Navy Artifact Collection Management Facility Begins Operations

From Naval History and Heritage Command

RICHMOND, Va. (NNS) -- The Navy officially stood up its artifact Collection Management Facility (CMF) here May 20 in a small ceremony to thank those involved in making the facility a reality.

"This is not just some collection of old stuff. Every artifact here tells an amazing story about people, the Sailors of the United States Navy whose courage and dedication have served our nation so well for over 200 years, often at great cost. This fine facility helps the Navy keep our promise to our Sailors and their families that we will never forget their sacrifice," said director of the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) Sam Cox.

Naval artifacts had been previously housed in separate facilities in Washington D.C., Springfield, Va., Cheatham Annex, Va. and Memphis, Tenn. The refurbished building in Richmond provides improved environmental controls for high-risk artifacts, proper shelving and storage, and an area for conserving and preserving the artifacts. NHHC currently holds more than 300,000 artifacts in its collection dating back to the founding of the Republic.

"The consolidation of the collection at Richmond is a great first step in improving the environmental conditions in which we store our historical artifacts. The magnitude and pace of the move were unprecedented for us, and I am very grateful to all the NHHC, Navy and DLA professionals who did such an amazing job." said Dr. Jay Thomas, NHHC's assistant director for Collection Management.

The vastly improved arrangement and single facility was chiefly the result of the hard work of the NHHC staff, and a Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) eager to make more efficient and effective use of available storage space.

"We're glad to help safeguard these invaluable possessions by finding a single facility. It removes the inherent inefficiencies of having them scattered in various locations - and the best part is with the necessary storage modifications it'll mean significant improvements for the artifacts," said then-Vice Adm. Mark Harnitchek, who at the time was director of the Defense Logistics Agency. Harnitchek has since retired, and attended the ceremony.

The consolidation now allows the Navy to centrally locate all of the artifacts, which will translate to improved care, management, accountability and oversight of the collection. The building in Richmond will ensure improved environmental controls for high risk artifacts, proper shelving and storage, an area for conserving and preserving the artifacts.

The consolidation, which included a partial refurbishment of the Richmond facility to adequately meet storage condition standards, has positioned the Navy to proceed more efficiently with its end-to-end artifact inventory. The last known complete inventory on record was in 1908.

In the near term, the Navy's Curator Branch will continue to service existing artifact loans, currently numbering in excess of 1,500. Once operations settle in the new facility, curators will again begin processing requests for new artifact loans. They will also soon begin again considering new donations.

The CMF resides on a controlled military installation with access restricted to those who work there. The facility is not suitable for public visitation as the artifacts in the collection are not displayed, but rather packed in containers designed to preserve and protect them. Moreover, the CMF is an industrial area with heavy machinery in use in the main storage areas while delicate, highly-specialized conservation and preservation work takes place in the curatorial spaces. Most importantly, like those of all historical and museum systems with large artifact collections, NHHC's CMF is intended to protect the security of the priceless collection of artifacts dating back to the founding of the republic.

The Naval History and Heritage Command, located at the Washington Navy Yard, is responsible for the preservation, analysis, and dissemination of U.S. naval history and heritage. It provides the knowledge foundation for the Navy by maintaining historically relevant resources and products that reflect the Navy's unique and enduring contributions through our nation's history, and supports the Fleet by assisting with and delivering professional research, analysis, and interpretive services.

NHHC is composed of many activities including the Navy Department Library, the Navy Operational Archives, the Navy art and artifact collections, underwater archeology, Navy histories, nine museums, USS Constitution repair facility and the historic ship Nautilus.

Pearl Harbor Survivor Returns to Hawaii for Final Resting Place

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Johans Chavarro, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Detachment Hawaii

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- An ash-scattering ceremony was held for Pearl Harbor survivor Urban K. Mills on May 19 at the USS Utah Memorial on Ford Island, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

Born on Feb. 19, 1919 in Arkansas, Mills joined the Navy following high school and went to Recruit Training Command in San Diego, after which he was assigned to the miscellaneous auxiliary USS Argonne (AG 31). Mills went on to achieve the rank or Chief Petty Officer, serving on the gilliam-fast attack transport USS Brule (APA 66), the gearing-class destroyer USS McKean (DD 784) and the fuel oil barge USS Whipstock (YO 49).

Jim Taylor, Pearl Harbor survivor liaison, gave an overview of Mills' life and military service to Sailors, friends and family members at the ceremony.

According to Taylor, on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, Mills had just been relieved from watch so he could go to breakfast when he heard and noticed low-flying planes above him.

"He and most of the others figured it was just another training evolution so they didn't get very excited about it," said Taylor. "Then they saw huge columns of smoke coming from a couple battleships. It still didn't immediately dawn on anyone what was going on until they saw one of the planes drop a torpedo toward one of the battleships."

