Charlie, a Mark V dive suit, is on display at the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives. 

There are many unique and fascinating objects and subjects within the walls of the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives located in Athens. Each item has its own story and place in our nation and county’s military history. The museum has knowledgable volunteer guides to explain the significance of the artifacts and individual heroes featured in this local treasure. Here are just a couple of the many stories waiting to be told inside the museum.

Van Horton

Among the many men and women honored at the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives is Sergeant Van Horton. Horton served in the United States Army in World War I and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary service and courage during battle.

Horton served in Company E, 366th Infantry, 92nd Division. Also referred to as the Buffalo Soldiers, the 92nd Infantry Division was an African-American infantry division that participated in combat and was unique in that the majority of its officers were also African-American. The Division fought in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in November of 1918.

A total of 67 young African American men served in the 82nd Division– most of them in the Companies E and F of the 366th Infantry. “The gallant Ninety-second Division, composed entirely of colored American troops, received a great number of citations and awards for meritorious and distinguished conduct on the battlefields of France,” Emmett Scott, author of the American Negro and The World War, said.

Among the troops recognized for extraordinary heroism in action near Lesseau, France on September 4, 1918 was then Corporal Van Horton of Route 5, Athens, Alabama.

An excerpt from the Army and Navy Journal, January 1919, stated, “During a hostile attack, preceded by a heavy minenwerfer barrage, involving the entire front of the battalion, the combat group to which this courageous soldier belonged was attacked by about twenty of the enemy using liquid fire. The sergeant in charge of the group and four other men having been killed, Corporal Horton fearlessly rushed to receive the attack and the persistency with which he fought resulted in stopping the attack and driving back the enemy.”

Horton received the Distinguished Service Cross of the United States, the second highest military decoration, on December 2, 1918 near Pont-à- Mousson. He was one of two men in Company E from Athens to be awarded the honor. George Bell, a private fighting alongside Horton, was severely wounded and later succumbed to his injuries on Septemeber 16, 1918.

Mark V Deep Sea Diving Suit

The Mark V deep sea diving suit at the museum is known as Charlie and is a favorite among visitors. Charlie belonged to Frank Kliesrath who served in the US Navy during World War II and the Korean War. Kliesrath is now buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

The Mark V suit was used by the US Navy from 1916-1984 for salvage and intense conditions and depths. The diving gear was considered revolutionary and is still used today commercial industries for diving in strong currents. Perhaps because of its unique helmet, with its four glass portholes, the Mark V diving suit is iconic and recognized by most people.

The suit weighs a total of 190 pounds and is capable of diving depths of 190 to 300 feet, depending on if air or gas is being used. The helmet weighs 56 pounds, boots 35 pounds, and the suit is 15 pounds. The weight belt for Charlie weighs 84 pounds.