Varnum Continentals

Preserving and Sharing Rhode Island History

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You are here: Home / Archives for cold war

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Cold War Memorabilia: Signature of Soviet Spy John A. Walker

March 30, 2020 By James Mitchell Varnum

The Varnum Memorial Armory Museum has acquired a rare piece of Cold War memorabilia. Here’s the signature of the Soviet spy, John A. Walker, who sold U.S. Navy secrets for 18 years in one of the most damaging espionage cases of the Cold War.

Varnum Continentals member, John Fischer, studied under Walker to earn his U.S. Naval School Radioman Class A certificate that is signed by Walker. See below for details on this fascinating story. Thank you, John, for donating this unique piece of Cold War history!

See the images in this post for details on this unique exhibit.

  • Close-up of the signature of Soviet spy John A. Walker.
  • Detailed history of the Navy Radioman’s certificate signed by John A. Walker.
  • Navy Radioman Class A certificate signed by spy John A. Walker.
  • Search and Rescue team for US Antarctic Winter-Over Party 1971-1972. John Fischer was the team radioman (2nd person from left). McMurdo Station Antarctica.

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: cold war, museum exhibit, varnum memorial armory

[MAY 8 VARNUM MEMBER MEETING] Speaker Greg Banner on “El Salvador: US participation in a Central American Civil War

May 4, 2023 By James Mitchell Varnum

In 1991, Greg Banner (a US Army Major at the time) was assigned as an advisor in El Salvador. The US had established an advisory team approximately 10 years prior to help that country fight a communist insurgency. Major Banner spent 15 months as the team leader for one of the several district teams living with and helping Salvadoran units fight their war. This presentation will provide some background to the war and then an overview of one soldier’s experiences there, up to and including the peace treaty which was signed at the end of his tour.

About the Varnum Continentals

The Varnum Continentals are committed to the preservation of the historic heritage of our community, our state, and our nation. Please take a virtual tour of our museums to learn more about our mission to encourage patriotism. You can participate with us through active membership and/or philanthropic support in our non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Museum tours are welcomed and our facilities may be rented for suitable events.

Our Mission

The Varnum Continentals are committed to encourage patriotism through the Varnum Armory Museum, the Continental Militia, and the James Mitchell Varnum House and thus to preserve, support, and communicate the military history of our community, our state, and our nation.

Recent Posts

  • [MAY 8 VARNUM MEMBER MEETING] Speaker Greg Banner on “El Salvador: US participation in a Central American Civil War
  • [APR. 10 DINNER MEETING] Speaker Blake Ruehrwein on Monuments Officers of the 21st Century
  • [MAR. 20 DINNER MEETING] Maria Vazquez on Conservation of the USS Constellation Anchor

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