Second Quarter 2016 Volume 10 Number 2

President’s Message Refurbishment of General Richard B. Rothwell There have been Pendleton’s cannon changes to the By Mike Lewis CPHS Council of Advisors since my last report – three departures and two new members.

Retired Marine Lieutenant Generals Matthew T. Cooper and Anthony Lukeman and General Joseph J. McMonagle, all of whom have served on the Council since our early days, have departed the Council. They have been loyal and helpful supporters for many years and on behalf of the Board of Directors, I Pendleton cannon at the Ranch House, 1943. Photo courtesy of the CPEN Archives thank them for their service. During the Nicaraguan revolution New Council members are retired of 1912, Colonel Joseph H. Marine Corps General Officers: Major Pendleton deployed to Nicaragua General Anthony L. Jackson and and commanded the 1st Provisional John W. Bullard Regiment, engaging in skirmishes at Jr. Both are former commanding Masaya and the capture of Coyotepe generals of Camp Pendleton and Hill, leading to the defeat of the bring valuable perspectives and rebel stronghold. As a token of experiences that will help guide our appreciation and gratitude, Colonel future. The Board and I appreciate Pendleton received a cannon as a gift their interest and look forward to from the Nicaraguan government. working with them. In 1943, Mary Fay Pendleton, widow Refurbished cannon, 1994. CPEN Archives The Reckless Monument project of General Pendleton, presented continues to progress. CPHS and our the cannon as a gift to the Base to partner, Robin Hutton, have hired Major General Joseph C. Fegan, a general contractor to prepare Commanding General, Camp Joseph detailed installation plans. I expect H. Pendleton. Since then, the cannon that task to be completed and has been located in Cannon Court forwarded to the Camp Pendleton within the Ranch House complex. staff in April 2016. Barring unforeseen impediments, we are In 1994, the Base History-Museum looking towards a dedication date Branch requested refurbishment of this summer. the cannon, due to its deteriorating Disassembled cannon being refurbished by Ordnance Maintenance Co, 1st MLG, 2016. Continued page 2, Message Continued page 2, Cannon Continued front page, Cannon condition. The Marines of Expeditionary Force Ordnance Maintenance Company, Ordnance Officer, 1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st was contacted by the Force Service Support Group, CPHS to determine if stepped up to the task at hand and Ordnance Maintenance expertly completed the cannon Company could refurbishment. once again conduct a refurbishment of Over the past 22 years, the the cannon. Major cannon again became exceedingly Glen Tedtaotao, weathered due to constant sun and Commanding rain exposure. In February 2016, the Officer, Ordnance Base History-Museum Branch began Maintenance Company exploring options to refurbish the and his Marines cannon. expressed an interest In the same month, Lieutenant and willingness to take Components of the disassembled cannon being refurbished Colonel Jim Towney, I Marine on the task. by Ordnance Maintenance Company, 1st MLG, March 2016.

Continued front page, Message Next year will mark the 75th the post-1942 era, but will touch on of Mission San Luis Rey. It was a birthday of Camp Pendleton. CPHS earlier history as well. We believe thriving cattle ranch under the flags has partnered with TAE Productions that it will be a good showcase for of and the United States. to produce a 60-90 minute Camp Pendleton and its role in our Today it serves as the world’s largest documentary commemorating that nation’s history. amphibious training base. anniversary. The Rancho Mission Dal Williams has left the Board. Viejo Corporation, whose owners Camp Pendleton’s long and varied We thank Dal for his contributions have been long-term supporters of history is unique in that the men and wish him well in his future CPHS, generously donated funding and women who lived those stories endeavors. for the project. would recognize large tracks of the As always, I thank you for your Base if they could walk its hills and TAE Productions will seek to show the continued support. Camp Pendleton canyons once more. With your help, documentary on public television history covers thousands of years. we will continue to keep their stories and will sell it on DVDs through Indians lived along its rivers for alive. various commercial outlets. The thousands of years before Spanish documentary will focus primarily on explorers arrived. It was once part

Camp Pendleton Facts:

Did you know that the land area of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton was purchased in 1942 for 4.2 million dollars? In April 1942, the initial contract to build the base was awarded to J. E. Haddock, Ltd (Pasadena, CA) and Engineers Limited (Los Angeles/San Francisco, CA) for 35 million dollars.

