HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol
The official page of writer and unofficial U.S. Border Patrol historian
Joseph Banco
The United States Border Patrol is a unique organization with a proud and rich history of over 100 years. I have tried to share that history and tales of the legendary men and women who have proudly worn the green uniform and gold badge of this storied agency in the series of books titled Honor First: The Story of the United States Border Patrol.
Honor First: The Story of the United States Border Patrol is the first comprehensive history of the U.S. Border Patrol. It is divided into five volumes, each covering a critical stage in its development. Where possible and available, actual quotes from Border Patrol Inspectors, Border Patrol Agents, leadership and historical documents are utilized. Background information is also provided to give additional perspective. Historical photographs are included to complement the writing and hopefully adding value to series.
This page will highlight the series and additional books, as well as provide some links to other sites preserving that history.
HONOR FIRST: United States Border Patrol Centennial Timeline was created in recognition of the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the United States Border Patrol on May 28, 1924, and is a companion to the series, breaking down the history into a comprehensive timeline in a series of bullets and short paragraphs of significant events, people, and milestones, accompanied by some historical photographs.
If interested in ordering HONOR FIRST: United States Border Patrol Timeline (1924-2024),it is available from Amazon and the National Border Patrol Museum. Please click on one of the links below to order.
Now Available: HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol Volume IV covering 2000-2012.
There are two versions – One in Color and One in Black/White
This is the fourth volume in the series on the history of the United States Border Patrol covering the period of 2000-2012. This was a critical period in the evolution of the U.S. Border Patrol with the dawning of the new millennium and the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The stand up of the Department of Homeland Security would forever change the operation of the U.S. Border Patrol, taking away or taking over many of the unique and special functions of the Patrol. It also saw the expansion of the politicization of border security and the role the U.S. Border Patrol played in it. Through this period of adversity, the U.S. Border Patrol maintained its leadership role, innovation, and status as the premier border security agency in the world.
In this HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol Volume One, published May 2020, the story is told from its humble beginnings at the end of the 19th Century and turn of the 20th Century through Prohibition and World War II.
Volume One addresses the forerunners of the U.S. Border Patrol, the Mounted Guards, Mounted Inspectors, Mounted Watchmen, and Chinese Inspectors from the late 19th Century into the early 20th Century, and then, the birth of the U.S. Border Patrol and the first twenty-five years of Service of the Border Patrol Inspectors from 1924 to 1949.
The second edition was published in 2023 and included 32 pages of new material.
If interested in ordering HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol Volume One it is available from Amazon and the National Border Patrol Museum. Please click on one of the links below to order.
In this Volume Two, the story continues covering the period of 1949-1974. Volume Two begins with U.S. Border Patrol involvement in the Bracero Program and enforcement efforts to stem the tide of illegal immigration during the 1950s. From there it moves on to efforts and operations during the Cold War including little known operations supporting spy exchanges, refugee processing, Bay of Pigs prisoners exchange, support for U.S. – Cuba policies, and preventing hijackings. Next the story continues with protective details for the civil rights movement including at Ole Miss, the Freedom Riders, MLK, and during periods of civil disorder. Closing out Volume Two, U.S. Border Patrol efforts are highlighted at the beginning of the War on Drugs, as it celebrates it’s 50th Anniversary in 1974, and a tribute to its Fallen Heroes including the Newton-Azrak story.
If interested in ordering HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol Volume Two it is available from Amazon and the National Border Patrol Museum. Please click on one of the links below to order.
In this Volume Three, the story continues covering the period of 1975-1999. Volume Three begins with the story of “The Originals,” those trailblazers that were first during this period of U.S. Border Patrol history. The first women to become part of the U.S. Border Patrol’s legacy, the first female, Hispanic, and black Chief Patrol Agents, and the first naturalized citizen to lead the U.S. Border Patrol. The story continues with openings, closings, and renaming of Sectors, the addition of helicopters, and the reimplementation of the Canine and Horse Patrol programs, the evolution of BORTAC and BORSTAR, operations dealing with mass migrations, refugee crises including the Cuban boatlift, processing of Vietnamese refugees, and detention facility riots. Included are stories of the development of the Bandit Team, response to the LA Riots, and deployment to the Olympics, Covered are the impacts of immigration reform initiatives of the 1980s and 1990s, and the implementation of the 1993 Southwest Border Strategy with Operation Hold the Line, Operation Gatekeeper and others. Closing out Volume III is a reflection on the U.S. Border Patrol as it celebrates its 75th anniversary and a tribute to our Heroes and Fallen.
If interested in ordering HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol Volume Three it is available from Amazon and the National Border Patrol Museum. Please click on one of the links below to order.
The U.S. Border Patrol quietly figured as an instrument of change in the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960s by supporting the U.S. Marshals Service in protective details for key events, and protecting members of the African-American community in their struggle for desegregation, equal rights, and opportunity. During this period, upholding federal law frequently meant defying state and local governments, including confronting local and state police; and unruly, sometimes violent crowds and demonstrations. This is the story of one of the most significant challenges to the U.S. government and the Constitution in the last century and how Border Patrol Inspectors were the unsung heroes that long night sixty years ago when James Meredith enrolled in the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss).
President John Kennedy lauded the unsung heroes who defended the Constitution and stopped the insurrection on the night of September 30, 1962 and early morning of October 1, 1962.
The courage and dedication which you demonstrated while in great personal danger prevented a serious and tragic incident from becoming a disaster for our country. Had you failed, our country would have suffered irreparable damage.
If interested in ordering HONOR FIRST: The Unsung Heroes of Oxford it is available from Amazon and the National Border Patrol Museum. Please click on one of the links below to order.
During World War II, the United States Border Patrol was given enormous responsibilities in not only securing our borders and defending the American people, but in securing those designated as enemy aliens and protecting diplomats from the Axis powers. The expansion of the traditional duties of the U.S. Border Patrol was based on its transfer to the Department of Justice and the trust placed in the organization by leadership at the highest levels of the government. It was a time when Border Security became National Security and the U.S. Border Patrol was recognized as America’s first line of defense.
In HONOR FIRST: Securing Enemy Aliens – The U.S. Border Patrol During World War II the story will be told of a little known and often times mischaracterized period in our history. From running enemy alien detention camps to conducting coastal submarine patrols, capturing escaped prisoners of war and escorting enemy aliens from Latin America, to securing Axis Diplomats and their families, the U.S. Border Patrol played a vital role in the war effort.
If interested in ordering HONOR FIRST: Securing Enemy Aliens it is available from Amazon and the National Border Patrol Museum. Please click on one of the links below to order.
Please support the National Border Patrol Museum. Click on the picture below to go to their website. If you are ever in El Paso, please take the time to visit the National Border Patrol Museum.
LOCATED AT:
4315 Woodrow Bean Trans Mountain Rd
El Paso, Texas 79924
THIS WEEK IN USBP HISTORY
You are invited to visit THIS WEEK IN USBP HISTORY by clicking on the below picture. Honorfirst.com provides a weekly update reflecting on pivotal developments and honors fallen heroes whose sacrifices shaped the legacy of the United States Border Patrol.
U.S. BORDER PATROL INSIGNIA
To visit pages highlighting United States Border Patrol insignia (badges, patches, and other insignia) click on U.S. Border Patrol Shoulder Patch Blueprint below.
U.S. BORDER PATROL CHALLENGE COINS
To visit pages highlighting United States Border Patrol challenge coins click on coin below.
April 25, 2025
Not all pages may be available at this time, some are still under construction!
Thanks for dropping by. You can email me at migrajoe279@yahoo.com
