PURSUING PANCHO VILLA

LIVING HISTORIANS SHOW ILLINOIS SERVICE DURING 1916 BORDER CAMPAIGN

SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/29/2014)(readMedia)-- On Sept. 6, Military Museum Living Historians will display equipment, uniforms and weapons used by the Illinois National Guard in the Border Campaign and discuss the military operation.

WHO:

• Illinois State Military Museum Living History Detachment

• Illinois National Guard and Militia Historical Society

• Illinois State Military Museum

WHAT:

On March 15, 1916, Maj. Gen. John Pershing launched the yearlong Border Campaign into Mexico to pursue Pancho Villa. A week earlier the Mexican revolutionary had raided Columbus, N.M., killing eight Soldiers and 10 civilians and wounding six Soldiers and two civilians. Illinois National Guardsmen were mobilized and deployed to the Texas border to support Pershing’s operation. 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. On Saturday, Military Museum Living Historians will display equipment, uniforms and weapons used by the Illinois National Guard in the Border Campaign and discuss the military operation.

WHEN: Saturday September 06, 2014 at 10:00AM Central Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd,
Springfield, Illinois 62702
NOTES:

• Admission and parking are free.

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