The Base currently encompasses 125,000 acres (195 square miles) and is larger than the cities of Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, Escondido, Oceanside, San Marcos, Solana Beach, and Vista combined (118,230 acres / 185 square miles).

Vintage Camp Pendleton Map. 2 Las Flores Tour with Doug Porter Doug Porter, an expert on adobe has been a collaborative effort restoration from the University of between the National Park Vermont, provided CPHS members Service, Camp Pendleton, and and their guests with a tour of the University of Vermont. the Las Flores Adobe on Saturday, Camp Pendleton continues its Jan. 30. For over two hours, his commitment to the preservation educational and detailed talk of Las Flores Adobe with a and corresponding tour took us proposed long-term budget for through the courtyard and interior the restoration and maintenance rooms of the Las Flores Adobe. of the property through 2021. Doug discussed intricate details We’re grateful that Doug Doug Porter leading the tour of the Adobe. of the overall site restoration took time out of his busy plan which included seismic and schedule to meet with structural stabilization of the ranch our members and provide and carriage houses as well as this talk and tour. Thanks numerous repair, reconstruction, also to Danielle Page, Base and restoration work completed Environmental Security in the entirety of the Las Flores Department, for arranging complex structures. this special tour for CPHS Members. Since 2001, this ongoing project Doug Porter explaining details of the window reconstruction.

Las Flores Adobe, 2016. Doug Porter giving CPHS member an overview of the seismic and structural stabilization of the Adobe. Photos by Deb Hellman Artifact Donation - Las Flores Adobe CPHS recently received a and then temporarily loaned it to significant historic donation from the Base History-Museum Branch Mr. James La Force in the form of for subsequent display at the Las a sofa that was used by the Magee Flores Adobe. family while they lived in the Las We were enthusiastic and Flores Adobe. very appreciative of the offer On March 21, CPHS received of donation by Mr. La Force, the sofa donation, a Baroque especially in light of the fact that revival style carved upholstered this furniture was used by the mahogany sofa with sculptural Magee family in the Las Flores griffin arm stiles (Robert J. Horner Adobe. & Company, New York, circa 1886) Magee sofa in the Las Flores Adobe, 1967. 3 Work on the Mech Museum

Dates engraved into wood siding of the Mechanized Museum, Building 2612, Camp Pendleton, 2016. Photo by Deb Hellman Mech Museum. A facility repair contract for Building Work is currently slated to begin on 2612, Mechanized Museum, was April 25 and should be completed awarded to Sygnos, Inc. (San Diego, by mid-September 2016. CA) on 14 March 2016. This news has been long awaited A special thanks to the Base by the History-Museum Branch. Facilities Maintenance and Public An extensive amount of work on Works Departments in advocating the exterior of the building will be for these much needed repairs and undertaken at the Mech Museum. obtaining the necessary funding . The Pendleton Scout, January 1946. Ranch House Wagon Project The project is the restoration of a exposure to the elements historic, horse-drawn wagon and have taken its toll on the its placement at the entrance to wagon. the Santa Margarita Ranch House Board Members Bill property. The wagon is emblematic Parsons and Mike Lewis of Rancho Santa Margarita and are consulting with local serves to demonstrate the agrarian craftsmen to determine the nature of the Rancho. ability to rebuild the wagon In May 1987, a covered wagon using salvageable parts or was donated to the Base by the to purchase a new wagon Padre Junipero Serra Riders de Las that is representative of Covered wagon, 1987. Photo courtesy of the Camp Tortugas. Twenty-nine years of those used on the Rancho. Pendleton Archives Flag Pole Project - Site of 1942 base dedication

On Sept. 25, 1942, President to reflect the flag raising and Roosevelt and Mary Fay Pendleton dedication activities. raised the flag and officially We’re in the beginning stages dedicated the Base, Camp Joseph H. of project concept/design and Pendleton. The location of where consultation with the various Base the flag was first raised is known but agencies; as we progress, the flag pole does not exist. updates will be provided in the The project scope includes installing Groundbreaker and through our a flag pole similar to the one that social media sites. was there in 1942. Additionally, an Base dedication flag pole, 1943. Photo by appropriately-sized monument and Maynard Parker. Courtesy of The Huntington etched panels will be incorporated Library 4 Bring on the Wrecking Ball

