This new series offers a peek into the George C. Marshall Museum's collections that are not on public display. Our first episode focuses on a Oaxacan bowie knife given to General Marshall during a brief visit to Mexico City in 1943.
Mexico had joined the Allies more than a year earlier after German U-boats sank two of their tankers in the Gulf of Mexico. Marshall visited Mexico City on September 15-16, 1943, as a guest for the celebration of the 133rd anniversary of Mexico’s independence. When providing a report of his visit to President Roosevelt, Marshall mentioned that President General Manuel Avila Camacho wanted Roosevelt to know, “…that whenever the services of the Mexican military forces were required in the common cause they would be made available.” On July 26, 1944, Marshall sent a message to William D. Leahy informing him of, “Approximately 300 Mexican officers… in transit to San Antonio for the purpose of undergoing unit training for a Mexican Fighter Squadron.” After completing their training, these “Aztec Eagles” arrived in the Philippines on May 1, 1945 and became part of the 5th Air Force.
While in Mexico City, Mexico’s Chief of Staff General J. Salvador S. Sanchez presented this knife made by Casa Aragon to Marshall. Founded by Guillermo Aragon in the mid-18th century, Casa Aragon in Oaxaca, Mexico is still in operation today. Creating a blade involves placing a bar of steel about ten feet long into the forge until it glows red. It is hammered into shape and polished. Each blade’s decoration is then etched with acid. Spanish colonizers introduced the art of blacksmithing to Central America. The freehand engravings are not European-influenced and feature regional colloquialisms. The designs replicate those found in the ancient ruins of Mitla and Monte Alban near Oaxaca. Each American President since John F. Kennedy has received an elaborately decorated presentation sword from the Aragon family.
One side of the blade depicts an Aztec calendar and hunters and is inscribed:
“COMO BUEN MEXICANITO / YO MERITO CON CUAL QUIERO / PORQUE SOY DE TEMPLE NILO / Y CRIOLLITO DE ANTEQUERA”
Loose translation:
“AS GOOD MEXICANITO / I DESERVE WITH WHICH I WANT / BECAUSE I AM FROM TEMPLE NILO AND CRIOLLITO (of European descent, not indigenous) FROM ANTEQUERA (Oaxaca’s original name before Mexican Independence in 1821).
The other side of the blade depicts an Aztec sacrifice and is marked:
“GRAL DE BRIGADA / J. SALVADOR / S. SANCHEZ”
Translation: “FROM BRIGADIER GEN. / J. SALVADOR / S. SANCHEZ”
“A. ARAGON - OAX.”
Translation of signature of maker: A. ARAGON - OAXACA, MEXICO
On the stag handle:
“AL GRAL MARSHALL DEL GRAC / S. SANCHEZ”
TO GEN. MARSHALL FROM / S. SANCHEZ
Marshall was known for giving items away to friends and staff. this was re-gifted to Sgt. William J. Heffner, Marshall’s orderly and chauffeur, who then donated it to us on April 9, 1964, a few weeks before the official dedication of our building.
This knife is one of several objects in the Marshall Museum collection that symbolize the effort Marshall put into international relations in Central and South America.
Music: Meyd - Elk
201st Squadron Photos: www.flickr.com...
16 сен 2024
