AMEDD MUSEUM FOUNDATION
MONITOR
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Message from the Chairman of the Board |
Dear Members and Friends of the AMEDD Museum,
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Welcome to the Fall 2020 edition of your Monitor. So here we are, locked in by Public Health concerns surrounding the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, hoping and praying for effective therapy and a vaccine very soon. Although essential services have been maintained, many DoD employees at Fort Sam are teleworking. Museum visitors are prohibited but work to improve the exhibits continues, led by our Museum Director, George Wunderlich.
Meanwhile, the EXCOM is keeping the business of the Foundation on track. The Gift Shop is open and Gilda Kling is busily shipping on-line orders. Work continues to raise the funds for the new public portal, with some recent very happy success - notably - award of an extraordinary $480,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a Federal Program funded by Congressional appropriation as part of the “Save America’s Treasures” Program. Heartfelt thanks to COL (Ret) Steve Markelz, our VP for Development, and Ms. Rachel O’Hern, Development Manager, whose exemplary grant writing skills convinced the Institute to award this grant. Unfortunately Ms. O'Hearn has taken a new position as a grant administrator for the United Way of San Antonio and our loss is their gain. Thank you, Rachel and Steve.
Our new Museum webpage - ameddmuseumfoundation.org. - is reality, as is the Digital Monitor and e-News. If you have not done so already, please forward your e-mail address to the Foundation so that you can begin receiving the electronic versions. Please opt in to sign up, and by all means, please forward them to your friends and ask them to opt in also.
Be on the lookout for Dr. Carroll Osburn’s book telling the remarkable story of Army Dentist Roy L. Bodine, Jr., a prisoner of war during World War II. Dr. Osburn hopes to complete his work in the coming year. You can read Andy Watson’s Notable Historic Leaders articles about COL Bodine, and the outstanding bravery of Army Veterinarian CPT Clayton H. Mickelsen, who sacrificed himself in the effort to repel the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in 1941.
Since most of us are socially isolating, and may have time on our hands, perhaps you may find a few minutes to visit our aging AMEDD brothers and sisters by whatever means possible, to help them feel a tiny bit less isolated. Those who are living in Assisted Living and other types of LongTerm Care Facilities have felt the isolation more than folks able to get out and about to commune with family and friends. Even those living at home may be finding themselves isolated and a bit lonely. Speaking of connecting in the era of social isolation - While you are online at ameddmuseumfoundation.org. please remember to check out the Gift Shop; maybe there is an item there which will bring joy to someone close to you.
We need to share the excitement of the AMEDD beyond our own family. The Public Portal to the Museum remains the Foundation’s highest priority. Telling the AMEDD story to school children and visitors from around the world remains an essential goal of the Museum. Please continue to tell the AMEDD story at every opportunity, wherever you find yourself. Thank you for being a part of our AMEDD family. Your continued loyal support and encouragement is deeply appreciated.
-- BG (Ret) Daniel F. Perugini- Chairman of the Board
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Foundation Announces $480,000 Grant for Capital Campaign |
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The AMEDD Museum Foundation is proud to announce the receipt of an extraordinary grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The grant, valued at $480,000, was received in August based on an application made by the Foundation staff earlier this year.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is a federal organization whose goal is to “advance support, and empower America's museums, libraries, and related organizations through grant-making, research, and policy development.” The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. Their vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. For more information about the IMLS, explore their organization at the IMLS website, www.imls.gov.
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Part of the “Save America’s Treasures” program, the IMLS distributed these grants and matching funds to support the preservation of nationally significant historic properties and collections across America. In 2019, Congress appropriated funding for the Save America’s Treasures from the Historic Preservation Fund which uses revenue from federal oil leases to provide a broad range of preservation assistance without expending tax dollars.
“IMLS is honored to partner with the National Park Service and other federal agencies to support the Save America’s Treasures program,” said Paula Gangopadhyay, Deputy Director of Museum Services for the IMLS. “The grants to be administered by IMLS will help save endangered museum collections and they represent our agency’s ongoing support and commitment to the preservation of our nation’s heritage. Safeguarding these treasures allows us to reflect on the history of our country, our communities, and the people who came before us.” You can read more about the Save America’s Treasures program award announcement at https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/-12-8-million-in-save-america-s-treasures-grants.htm.
The grant received by the AMEDD Museum from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for $480,000 is a matching grant. This means that the Museum Foundation must participate in the spending for the project, which is the construction of the access portal that permits visitors to the Museum from outside the installation. Because this is a federal grant, the Code of Federal Regulations apply as the rules governing this process. The Foundation has asked the IMLS grant manager whether it will be possible for us to use the funds that we have already spent on the project to pay for architectural design and costing by the construction firm as part of our share of the matching, and the answer appears to be yes, although issues of timing have yet to be ironed out due to delays in the approval process for the proffer. While this grant is a wonderful development in the progress of the portal project, it does not cover the total cost of the portal construction. Our best estimate at this time is that we will still require another $500,000 to complete the portal project, so we will still need the strong support of our AMEDD donors.
