Pass In Review   "Shedding Light On Idaho’s Military History"
3rd Quarter	September 1999

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

The Idaho Military Historical Society is about to take a giant step forward. Thanks to General Kane, we will be moving into a larger facility in the next few months.  Since the museum opened its doors (in Building 303) on Labor Day 1995, we have continually expanded our collections and exhibits. In October 1998 we were able to secure an additional Bld (302) for office, library, and exhibit space. Both of these buildings are now overflowing.

We have the opportunity to move into Bld 924 this winter. This means a change in space from 3,200 square feet (currently) to approx. 12,000 square feet.  This move will allow us to greatly expand our exhibits and programs in the coming years.

We need your help to make this facility as professional and appealing as Bldgs 302 and 303 currently are. Volunteers are the backbone of our organization and we will require help packing, moving, and re-erecting exhibits, collections materials, library books, and office equipment. Any assistance that you can provide, be it time or dollars, will help us make this new and important undertaking a success.   - Ken Swanson

The Annual Membership Meeting of the Idaho Military Historical Society will be 26 October 1999 at the Idaho Military History Museum, at 7:00 PM.  At this meeting, elections will be held for 3 Members of the Board of Directors. Currently, 2 Board Members will be seeking re-election and…there is an opening for one additional board member.

If you are interested helping lead a growing, dynamic organization and taking an active roll in directly publicizing and supporting the preservation of Idaho Military History for future generations, then we would like to hear from you.

The nomination process will be open and nominations will be accepted at the meeting. This meeting will also give you a chance to get up to date on the latest ‘goings-on’ at the museum and upcoming events. (Two major upcoming events will be announced.) Please mark your calendar and join us on  26 October at 7:00 PM.

as it appears today

"Two months later on February 17, 1862 Massachusetts Senator Henry Wilson introduced a similar bill, this one to authorize ‘the President to distribute medals to privates in the Army of the United States who shall distinguish themselves in battle.’

Over the following months wording changed slightly as the bill made its way through Congress. When President Abraham Lincoln signed S.J.R. No 82 into law as 12 Stat. 623-624 on July 14, 1862, the Army Medal of Honor was born."¹

"I’d swap my stars for that medal"  - General John J. Pershing during WWI MOH presentation ceremony.

It also retained the bar bearing the word "VALOR". Inside the circle of stars the helmeted profile of Minerva from the Army's medal is replaced by the head of the Statue of Liberty. Replacing the Army's eagle is the Air Force Coat of Arms."

"Although it had been a separate service since 1947, Air Force Medal of Honor recipients during the Korean War still received the Army Medal of Honor for their actions. The actual Air Force Medal was first awarded to Bernard F. Fisher {from Idaho} on January 19, 1967 for his action in Vietnam" on March 10, 1966.

Several Sources contributed to the Medal of Honor stories in this newsletter. They are the Center of Military History, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, The Idaho State Historical Museum, and the Military Division Public Affairs Office. 
 

TEST YOUR IDAHO MEDAL OF HONOR KNOWLEDGE!

1-8, 2-14, 3-24  (See next newsletter for updated info on this!)

IDAHO FILE INTO HISTORY

"Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company M, 107th Infantry, 42d Division. Place and date: Near Landres-et-St. Georges, France, 16 October 1918. Entered service at: Sugar City, Idaho. Born: 17 May 1898, Sharon, Idaho. G.O. No.:118,W.D., 1918.  (After publication, we discovered that history has mis-recorded his unit.  All official records and the engraving on the back of his medal list his unit as the 167th Infantry)  

Citation: On the afternoon of 16 October 1918, when the Cote-de-Chatillion had just been gained after bitter fighting and the summit of that strong bulwark in the Kriemhilde Stellung was being organized, Pvt. Neibaur was sent out on patrol with his automatic rifle squad to enfilade enemy machinegun nests.

As he gained the ridge he set up his automatic rifle and was directly thereafter wounded in both legs by fire from a hostile machinegun on his flank. The advance wave of the enemy troops, counterattacking, had about gained the ridge, and although practically cut off and surrounded, the remainder of his detachment being killed or wounded, this gallant soldier kept his automatic rifle in operation to such effect that by his own efforts and by fire from the skirmish line of his company, at least 100 yards in his rear, the attack was checked. The enemy wave being halted and lying prone, 4 of the enemy attacked Pvt. Neibaur at close quarters. These he killed.

He then moved alone among the enemy lying on the ground about him, in the midst of the fire from his own lines, and by coolness and gallantry captured 11 prisoners at the point of his pistol and, although painfully wounded, brought them back to our lines. The counterattack in full force was arrested to a large extent by the single efforts of this soldier, whose heroic exploits took place against the skyline in full view of his entire battalion." ^{Actual Citation}

Thomas C. Neibaur is one of the eight Medal of Honor Recipients Accredited to Idaho. His actual Medal of Honor is located at the Idaho State Historical Museum but is not currently on display.

Thomas Croft Neibaur is buried in Sugar City Cemetery in Sugar City Idaho.

VOLUNTEER OF THE QUARTER

Stan has been active in the Museum and Society since 1995; in fact Stan was one of our Charter Lifetime Members.

At our Volunteer Appreciation Evening, Stan was presented with a certificate for 1000 hours; however; this only takes into account the year 1998.

Stan was elected to the Board of Directors in 1996 and was elected as the Vice President last year.

Stan can be found at the Museum each Tuesday and Wednesday. He has taken on the enormous task of cataloging the artifacts and he also volunteers as a Docent on weekends. Thank you Stan, we deeply appreciate all your hard work!

O COL Garth H. Holmes    O Mr. Floyd A. Iverson    O Mrs. Martha H. Iverson

O Mr. Bernard B. Nielsen    O LTC Marshall O. Townsend    O Mtn Home Chapt TROA

O El Korah Temple (LOH)