Swords of former TAG recovered through the internet

Photo By Maj. Sara Morris | The tunic worn by Brig. Gen. Maurice Thompson on display at the Washington National Guard museum at Camp Murray, Wash.  

CAMP MURRAY, WA, UNITED STATES

10.04.2018

Story by Maj. Sara Morris 

Joint Force Headquarters - Washington National Guard

How do four swords belonging to a former Washington National Guard Adjutant General end up on eBay? How do they make their way from Hawaii back to the artifacts room of a museum in Washington?

Peter Grilley, a volunteer with the Washington National Guard Museum at Camp Murray, has been working toward recovering historical artifacts with significance to the Washington National Guard for several years.

“It all started six or seven years ago, I was searching for Washington National Guard artifacts, which led to a tunic the seller claimed was Maurice Thompson’s," Grilley said, explaining that Thompson was a former adjutant general. “The tunic sat in my collection for a long time because I had nothing else to go with it. Then, last year I was doing my searches again and came across something that was attributed to Maurice Thompson, and it was four swords.”

Thompson was the longest serving adjutant general in Washington National Guard history, although his terms were interrupted by the World Wars. Thompson's combined 29 years of service as the adjutant general makes him the fifth longest serving adjutant general in United States history.

During his time in the Washington National Guard, Thompson was commander of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 1st Regiment and later the battalion itself. In 1914, during his time as the 2nd Battalion Commander, he was selected as a major to be the adjutant general of the Washington National Guard. Sometime after he was selected, his former soldiers gifted him an intricately decorated sword with the inscription, “Brig. Gen. Maurice Thompson, from members of his old command, Co. B. 2d INF N.G.W.”

The sword and three others were found during an internet search by Grilley, looking for historical artifacts on the off chance some would be listed. When first seeing the listing, he was hesitant, but the inscription left no doubt and he contacted the seller.

The swords will be on display in the Washington National Guard Museum on Camp Murray for visitors. The museum is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., but a docent tour is available on Wednesdays. If you would like more information, the museum can be contacted at [phone].

• Date Taken: 10.04.2018
• Date Posted: 10.04.2018 14:03
• Story ID: 295415
• Location: CAMP MURRAY, WA, US