Fall Newsletter

CALIFORNIA STATE MILITARY RESERVE

CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR MILITARY HISTORY
213th MILITARY HISTORY DETACHMENT (Deployable)
Camp Roberts, California
31 NOVEMBER 2012

Welcome to the fall issue of

th
the 213 Military History
Detachment (D) News
Letter.

Vol. 3 No. I

Camp Roberts 06 OCTOBER 2012 Photo: SPC (CA) Jason Orton

In this Issue:
The Camp Roberts Song
Forgotten Treasures
Interview Part 3
Mission San Miguel
Commanders Corner
SAD Info
New Comic Strip!
And Much More!

We hope you enjoy our fall

edition of the newsletter!

--CW4 (CA) Henry Leon

California Center for Military
History
th

213 Military History

Detachment
Commanding

Camp Roberts Soldier Bowl 06 OCTOBER 2012 Photo: SPC (CA) Jason

The Camp Roberts Song.. HUT 2-3-4

By: SGM (CA) Carlos Gama and SPC (CA) Jason Orton
Music has been a part of the military since ancient times. Kings and generals realized early on that controlling
and communicating with large groups of soldiers on the chaotic battlefield was very difficult. Horns and drums
became a way for leaders in armies to communicate commands, coordinated attacks, and rally soldiers on the
battlefield long before the days of radio communications.
Military music also helped soldiers know when it was time to sleep, when it was time to eat, how fast to march,
and a whole host of other critical pieces of information that needed to be shared on a daily basis. In an age
before digital audio players, television, video games, and other modern media, the military band became a
source of entertainment for the troops as well as a tool of
communication.
Portion of the original piano score for
HUT 2-3-4 Photo Scan: SPC (CA) Orton

Prior to the Civil War, most military music was fifes,

drums, and perhaps a bugle or other horn instrument. At
the time of the United States Civil War, larger bands with
a greater variety of instruments became the norm in many
cities, counties, and towns. They sent these bands with
their soldiers off to war and the bands became a de facto
part of the military unit.
Music continues to be a big part of military traditions
with each branch of the military having its own band and
music traditions today. During WWII, many smaller bands were on military posts throughout the U.S. and
music in the early age of radio was as popular as ever. It entertained the troops and buoyed their spirits in a
time of great uncertainty. Special music was written to commemorate military units, posts, and special events.
Long before the Army had an official song (Officially Dedicated on Veterans Day in 1956), Camp Roberts had
a song. During 1942 Morton Harvey and Army Private Johnny Burdell wrote HUT 2-3-4 about Camp
Roberts and included many themes about the war and the thoughts on soldiers minds as they trained to fight the
Axis powers. After the war, the sheet music and the song faded into obscurity and eventually found its way into
the museum archives.

40th ID Band (in ACUs) playing a Veteran's

Day Ceremony in Ceritos, CA about three
years ago. Photo: By permission of SGM
(CA) Gama

In 2011 military musician and current California State Military

Reserve (CSMR) Sergeant Major Carlos Gama was doing a
substitute drill with the 213th Military History Detachment
(Deployable) at Camp Roberts. Gamas regular CSMR duties
include playing with the 40th Infantry Division Band, JFTB, Los
Alamitos, CA. He retired as a First Sergeant from active duty with
the U.S. Army Band program with over 22 years of honorable and
faithful service; the last 17 years with various Army Bands and the
first five years in the Finance Corps. The SGM plays multiple
brass instruments but mainly focuses on the Superbone (a special
and somewhat rare type of Trombone that contains both a
2