Former 11 Area General Officer with actual demolition of the first Homes Being Demolished house (#1152) beginning on April 12. Though it is unfortunate to The two former General Officer see these older structures being Exterior and interior views of General Officer homes, located northeast of the 1st demolished, reportedly the expense home #1154. Photos by Deb Hellman Marine Division Headquarters in the to repair these homes was cost 11 Area, are being demolished. prohibitive. occupied by numerous Marine Corps The contractor had begun hazardous There are many memories of and General Officers and Colonels from materials abatement work on April 6 events held at those two homes, 1947 through 2013. Oral History Program CPHS is looking for volunteers to September 2017 celebration of the assist with and conduct interviews 75 year anniversary of the Base. in support of the Oral History The intent of the program is to Program. interview various personnel who have worked in the Base agencies/ Soon we will begin coordination Staff over the past 75 years as well with the Base History-Museum as conducting and/or assisting Branch to receive training on with conducting oral interviews how to properly conduct an oral with veterans and/or active duty history interview; audio and personnel of the many military units video recording equipment will that have called Camp Pendleton Oral History interview, BGen John Groff, be provided. In support of the USMC; 1986. home since August 1942. upcoming 75th anniversary of the Base in 2017, we are planning to be provided to the Base History- Writers Needed! conduct oral history interviews Museum Branch for permanent over the next 14 months (May 2016 storage in the Base archives If you are interested in writing - June 2017). collection. an article for the Groundbreaker, please contact us at Though the focus for oral histories Along with conducting oral [email protected]. We’re in in the upcoming months will need of authors to write historical histories, we need volunteers to be on the working ranch, base transcribe the oral histories in articles for the period of 1769 construction, and initial occupation through present day. order to have written text of each of the base by military personnel of the oral history interviews. and civil service personnel, we All of the audio/video tapes and will need volunteers to continue corresponding transcripts will then this oral history program past the 5 Board Member Positions Open

As approved by the Board of coordinating/executing a varying Pendleton Staff, any qualified Directors at the March 2016 degree of tasks and duties as well lawyer currently authorized meeting, CPHS is currently as attending regularly scheduled to practice law in the State of accepting applications to fill meetings (meeting frequency is bi- and a California State three (3) positions on the monthly). Bar member in good standing may Board of Directors. The three apply. positions - Volunteer Coordinator, Per the current CPHS By-Laws, Outreach/Sponsorship Director, terms of office for Board positions If you are interested in applying for and Board Member at Large - are is up to three years. either an available Board Member currently vacant. We are looking or Legal Counsel position, please for motivated, energetic, and Along with these three Board submit a 1-2 page summary of your resourceful people to fill these key positions, we are in need of a work experience, specific skills positions. Prior military service is qualified lawyer to provide legal (technical, artistic, etc.), reasoning not required. counsel (without expectation of for wanting to be part of the compensation) to the Board of CPHS, and position desired; your These Board positions are non- Directors. Though our preference document(s) should be submitted compensated positions and do is for a former Marine Corps Staff to the CPHS Secretary via email at require an amount of your personal Judge Advocate (SJA) familiar with [email protected] along time to dedicate to planning/ or having worked on the Camp with your contact information. New Committees Formed As of the January and March 2016 Board meetings, the Board of Directors has approved the formation of the following committees to support the planning, functioning, and operations of the CPHS: 1. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Committee Purpose: develop a MOU for review, approval, and signature between CPHS and MCB Camp Pendleton

2. Strategy Committee Purpose: review previously developed strategies and goals; update the CPHS Strategic Plan

3. By-Laws Committee Purpose: review the current CPHS By-laws, recommend changes

4. Board of Directors Vetting Committee Purpose: review Board Member applications, conduct interview panels, and make recommendations to the President and Board of Directors as to nominees to fill vacant Board positions

Beginning with this edition we know someone who does, please will highlight some of the items contact us at cphs_info@yahoo. Keep your eye out for ... that make up the history of Camp com. Pendleton that currently are not part of the Base’s Archives collection that we would like to see become part of that collection. If you have or know someone that has items of historical significance to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, please let us know.

