DEFENDERS OF THE GATE: A SOLDIER'S STORY

Presidio Gas Coupons, undated

Part of military life includes working and living on a self-sufficient Army post. The post lifestyle included many amenities and functions of outside life inside its borders, such as child care and post exchange. Soldiers working on post who needed to gas up government vehicles used fuel coupons so they would not have to use their own money. These particular coupons were valid only at the Presidio of San Francisco and were good for five gallons of gasoline each.

Presidio Gas Coupons, back

Trephine Surgical Tools, undated

Surgical instruments like these were used in the 19th century by doctors at the U.S. Army General Hospital at the Presidio of San Francisco, which would later become Letterman General Hospital. The tools were used in a procedure; known as trepanning, a precursor to the modern-day craniotomy. The process involved drilling a hole in the skull to relieve pressure on brain tissue, to alleviate a compression fracture, or to remove a blood clot in the brain.

Trephine Surgical Tools

Army Song Book, c. 1941

During World War II, the U.S. Army handed out booklets of patriotic songs to soldiers. The songs in these books only contained words and no musical notation, featuring popular folk tunes, official songs for branches of the Army, and admired patriotic tunes such as the Star Spangled Banner, Battle Hymn of the Republic, and Yankee Doodle.

Unit Commander’s Sign, c. 1990s

This sign once hung outside the headquarters of “C” Company, 864th Engineer Battalion. The unit, which was established and served in the Pacific during World War II and Vietnam, was in charge of building base camps and establishing communication lines for combat troops. During the Vietnam War-era in the 1960s, the unit gained their nickname, the Pacemakers. In 1987, the 864th made their company support headquarters in the Presidio of San Francisco.

Welcome Home Pamphlet, c. 1945

During World War II, the San Francisco Port of Embarkation shipped out and received nearly two-thirds of the troops headed for the Pacific Theater. Soldiers returning to the Bay Area, often eager to disembark, were given leaflets that described the ”necessary evil of processing and paperwork” and answered many common questions before reuniting with family and friends.

Oozlefinch Bookend, c. 1940s

The Oozlefinch is known as the unofficial mascot of the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery and gained its popularity during WWII and the Cold War. The mythical bird, whose motto is “If it flies, it dies. Blazing skies” is described as being featherless, flying backwards at super-sonic speeds, and having large eyes that can see far and wide, symbolic of the great defense and protection provided by the Air Defense Artillery Corps.

Oozlefinch Bookend, back

Farewell Menu and Roster, c. 1917

For many soldiers, the posts in the Bay Area served as training camps before embarking for war. This pamphlet was created for a farewell dinner for the Ninth Company’s men and officers stationed at the Presidio Training Camp. It includes a roster of the company and an extensive menu. The front page of the brochure features three images of the French, American, and British military leaders during the First World War.

Farewell Menu and Roster, inside

“Class A” Pass, c. 1939

Soldiers allowed to leave post had to obtain written permission to do so. This pass allowed Private George S. Pappas of Battery “B” of the Sixth Coast Artillery, to leave Fort Winfield Scott for the day. Army rules mandated that soldiers holding this pass were allowed to leave after morning or afternoon recall and were required to keep the card on them at all times while off post.

“Class A” Pass, back

Army Language Books, c. WWII

Soldiers sent overseas during World War II often found themselves in countries with a language barrier. In order to aid communication and cultural immersion, the Army supplied troops with small, pocket sized language books and accompanying records that included common phrases for greetings, directions, and important signs.

Army Language Books, c. WWII

Officers’ Clubs Matchbooks, undated

When soldiers were not performing their daily duties, designated clubs and recreation centers were available based on their rank within the Army. The four matchbooks are from former officers’ clubs at Letterman Hospital, Fort Winfield Scott, the Coastal Artillery School, and the Presidio. The matchbook covers feature drawings of the club buildings or crests and symbols of the unit or post.

Officers’ Clubs Matchbooks, undated

Coast Artillery School, Officers' Club

Officers’ Clubs Matchbooks, undated

Fort Winfield Scott, Harbor Defense

Officers’ Clubs Matchbooks, undated

Fort Winfield Scott, Officers' Club

Officers’ Clubs Matchbooks, undated

Letterman Hospital, Officers' Club

Officers’ Clubs Matchbooks, undated

Letterman Hospital, Officers' Club

Army Signal Corps Field Telephone

In the earliest days of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, soldiers would sound drums and horns to communicate messages on the battlefield; this then gave way to waving flags and other advancing technology. The Army eventually progressed to radios and then wired telephones. During World War II, Signal Corps soldiers stationed in the Bay Area trained for combat using these battery powered field telephones, which operated through wired lines or switchboards.

Army Signal Corps Field Telephone

Army Signal Corps Field Telephone

Enlisted Men’s Service Cap, c. 1960s

The familiar U.S. Army’s olive drab uniform was adopted in the mid-1950s to provide a greater distinction between civilian government workers and soldiers. This particular cap was worn by enlisted men and features a gold device of the Great Seal of the United States on the front.

Enlisted Men’s Service Cap, back

Enlisted Men’s Service Cap, side

Soldier’s Dog Tag, c. 1939-1945

The association of soldiers and dog tags began in the Civil War when some soldiers would pin personal information to their uniforms. An “identity disc” became popular for soldiers during the Spanish American War but was not mandated by the Army until 1913. By the time the U.S. entered World War I in 1917; combat soldiers were required to wear an identity disc, or dog tag, around their neck. In World War II the Army introduced the oblong shape that is most familiar today.

Diary of Joseph N. Ross, c. 1898

When the Spanish American War broke out in 1898, thousands of men left the United States bound for the islands of Cuba, Guam, and the Philippines. For most soldiers, it was the first time leaving the country, a remarkable occurrence many wrote about in their personal journals. Joseph N. Ross, of San Francisco, a Sergeant in Company C, 1st California Volunteer Infantry Regiment, was sick for most of his time during the war, an experience he recorded in his diary.

Diary of Joseph N. Ross, inside

Women’s Boots, c. WWII

During World War II, the women who joined the Army’s efforts in Europe, North Africa, and the Pacific were often part of two branches of service; the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) and the Women’s Air Army Corps (WAAC). In 1978, the branches were disbanded and absorbed into regular Army military service. These standard issue boots were worn by Alice Davies who served as an office clerk in Germany during WWII and was an active member of the Women’s Overseas Service League (WOSL) in San Francisco.

Women’s Boots, c. WWII