About the Exhibit

Devoted to the history and heritage of the Quartermaster Corps. Includes insignia, uniforms and equipment used by Quartermaster officers, noncommissioned officers and soldiers.

The noncommissioned officer and soldier section includes objects portraying the current and former functional area duties that Quartermaster soldiers perform. Uniforms displayed include an 1888 Post Quartermaster Sergeant dress uniform and a current Desert BDU uniform.

The officer section has the uniform coat of Brigadier General Thomas S. Jesup, "father of the Quartermaster Corps". Jesup, Quartermaster General from 1818 to 1860, was responsible for instilling professionalism and ethical standards in the Corps. During his tenure he developed the first set of regulations, procedures and forms. Also displayed is the Quartermaster General's desk.

One of the highlights of the display is the Medal of Honor awarded to Private George Watson. Watson, a member of the 29th Quartermaster Regiment, was on board a ship hit by Japanese bombers off the coast of New Guinea on 8 March 1943. When the ship had to be abandoned, instead of seeking to save himself, he stayed in the water for a prolonged time courageously helping others. Shown on the left is a new painting by artist, Gary Schofield, which is displayed in the museum with Private Watsons Medal of Honor. Also on display, is a scale model of the USNS Watson (T-AKR 310), a medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ship named in honor of Watson in 1997. The model was donated to the museum by the builder, the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego, California.