MEMBERSHIP GET-TOGETHER

Mark you calendars for 27 July 1999, 6:00 PM. It has been so long since all of us got together, we decided to do something a little different this time.  We have reserved the Open Air Pavilion on Gowen Field. It is located between the swimming pool and the base chapel. Parking is available next to the baseball diamonds by the NCO Club.

The Board will provide the hot-dogs, just bring yourself, your lawn chair, and a side dish (potato salad, baked beans, fruit, etc.) and join us for an informal get-together.  It will be a good time to get reacquainted with friends, talk with Board members, ask questions, make suggestions, and so on.

If you don’t know where the Open Air Pavilion is, after you enter Gowen Field, continue on Farman Street until you reach Ellsworth Street. Turn left on Ellsworth and then right at Ingalls. You will be able to see the Open Air Pavilion on your left. It has a large blue roof and picnic tables. 

Please RSVP to 422-6128 or 422-5226 so we know how many of you will be able to attend. Please join us for a fun, enjoyable evening.

The Idaho Military Division recently closed out its fiscal year and was able to budget in a significant contribution to the operation of the Idaho Military History Museum.  The IMHS is working closely with the Idaho Military Division and plans are being laid to request funding for the Museum through the Military Divisions State Budget Process.

The Military Division also made it possible for the IMHS to have a booth at the Aero Fair held at Western Aircraft back in June.  We deeply appreciate the efforts of John Norris, John Elliott and his State Accounting Office staff, and especially General Kane without whose support none of this would have been possible.  We are deeply grateful and on behalf of the Board of Directors, Thank you very much!

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

"§ 4. Preservation of records, banners, and relics. – All military records, banners, and relics of the state, except when in lawful use, shall be preserved in the office of the adjutant general as an enduring memorial of the patriotism and valor of the soldiers of Idaho…"-

National Guard Bureau policy: "units that are inactivated, broken up, or have their federal recognition withdrawn are to turn their colors and guidons in to the USPFO. The USPFO will in turn transfer these items to the state NG museum, if one exists in the state…

 …If there is no state NG Museum, the USPFO will contact…the USA Center Of Military History…the flag will be mailed to the USA Center of Military History,…Anniston Alabama."

In 1993, the Idaho Military Historical Society (IMHS) was founded by a group of volunteers with an interest in Idaho Military History.    The purpose of the IMHS was to establish an Idaho military history museum for the general public, which could also be used to satisfy the needs, listed in the two above paragraphs. The museum the IMHS founded was the Idaho Military History Museum.

On June 30, 1993, the IRS granted the IMHS a temporary 501(c)(3), Non-Profit, tax-exempt status.
On July 27, 1994, the Center of Military History granted the museum Historical Holding status. This status meant that the USPFO no longer had to send inactivated units colors and guidons to Anniston Alabama.
On Labor Day, 1995, the Idaho Military History Museum opened its doors.

On May 25, 1999, thanks in part to the efforts of Mr. Phil Reberger and then Senator Kempthorne’s office, the IRS granted the IMHS permanent 501(c)(3) status.

In August of 1994, the Idaho Military Division (IMD) and the IMHS entered into a Memorandum of Understanding and developed a "cooperative relationship". In January 1999, this MOU was reaccomplished and expanded.

The MOU reaffirms that "The goals of the State {IMD} and the Society in regards to promoting the appreciation of Idaho military history are mutually supportive. Each party to this agreement has separate activities and responsibilities, but are committed to long-term programs that foster and enhance an interest in Idaho Military history. The Idaho Military History Museum is seen by both parties to this agreement as the means to cooperatively accomplish their historical goals."

Many other volunteer groups and military historical societies, have attempted to accomplish something similar to what the IMHS has done in Idaho. While attempting to establish a military history museum in their state, they have found it necessary to establish a non-profit organization to handle their operational expenses & fundraising efforts. The one known exception is Kentucky, which placed its military history museum directly under their states historical museum.

What does all of this mean? It means that if an individual is considering donating their military memorabilia to the Idaho Military Historical Society, they can rest assured that it will be in good hands. On the other hand, a person does not necessarily need to be Idaho National Guard alumni to be able to donate their memorabilia to the IMHS. In fact, we are interested in memorabilia from all services.

The mission of the IMHS is to "provide for the preservation, display, and interpretation of military history and artifacts that have a geographical, cultural or historical tie to the history of the people and state of Idaho."

The IMHS has laid the groundwork for an endowment fund to handle the day to day cost of operations and administration of the museum and has set in place a membership program for those interested in directly supporting the preservation of Idaho Military History for future generations. 

The Idaho Military Division has provided facilities for the museum and financial support when available, for some of the day to day operations.

We, the IMD and IMHS, believe we have a good partnership established. We have quite a daunting task ahead of us but we are ready and willing to do it. We invite you to come join us as we preserve and protect Idaho’s proud Military History.  - Ken Swanson

IDAHO FILE INTO HISTORY

Major General George B. Bennett enlisted in the Idaho National Guard on 31 March 1930, as a private with the 116^th Engineers. He served with the 116^th Engineer Regiment until 19 September 1932 and attained the rank of corporal.

He rejoined the National Guard on 1 April 1939, in Jerome, Idaho after graduating from the University of Idaho. He helped with the formation and the Federal Recognition of the 116th Ordnance Company and served as its first sergeant until 31 March 1940.

General Bennett received his initial commission as a second lieutenant in the 116^th Ordnance Company on 16 July 1940 (NGUS) and (AUS) on 16 September 1940.