moveable slide and valves) and Euphonium. Playing since he was in the 5th grade, he also plays with many
civilian bands in addition to his CSMR duties.
It was with Gamas skills in mind that he was approached by Dirk Hale, Camp Roberts Museum Vice
Chairman, about Hut 2-3-4. Dirk handed Gama a copy of the piano score for the song and asked if he could
play it. Using his Superbone, he played the melody for Dirk and 213th Military History Detachment
(Deployable) Commander CW3 Henry Leon. Both were impressed with the sound of the piece and Dirk was
interested in seeing if the piece could be arranged for an entire band to play. A typical army band has 14 types
of instruments and 25 different parts that would have to be written from the original piano score. Such an
undertaking would be very time consuming but Gama suggested that he could arrange the piece for a brass
quintet.
The SGM went to work arranging Hut 2-3-4 from the original piano
music for a brass quintet consisting of two Trumpets, one French Horn, one
Trombone, and one Tuba. This would require arranging the music for only
five brass parts instead of the 25 parts that a full band would require. Gama
commented about the process, The piano score had a minimum of five
parts to choose from to a maximum of six parts. An arranger still must know
about the capabilities of each instrument he or she is arranging for based on
the end result or the desired sound wanted. As a technical note, each
instrument is different than others in which it not only has different sounds
but each has different characteristics and as a result, each has a language
of its own.

SGM (CA) Carlos Gama with

his Euphonium. Photo: By
permission of SGM (CA) Gama

Dirk had also asked him for a recording of the finished product for possible inclusion as background music on a
future DVD about the History of Camp Roberts. The Sergeant Major turned to his friends from two civilian
bands he currently plays with (the Atascadero Community Band and the Estero Bay Brass Quintet) for
assistance in making the recording. Members of the Estero Bay Brass Quintet included Curtis Bechtel and
Steve Vines (Trumpet), Myron Deale (French Horn), SGM Gama (Superbone), and Joseph Stewart (Tuba).
Quintet members played for the Hut 2-3-4 recording. Richard Green of the Atascadero Community Band,
offered his home recording studio for making the CD and both he and his
SGM Gamas arranged sheet
wife Lori Olson-Green, provided vocals for the recording.
music and the CD recording.
Photo: SPC (CA) Orton

Originally, the recording was to only contain instrumentals but Camp

Roberts Museum Director Gary McMaster requested if it would be possible
to have the music sung so that the lyrics about Camp Roberts would be a
part of the recording. Thus instead of one instrumental track, the CD
recording ended up with four tracks (versions); one instrumental, one male
vocalist, one female vocalist, and the last version combining the
instrumental and both vocalists singing the lyrics from HUT 2-3-4.

Once the recording was finally completed in late 2011, Gama planned to
present the recorded CD and the newly arranged sheet music to three
Museums in California (Camps Roberts and San Luis Obispo as well as the
main Museum in Sacramento). With the 2012 Annual Training for the California Center for Military History
(CCMH) Conference approaching in April, Gama offered to make the presentation there as well as present a
3

Military Music briefing/presentation that included the playing of Hut 2-3-4. The request was relayed to the
CCMH through Chief Leon who had been in contact with the Sergeant Major during the arrangement process.
Just prior to the April performance and presentation, Trumpeter Curtis Bechtel became ill and was unable to
play at the CCMH AT. At the last minute, Gama asked another musician friend, Bruce Knowlton to play in his
place and the performance went on. The quintet played several songs in addition to Hut 2-3-4 including The
Armed Forces on Parade containing the song for each branch of the Armed Forces (Coast Guard, Air Force,
Navy, Marine and Army Songs) to include Heave Ho! My Lads, Heave Ho! The song of the Merchant
Marines, American Patrol and Moonlight Serenade by Glenn
Miller, The Thunderer March by John Phillip Sousa, and
Orinoco Cocoa by Vince Gassi. Each CCMH soldier and guest
who attended the conference was given a personal copy of the
piano score with the Camp Roberts Lyrics of Hut 2-3-4 as a
memento. Those present at the AT sang Hut 2-3-4 as part of the
presentation. A part of the performance can be viewed on
Youtube. (Web links at the end of this article)
The Estero Bay Brass Quintet performed 29
April 2012 at the Dallidet Adobe, San Luis
Obispo, CA just prior to the SLO County
Band Concert which played the first of three
Historical Concerts this past Spring.
(Pictured from left to right - Steve Szabo
(Trumpet), Carlos Gama (Superbone),
Sonny Galvin (Bass Trombone playing the
Tuba part), Myron Deale (French Horn),
and Steve Vines (Trumpet). Photo: By
permission of SGM (CA) Gama

