Brigadier General John C. L. Scribner Texas Military Forces Museum
The 45,000-square foot Texas Military Forces Museum explores the history of the Lone Star State’s militia and volunteer forces from 1823 (date of the first militia muster in Stephen F. Austin’s colony) to 1903 when the Congress created the National Guard. From 1903 to the present the museum tells the story of the Texas Army and Air National Guard, as well as the Texas State Guard, in both peacetime and wartime. The museum displays dozens of tanks, armored personnel carriers, self-propelled guns, trucks, jeeps, helicopters, jet fighters, observation aircraft and towed artillery pieces. Permanent exhibits utilize uniforms, weapons, equipment, personal items, film, music, photographs, battle dioramas and realistic full-scale environments to tell the story of the Texas Military Forces in the Texas Revolution, the Texas Navy, the Texas Republic, the Mexican War, the Battles along the Indian Frontier, the War between the States, the Spanish-American and Philippine-American Wars, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, Peace Keeping Deployments and the Global War on Terror. Living history programs, battle reenactments and other special events take place throughout the year. Admission to the museum is FREE.
Looking for an activity for the kids to during your visit? Print out our SCAVENGER HUNT
Research
The library and archives are open by appointment for research to all members of the public. Please call for an appointment. The museum maintains an incredible archive of various materials including:
World War I Service cards for every Texan who served
It was silver cleaning day at the museum, thanks to museum staff, Foundation staff and interns we were able to clean 150 cups belonging to the 142nd Silver Service, the 142nd plaque and this silver piece which was given to Max Aman.MAX AMANN AWARDNovember 24, 1941 This sterling silver award was presented to Max Amann at his 50th birthday celebration in Munich Germany. Mr. Amann was the publisher of Mein Kampf, Hitler’s World War I Sergeant and his close friend. During the Third Reich he was the largest newspaper baron in Germany. He was arrested by security troops of the 36th Division in May, 1945 at his summer home in Tegernsee, Germany. A soldier from the 36th Division brought back the award as a war souvenir. One side of the award has an inscription translated from German which reads: Presented to Reichsleiter, member of the Nazi Party, Max Amann, the old comrade-in-arms of the Fuhrer and distinguished citizen of the city on the occasion of November 24, 1941”. The other side features the city of Munich Coat of Arms and this translated inscription: “The shield of honor of the capital city of the movement”. The original Coat of Arms was altered to include the Nazi Party Eagle. ...
On this date in 1944 2nd Lt. Dale E Christensen was killed in Action while serving with the 112th Cavalry Regiment. Lt. Christensen was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on the Driniumor River, New Guinea over July 16-19, 1944. Citation:For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty along the Driniumor River, New Guinea, from 16-19 July 1944. 2d Lt. Christensen repeatedly distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in the continuous heavy fighting which occurred in this area from 16-19 July. On 16 July, his platoon engaged in a savage fire fight in which much damage was caused by I enemy machinegun effectively placed. 2d Lt. Christensen ordered his men to remain under cover, crept forward under fire, and at a range of 15 yards put the gun out of action with handgrenades. Again, on 19 July, while attacking an enemy position strong in mortars and machineguns, his platoon was pinned to the ground by intense fire. Ordering his men to remain under cover, he crept forward alone to locate definitely the enemy automatic weapons and the best direction from which to attack. Although his rifle was struck by enemy fire and knocked from his hands he continued his reconnaissance, located 5 enemy machineguns, destroyed 1 with handgrenades, and rejoined his platoon. He then led his men to the point selected for launching the attack and, calling encouragement , led the charge. This assault was successful and the enemy was driven from the positions with a loss of 4 mortars and 10 machineguns and leaving many dead on the field. On 4 August 1944, near Afua, Dutch New Guinea, 2d Lt. Christensen was killed in action about 2 yards from his objective while leading his platoon in an attack on an enemy machinegun position. 2d Lt. Christensen's leadership, intrepidity, and repeatedly demonstrated gallantry in action at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, exemplify the highest traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces. #lestweforget #MedalofHonor ...
On this date, August 3 1923, General Gouraud, formally of the 4th French Army, presented this bronze statue to the 36th Infantry Division. During WWI the 36th had been attached to the 4th French. An engraving on the piece thanks the 36th for their assistance in the Champagne campaign during WWI.General Gouraud, during a trip to the United States in 1923 presented identical statues to : The 36th Division, 2nd Division, 42nd Division and to General Pershing. The one presented to the 36th is on display in our museum. The one presented to the 2nd is on display within the Commandant of the Marine Corps' office at the Pentagon. The one presented to the 42nd is at the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City and location of the one presented to Pershing is unknown at this time.The statue was a model made by the French sculptor Maxime Rel d'Sarte for a monument the French were building at Navarin honoring those who had died during the war. The 100 year anniversary of the monument will be celebrated in 2024. ...
Our museum director visited the Punchbowl National Cemetery in Honolulu, Hawaii and took these photos while planting a Texas flag over the headstone for famed War Correspondent Ernie Pyle, who wrote so often about the 36th Division in Italy, including his Pulitzer Prize winning article "The Death of Captain Waskow" Pyle was killed on Ie Shima in the Pacific in April 1945. The other grave markers show a pair of brothers from Texas killed in the PTO (one, killed on Okinawa) and a Texas Marine killed at Peleliu. The markers for soldiers from the 100/442nd (the famed Nisei) lost their lives fighting to reach the Lost Battalion (1st Battalion, 141st Infantry) of the 36th Division, cut off for a week in the Vosges Mountains in October 1944. This is a moving and beautiful resting place for so many heroes from World War II, Korea and Vietnam as well as other veterans. ...
Nothing brings military history to life like hearing the sound of a machine gun, the boom of cannon, the rattle of musketry, the drone of aircraft engines or feeling the earth shake under you while a tank drives by. All of these experiences are available to visitors courtesy of the Texas Military Forces Museum Living History Detachment which conducts a series of battle reenactments, demonstrations, displays, parades and living history programs throughout the year to make history “come alive” for young and old alike.
The primary focus of the detachment is the 36th Infantry Division in World War II and the famous Texas Brigade during the War Between the States. However, the detachment also participates in World War I and Vietnam War events as well as other time periods.
The museum’s living historians travel around the country to take part in historic events, but the backbone of their schedule are three programs that take place on Camp Mabry each year: the Close Assault 1944 living history program which occurs over Memorial Day weekend and Veterans Day weekend and the annual Texas Military Forces Open House – Muster Day event during April.
