On June 7, 1919, an application for the American Legion charter was granted by the State of Illinois. Sixteen World War I servicemen signed and submitted this charter. The original sixteen servicemen are: Kenneth George Lamphier, Logan S. Voight, Robert Coyne, Emil A. Lind, Oscar W. Bergquist, Leo D. Pesavento, Rudolph G. Fredrickson, Elmer Fredrickson, Clayton A. Pitts, Leonard F. Roblee M.D., Healy H. Alexander, Ralph B. Harpham DDS, Fred T. Swanson, George S. Robinson Sr., John Frigo, and LeForest Bentley. Initially, the American Legion post was to be named the Blaksley Post at Lockport, IL. Temporary officers were elected until the final formation of the organization was to be decided by the first National Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota on November 10 – 12, 1919. The temporary officers were Leonard F. Roblee, Chairman, and Fred J. Swanson, Secretary. During the month of June 1919, the members decided to change the post name. This change was received at the State Headquarters on June 9, 1919 and the temporary state charter was issued on June 30, 1919 changing the name to John Olson Post 18, Lockport, IL. John Olson was a local serviceman that was killed in action on September 26, 1918. Temporary charters were given nationally to ensure the validity of the post. The requirement of a permanent charter was a minimum 6-month grace period of the temporary charter. The John Olson Post 18 Lockport, Illinois Post was permanently approved with a National Charter on December 18, 1920. Approximately 1½ years after the temporary charter was approved. The members elected Leonard F. Roblee as the First Commander and T.P. Swanson as the First Adjutant of John Olson Post 18, Lockport, Illinois. John Olson Post 18 has been serving veterans, families, youth organizations, and the community. The original purpose of the American Legion was to "preserve the memories and incidents of our association in the great war". Today, the American Legion defines their activities as the four pillars. These four pillars are Veteran Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth. These guiding principles still hold true today for our organization. The Story of John Olson John Olson (born Johan Olofsson) was born on February 15, 1891 in Degerfors, Vasterbotten, Sweden. John's parents, Olof Leonard Andersson and Maria Augusta Gabrielsdotter, lived as farmers in Degerfors, Sweden. John was the third child of seven siblings. John immigrated to the United States in October 1910 through Ellis Island. His destination was Lockport, IL where his aunt and uncle lived. His Aunt Sophia Gabrielsdotter married Frank Johnson and they lived at 1519 Sisson St., Lockport. For seven years, John lived with his aunt and uncle and worked at the Texas Company in Lockport, IL. On April 29, 1918, John was selected to serve in World War I and left for Camp Dodge, Iowa. He was assigned to the 179th Brigade, 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Division, 2nd Company. John was killed in action on September 26th, 1918. He was laid to rest at the Lockport Cemetary located at Madison and E. 6th Streets, Lockport, IL. History of the 357th Infantry leading up to September 26, 1918 The Regiment sailed to Liverpool, England on June 20th, 1918. The trip took eleven days to arrive there and one day to muster at Southampton, England. The Regiment changed boats and assembled in the vicinity of Aigney-le-Duc, France. “After a four hour artillery preparation, the 357th jumped off in the attack at 0500 on the 12th of September. Despite the presence of two and a half kilometers of solid wire entanglements and trenches filled with various obstacles the advance was steady and the battalions reached their objectives in record time. Heavy resistance was encountered, particularly from enemy machine guns, and it was from these weapons that the heaviest losses were suffered. Nearly 200 machines guns were taken or destroyed as the assaulting 357th infantrymen brought the enemy defenders under deadly accurate rifle fire and overran them. During the night, the enemy launched a series of savage counterattacks, but despite the ensuing hand-to-hand fighting, not a foot of a ground was yielded by the sturdy Americans. By the 16th, the 357th had battered its way through everything the enemy had to offer. From this date to the 10th October when the Division was relieved by the 7th Division, the Regiment was engaged in stabilizing the Puvenelle area of defense where the outposts suffered heavy casualties from enemy shelling. On several occasions, gas was also used. Colonel Edward T. Hartmann, Regimental Commander, was slightly gassed but was able to remain in command. On the 27th of September, a particularly heavy gas concentration claimed many casualties in the Regiment (von Roeder, n.d.)”. Reference: Von Roeder, George. Regimental History of the 357th Infantry. First Edition. Printed: Ferdinand Nicki Bucdruckerei Weiden, Oberfalz, Bavaria.