NMSU Phi Alpha Theta- Rho Zeta Chapter

NMSU Phi Alpha Theta- Rho Zeta Chapter Fellowship - Community Service - Historical Scholarship

New Mexico State University----Rho Zeta Chapter

What We Do:

Provide Fellowship, Perform Community Service, and Promote Historical Scholarship

2017 Rho Zeta Chapter Officers: To Be Announced

President:
Vice-President:
Treasurer:
Secretary:
Historian:
Faculty Advisor:


Phi Alpha Theta National Headquarters

http://phialphatheta.org

University of Florida
4202 East Fowler Ave, SOC107
Tampa, FL 6208100

09/23/2021

Happy 100th to Ranger Betty Reid Soskin!

Betty Reid Soskin is the oldest active ranger in the National Park Service. Over the past decade and a half, Ranger Betty has shared her experiences as well as the efforts and sacrifices of women from diverse backgrounds living and working on the WWII home front at Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park. Learn more about Betty’s inspiring work at: https://www.nps.gov/rori/learn/historyculture/betty-reid-soskin.htm

To mark this occasion, share your birthday messages, photos, or experiences attending one of her programs.

Want a virtual stamp? Visit the Passport To Your National Parks website at http://ow.ly/LB3a50G2vPN



Image: Betty Reid Soskin in front of park visitor center. NPS

On April 9th, 1942 between 60-80,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war were transferred to Camp O’Donnell. The troo...
04/10/2021

On April 9th, 1942 between 60-80,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war were transferred to Camp O’Donnell. The troops were marched from Mariveles to San Fernando, on what would be a gruesome 60-70 miles. The prisoners started their march from Mariveles and began marching north towards San Fernando and it was reported that in the beginning there were several instances of kindness from the Japanese officers ,and those that spoke English even traded food, ci******es and personal belongings. Unfortunately, what followed was anything but kind, soon after the march began several reports of torture began to circulate amongst the men; from theft to knocking out teeth for metal fillings (silver and gold), Japanese soldiers began to show their disgust and hatred towards their captives in a sense of revenge. One of the earliest atrocities committed was that of the ‘Pantingan River Massacre’ in which nearly 350 to 400 Filipino officers and NCOs were then executed under Colonel Masanobu Tsuji’s command. This was followed by his order to execute all American captives under his care. In some cases, those Americans that survived believed that this would have been mercy as what came after would only prove to be much worse for them.
Although there are several conflicting sources of casualty reports, it’s estimated to be between 5-18,000 Filipino deaths and 500-650 American Deaths during the march, from psychological to physical torture those that survived were haunted by the various atrocities that occurred during the event. The prisoners were given little to nothing for food and water during the march and anyone who asked for water was shot on the spot. When fresh water sources became visible many were tortured by being stripped of their clothing and having them placed near it, while not being provided any. As many prisoners began to drop, Japanese trucks drover over their bodies and ‘cleanup crews’ would continue to execute any who were still alive; prisoners that were not killed by trucks would be stabbed by bayonets or beaten to death by the ‘cleanup crews.’
After the march, the atrocities only continued at the camp, overcrowded conditions and poor hygiene caused dysentery and other diseases to spread across the camp. The Japanese did not provide any medical care nor equipment for the troops which only caused further death.
The Bataan Death March had a large impact amongst the New Mexico Communities as many of the soldiers from the state, particularly the 200th and 515th Coast Artillery, the memorial "Heroes of Bataan" is located at Veteran's Park, Las Cruces, New Mexico. It depicts three soldiers assisting each other during the Bataan Death March. Two soldiers are modeled after the uncles of Las Cruces resident J. Joe Martinez, and one Filipino soldier modeled after a NCO stationed at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) whose grandfather was killed during the March. The surrounding area is layered in footprints casted by the survivors.

