NEW BOARD NAMED - KEN SWANSON ELECTED PRESIDENT

The Annual Election and Quarterly membership meeting was held on 27 October 1998. Robert Cassell, Ken Swanson, and Gayle Alvarez were elected to a three-year term on the Board of Directors.  The Board then met to reorganize itself and elected Ken Swanson as its new president. Ken has been active in the Idaho Military Historical Society since day one and has long been involved in historical activities in Idaho.

Ken is currently the Administrator of the Idaho State Historical Museum and Historical Sites. He is also an avid collector of old military arms and equipment and is active in the Idaho Civil War Volunteers, a uniformed reenactment group.  The Museum will benefit greatly from Ken’s professional knowledge, historical interests, as well as his broad experience in the field of history.

The other officers of the Board are Stan Herzinger – Vice President, Gayle Alvarez – Secretary, and Cynthia Strader – Treasurer.

Ken Swanson announced that the ‘tradition’ of quarterly membership meetings will continue and the first meeting for 1999 is set for January 26^th, 1999 at 7:00 PM.

The quest speaker will be Forrest Baxter who will give a brief history on Navy Flags.  There will also be an open question and answer session where members will be able to ask questions and offer suggestions.

As the IMHS begins its 6^th year of operation, I am very proud of everything that has been accomplished over the last five years. I am also looking forward to the challenges of the year ahead.

One of the things I would like to do is refocus some of the committees. Several of you are interested specifically in firearms. So, let’s form a firearms committee. Some of you are interested in the Navy; let's form a naval committee, etc. Be creative. Research that area you are interested in & design an exhibit based on your interest and research.

Our Reference Library is now located in the new Annex which makes researching your topics of interest much easier.  Make the Museum interesting and make it fun! Together we can and will have a terrific year. I am really looking forward to it.

- Ken Swanson

JOSEPH M. BRAUN

Joseph M. Braun, a native of Boise, was born in September 1922 and graduated high school in 1940. With war looming on the horizon, he joined the Army on the first of August 1941.

Assigned to the US Army Air Corps, Joe moved up through the ranks and in May 1942, was promoted to Sergeant while stationed at Columbia Army Air Base, Columbia S.C.

After completing enlisted bombardier flight training, he was sent overseas. Between February ‘43 and July ‘44, Joe flew 61 combat missions (144+ combat flying hours) as a B-25 bombardier, serving in Africa, Italy, Sicily and Corsica.

Joe was always interested in how things worked. When he joined the Army his inventive mind went to work and in 1943, now Technical Sergeant Braun, developed an auxiliary bomb rack for the B-25 using parts salvaged from B-17s and B-25s. This rack allowed an increase of 83% in total weight of bombs carried. In addition, he invented a life raft release and an improved sighting device. All of this was done during his 'spare time' between missions. Joe was awarded the Legion of Merit by order of General Eisenhower on 10 November 1943. No small accomplishment for a 21 year old Tech Sergeant!

During one of his B-25 missions, Joe received shrapnel wounds from enemy fire. Although his medical records indicated that he had been wounded, he did not receive a Purple Heart.  

In 1945, he attended and graduated from flight training. In June 1946, Joe separated from the service but within a few months was back on active duty. He was promoted to Master Sergeant in September 1946. By the end of February the following year, Joe was commissioned as a 2^nd Lieutenant in the officers Reserve Corps, U.S. Army but continued on active duty as a Master Sergeant.

In November 1947, Joe was assigned as a technical aide and member of Training Research and Development at Willy Field. In March 1948, he developed an improved sighting device for P-80 aircraft, which was adopted. The following month Master Sergeant Braun was honorably discharged and 2^nd Lieutenant Braun, US Air Force Reserve went on active duty at Scott AFB, Illinois. Here he attended and completed Communications Officer training.

In November 1951 he submitted a suggestion for a jet assist system for the B-29 and in January 1952, he was recommended for appointment to the regular Air Force.

1952 proved to be a very prolific time in Joe's inventive career. He submitted over 30 original ideas for consideration, one of which was an idea for a low altitude ejection seat for fighter aircraft. His duty assignment at this time was Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.