Sergeant Major Gama then presented the recorded CD and

original sheet music of all five parts of the arrangement that the
Brass Quintet had played to COL Rutledge, the Executive Officer
of the California Center for Military History, Dirk Hale and Chief
Henry Leon of the 213th Military History Detachment for the
Camp Roberts Museum, and CW2 Sandra Peralta for the Camp
San Luis Obispo Museum.
Gama commented, My intention was to provide the recording of
"Hut 2-3-4" and the original music I arranged for my Brass Quintet
for inclusion to each of the three museums (Sacramento, Camp
Roberts and Camp San Luis Obispo).

After the Sergeant Major finished his musical presentation and the playing of Hut 2-3-4, Dirk Hale addressed
the members of the CCMH Conference. He spoke of the significance and the historic value of resurrecting this
music piece about the daily life and training of Camp Roberts' soldiers for war in the early 40s. He further
stated that this piece of music hasn't been played publicly since that time until Gama and his brass quintet
played it for the Conference.
The 213th Military History Detachment (Deployable) and the Sergeant Major made special certificates of
recognition for the musicians involved in this tremendous project. Their dedication and hard work in bringing
to light this wonderful piece of Camp Roberts' history is greatly appreciated. Gama said of his work, It was an
honor for me to take on this project of arranging Hut 2-3-4 from a piano score and writing each part for a
Brass Quintet. This was the first time I ever did this. It was a lot of fun putting the music together and the
musical presentation for the 2012 CCMH AT.
For those interested in hearing HUT 2-3-4 and some of the other parts of the performance at the California Center for Military History
Annual Training it can be viewed on Youtube. Follow the links: For HUT 2-3-4 www.youtube.com/watch?v=tb-twoh5RdQ For The
Armed Forces on Parade: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmmoky8105Q&feature=relmfu. The authors are grateful to Curtis Bechtel,
Steve Vines, Myron Deale, Joseph Stewart, Bruce Knowlton, Richard Green, and Lori Olson Green for their historic work on HUT 2-3-4

Part 3 of Forgotten Treasures of Camp Roberts

by SPC (CA) Jason Orton
Writers Note: The last two newsletter issues featured Parts 1 and 2 of an article on the lost wallets of Camp Roberts and
the efforts of SFC Thomas Murotake to return them to the original owners. This issue features Part 3, the first half of the
.
full interview with Murotake and adds some interesting insight to the lost wallets and the history of Camp Roberts.

PFC (Promoted SPC) Jason Orton: Can you tell me a little about yourself and your military career?
SFC Thomas Murotake: I joined the active Army in 1973. During my two enlistments, I served in the old
Army Security Agency, the Field Artillery, and left in 1980 as an Optical Laboratory Specialist. I was stationed
at Fort Ord, Fort Devens, Fort Sill, Giessen in the former West Germany, the old Fitzsimons Army Medical
Center in Denver, CO, and Fort Meade.
I came to the National Guard in 1989 when I wandered too close to a tent set-up by recruiters at an event I was
contracted to provide stand-by first aid services for. The tent was made of canvas and the smell brought back
the fond memories of my active service (surprisingly, not the BAD ones like setting-up a canvas tent in the
middle of snowstorm). I missed the camaraderie that is unique to the military service and wished to serve
again. As I was already an Emergency Medical Technician, I enlisted as a medic.
During my time with the Guard, I have worked as a medic during the Northridge Earthquake, the Los Angeles
Civil Disturbance, Task Force Vista (the first Southwest Border
Mission), Innovative Readiness Training Program, and Task Force
Warrior at Camp Roberts. I have also served as a Public Affairs NCO
during the 1997 El Nino Floods, Y2K, and during the mobilization of
Soldiers at Camp Roberts following 9/11.
I am presently working as the Team Leader of Task Force Warriors
Team Medics, which mainly provides Combat Lifesaver Courses to
deploying National Guard Soldiers and members of other branches of
the armed forces. I have been in this position for a little more than a
year and have been with Team Medics as an instructor for two years.

