During World War II most of the World War I veterans from the Ethan area belonged to the Coaescher Gotesch Post in Mitchell, South Dakota. In 1945, those veterans realized that a great number of Boys would be coming home from World War II, and after several meetings they decided to establish a post in Ethan. After securing a release from the Mitchell Post the following 28 members were declared charter members of the Ethan Post. It was decided by all members present to choose the name of Alvin Erpenbach for Ethan. He was a local veteran killed in action.

Frank Brink
Frank Clement
Mathew Endres
Henry Erpenbach
Mathew Erpenbach
Peter Erpenbach
Ira Finkenbinder
Henry Hafner
Charles Hagedorn, Commander
George Hagedorn
Lyle Hanner
Bernard Heck
Joe Hohn
Glen Huffman
Tony Hoffman
John Miller
Martin Maeschen
William Puetz
John Rienaetz
Delbert Stainbrook
Arvin Stockel
Henry Thill
Victor Tilberg
Casper Wermers
Fred Weepie
Joseph Weepie
George Willis, Adjutant
Fred Wurm

Elected commander at the first meeting was Charles Hagedorn and Gorge Willis was elected Adjutant. Members from the Mitchell post installed the officers in 1946 the charter for the Ethan post was received. At the first meeting, the members wanted to have colors for the post. Commander Hagedorn and Adjutant Willis were chosen to purchase the colors. They signed a note at the Ethan bank and purchased the colors. Following a number of supper dances and bingo games were held and a sum of $800 was accumulated. It happened about this time the town board decided to sell the hall. Rather than see it moved out of town the Legion arranged to buy it on contract. In the fall with the help of several little Oscar shows, the balance was paid off and some was added to the treasure.
In 1946, the post began signing up men from World War II. Along with this a legion baseball was started through the years we won several districts and a couple regionals and in 1950 went to the state tournament in Mobridge. The first game was with Aberdeen and was very close until the fifth inning and then they defeated 16-1. Many of the regular meetings were very interesting and well attended. On one occasion, it was discussed to have a bar and lounge attached to the hall. After campaign it was defeated by three votes. Any remolding projects were completed by the generous volunteer labor of the members. We have sent an undetermined number of boys to Boys State through the years.
In the 1960’s, the interest in the post dropped off almost to the point of extinction. Keith Feiner came up with a lot of personnel energy and hard work to revived the post back to a total of 96 members. He was then elected to be the State Vice Commander for the Legion though the years a great deal has been accomplished by the post. But due to a fire seal of our records were destroyed and have relied on their memory of our members for the information.
In 1974, it was discussed at a regular post meeting to build an addition to the original building. After some discussion, we were approached by the Oster family who had the property next to our building and they donated us the property if we destroy the building on it we immediately stated a fund drive and shortly construction started with a lot of volunteer help from the members the building was completed in a short period of time at approximate cost of $42,000.
Several of our members have held offices in the Legion the first was Richard McBrayer Serving as State Commander 1989-1990. Keith Feiner as State Vice Commander. District Commander from the post are Keith Feiner, Richard McBrayer, and Harry Huffman. Several members have served as county commanders. They included Vilas Kurtenbach, Norman Endres, Joe Puetz, David Fritsa, Gerald Maeschen, and Harry Huffman.
Activities have grown since the addition with several wedding receptions and other community functions.

Commanders:
1946-1947 Charles Hagedorn
1947-1949 George Willis
1949-1952 Harold Puetz (WW II vet)
1952-1953 Albert Wermers
1953-1953 Roman Jung
1953-1954 Charles Hagedorn
1954-1955 Urban Puetz
1955-1956 Gordon Bainbridge
1957-1958 Fred Wurm
1958-1959 Leslie Mutziger
1959-1960 Don Barnard
1960-1961 Gordon Bainbridge
1961-1962 Donald Puetz
1962-1965 Keith Feiner
1965-1967 Ed Erpenbach
1967-1969 Carmen Klumb
1969-1970 Vilas Kurtenbach
1970-1972 Norman Schoenfelder
1972-1974 Richard Muth
1974-1976 Richard McBrayer
1976-1979 Clyde Puetz
1979-1982 Harry Huffman
1982-1984 John Oster
1984-1986 Joe Puetz
1986-1987 Varland Hansen
1987-1990 Gerald Maeschen
1990-1992 Norman Endres
1992-1996 Vilas Kurtenbach
1997-1997 Steve McClure
1997-2002 Don Garvis
2002-2005 Robert Oberembt
2005-2009 Harry Huffman
2009-2012 Richard McBrayer
2012- Vilas Kurtenbach

View more history for Post 261 in Ethan, South Dakota