TDY in NYC next week

Malachi Thorne · April 19, 2006, 11:32:21 AM

Good Afternoon, the Barracks;

I will be on TDY in New York City beginning Friday evening, April 21st, returning to base camp late Saturday, April 29th. While on assignment, I shall have limited access to the forums. Although not my first visit to NYC, I wouldn't say that I have "seen everything there is to see"; and as I will have one or two free evenings while on deployment I would like to solicit opinions for any "must see" locations of an historic/military historic bent on Manhattan Island.

I have the honor to remain,

Your Obedient Servant,

Bvt. Captain Malachi Thorne

Malachi Thorne · April 29, 2006, 03:29:19 PM

Good Afternoon, All;

I have the honor to report that my temporary duty in New York City was successfully concluded, and that I have returned to the barracks for the forseeable future. While my duties did not allow me much "freedom of the city", I can report that the Broadway play "The Producers" is definitely worth the price of admission. This is only the second time I have seen a play that I look forward to seeing again.

I have the honor to remain,

Your Obedient Servant,

Bvt. Captain Malachi Thorne

Dr. Bob · April 29, 2006, 06:00:07 PM

Brv't. Capt. Thorne,

Glad to hear of your safe return from your TDY in NYC.

I have not had the pleasure

of visiting that city in the past 26 years.

My last visit to the east coast was to Springfield Arsenal NHS in aobut 1999 for their Military Time Line event. Was with the Frontier Army Living History Assoc. in the 1839 - 1851 uniform. Went at the Topog and wore my summer whites to keep cool. A sad day when the Army dispensed with the summer white uniform in 1851.

YMH&OS,

Capt. R. H. Dorian
Brv't. LtC., Chief Topog. Engineer
Grand Army of the Frontier

Old Top · April 29, 2006, 10:37:06 PM

Dr. Bob,

I hate to disagree with you but the Army still has a summer white uniform, or at least they did two years ago, you do not see it too much but it is the same as the class A green uniform. In this uniform you have a great resemblance to the good humor man.

Old Top

Dr. Bob · April 29, 2006, 11:00:12 PM

Old Top,

You are correct about modern Army, but I think that in 1851 the summer whites "went on vacation" for a long time. I think that whies came back in the 1938 reg, but it could have been the previous one in the early 1920's. I'll check with a friend tomorrow and see if I can get the exact date. He has some WWII officer whites. Too small for me!

I have a nearly complete set of WWII uniforms that do fit me. I'm missing the Mess Dress coat and the whites. Have all the rest!

Ike jacket, Pinks & Greens, green trousers, TW's and Blues. Green & TW overseas caps, green and tan 'crusher' caps and dress blue cap. But all of these are after the GAF period.

White linen is sooooooo nice in the hot summer sun!

YMH&OS

Capt. R. H. Dorian
Brv't. LtC., Chief Topographica Engineer
Grand Army of the Frontier

Old Top · May 01, 2006, 01:04:43 AM

Dr. Bob,

I think that it may be the 1903 when they came back, I remember something on Eisenhower stating that when he was with McAurthor in the Philippines their uniform was whites. If I recall correctly that was in the early to mid thirties, but then again I am using an old tool when I consult my memory.

Old Top

Dr. Bob · May 01, 2006, 11:46:47 AM

Howdy Old Top.

I talked to my friend this morning and he has a picture of US troops in the Phillipines in whites during the Span-Am War. Your memory is still prety good!

Regards,

Capt. Dr. Bob

Malachi Thorne · May 01, 2006, 04:02:44 PM

Good Afternoon, Dr. Bob and Old Top;

I don't get out to the Department of the Atlantic near as much as I would like -- and although this was a business trip, it would have been nice to be able to visit a military museum, armory, etc. Sadly, not much like that exists in Manhattan anymore.

As for the summer whites, I don't have sufficient information on the post 1903 timeframe to hand here at work, and my library at home doesn't go much beyond that timeframe either with regard to the Army. Now, if we're talking about the Marine Corps, I can state that the Marines had summer whites from 1875 up to and including 1912 (the limit of the uniform specifications I have handy) and likely continued without interruption right up to the present day.

I have the honor to remain,

Your Obedient Servant,

Bvt. Captain Malachi Thorne

Mustang Gregg · May 01, 2006, 04:19:33 PM

We are glad to have you back from NYC, Cpt Thorne!
Thank you for the report.
I trust all is secure there when you took your leave.

The Dept of the Pacific will be visited by some of our Cav troops & officers next week.
I will be TDY doing an inspection at Ft Lewis, Washington yet again.
And I trust all will be in order there, as usual.

Respectfully,
Bvt Ltc Mustang Gregg,
Commander, Div of Nebraska,
Dept of the Missouri

Malachi Thorne · May 01, 2006, 10:01:21 PM

Good Evening, LtCol Gregg;

New York City is as I found it; a wonderful place to visit. Be it ever so humble, there is nothing quite like sleeping in your own bunk. It is good to be back.

I regret I will not be available to meet with the Colonel during his visit to Fort Lewis, but I trust he will enjoy his visit.

I have the honor to remain,

Your Obedient Servant,

Bvt. Captain Malachi Thorne
Commander, US Marine Detachment
Department of the Pacific