The 200th Infantry Regiment (New Mexico Army National Guard), was a U.S. Army unit during WWII. In August of 1941 the u...
04/03/2021

The 200th Infantry Regiment (New Mexico Army National Guard), was a U.S. Army unit during WWII. In August of 1941 the unit was moved to Fort Bliss in preparations for the unit’s deployment to the Philippines. The unit had originally submitted plans for a bid to be placed in either the Philippines or Aleutian Islands. they competed with the Arkansas National Guard’s 206th Coast Artillery, however due to the 200th being virtually fluent in Spanish, it was chosen to be sent to the Philippines. With them went hundreds of Hispanic American soldiers native to Las Cruces, Alamogordo and other surrounding areas of New Mexico. On September 1941, the unit had arrived and was assigned to the US Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) and ordered to provide air defenses for Clark Airfield. On December 8th 1941, at 0300 hours the 200th went on full alert when they received a commercial broadcast breaking the news of the Pearl Harbor attack.
December 7th is a day that will forever live-in infamy, however most people don’t know that on December 8th the Philippines which housed thousands of U.S troops was bombed by the returning Naval Fleet of Japan. U.S. Naval intelligence surmised that it would take nearly two years for the Pacific Fleet to fight its way through and into the Philippines, meanwhile U.S. Army intelligence believed that supplies would be exhausted within 6 months. Between January and April one of the deadliest battles of the Philippines took place, the Battle of Bataan, with nearly 10,000 U.S. and Filipino Troops killed, 20,000 wounded and 76,000 captured this led to what later became known as the Bataan Death March.
On April 3rd, 1942, and the following three days between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, the Japanese 65th Brigade and 4th Division spearheaded an all-scale attack with bombings of over 100 aircraft and artillery bombardment of approximately 300 artillery separate canons, Mount Samat became a living inferno. General Homma had made preparations for his final offensive as an attempt to breach the Orion-Bagac Line and estimated a full week before pe*******on. When he realized that in three days the line had weakened, he pushed his troops to move on the 6th April. As the battle continued U.S. and Filipino leaders lost all electronic communication with their units and were left to use runners, and by the April 9th Bataan had fallen.

Today when we think about silk, nylon, cotton or fabrics in general we think of garments and household items, but during...
03/10/2021

Today when we think about silk, nylon, cotton or fabrics in general we think of garments and household items, but during WWII most of these items were redirected in support for the war effort. Items such as parachutes, escape maps and uniforms were all made of common fabrics which sometimes led to a shortage of materials at home. Factories repurposed their machinery to make military clothing and equipment, which left women without nylon stockings, men without handkerchiefs and stores with less fabric for suits and dresses. This occurred across the nation but most people followed the motto "Make Do and Mend.”
It became popular for paratroopers to keep their reserve parachutes, or even cut up their used one, to create many things. Stories quickly spread of how troopers would take home their silk parachutes to dye and repurpose it into a dress for their fiancé, girlfriend or wife.
As nylon stockings disappeared from the market, women were left with few choices. When they could no longer use their old stockings, some would draw a line from their ankles to their upper thighs to deceive people into thinking they were wearing them. Other women would just go without, which led to fewer women wearing nylons or stockings for years to come.

Written by R. Torres of War Eagles Air Museum, VP of PAT.

There is a lot of history at NMSU, from artwork to architecture, and as part of the Historic Art Committee, Hailee Alexa...
03/09/2021

There is a lot of history at NMSU, from artwork to architecture, and as part of the Historic Art Committee, Hailee Alexander helps support the protection of historic art on campus.
Hailee has been assisting in researching various pieces by Tom Lea III, Kenneth Barrick and Duke Sundt. With the research conducted by the committee, she assists in providing context and creating didactics for future generations of students to learn. Thank you for all you do.
Written by R. Torres

Women's Day was first observed on March 19, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. Campaigns across Europe ...
03/08/2021

Women's Day was first observed on March 19, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. Campaigns across Europe against WWI inspired women in other countries to adopt International Women's Day. Today we would like to honor our wonderful graduate and former President of Phi Alpha Theta, Clara Roberts. Thank you for being one of the many wonderful and amazing women in history. We appreciate you and all that you have achieved.
Written by H. Alexander, Phi Alpha Theta and Historic Art Committee member.