The idea was rejected with the comment that "although the idea may be feasible, the obstacles to be overcome appear to be so great that a satisfactory development could not be accomplished within a reasonable time…the subject suggestion does not appear to be sufficiently practicable to warrant exploitation." (The British successfully tested a ground zero ejection seat… in 1954.)

Undiscouraged, he developed a system for visual warning of rotating aircraft propellers. In November he requested reassignment to the Research and Development field but his request was marked for disapproval, he was too valuable where he was.

In December 1952, his submitted invention was a radar target reflector for the location of downed airmen. In May 1956, Joe, now a Captain, requested a transfer to the Pilot Training Group in Germany (Furstenfeldbruck AB) to receive jet transition training. He completed the training in August and became an instructor pilot for NATO allied pilot trainees at the same base.

While at "Fursty" Joe was awarded honorary German Air Force pilots wings. In March 1958, Captain Braun, now stationed at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, submitted the idea of using call words followed by numbers for all US Military aircraft worldwide. His idea, as most of us know, was adopted.

In January 1962 he continued his work on improved ejection seat designs and in March of 1962 he was reassigned…back to Mountain Home AFB to the 9^th Air Refueling Squadron piloting KC97 tankers. On 1 Jan 1963, he received a belated Christmas present, promotion to Major.

Joe retired at Dover AFB, Delaware in April 1966 after over 24 years active federal military service. His awards include the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, numerous WWII and Vietnam service medals, the Air Force Reserve Medal and the Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver oak leaf cluster.

In 1970, Joe and his wife Ada, moved back to Mountain Home where they settled into retirement. He then set about getting his military records corrected and after numerous letters and requests, was awarded the Purple Heart.

On May 15^th, 1996, Mountain Home AFB held their annual Community Appreciation Day. The U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team performed and on their first jump, they carried Joe's Purple Heart medal.

Upon landing the medal was passed to the 366^th Wing Commander, Brigadier General Ken Peak who made the official presentation to Major Joseph Braun, USAF Retired.

Joe died on the 3^rd of August 1997 following complications with appendicitis. The museum is working on an exhibit of Joe’s numerous uniforms, papers, and other memento’s which should be on display sometime after the first of the year.



VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION &  RECOGNITION

Where would we be without our volunteers? As in the case of virtually any new public endeavor, volunteers make it all possible. That covers a multitude of activities that energize new and growing enterprises such as the Idaho Military History Museum.

Without dedicated volunteers it would be impossible. Volunteer work starts at the beginning – the gleam in the eye of one with the idea, the early meetings, assessment, recruitment, negotiating space, developing by-laws and so critical to success is docent time, restoration and display work. We can’t say enough in recognizing all that work which of course is done by VOLUNTEERS!

For many who volunteer time and talent, progress to them is more important than recognition. Even so, the Board held a special Volunteer Appreciation evening on the 29^th of December. Active volunteers were invited to the Museum Annex for a special dinner in appreciation and recognition for all their hard work.

Certificates were presented to volunteers who had donated over 100 hours and two certificates were presented to individuals who had donated over 1000 hours. As further evidence of our appreciation for our volunteers, we adding a new section to the newsletter. We are going to introduce the membership to the volunteers who have helped us make everything possible. We are pleased to announce the

VOLUNTEER OF THE QUARTER

Actually, in this case, it is volunteers of the quarter!

Both Art and Mary have been very active in the IMHS and Museum operations since 1995.

They bring with them a great deal of knowledge and experience, which has proven invaluable.

They pitch in to help whenever and wherever they can, they docent at the Museum, they helped with the research on the Self-Guided tour of Gowen Field (which will be announced in the spring), all in all, they have over 100 hours of volunteer time.

Mary McNeil went to work at Gowen Field in April 1942 as the Secretary to the Base Quartermaster. Art Cozine was commissioned as a 2LT (Bombardier) in September 1942 at Albuquerque NM. His 1^st assignment was Gowen Field to undergo B-17 Crew Training prior to deploying to North Africa.

In September 1942, Mary and Art met on a blind date and continued to see each other while Art was stationed here. In October 1942, Art left for North Africa as a B-17 Bombardier.

Mary continued to work on Gowen Field until July 1944 when she left for Merced, CA to marry Art who had recently returned from duty in North Africa. Art went on to become a P-51 pilot; Mary accompanied him to different assignments in the States.