A Museum volunteer holds one of

the lost wallets. Photo: SPC (CA)
Orton

In my traditional Guardsman assignment, I am the Detachment NCOIC for the California Medical Command
(North), in Sacramento, CA.
When I am not on mission, I freelance in a number of industries. I am a published desert off-road racing
photographer and my work has appeared in calendars, industry advertising and publications, with some of my
pictures even appearing in a series of books for children. As a photojournalist, my articles and photographs
have appeared in a number of publications outside the off-road racing industry. I produced and hosted The
Extremely-Deranged Sarge-at-Large Show, a weekly radio show on the American Radio Network that ended a
13-year run last spring. I have appeared at the Laugh Factory in Long Beach as a part of the USO Comedy
Boot Camp. I am an Emergency Medical Technician with ambulance and special event first aid experience. I
can even do small office data network and telephone system installation.
Orton: How/why did you become involved trying to reunite the lost wallets with their original owners or
families?
5

Murotake: My involvement with the wallets of Camp Roberts began when a contractor working at Camp
Roberts discovered a wallet somewhere on base and turned it into Post Headquarters. The then-Public Affairs
Officer, Lisa Norris, received the wallet and I went with her to turn it into post security, which was then
provided by Department of Defense Security officers and Fort Hunter Liggett Police officers.
When we turned the wallet in, the officer on duty remarked that he would add it to the rest in back. I was
surprised there was more than one and asked about it, learning that there was a box of a bunch of them. I asked
to see them and a box of some 20 wallets was brought out.
In glancing through them, I was struck by one in particular, the wallet of a Patrick McElholm. While most
wallets contained pictures of several women, mostly high school portraits that friends would normally exchange
with the typical have a nice summer, see you next year comments, McElholms wallet had pictures of just
ONE woman and she had written VERY intensely personal things on them: on what appeared to be a picture
taken just before her high school graduation, she wrote about that being the happiest day of her life until she
married him.
Inside this same wallet were two pages from the MIDDLE of a letter from her about a letter he had written to
her about a letter she had written to him. It would seem she had gone to a dance with friends at the local
Grange and, of course, you dont dance by yourself. He appeared to have thanked her for her forthrightness
and honesty, but was apparently upset anyway. In the pages he kept, she reminded him that he had told her to
live her live as normally as possible while he was gone, that she had gone with friends, but feared that she had
ruined everything by even mentioning it. She went on to profess her love for him and her desire to marry him
and spend the rest of her life with him.
Air ducts like those pictured were hiding
I just HAD to know how the story ended. He obviously cared
deeply for her, having kept JUST this part of the letter with him
and she made it pretty clear how she felt about him.

places for many of the stolen wallets in the

old barracks. Photo: SPC (CA) Orton

And a box full of mysteries has a lot in common with potato chips
you cant solve just one. During the time this happened, satellite TV
hadnt come to Billeting yet and the base only received one TV station
and poorly at that. So having a box of mysteries also gave me
something to do in the off-duty hours.
Orton: Several of the articles I read did not agree on the exact
number of wallets. Do you remember how many wallets were found when you were involved with the project?
If you do not recall an exact number an estimate or approximate number is fine.
Murotake: I dont think the exact number of wallets found will ever be known. There was a Fort Hunter
Liggett Police officer, Gary Huff, working at Camp Roberts who was a retired Paso Robles police officer, and
he would use his contacts and resources to find owners of wallets well-before I started working with them. It
was just something he did in his spare time and if he found someone, he would mail the wallet to them he
didnt keep record of the numbers of wallets he returned.
Orton: Approximately, how many wallets were you able to re-unite with the original owners or their families?

