US Pulls out of Cuba... Kinda. (Early m1903)

On this day in history, January 28th 1909, US troops started leaving Cuba after a 2+ year occupation -- but they weren't leaving all of it. Pursuant to a 1903 lease that built upon earlier agreements, the US retained indefinite control of 45 square miles of Cuban land and water for a naval facility and coaling station.

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Following the defeat of the decrepit Spanish Empire in the Span-Am War, the US established a constitutional democracy in Cuba and withdrew. But pursuant to a 1903 treaty, the US had the right to intervene, both to preserve Cuban independence from European powers, as well as to ensure a functioning Cuban government. America did just that in 1906 when the nascent Cuban government collapsed.

President Theodore Roosevelt committed US troops to protect US economic interests, establish a legitimate (and presumably US friendly) government, and prevent civil violence. On this day, when the new Cuban President was inaugurated, US troops began their two week withdrawal.

All except on Gitmo that is. The US Navy's installation at Guantanamo Bay has weathered many actual and political storms over the years, the most recent being the ongoing debate about the detention of enemy combatants from the War on Terror. We've actually kept paying rent, despite the severing of diplomatic ties during the 1950's, but the Commies refuse to cash the check. Today Gitmo is still is hanging around, and boasts the only McDonalds in Cuba, as well as a KFC, Pizza Hut, and a Subway.

This rifle, when it was still shiny and new, may have been there to witness the withdrawal of the Army of Occupation and the stay behind presence of Marine and Naval forces. It was produced in 1907 at the Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois, which was the first full production year of 1903s chambered for the new 30-06 cartridge. This rifle wears a “Type 2” field replacement single bolt stock from Springfield, which is appropriate for the era of 1909-1917.

The stock retains the early “high wood” profile along both sides of the receiver, a feature that was largely phased out by 1915. The wear patterns evident on the receiver (currently hidden under the wood) clearly indicate that this rifle saw most of its active service life wearing the comparatively uncommon high wood stock. The sights are also an early pattern, and feature small platinum inserts above and below the peep sight, designed to draw the shooter's eye to the aperture.

​Before the US entry into WW1, rifles such as these saw significant service in the Philippines, chasing after Pancho Villa, and as an indispensable tool of the “State Department’s Troops” — a nickname for the USMC who were often charged with enforcing US policy abroad.