Happy Women’s International Day, let us start with Women in Aviation and their crucial roles in the military during WWI...
03/08/2021

Happy Women’s International Day, let us start with Women in Aviation and their crucial roles in the military during WWII.

The Women’s Army Auxiliary Corp (WAAC), Women Air Service Pilots (WASPs), and the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) all served at the core of the Army, Air Force, and Navy, respectively, filling in positions such as mechanics, pilots, nurses, drivers, riveters and much more during WWII.

WASPs had some of the most important jobs throughout the war as they not only flew airplanes but delivered supplies, equipment, and personnel to and from the frontlines. In Texas they helped train the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force for flight and maintenance on P47s and B25s.

In 1944, the B-29 “Superfortress” made its appearance in the Army Air Forces, and two women pilots were selected to fly it to help introduce the aircraft. Dora Jean Dougherty and Dorothea Johnson Moorman were checked out as the first pilots to fly the B29, which was decorated with “Fifinella”, a Walt Disney cartoon caracter. They flew the aircraft from Birmingham, Alabama, to Alamogordo, New Mexico, to demonstrate what the aircraft was capable of.

Written by R. Torres Employee of War Eagles Air Museum and PAT Vice President.
The display is located at War Eagles Air Museum in Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

On this day in history, Joe Rosenthal captured one of the most famous photographs of WWII: six U.S. Marines raising the ...
02/23/2021

On this day in history, Joe Rosenthal captured one of the most famous photographs of WWII: six U.S. Marines raising the American flag on Mount Suribachi in Iwo Jima.

Happy Valentines Day! Although today is known as the Day of Love for your special someone, it is also the day C**t paten...
02/14/2021

Happy Valentines Day! Although today is known as the Day of Love for your special someone, it is also the day C**t patented the 1911 semi-automatic handgun, one beloved by our armed forces and used in nearly every war and conflict since World War I. It remained the standard-issue sidearm for the United States Armed Forces from 1911 to 1985. Due to its popularity, it hasn’t been completely phased out of the military with modernized variants still in use by U.S. Army Special Forces, U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy and Federal Law Enforcement.
It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without a little bit of special love, and the C**t 1911 became famous for its 'Sweetheart Grips' in World War II. In WWI, soldiers created “Trench Art”, and in the second World War this included customizing their handgun grips. Using Plexiglas found from downed aircraft or wrecked vehicles, GIs replaced their wooden grips with a clear set adorned with ‘sweetheart’ art. These grips were not exclusive to romantic sentiment but might include parental or sibling portraits, or themes from home to improve morale. Stylized grips were very popular and made their way onto any handguns, including seized German Lugers.

Images provided by War Eagles Air Museum and PAT Vice President Roberto Torres

On this day in 1941, an American Volunteer Group known as the Flying Tigers first saw combat against Japanese forces ami...
12/20/2020

On this day in 1941, an American Volunteer Group known as the Flying Tigers first saw combat against Japanese forces amidst the Sino-Japanese War.
After Russia withdrew its fighters and bombers from China in 1940, Claire L. Chennault, retired US Army Air Corp Officer, requested the US to provide support to the Chinese cause. President Roosevelt approved the request on April of 1941, and 100 Curtiss P-40 fighters and 300 volunteers from the Navy, Marine Corp, and Army Air Corp were sent to assist.
Although each volunteer was discharged from their respective service branch, they were still paid through a private military contractor created by the US Government. Pilots were paid between $600 to $750 depending on their role, plus an additional $500 for each Japanese plane shot down.
By November, each pilot had been trained in various tactics, their most popular being the “Dive-and-Zoom” technique. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Chennault moved a squadron to Kunming to defend the Burma supply road and on December 20th they successfully repelled 4 Japanese bombers without suffering any losses. Over the course of 5 days, they shot down 47 Japanese Aircraft, a combination of bombers and fighters, while only losing 8 of their own.
Images provided by
They are open Wednesday thru Sunday from 10 to 4, and have a P40 on display.

Join us for a presentation by one of our Grad Students on the topic of Tuberculosis in Southern New Mexico
12/10/2020

Join us for a presentation by one of our Grad Students on the topic of Tuberculosis in Southern New Mexico

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