Murotake: Unfortunately, my notes on returned wallets are not presently available to me I believe the
number I have actually returned was around 19 or 20 some accounts of the wallet story lumped-in wallets
returned by the Fort Hunter Liggett Police officer I mentioned.
Orton: Aside from the media attention, did you take any other action to locate the wallets owners or did they
mostly come to you after learning about the story in the media.
Murotake: Actually, media attention only resulted in the return of perhaps three or four wallets an article in
the Los Angeles Times about the Camp Roberts wallets and the return of one to a Los Angeles-area resident
resulted in calls about two wallets also mentioned in the article.
An attempt was made to locate the owners of all the wallets utilizing Internet searches, mostly through public
record and phone book databases. I learned during this effort that most of the wallets were stolen for their cash
the Army paid in cash in those days typically from the more trusting or nave soldiers from small towns,
supposedly by the more street-wise guys from the Big City. Fortunately, most people of the World War II
and Korean War-eras in that demographic often died within 25-miles of where they were born I located one
STILL at the same address he lived at when he had been drafted. Most had listed phone numbers. It was
helpful that many of the soldiers had less-than-common names, making them easier to find in the phone book.
Orton: Did any veterans contact you about a wallet they lost when they were originally at Camp Roberts that
wasnt among wallets that had been found?
Murotake: Not exactly. One asked if I had found Red Skeltons wallet along with his he thought he had lost
his wallet crawling back from a serious round of drinking in San Miguel, apparently with Red Skelton. Red
Skelton, who was stationed at Camp Roberts, was well-to-do before he came into the Army and was wellknown for his generosity in buying drinks for his companions although he was never known to have lost his
wallet at Camp Roberts.
Orton: What was it like talking to the original owners and/or their families?
Murotake: Sometimes it had its fun moments, usually in that ah-ha moment when a veteran suddenly
recalled they HAD lost a wallet at Camp Roberts. It was always great fun listening to guy reminisce about their
days at Camp Roberts and the busy place it was during World War II and the Korean War.
Talking with spouses, while often tinged with sorrow as their veteran husband had passed, sometimes produced
fond memories from tougher times as newlyweds: I spoke with a woman who
told me of her time sharing a room and a bed in a converted chicken coop with
another woman whose husband was also stationed at Camp Roberts. I was
aware that, because of the acute shortage of apartments and houses in the
communities surrounding Camp Roberts, that even chicken coops and barns
had been converted for people to live in, but this was the first time I had
actually SPOKEN to someone who had lived that way.
Lost wallets on display at the
Camp Roberts Museum.
Photo: SPC (CA) Orton

I was able to find the owner of one wallet with just TWO pieces of paper in it
one of which was a payment receipt from a jeweler in San Miguel. When I
mentioned this to the surviving spouse, she immediately bristled that it was

probably for an old girlfriend that lived in the same town they did. When I told her it was for jewelry intended
for a Mrs. of the veterans last name, there was a long pause and she quietly said, Oh that must have been
for his mother.
Originally she wasnt going to take the wallet, but called back later after talking with their sons and asked for
the wallet to be sent to them. I received a letter later explaining that she had married the veteran after his
service and that while she and her sons knew that he had been in the service, he had never spoken of his time,
and that they had appreciated the opportunity to have something of his from that time.
Sometimes it was bittersweet: I was able to return the McElholm wallet to his mother via family members. The
thank-you letter told how his mother appreciated receiving the wallet and looking through its contents, but it
brought back painful memories of her sons death in Korea and many tears as well.
Once again, the author and the 213th Military History Detachment (Deployable) would like to thank SFC Thomas Murotake
for taking the time to answer questions about the lost wallets mystery. The winter issue of the newsletter will include the
final questions and answers from the interview. SPC (CA) Jason Orton

Commanders Corner
I was once told by a very old and wise person, Dont look back in anger, or ahead in fear but around you in
awareness. As I look back on 2012, I find myself satisfied with what the unit has done to expand Camp
Roberts knowledge of the California State Military Reserve and the California Center for
Military History. I have every reason to feel pride in the 213th Military History Detachment (D)
for spreading word of our newsletter which has gone from Northern California to Southern
California and points east. It was also a pleasure to promote PFC (CA) Orton to SPC in which his
wife, Mrs. Christa Orton was able to pin her new Specialist E-4 husband in the Unit formation.
The future, though, is always a question mark for us all. Im still on the hunt for a permanent unit
home here on Post, more people to join the unit, and a few other odds and ends that we stand in
need of. But I welcome the upcoming New Year with its ups and downs. Its not the end of the
road that interests me but the trip! To one and all, enjoy your Holidays that will be coming and look to 2013 as
an adventure!
HENRY L. LEON
CW4 (CA)
Commanding

Are you SAD? Senate Bill (SB) 807 and You!