We are looking for Camp 4Pendleton issued license plates from 1942 - Camp Pendleton license plate circa 1943. 1950; if you have one to donate or Photo courtesy of John Boal 6 Upcoming CPHS Events Friday, April 29, 2016 The planned Member event for April Room at the Marine Memorial Golf at the renovated San Onofre Beach Course. We’ll post a summary of the Club has been postponed to a future event along photos with in the next date (TBD). Alternatively, CPHS issue of the Groundbreaker. We’re Board Members will be meeting planning for a CPHS Member event with the Base Commanding General, to take place in July 2016; details BGen Ted Banta, for breakfast on forthcoming. Friday, April 29 at the Eagles Landing Col. Richard Rothwell, USMC (Ret.) Friday, June 24, 2016 President CPHS President, Dick Rothwell, will stories: “Las Flores and the Magees” Col. Jim Williams, USMC (Ret.) give a 45-minute presentation as and “Courage under Fire” with the Vice President part of the Learning is for Everyone latter covering Sergeant Reckless, Sgt.Maj. Bill Birnie, USMC (Ret.) (LIFE) program at MiraCosta College the decorated war horse that Financial Officer on Friday, June 24. supported combat units of the during the Korean William Parsons The presentation will cover two War. Secretary 75-Year Anniversary of the Dedication of Camp Pendleton Col. Mike Daily, USMC (Ret.) Col. Steve Fisher, USMC (Ret.) As noted in the previous issue of the Calvin C. Frantz, P.E. Groundbreaker, in September 2017, Col. Don Gressly, USMC (Ret.) Camp Pendleton will commemorate Col. Bo Hellman, USMC (Ret.) the 75-year anniversary of the MGySgt. Mike Lewis, USMC (Ret.) dedication of the Base by President Col. Jerry Polyascko, USMC (Ret.) Franklin D. Roosevelt. Faye Jonason The initial meeting of the Base’s Ex Officio Member 75-Year Anniversary Working Group is scheduled for Thursday, April Danielle Page Ex Officio Member 14, 2016. Our representative and President Franklin Roosevelt and Pancho Board Member, Bo Hellman, is part Brown discuss the lariat (lasso) during COUNCIL OF ADVISORS of that Working Group. As we learn the President’s visit to the Ranch House A distinguished group of advisors is helping more of the Base’s plans, Bo will in September 1942. California Governor to guide us as we grow. We are pleased to report back to the Board of Directors Culbert Olson and Major General Joseph acknowledge their support. and subsequently to the CPHS Fegan, Base Commanding General, are to the left of the President. Defense Dept. Brig.Gen. John Bullard, Jr., USMC (Ret.) membership of the commemoration Photo (Marine Corps) L. Patrick Forster plans. Lt.Gen. Edward Hanlon, Jr., USMC (Ret.) like to see as part of this diamond As previously requested, we’d Maj.Gen. Anthony Jackson, USMC (Ret.) anniversary celebration. Please appreciate your feedback as to Anthony B. Joseph send your comments via email to Maj.Gen. Michael Lehnert, USMC (Ret.) events or observances you would [email protected]. Anthony R. Moiso CPHS Member Spotlight Congratulations to CPHS Member, SgtMaj Scott Helms, USMC on his forthcoming www.camppendletonhistoricalsociety.org Camp Pendleton Historical Society, Inc. retirement from the Marine Corps in is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. May 2016. SgtMaj Helms has been the Sergeant Major, Marine Corps Installations CAMP PENDLETON HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS A NON-FEDERAL ENTITY. IT IS NOT A PART West-Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE since June 2013. Thanks for your 31 OR ANY OF ITS COMPONENTS AND IT HAS NO GOVERNMENTAL STATUS. years of service to Country and Corps! 7 MEMBERSHIP NEWS

Many thanks to our loyal members for their recent membership renewal Welcome aboard to our newest and continuing support of our efforts to tell the Camp Pendleton story. member who recently joined our cause. Jean Adkins Joseph and Catherine O’Brien Richard Althouse Michael and Mary O’Donnell LtCol Charles Kershaw, USMC (Ret) Norman C. Haven Gordon Romine Jerry and Marcia Lasher Betty Toth Member Action Required Tom Morton Robert Warrick Thanks to those Members who responded with updated member A special thanks to the following for their recent monetary donation to information in February. If you CPHS: have not responded, please do so. Cow Camp Caridades / Anthony Moiso Judith Burns Also, please ensure that Christine Livengood our Membership Director Dr. Michael O’Bric ([email protected]) has your current email address. www.facebook.com/camppendletonhistoricalsociety Help us get to our next goal of 500 likes

Camp Pendleton Historical Society P.O. Box 5497 Oceanside, CA 92052

Camp Pendleton Historical Society ...preserving a rich and colorful history

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