Mary and Art returned to Boise, Mary’s hometown, in 1945 after Art was discharged from the Army Air Corps and they have lived here ever since.

Art wanted to join the Air Guard when they were flying P-51’s, but he was working 6 days a week and couldn’t find the time to meet the requirements of being an Air Guard officer. This was one of his greatest regrets. Mary and Art very much enjoy working as volunteers. It gives them an opportunity to spend time on the base that is the source of many fond memories.

Interest in Idaho military history seems to run in their family, their son COL James Cozine is currently serving as the Idaho Army National Guard’s Chief of Staff.

BIG MODELS BY BRAD BROOKS

Brad Brooks of Caldwell is certainly a real friend of our museum efforts. He recently made his second donation of model aircraft to Treasure Valley aviation museums.

Last spring, Brooks contacted Board member Bill Miller and explained that he felt his hobby of building aircraft models should benefit others, and wanted to donate his models to the IAHOF Aviation Heritage Museum.

He soon donated a 1/6 scale British Spitfire aircraft and a smaller scale sailing ship. Then, on November 27, Brad made his second aircraft donation--a 1/5 scale Grumman F6F Hellcat.

He also announced plans for two other models slated for completion next spring. A P-47 Thunderbolt and a Japanese fighter will both be constructed to 1/5 scale. (1/5 scale produces a 60-inch wingspan in the F6F Hellcat.)

Brooks gets his scale model plans from a hobby supplier in England, and constructs the aircraft body, wings, and tail from 'scratch'. However, for components such as engines, canopies, and landing gear assemblies, he often uses scale assembly kits

The Boards of Directors and Executive Directors of the Idaho Aviation Hall of Fame and the Idaho Military Historical Society will jointly maintain and display Brad's models. The Hellcat and Spitfire will soon be on display at the Idaho Military History Museum. Contact the Museum at 422-6128 for information.

IAHOF and IMHS have discussed having Brooks construct specific historic aircraft for their museums. Initially, a B-17 such as was used at Gowen Field in World War II will be made.

A special donation fund is being set up to help offset Brad's cost of materials used in building the models. Members who support this project can help by making a contribution to the fund. For further details, contact Bill Miller at 853-8585 or e-mail wildbil@cyberhighway.net.

NEW ITEM ON ADDRESS LABEL

We have received several requests from members to make it easier to know when memberships are due for renewal. So, we are introducing a new item on your address label.+

Similar to the line on magazine subscriptions, the line above your name lists your membership renewal month and year. We hope this helps.

VETERANS DAY EVENT

On the 11^th of November, Veterans Day, the Idaho Military Historical Society held an open house to show off its new annex, Building 302.

The open house provided a forum for a military memorabilia show. On display were artifacts from World Wars I and II, Korea, and Viet-Nam. It also gave Veterans a chance to swap war stories and remembrances.

Visitors were able to visit the Museum and get a look at the New Annex. Over 200 persons visited the show; among them was Medal of Honor Winner, Vernon Baker. There were also members of active Veterans Organizations there to help veterans get in touch with other members of the units with which they had previously served.

The event was considered extremely successful. We received many favorable comments and the Board of Directors is considering making this an annual event.

O Harlan Andrijeski  O Doyle Fillers Doyle Fillers  O Janice Frazier

O Richard King Richard King  O Pete Peterson  Pete Peterson  O Stan Ogsbury

STILL AVAILABLE

The History Of The Idaho National Guard, edited by Orlan J. Svingen, is still available at the museum.

This publication of 235 pages covers the history of Idaho’s citizen soldiers from 1863 though Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Although the earliest Idaho militia were not technically National Guardsmen by today’s definition, their reason for being was much the same as that of the moderns Guardsman. The book is well researched and written and liberally sprinkled with pictures from the past.

Editor Svingen, a history professor at Washington State University, was a member of the Idaho National Guard during the research and writing period of 1989 to 1991.

The book covers numerous "activations" of the Guard including the Spanish American War, Mexican Border Crisis, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm as well as several regional Indian campaigns, disaster relief, and civil disturbances.

A variety of other mementos of Idaho & U.S. military services are also available at the Museum.

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.