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WWII Dentist & Veterinarian |
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Roy L. Bodine, Survivor
By Nolan A. (Andy) Watson
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Dr. Carroll Osburn is completing a book detailing the life and hardships endured by former Army dentist Roy L. Bodine, Jr. His story is one of remarkable survival in very difficult circumstances. His trials were first documented by Bodine himself, who maintained a diary during his captivity which was later put into print as “No Place for Kindness” and published by the Fort Sam Houston Museum.
COL Roy L. Bodine, Jr. passed away in 2005 at the age of 94. During World War II he was a prisoner of war, held by the Japanese for 41 months. He survived starvation, numerous illnesses, beatings, infamous “Hell ship” voyages to include one being bombed, and other hazardous conditions.
After being released he continued with his Army and dental careers. He moved forward and led an active life with enthusiasm. His zeal might bring the phrase “you have never really lived until you have almost died” to mind. Unfortunately, Bodine did have many of those close calls. In April of 1942, before capture he stayed on the front lines treating wounded and ensuring their evacuation as the enemy advanced. He would later receive a Silver Star for this brave action. (GO 227, HQ USFP) Later, in his diary he writes of continual hunger and dysentery. His weight drastically reduced from 165 pounds to half that amount.
On December 15, 1944, Bodine, Clayton H. Mickelsen, (see Shared History article) and over 1,600 prisoners of war were crowded into the hold of the Oryoku Maru. On that day the ship was attacked by U.S. aircraft and sank near the coast of the Philippines. While POWs died in the attack and the sinking, others were able to swim to shore to be recaptured. Roy Bodine was able to not only swim despite his poor health, but also assist others in their struggle through the water.
More information about Bodine’s life can be found in Dr. Osburn’s forthcoming book “No Place for Kindness, the World War II POW Diary of Major Roy Bodine, Jr”, and at the AMEDD Museum which has numerous artifacts from AMEDD POWs on display.
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Shared History: A Statue and a Veterinarian
By Nolan A. (Andy) Watson
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A new statue will soon be relocated near the Fort Sam Houston stable area. Appropriately near the honor detachment’s Soldiers and horses, the statue is of a mounted cavalryman of the 26th Cavalry Regiment (Philippine Scouts). There are other connections too. The stables were once the location for the Fort Sam Houston veterinary hospital, and all “old” cavalry units like the 26th needed veterinarians to keep their horses healthy! Fort Sam Houston also has a link to the Soldiers that served in the Philippines.
The statue recognizes the unit, which continued the fight against the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, participating in one of the last horse cavalry charges by American forces. Although the 26th did not serve at Fort Sam Houston, many of its troops and members of the Philippine Scouts had previously served at the post. Not far from the stables, the Fort Sam Houston Museum has artifacts from Clinton A. Pierce, the last commander of the 26th, who led the cavalry charge in the Philippines.
VETERINARY CONNECTION
Isolated and poorly equipped, American and Philippine forces tried to repel the Japanese invasion at the close of 1941 and dawn of 1942. Among these troops was Captain Clayton H. Mickelsen, a veterinarian with the 26th Cavalry Regiment. While Mickelsen did not participate in the cavalry charge, he was able to stop enemy forces in a different way.
On December 22, 1941, enemy tanks and infantry were closely pursuing and firing on the rear guard of the 26th Cavalry. Mickelsen and a fellow officer remained between the hostile troops and their own force, setting fire to a truck placed on a bridge. Painting of CPT Clayton H. Mickelsen hanging in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University. Photo by Charlie Powell. They then remained at the bridge exposed to enemy attacks ensuring the bridge was consumed by flames. Due to the terrain, the destruction of the bridge prevented enemy pursuit. Mickelsen and the other officer then moved with elements of the 26th Cavalry, picking up wounded and collecting and giving orders to stragglers.
For his brave actions at the bridge, Mickelsen received the Distinguished Service Cross. Unfortunately, the Philippines would fall, and after years of captivity Clayton H. Mickelsen succumbed to illness as a prisoner of war at Fukuoka POW Camp #1. Clayton H. Mickelsen is remembered at his alma mater, Washington State University, through a scholarship, painting, and lounge named in his honor. At the AMEDD Museum his name is on the statuary figure representing the veterinary service’s function of food inspection. This latest statue will recognize his former unit and the numerous horses that he once cared for.
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We May Be Closed
But We Are Busy
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Getting Ready For
Your Next Visit
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Times are truly strange and challenging here at the AMEDD Museum. COVID has keep us short staffed since March with most of the employees teleworking at the request of the CG. In addition, our funding and direct command is moving to the US Army Center of Military History on November 8. Between short staffing and reams of paperwork for the command change you might think that it has been a down time for renovation work. You would be happily wrong!
In the next few issues we will be filling you all in on the ongoing work we have undertaken this year to improve every aspect of the Museum. Painting, power washing, exhibit and lighting upgrades, new exhibits, and more. There are too many photos to put in a single issue. Please know that the Museum staff is dedicated to overcoming ALL obstacles to growth and improvement. We believe each and every AMEDD soldier, Veteran, and civilian deserves the best and we are here to deliver…without excuse. Enjoy the photos and keep an eye out for many more.
- George Wunderlich, Director
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The following individuals donated to the
AMEDD Museum Foundation
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Visit the AMEDD Gift Shop |
Did you forget to stop by the gift shop before leaving the museum? No need to worry! You can check out the AMEDD's Gift Shop website. |
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