The question isnt about your emotional state its about State Active Duty. On 17
September 2012 Governor Jerry Brown signed a new law changing the way State
Active Duty (SAD) works in California. As of 01 January 2013 all SAD employees of the California Military
Department must either be current California National Guard or California State Military Reserve (CSMR)
soldiers. Time is limited to get into compliance with January coming fast! There are options! Consider the
California Center for Military History (CCMH). The 213th Military History Detachment (Deployable) at Camp
Roberts is a unit of the CSMR. Joining a CSMR unit like the 213th Military History Detachment (D) fills the
legal requirement. For more information on the 213th Military History Detachment please contact detachment
commander CW4 (CA) Henry L. Leon at hhc20th@msn.com or by calling 805-925-6492. For further
information on SB 807 the POC is Director, State Personnel, LTC Andreas Garza at 916-854-3310.
8

Mission San Miguel Celebrates 215th Anniversary!

By: SPC (CA) Jason Orton

This year marks the 215th anniversary of the founding of the Mission
San Miguel Arcngel. On July 25, 1797 Father Fermin Francisco de
Lasun founded the Mission. The site for the Mission had been
selected two years earlier in order to fill a gap in the chain of
Spanish Missions in California between Mission San Luis Obispo
and Mission San Antonio de Padua located within what is today Fort
Hunter Liggett. The Mission was named for San Miguel Arcngel
more commonly known in the English speaking world as Saint
Michael the Archangel from the Bible.
While the Mission structure itself is several miles south of Camp
Roberts the original Mission land holdings were extremely vast and
included the land that would later become Camp Roberts. The route
connecting San Luis Obispo and San Antonio De Padua went through the current day Camp Roberts. Today,
that route is known as Bee Rock Road on Post.
Front of the San Miguel Mission
Photo: SPC (CA) Orton

San Miguel was one of the most financially prosperous missions of the 21 located along the 600 miles of the
historic El Camino Real stretching from San Diego in the south to Sonoma in the north. The San Miguel
Mission even has one of the original road markers, a tree trunk with a simple cross
carved in it that marked the El Camino Real, on display near the interior garden.
At one time the records show that the mission had 91,000 head of cattle and 47,000
sheep grazing on the vast mission land holdings. The sheep were particularly
important as they were raised for both wool and food by the mission. One of the
gates at the mission today is still called the Sheep Gate that the sheep would pass
through.
Nearly everything the mission used had to be made locally or come by boat from
Spain which was a long trip. Furniture, tools, candles, construction materials, and
other necessary items had to be found or made locally. Timbers for construction
Orignal road marker
were brought from the area of California known today as Cambria. Adobe bricks
from
El Camino Real
made of clay, straw, and gravel baked in the sun were used in construction of the
Photo: SPC (CA) Orton
buildings. Local limestone was quarried to make the white lime plaster that adorns
the walls. The murals painted in the mission are all original frescos and were painted with colored minerals
ground up and mixed with cactus juice for paint. Unlike most frescos, the missions were painted on dry plaster
rather than the more common wet plaster. The colors still remain vibrant today.
Military historians may find interesting the old cannon in front of the mission. It was made in Spain in 1697
and was brought to the mission by the Mexican Army. The mission and its holdings came under the control of
the Mexican government after that country became independent from Spain in 1822. In 1833 Mexico passed
the Secularization Act which effectively took away the rich lands from the church and put the buildings under
the control of a civilian government administrator. The buildings were sold to private individuals and the rooms
began being used as a commercial store, saloon, and other retail shops.
9

The Bear Flag Revolt of 1846 during the Mexican American war led to Mexico eventually ceding California to
the United States. In 1850 California became a state and in 1859 President James Buchanan gave the Mission
buildings and a small part of the original surrounding land back to the Catholic Church.
The land that was originally held by the Mission would
continue to be farmed by private individuals. Eventually
the land that became Camp Roberts was leased and then
sold to the Federal Government for the building of the
Post.
But the connection with the historic Mission San Miguel
did not end there. As part of the construction of Camp
Roberts a huge outdoor amphitheater was built on post
called The Soldier Bowl. The amphitheater took
advantage of the natural terrain for the audience seating
area. The backdrop faade and stage area was made in a
Spanish Mission Style consistent with the history of the
area.

