Step back into history with Pennsylvania National Guard’s 111th Infantry Regiment

Photo By Lt. Col. Angela King-Sweigart | A panoramic of the interior of the 111th Regiment museum highlights many of its collections of uniforms and military equipment.(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Angela King-Sweigart/released)  

PHOENIXVILLE, PA, UNITED STATES

10.21.2015

Story by Maj. Angela King-Sweigart 

Joint Force Headquarters - Pennsylvania National Guard

PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. – While the regimental motto of the 111th Infantry Regiment may be “nulla vestigia retrorsum” (No Step Backward) visitors may take a step back into the past at the storied unit’s museum located in historic Pershing Hall, Spring City Armory.

The unit in the Pennsylvania National Guard with close ties to the 111th Infantry Regiment is the 1st Battalion 111th Infantry Regiment, 56th Stryker Brigade, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard. The 111th Infantry Regiment traces its lineage all the way back to 1747 and Benjamin Franklin to his militia called the Associators. The unit is still frequently referred to as the 111th Infantry. Stepping slightly forward in time, the unit went on to serve in the Revolutionary War and from there, went on to see action in nearly every major American conflict.

The collection is curated by retired Marine Col. Thomas McCabe, who is assisted by Michael Murphy. Murphy manages the Spring City Armory facility full-time as a state civilian and is also serving in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard as a chief warrant officer three with Fort Indiantown Gap Training Center Headquarters. The museum features a wide variety of items highlighting aspects of military history that were meaningful to the regiment.

“Each item is a piece of history,” said McCabe. “If you had time, I could tell you a story about each item and why it’s here.”

The first story however, goes to McCabe and how a retired Marine colonel went on to curate an Army National Guard collection.

Turns out, McCabe enlisted in the 111th Infantry Regiment in 1947, and then joined the Marine Corps in 1948 and continued to serve as a Marine in both active and reserve capacities, retiring in 1981 at the rank of colonel. After he retired from the Marines, he decided to go back into the National Guard in 1981 and continued to serve with the 111th Infantry Regiment, reaching the rank of first sergeant and retiring again in 1991. McCabe also was the manager of the facility where the collection is housed and is a Korean War veteran. Now aged 84, McCabe will give you an engaging tour of the museum highlighting its various collections.

There is a reproduction of a Revolutionary War soldier’s uniform, and a large collection of items from both the World Wars, with an emphasis on where the 111th Infantry Regiment served. The 111th Infantry Regiment served in Europe during WWI, and in the Pacific theater of operations during WWII. There is an extensive collection of weapons used by German, Japanese and American troops.

“Some people like to come in here and get a brief overview,” said McCabe, “but I have some who are very knowledgeable about a particular topic, such as weapons, and we could spend hours discussing a single item.”

McCabe set up the museum to honor service members and their history and also because he is a collector at heart.

“My first item I collected was a canteen,” he said.

The first canteen is still on display at the museum along with others collected in the years since.

“Most of the items on display here are donations,” explained McCabe.

Many items are from his personal collections, however donations are always welcome.

Staff Sgt. Aaron Heft, a squad leader with C Company, 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment, 56th Stryker Brigade, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard, stopped by the museum to do more research on the unit he is currently serving with. Heft has a B.A. in history from Gettysburg College and is looking for more information on the 111th Regiment, particularly its service in WWII.

“I’m excited that somebody else is maintaining the history and heritage of the 111th,” he said.

The museum is open by appointment only Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. by calling [phone].

Also located in historic Pershing Hall are B Company, 337th Engineering Battalion, 55th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division and Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 728th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 213th Regional Support Group both units are with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.

• Date Taken: 10.21.2015
• Date Posted: 10.22.2015 15:59
• Story ID: 179677
• Location: PHOENIXVILLE, PA, US