"45th"for the Men & "99" for the Women

It's still a little cool and windy today so it will be a good day for a couple of museums. First on the list the the 45^th Infantry Division Museum, “Born at sea, baptized in blood, your fame shall never die” General George S Patton Jr.

The museum covers the history of the 45^th Infantry division which can be traced back to the 1890's and the Militia of the Oklahoma Territory, and members have fought in every war from the Mexican war to present day. They have some rare and unique artifacts which I'll show with some pictures. They also have Bill Mauldin Room which contains 200 of his World War II cartoons which he drew while a member of the 45^th and the Reaves Military weapons collection.

The museum is set up very well and with a nice smooth flow through the museum you will see everything without jumping around, we spent about two hours inside and about 30 minutes outside, it would have been longer if the weather was a little better.

Early Badge for the Indian Light Horse Police.

Printed in 1794, an Original First copy of the Army's Regulations.

This was the original symbol for the 45th, but with the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party's use of it they were forced to change it to the Thunderbird, both are Indian symbols for Luck.

The 45th was the unit that liberated items from Hitler's Munich apartment, Alpine home and Berlin bunker, so the museum has a very large collection of Hitler's personal stuff.

This was Hitler's Personal Standard.

Hitler's copy of Mein Kampf

Hitler's Silver Tea Service.

Everybody remembers the Civil Defense Gas Mask.

But how many people every saw one of these, a Mickey Mouse Gas Mask for the kids.

One of Bill Mauldin's Cartoons.

Peanuts yearly tribute to Bill Mauldin.

An interesting rifle.

Cathy's favorite.

One of the few 1861 rifles to survive the raid and fire at Harpers Ferry.

A swivel holster type gun belt.

These two pictures show part of the 14 acres they have outside for the larger displays.

Large sign out front

A quick lunch and a drive across town to the Ninety Nines, Museum of Woman Pilots. Founded in 1929 by 99 woman pilots to provide support for the advancement of woman in aviation. We were here for about an hour and again I'll let the picture tell their story.