Browse Exhibits (6 total)
BACKGROUND
The Mexican Border Crisis of 1916-1917 revolved around Mexico's ongoing instability as the Mexican Revolution of 1910-1920 continued playing out--both in Mexico and the United States.
For the United States the crisis required military action and this action resulted in many changes for a largely constabulary Army that would soon face its greatest test since the American Civil War as it entered into combat in France in 1918.
The border crisis saw major changes in Army equipment, organization and leadership. It also saw a rehearsal for National Guard moblization that uncovered problems requiring War Department action to correct. Ultimately, all of these combined to create an Army better prepared for overseas combat service.
This exhibit includes the historiographical argument, a timeline of major events, a listing of key personalities who played roles in the decision to enter into Mexico and call the National Guard into active federal service, and, the campaign medals authorized for participants.
LEADERS
World War I represented a key turning point in American military history with the Army making the final transition from frontier constabulary concerned with small-scale conflicts in the Philippines, the Caribbean or the American West to a much more modern and technologically advanced force. Of the 472 officers who served as generals in Europe, over 100 gained decision-making and leadership experiences otherwise unavailable as a result of service either in Mexico or on the border. This experience thus helped prepare them for the demands of service in France. While General of the Armies John J. Pershing is the most well-known of these officers, many others are noteworthy both because of their border experiences and actual wartime performance.
Generals were not the only officers benefitting from training made possible by the border crisis. Company grade National Guard officers in particular gained needed experience in training and handling units and like those who attained general officer rank, the pay off was found in wartime service in France.
MOBILIZATION
President Wilson called the National Guard into active federal service when it appeared war might come with Mexico. This proved problematic as the initial call for the Arizona and New Mexico National Guard found units completely unprepared for service, and with the Guard as whole seeing almost one Soldier in five rejected for service. The War Department applied a series of changes to the National Guard after the 1916 mobilization and these helped better prepare it for wartime service. When again mobilized for service in Europe in 1917, the rejection rate for Guardsmen was less than ten percent.
RESOURCES
This exhibit consists of a comprehensive finding aid describing primary and secondary source materials used to construct this site and its associated research paper.
TECHNOLOGY
The Mexican Border experience proved important in ways involving technology. It was along and over the border that the Signal Corps' Aviation Section first employed aircraft tactically. Combat service support was revolutionized with the Army's using trucks in large numbers for the first time and developing the most effective ways to maximize their potential. Tactical communications were improved with the first uses of radio to augment the telegraph. As important as learning the technology, however, was understanding its potential for future service. The border laid the foundation for the Army's becoming the most mechanized force in France and also helped validate plans for modernizing what would soon become the Air Service.
TRAINING
Called to the colors with expectations of combat service, Guardsmen and Regulars alike soon found that training consumed much of their time, filling the interval between routine camp duties and limited patrolling. For the Army, this training proved to be important in that it ensured that over 200,000 Soldiers received some training before being mobilized for service in France. "Some" is an important modifier as units remained in service for varying amounts of time and the combination of time and unit type ultimately determined the quantity and quality of training received. Inconsistencies not withstanding, this reduced training requirements for individual training after mobilization and allowed better focusing of training in France.