Camp Roberts Soldier Bowl Photo: SPC (CA) Orton

The San Miguel Mission donated one of its iron bells for the structure which was dedicated by Franciscan
Father Dominic. The San Miguel priests also provided information in the design and construction to give the
faade a more historically correct appearance. An iron cross on of the tower also was presented to Camp
Roberts by the Mission.
The iron cross is still atop the bell tower but the original bell has been lost and its location remains a mystery to
this day. When asked about the missing bell Camp Roberts Museum Director Gary McMaster stated, I've gone
to the Mission San Miguel a couple of times and talked to the staff. We've looked at all the bells there--their
size, shape, markings, etc.--and we're quite sure that one of the two bells hanging in the porch way in the front
of the museum, just south of the chapel, is the bell in question. This would make sense too, as that is where the
bell came from originally. Though no one can find documents regarding the issue, it is likely that it went back
to the Mission when the camp was deactivated at the end of World War II, when it the reverted to a skeleton
fulltime crew to manage the intermittent training of reserve units.
As the Mission San Miguel Arcngel celebrates its 215th anniversary we are reminded of the rich history shared
between the Mission and Camp Roberts. The two share a common history and heritage with California and the
states military traditions. The mission is open to the public and a celebration of the 215th anniversary was held
in September 2012.
You can find more information on the history, upcoming events, and visiting the Mission San Miguel at the website:
http://www.missionsanmiguel.org. For further information on the history of the Soldier Bowl and the shared history of the
Mission and Camp Roberts I highly recommend Guns Across the Salinas The History of Camp Roberts by Camp Roberts
Museum founder Albert E. Davis. This book is for sale at the Camp Roberts main museum. The author is grateful for the
assistance of the Mission staff and Camp Roberts Museum Director Gary McMaster in researching this article.
SPC (CA) Jason Orton

10

213th Military History Detachment (Deployable) Odds and Ends

Unit Promotions and Detachment BBQ

Promotion Photo: Machaela Orton

213th Military History Detachment soldier PFC Jason K. Orton was

promoted to SPC at the annual detachment BBQ on 08 September 2012.
After the promotion, the detachment moved up the main museum patio for
the annual BBQ. A wonderful time was had by all as detachment
members, family, and guests came together to share some fun down-time
at the end of summer. Burgers, Hotdogs, Carne Asada, Chicken, Steaks,
and other wonderful food left everyone feeling more than satisfied.

Detachment members, family, and guests

Photo: SPC (CA) Jason Orton

SGM (CA) Carlos Gama cooks some meat while

SFC (CA) Eddie Colis and Christa Orton look on.
Photo: CW4 (CA) Henry Leon

What is The California Center for Military History?

The California Center for Military History is a component of the California State Military Reserve organized under the
provisions of the Title 32, United States Code, Section 109 and the California State Military Reserve Act (Sections 550
through 567, California Military and Veteran's Code). The California Center for Military History supports the State
Military Museum and provides historical support for the National Guard and other military and civic organizations within
California.
The Mission of the California Center for Military History (CCMH) Includes:

Manage the historical program of the California State Military Department.

Support the operation of the California State Military Museum and its
subordinate elements.
Provide ceremonial elements to military and civil events.
Assist in the Army, Air Force and State artifact management and historical
programs.

Distinctive Unit Insignia of

The California Center for
Military History (CCMH)

The California Center for Military History falls under the Operational Control (OPCON) of the Youth and Community
Programs task force commanded by BG James L. Gabrielli which also oversees the museum program. The California
Center for Military History currently has units located at the Sacramento Army Depot, Los Alamitos Armed Forces
Reserve Center, Camp Roberts, Camp San Luis Obispo, and Glendale (Naval History Unit).
More information on the California Center for Military History can be found at militarymuseum.org/CMH.html or by contacting
CW4 (CA) Henry L. Leon using the contact information on the last page of this newsletter.