General Bennett was mobilized with the Engineer Regiment as part of the 41st Infantry Division in September 1940. He moved to Fort Lewis, Wash and served there until ordered to the Pentagon in February 1943 to help organize an Ordnance Technical Intelligence Unit.

When this task was complete, he deployed with the new unit, as it’s commander, to North Africa and then fought with it in Sicily and Italy. In April of 1943, he was transferred to the 7th Army for the Southern France Invasion, which began on 15 August 1944.

He stayed with the 7th Army until September 1945 when he was reassigned to the Office of Chief of Ordnance. In this assignment Gen Bennett assisted in writing the after action report on Technical Intelligence activities during the war.

General Bennett served in the following campaigns: Tunisian, South France (Army), Sicilian (Army), Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Rhineland, and Anzio. He was awarded the Bronze Star, the American Defense Service Medal, the European-African-Mideast Campaign Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal.

He was promoted to First Lieutenant on 1 March 1941, to Captain on 6 April 1942, to Major on 27 January 1943, and to Lieutenant Colonel on 27 October 1944. He left federal service in October 1945.

Following World War II, General Bennett served with the Officer Reserve Corps as a Lieutenant Colonel until 8 October 1946, when he re-joined the Idaho National Guard.

General Bennett was appointed the State Maintenance Officer and organized maintenance shops throughout the State. He also helped organize and locate National Guard units upon their post-WWII reorganizations. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel on 15 November 1948.

A long held dream to become an aviator was realized in 1959 when he attended and graduated from Flight School. Over his career he accumulated 2912 flying hours; 2543 single engine; 17 multi-engine and 339 helicopter.

He was appointed Chief of Staff to the Adjutant General for Army National Guard affairs and subsequently to Assistant Adjutant General, Adjutant General, and Commanding General of the Idaho National Guard from January 1965 until his retirement in December, 1974.

During much of his tenure as TAG, he also served as State Director of Selective Service, State Civil Defense Director and Director of Surplus Property.

Governor Cecil D. Andrus dedicated Building 600 to Major General Bennett on 10 October 1972, henceforth the "Bennett Building".

Editors Note: Thank you to John Norris of the Idaho Military Division and Tom Gloeckle of the 124^th Communications Flight for their assistance with this article.

NEW MEMBERS

Special Welcome to:

O Bob Auth    O Tim Blood    O Mildred Carter

VOLUNTEER OF THE QUARTER

Please meet Gretchen C. Calwell

Gretchen is one of our most dedicated volunteers. She has been volunteering since late 1997 and volunteers at least once a month as a museum host. When volunteers have proven scarce, she has taken up to three shifts a month. (Hope this isn’t due to undue pressure from her older brother, Kurt von Tagen.) A tally of hours last year put her at just over one hundred for 1998. Her husband, Marc, has also volunteered at the museum, helping with remodeling before the facility opened. 

Born on Valentines Day, at Letterman Army Hospital, Gretchen spent her childhood in California. She attended grade school in Walnut Creek then moved to Grass Valley, California when her father retired.

From there she went on to graduate from California State University at Chico with a degree in Communications. She is the youngest of a family of five children, and the only girl. Also, she was the first female to be born into the family in fifty years!

Gretchen isn’t certain how she acquired her interest in military history but feels it has something to do with her father being a retired Army officer and a World War II veteran. She best recalls the close ties he kept with his WWII veteran friends. Two of her brothers have also chosen military careers. 

Gretchen moved to Boise in 1995, and aside from being a full time mother of two (a girl, Caitlin, and a boy, Ian), Gretchen works part time at the Home Depot stores in Boise and Meridian.

She feels being raised among a pack of boys significantly contributed to her skills in this area. Gretchen also works on her own cars and often surprised mechanics by bringing in the component that needs the repair (such as a leaky radiator). In addition, she’s a talented cook who displays her skill as a successful Pampered Chef consultant.

NEW!

If you haven’t already done so, Check out our web site: (is now http://museum.mil.idaho.gov)

Display photos, gift shop items, membership information, all available on line! BE SURE & TELL A FRIEND. We also have previous issues of our newsletter on our website. If you misplaced or gave away your copy, you can download another one.

AND… we are now a HOTLINK on Channel 7’s website.

ANOTHER NEW ITEM: Our gift shop now carries souvenir post cards. They depict equipment that played a significant role in Gowen Fields military history. (We also have one with a certain celebrity who trained at Gowen Field during World War II). 

A partial listing of post cards includes: B-17s, B-24s, P-51s, F-102s, F4s, F86s, and so as not to leave out the Army folks… Apache and Blackhawk Helicopters, M-1 and M-60 tanks. 

The photos used in the postcards came from several sources, special thanks to the Military Division and the 124^th Wing Public Affairs Offices. 

TELL US YOUR STORY

Do you enjoy the IDAHO FILE INTO HISTORY section of the Newsletter? We can’t continue this section of the newsletter without your help.  Send us your stories or give us the names of those who you have heard tell their story. We may be able to contact and interview them. We have almost nothing from the enlisted ranks or the veterans of women's services.

When writing your story, be sure that you identify personnel involved, date (as close as possible), location and information that lends color or credence to your story.  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.

Send it to:

The Idaho File
Idaho Military History Museum
4040 West Guard Street
Boise, ID 83705-5004

The editors of Pass In Review reserve the right to edit articles for length and structure; however, the greatest care is taken to preserve the writer’s meaning and style. 

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 1999, 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. If you aren’t sure what your renewal date is, check the address label on your newsletter, it lists the month and year your renewal is due.