March  |  Quartermaster General Rufus Ingalls’ Sword

This Model 1860 General Officer’s sword belonged to Major General Rufus Ingalls, the 16^th Quartermaster General (February 1882 - July 1883). Officers of field grade (Major) and above wore this style of sword as an ornamental weapon denoting rank. This particular sword appears to have been made after the Civil War and the two stars on the scabbard denote his Brevet rank of Major General. The ornamented gilded hilt and etchings of military symbols such as shields and flags decorate the blade as is common with many presentation swords. The sword knot is made of gold bullion for added flourish.

Graduating in the same West Point class as General Ulysses S. Grant, General Ingalls served in the Army for 40 years in a variety of posts, most famously as Chief Quartermaster for the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War and for the armies around Petersburg. His organizational talents were greatly respected with many marveling at the logistical feats accomplished by the Quartermasters of the Army of the Potomac.

For more information about his service, read Quartermaster General Ingalls bio.

February  |  109^th Quartermaster Company (Aerial Delivery) Stamp

This stamp from the 109^th Quartermaster Company (Aerial Delivery) was used during the unit’s time stationed in Nha Trang, South Vietnam. Quartermasters used the stamp to mark supplies prepared to be airdropped so that units would know who had rigged the loads. The stamp appears to have been made locally from wood and rubber during the late 1960s when the company was busy resupplying various outposts, notably the US Marines at Khe Sanh. The stamp features an airplane dropping cargo by parachute, with part of the globe visible in the corner. The motto “The world is our drop zone” is featured above the parachute.

Khe Sanh was a critical base near the Demilitarized Zone with North Vietnam, and due to terrain, the airstrip was crucial to resupply. However, the monsoon rains made the airstrip unusable at times, making aerial delivery of utmost importance. The 109^th QM Co. worked to perfect the new Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System (LAPES) to overcome adverse conditions that would impede both landings at the airstrip, as well as the more traditional Container Delivery System (CDS). The Quartermaster’s use of LAPES was lauded for its effectiveness at Khe Sanh, particularly during the Tet Offensive when the marines were besieged for an extended period and the airstrip was frequently under mortar attack. For instance, during February 1968, the riggers of the 109^th delivered a record-breaking 3,123 short tons of supplies. Sadly, the ever present dangers of LAPES was evidenced by the crash of a C-130 carrying SP4 Charles Baney of the 109^th, resulting in the deaths of all aboard.

January  |  MOBIDIC (Mobile Digital Computer)

Automated logistics is a crucial Quartermaster mission in the modern Army, but many might not know about some of the technology that helped pave the way for today’s systems. The museum has two models that show one of the Mobile Digital Computer (MOBIDIC) fielded by the Army in the 1960s. Originally designed for communications use in the field, the Army quickly realized the potential for MOBIDIC’s use for logistics and supply.

The main computer system was installed onto a 30-foot Army trailer, with three supporting trailers for power generation, spare parts, and repair. The Army never widely fielded this project, but several were put into use, including the MOBIDIC 7A, which the 7^th Army Stock Control Center operated in Germany starting in 1962. The computer proved its merit, drastically shortening requisition times from days to hours, as well as saving manpower.

While ultimately a short-lived project, the MOBIDIC system helped illustrate the value in utilizing new technology to provide soldiers with needed equipment as fast as possible. Later computers continued to build on the lessons learned from MOBIDIC.

For more in-depth information with original footage, see this YouTube video