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213th Military History Detachment Drill (D) Schedule

01 DECEMBER 2012
12 JANUARY 2013
02 FEBRUARY 2013
02 MARCH 2013
06 APRIL 2013
04 MAY 2013 Subject to change for CCMH Annual Training
01 JUNE 2013
*CSMR soldiers wishing to SUTA with the 213th should contact CW4 (CA) Henry Leon in advance at:
hhc20th@msn.com. Dates are subject to change. All unit members will be notified of any changes as they occur.

On the Funny Side, Military Humor

Used with Permission of Artist. Copyright Pending October 2012

They said what?

"Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered automatic
weapons." --Gen. Douglas MacArthur
Why does the Air Force need expensive new bombers? Have the people we've been bombing
over the years been complaining?" --George Wallace
"When I lost my rifle, the Army charged me 85 dollars. That is why in the Navy the Captain goes down with the
ship." --Dick Gregory
I'm gonna recycle you so far back it's gonna take Michael J. Fox and a souped-up Delorian to get you back!!!"
--Unknown Army Drill Instructor

50 Years Ago (Where were you in 62?)

The Shirelles had a number one hit song: Soldier Boy
The United States Navy SEALS was established.
Shooting began on the James Bond film Dr. No
Thats all for this issue. Be sure to check out the winter issue of the newsletter coming soon!
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Acknowledgements and Notes:

About the Cover Photos: Recent photos from Camp Roberts by SPC (CA) Orton on October 6, 2012. The Camp Roberts entrance
sign just inside the gate and the Soldier Bowl are iconic images of the post.
The California State Military Reserve with the California Center for Military History and the 213th Military Historical Detachment (D)
at Camp Roberts, owe thanks to many people for this newsletter. First our thanks to Brigadier General (CA) Roland L. Candee,
Commander of the CSMR and to COL (CA) Kenneth Nielsen, Commander of the CCMH.
Our thanks and appreciation for their support on Post:
Mr. Gary McMaster, Chairman of the Post Museum
Mr. Dirk Hale, Vice Chairman
Mr. Bill Depree, 2nd Vice Chairman
Ms. Joan Hussey, Treasurer
Mr. Don Avery, Docent
To the Camp Roberts Post Management and Leadership, also our gratitude.
Post Commander, Colonel Barbara A. Nuismer
CW4 Robert T. Rall, Resource Manager
CSM James E. Norris, Post Command Sergeant Major
To the Unit members of the 213th Military History Detachment (D) without which this newsletter would never have happened:
CW4 Henry L. Leon
SFC Eddie Colis, Acting First Sergeant
SFC Philip Grenado (Ret.)
SSG Carl Shultz
SGT Carrie McCulley
SPC Jason Orton
With the help of CSM Carlos Gama, and with special thanks to SFC Tom Murotakes
curiosity for history. Special thanks to retired CW4 Ernest McPherson for help with
editing and formatting. Thanks Chief!
Be sure to check out future installments of the 213th Military History Detachment (D)
Newsletter.
To receive by email this newsletter, send an email to jason.orton2@us.army.mil with
subscribe in the subject line. To unsubscribe repeat the same process with
unsubscribe in the subject line.
WWII era Post Chapel at Camp
Roberts Photo taken 03 NOV 12 by
SPC (CA) Jason Orton
For any input or comments, contact CW4 H. L. Leon at hhc20th@msn.com. All messages will be answered. Suggestions or
submissions for future article consideration are welcome. For mail correspondence: 1895 Ironwood Dr. Santa Maria, CA 93455

HENRY L. LEON
CW4 (CA) CSMR
Commanding
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or
position of any agency of the U.S. government, the State of California, the National Guard, The California State Military Reserve, the
California Center for Military History, the 213th Military History Detachment, Camp Roberts, or the Museum at Camp Roberts.

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