PURSUING PANCHO VILLA

SPRINGFIELD, IL (09/04/2015)(readMedia)-- LIVING HISTORIANS EXPLAIN ILLINOIS SERVICE DURING 1916 BORDER CAMPAIGN

WHO:

• Illinois State Military Museum Living History Detachment

• Illinois National Guard and Militia Historical Society

• Illinois State Military Museum

WHAT:

Military Museum Living Historians will display equipment, uniforms and weapons used by more than 10,000 Illinois National Guard Soldiers in the 1916 Border Campaign and discuss the military operation. Illinois troops were deployed to secure the border while Major General John Pershing conducted the year-long campaign into Mexico to pursue Pancho Villa. The Mexican revolutionary had raided Columbus, N.M., killing eight Soldiers and 10 civilians and wounding six Soldiers and two civilians. The 1916 expedition was the first time the Army used airplanes, motorcycles and trucks and served as a dress rehearsal for the mobilization of U.S. forces for World War I.

WHEN:

• 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sept. 12, 2015

WHERE:

• Illinois State Military Museum, 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd, Springfield, Ill., 62702, two blocks north of the intersection of MacArthur Blvd. and North Grand Ave.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Admission and parking are free.

For additional information, please contact the Illinois State Military Museum at 217-761-3910.

Become our Facebook Fan!

www.facebook.com/illinoisstatemilitarymuseum