendous support of a few special volunteers, the IMHS has had a very successful second quarter.  Sales of raffle tickets at several gun shows along with gift shop sales at both the Aero Fair and the National Guard Open house netted a gross of $8000. This puts us at 81% of our projected budget for the year.

The Board would also like to say a special thank you to LtCol Bill Shawver and Lt Stephanie Sheppard.  It appeared that the Museum would not be able to have a booth at the open house but thanks to the extra efforts of LtCol Shawver, we were able to have one.

Lt Sheppard assisted us in more ways than we can name here and for all her help, we are grateful. Again, to LtCol Shawver & Lt Stephanie Sheppard, Thank you.  - The Board

ATTENTION  HERALDRY  EXPERTS  

Approximately 2 weeks ago, the Society/Museum was the grateful recipient of a huge collection of military patches, distinctive insignias, badges, and an excellent reference book: Shoulder Sleeve Insignia o f the US. Army From WWII To 7he Present.

Ben Knowles, Jr., a retired USAF Master Sergeant from Tucson, Arizona, made this donation after visiting the Museum several months ago and being very impressed with our Medal and Patch exhibits.

Now, we need some of you heraldry experts to come in and help us develop some new patch displays. Thank you Ben, we truly appreciate and treasure donations such as yours.

NEW  LOGO  

Last month, the Board approved a new IMHS Logo. This logo is being incorporated into our letterhead and brochures, as well as shirts and hats, which are available for sale in our gift shop.  Show your membership pride; wear an IMHS hat and shirt!

BE  A TREASURE  HUNTER  

Garages, Attics, and Basements are all places one can hunt for treasure.  Of course the treasure we are referring to is/are the military artifacts and memorabilia that have been stored away for safekeeping and are in many instances, forgotten.

Items often found stored away are uniforms, personal items, medals, citations, letters, diaries, books, and records. All of these items are important pieces of the historic puzzle. These are the types of items that the Idaho Military History Museum is looking for.

Any items that are donated to the Idaho Military Historical Society will be receipted and since the Society is a non-profit organization, any monetary value may be taken as an income tax deduction.

The Society however can not provide monetary evaluations; that is considered a conflict of interest. An independent dealer or appraiser outside the IMHS must perform any appraisals.  So please be a treasure hunter.  Help us compile a complete Idaho Military History.  If you have any questions, contact us at 422-6128.

IDAHO FILE INTO HISTORY - Richard T. Clemens

One day in the spring of 1934, a young man "joined up" with Troop E of the 116'h Cavalry Regiment. Young indeed, he was sixteen years old and had a yen to be horse soldier. Those aspirations served him well if only to survive the screening for under age recruits. He was Richard (Dick) Clemens and the troop, a unit of the Idaho National Guard, was in Boise.  In those days they had to 'make do' with a shortage of equipment as the long roll of the drums of war sounded more ominously through the 1930's. That drumming portended a life more demanding than the drill nights and summer camp for Guardsmen.

The army saw no future for the horse in the looming threat so in September, 1940, the 116'h Cavalry was converted via the magic of Special Order #147, A.G.O. Idaho, to the 183rd Field Artillery and two other battalions.

This Idaho FA battalion was mobilized into Federal service on April 1, 1941, and sent to Fort Warren, Wyoming.  To make a long story short, Trooper Clemens, now 25 years old, was Captain Clemens, Commander, Battery A, 183'd FA, upon debarking in England in December 1943 (the Army commissioned nearly 80,000 officers from Guard enlisted ranks by the end of the war).

The battalion landed at Utah Beach on D plus 9 and began firing in support of V-H Corps, First Army, to which they would be assigned for the rest of the war. At different times they fired in support of the 4th, 9th, 30th, 35th, 79th, and 83rd Infantry Divisions, as well as the 2nd Armored Division, the 3rd AD and other combat units.

On July 28, in the breakout from Normandy into northern France, Clemens was ordered to reposition one howitzer (155mm) in an orchard and fire registration rounds for the battalion. This would speed the adjustment of other guns to arrive later.

With twelve men, he completed that mission when they were warned of the approach of elements of the German 2nd SS Panzer Division and the 275th Infantry. This involved 250-300 enemy troops moving in from one direction and a Tiger tank approaching from their rear.

Captain Clemens set up a defensive line of Idahoans armed only with M-1 carbines and one fifty-caliber machine gun. Although they inflicted heavy losses on the Germans, they could not stop their advance and Clemens radioed for tank support.

Upon checking to the rear, he also located an enemy machine gun set up at a crossroads. Clemens reorganized his men and attacked the enemy flank during which he and fourteen of his men were wounded. Firing at the enemy tank commander brought return fire from the tank's 88-mm gun. However, other elements of the 183'd arrived and, with the Clemens group, engaged the enemy in heavy fighting. These units of the 183'd finally forced retreat of the Germans who suffered about 100 killed and 150 prisoners.

The 183'd lost eight men (including the battalion commander) and fourteen were wounded, nearly all Idahoans. Captain Clemens was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, thirteen of his men received the Silver Star and eighteen received the Bronze Star for valor.

In the breakout from Normandy, the 183 rd took part in the VII Corps attack via the St. Lo Gap and in the trapping of the German Fifth and Seventh Armies in the Falaise pocket. The battalion and VII Corps remained with First Army across France and into Germany. That December, the 183rd was pulled back to defend the allies' northern flank in the Battle of the Bulge.

The Idaho unit then saw the end of the war in action in the north of Germany. After eleven months of combat the men of Idaho's 183rd FA Battalion we're finally on their way home to the strains of "Sentimental Journey".  After the war, Clemens remained active with the National Guard and Army Reserve. He retired as a colonel after thirty years of service.

Thanks to the efforts of hanks to the efforts of several people, we are now a link on the information superhighway. To view the "Page" type in (is now http://museum.mil.idaho.gov) and you are there!  

The page is still under construction but there is information about our hours, location, and how to reach us.  You can also view some of the exhibits.    We hope to have gift shop items on view as well; a cross between a mail order catalogue and on line shopping.  There is an e-mail address on the page; comments and or suggestions are welcome.  Be sure and check it out!

With the stock market at an all-time high, now may be the right time to make a gift to the IMHS Endowment Program.  A person giving an outright gift of appreciated stock to the Endowment immediately gains three tax savings.

1- For donors who itemize tax deductions, it is a charitable income tax deduction in the year given.

2- The donor avoids payment of capital gains on the appreciated value of the stock.

3- It reduces the donor's taxable estate by the amount of the gift.

Another way of donating stock is to set up a charitable gift annuity funded with appreciated stock.  This type of a donation sets up a lifetime annuity with the balance of the annuity going to the Endowment after all annuity Payments are made.  Tax benefits in this plan are similar those for outright gift donors. 

In addition to saving. taxes, a person's donation to the Endowment Program supports the Museum, the Reference Library, and the Education Outreach Program.  Donations can also be made in honor or memory of a special person.

Donations not only perpetuate the organization but also provide it with a long term, dependable, financial base that supports the development and maintenance of  the military history of Idaho and Idahoans.

JUST IN CASE 
If you misplaced the membership application you picked up at the Museum or if you haven’t had a chance to send in your renewal for 1998, here is your chance. Just clip the enclosed application and send it in with your TAX DEDUCTIBLE contribution. The form can also be used to make a donation or an endowment pledge.