It was then, Taylor said, that the ship's bell began to ring, calling everyone to their battle stations. For Mills, this entailed manning an anti-aircraft gun on the main deck of Argonne.

It was at this time that Mills, and those around him, noticed all of the ammo was in storage.

"He and another shipmate finally broke open the lock on a storage bin and a line was formed to get the ammo to the guns," said Taylor. "The ship did quite well getting the shells into the air and the crew was quite proud of their success."

Following the attack, Mills became responsible for driving one of the ship's boats to rescue Sailors in the burning water.

"His life made a huge change that day," said Taylor. "Amazingly, the Argonne was able to make it through the attack without losing any of its crewmembers."

Later, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Mills left Hawaii and headed to the Pacific, serving in the Korean War and later being deployed to Korea, Yokohama and Yokosuka Japan.

He served in the Navy until October 1960, when he was honorably discharged.

"I feel quite certain [Mills] would have said he wasn't a hero, that he was just doing his job, doing what he was trained to do," said Taylor. "I differ with that. I believe everyone who has worn the uniform of our military is, and were, heroes."

For Linda and Matthew John McCulloch, Mills' daughter and grandson, the ash-scattering ceremony at the USS Utah Memorial proved to be the perfect resting place for Mills.

"It's just amazing because it's what he really wanted," said Linda. "He had very fond memories of his time in Hawaii...so it's only right that he should be back here."

"It's really surreal [being here] because all I ever really remember him talking about was how he wanted his ashes spread here and to be with the rest of his shipmates," said Matthew John. "I honestly couldn't have asked for a better service."

Elite Combat Pilots Honored with Congressional Gold Medal

By Holly Quick, Naval History and Heritage Command Communication and Outreach Division

WASHINTON (NNS) -- The American Fighter Aces were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for heroic military service throughout the history of aviation warfare at a ceremony at the Capitol's Emancipation Hall May 20.

The distinguished group of aviators is comprised of 1,447 combat pilots who shot down at least five enemy aircraft in air-to-air combat from World War I to Vietnam. Of the 75 remaining, 35 veteran pilots attended the ceremony, and 15 in attendance served in U.S. Navy.

"To me there's no greater achievement I could receive because I have a passion for flying," said retired Cmdr. Philip Kirkwood, who served during WWII. "I leave the legacy to my children."

Between February 1944 and December 1945, Kirkwood scored 12 confirmed kills, making him a certified "double ace." In one day alone, he is credited with six downed aircraft in a single mission while intercepting a massive Japanese strike group.

Another WWII Veteran, retired Cmdr. Clarence Borley, who shot down Japanese fighters before being downed and spending five days in a life raft, shared similar pride in service to his country.

"It's a great honor be associated with people who are fellow Fighter Aces and who support us," said Borley. "What the Navy Aces were able to accomplish was significant in winning the wars."

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Charles Cleveland and President of the American Fighter Aces Association accepted the award on behalf of the American Fighter Aces.

The Congressional Gold Medal, which was designed and struck by the United States Mint, will be given to the Smithsonian Institution where it will be displayed and made available for research. Each Fighter Ace received a bronze replica of the medal.

"This is a great historical moment and they've done a great job preserving some of the aircraft that we flew, but unfortunately we can't preserve the people who flew them," said retired Lt. Tilman "Tilly" Pool, a World War II Distinguished Flying Cross Recipient.

The Naval History and Heritage Command, located at the Washington Navy Yard, is responsible for the preservation, analysis, and dissemination of U.S. naval history and heritage. It provides the knowledge foundation for the Navy by maintaining historically relevant resources and products that reflect the Navy's unique and enduring contributions through our nation's history, and supports the fleet by assisting with and delivering professional research, analysis, and interpretive services. NHHC is composed of many activities including the Navy Department Library, the Navy Operational Archives, the Navy art and artifact collections, underwater archeology, Navy histories, nine museums, USS Constitution repair facility and the historic ship Nautilus.

Hypoxia training ensures symptom familiarization

by Airman 1st Class Jordyn Fetter
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

5/21/2015 - MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- For pilots, flying has the possibility of turning into a life-or-death situation. Soaring at 10,000 feet or higher can produce hypoxia, a condition caused by lack of oxygen reaching the body. Symptoms gradually arise as tingling or warm sensations, lightheadedness, and euphoria, eventually leading to more serious effects and possibly losing control of the aircraft. Because hypoxia doesn't cause pain, it's important that pilots are aware of how their body reacts to a lack of oxygen in order to safely execute their mission.

As a way to increase awareness this condition, Misawa regularly conducts hypoxia familiarization training here. Airmen with the 35th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment participated in this training May 20 to ensure all pilot equipment is in its top-notch condition.