Post 13 Sitka, Alaska
Post 13
Sitka, Alaska
About This Post
Post Namesake
Henry "Gene" Burton Sr.
Gene was a proud lifetime member of the American Legion Post 13, serving over the years as Post Commander, Judge Advocate, and Club Manager. Gene's dedication and passion to Post 13 will always be remembered, as he led by example and set the standard. He always had encouraging words for friends and family and lived his life by example, always working hard and living a life filled with dignity and purpose. This is something we all aspire to live up too.
Notable Members
Tlingit Code Talkers
Originally there were 5 Tlingit Code Taklers that (Recognized formally in 2019) served in the Pacific Theater All 5 were legionnaires. 4 of the 5 were members of Post 13:
Richard Bean Sr., George Lewis Jr., and the brothers Mark Jacobs Jr & Harvey Jacobs were members of Post 13
Robert "Jeff" Davis Sr was also a Code Talker and a member of Post 12 in Haines
On September 13, 2023, after a 18 month battle Commander Vince Winter was able to secure Louis Minard place in Tlingit Code Talker history as the 6th Code Talker from the US Army Department of Awards and Decorations. The Post is currently working with Senator Lisa Murkowski is securing the Silver Congressional Medal as the award is not a US Army Award.
What Makes this Post Unique
Six American Legion posts were established before the Territory of Alaska received its permanent charter from the National Headquarters of the American Legion. Sitka was one of the six. By the time Alaska became a state, it had nearly 30 posts.
We are the "Home of the Tlingit Code Talkers" an honor bestowed on Post 13 by the Alaska Native Brotherhood.
Photos
Post 13 Awards Night - 2024
Medal of Honor Day 2023
Community Heroes Award - Chamber of Commerce Sitka 2023
4 Chaplin Day 2023
School Medal Award-Special Presentation 2022
Veteran's Day 2022
Alaska Day 2022
Tlingit Code Talker Celebration
Waypoint for Veterans BBQ 2022
ANB Resolution # 21-01: Recognition of Tlingit Code Talkers in World War II
Freedom Alliance Visit
School Medal Awards 2022
HISTORY
1910
Last 46 Star Flag flown on Castle Hill in Sitka
Jan 1912
The last 46 Star Flag that was flown on Castle Hill in Sitka. It hangs in Post 13 and is currently being planned for a new display case to preserve it for future generations in a UV light-protected glass.
1920
Post 13 Sitka is Chartered
Jun 4, 1920
Six American Legion posts were established before the Territory of Alaska received its permanent charter from the National Headquarters of the American Legion. Sitka was one of the six. By the time Alaska became a state, it had nearly 30 posts. June 4, 1920, American Legion Post 13 Chartered First Commander: Waldo Mills
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 13 Chartered
Feb 21, 1921
February 21, 1921, American Legion Auxiliary Post 13 Chartered First President: Freda B. Johnson
Legion heads up origination of the Sitka Public Library
Jan 1922
1922 American Legion Post 13 worked with E.M. Polley in the origination of the public library. (Photo of the Library today)
Sitka National Cemetery
Jan 1924
In 1922, the Secretary of the Navy turned the issue of cemetery maintenance over to the War Department. In June 1924, upon the recommendation of the Alaska governor and the American Legion Post 13 Sitka, President Calvin Coolidge signed an executive order designating the site Sitka National Cemetery. Since then, there have been several acreage modifications: in 1925, a revision of the executive order reduced the acreage from 3.98 acres to 1.19 acres; in 1957,..
Alaska State Flag
May 1, 1927
Alaska’s current state flag was the winning entry in a contest sponsored by the American Legion in 1927, more than 30 years before the territory became a U.S. state. Designed by John Bell (Benny) Benson, a 13- year-old orphaned Aleut Indian, this flag was formally adopted in May 1927. The flag’s blue background represented the sky and the Forget-me-not, Alaska’s state flower. Against this background are eight gold stars to represent the Big Dipper, a..
1930
Elbridge W. Merrill Memory Plaque Sitka, Alaska, 1932.
Jan 1932
Sitka's citizens raised the idea of adding another resource to the monument in 1933. Elbridge Warren Merrill, the first albeit unofficial custodian of the monument, had become ill with influenza late in 1929. This turned into pneumonia which caused Merrill's death on October 27, 1929. The Sitka post of the American Legion raised money for a commemorative plaque that read:
Elbridge W. Merrill who dedicated his life and artistic attainments towards picturing the scenic beauties surrounding..
1940
Service of the Tlingit Code Talkers
Jan 1942
Full Story The Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2008 requires the Secretary of the Treasury to strike Congressional Medals in recognition of the dedication and valor of Native American code talkers to the U.S. Armed Services during World War I and World War II. “Code talkers” refers to those Native Americans who used their tribal languages as a means of secret communication during wartime.
1950
The 40/8 was Chartered at Post 13
Dec 12, 1950
The 40/8 was Chartered, Voiture 1412 Chef de Train: Russell L. Clithero
Legion Baseball State Champions 1955
Jan 1955
American Legion Post 13: State Champions 1955
Legion Baseball State Champions 1956
Jan 1956
American Legion Post 13: State Champions 1956
1960
American Legion Jr. Baseball 1965; "Outstanding Player of the Year"
Aug 17, 1965
American Legion Jr. Baseball selected Sitka High School Senior, Steve McGraw as the Legion's "Outstanding Player of the Year".
Steve was a starting pitcher for 3 years for American Legion Jr Baseball. Factors that were taken into consideration by Legion Baseball were ability, sportsmanship and being an inspiration to other teammates.
Steve got to spend time with the San Fransico Giants on August 17th and 18th.
1970
Post 13 leads South East Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) Ceremony
May 1975
Commander Perkins Leads empoyees and the community of Sitka in welcoming the newly established South East Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC)
The SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) is a distinguished non-profit health consortium dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare services to the residents of Southeast Alaska. Established in 1975 under the provisions of the Indian Self-Determination Act, SEARHC has played a pivotal role in advancing the health and well-being of the Alaskan communities it serves.
1980
SAL Chartered in Sitka
Jan 18, 1984
September 29th, 1983, SAL's petition for Chartered was turned in and was granted on January 18th, 1984, adding yet another resource for Post 13 and making us stronger.
Alaska's only Medal of Honor recipient: Col Archie Van Winkle
May 22, 1986
Colonel Archie Van Winkle (March 17, 1925 – May 22, 1986) was a United States Marine who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions as a staff sergeant during the advance to the Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War.
A combat veteran of World War II, he was called to active duty with the Marine Corps Reserve after the outbreak of hostilities in Korea and was released to inactive duty on July 16, 1951...
1990
Old Building is torn down
Jan 1998
Our Original Legion Post 13 was demolished in 1998 and a new building was constructed in its place on the original site. When the original Post was torn down they found it was built over an old Russian Block House from 1887. You can read more about that history at: https://sitkaartblog.wordpress.com/2011/08/02/building-43/
2000
American Legion Baseball Sitka player drafted to SF Giants
Jan 2006
Eddie Crow - Sitka High School- Pitcher - 2006 SF Giants
American Legion Baseball player drafted SF Giants (2008) / Philadelphia Phillies (2009)
Jan 2008
Matt Way - Sitka High School – Pitcher - 2008 SF Giants / 2009 Philadelphia Phillies
2010
Moller Field - American Legion Baseball
Jan 2012
American Legion Baseball Sitka: Moller Field since 1950 supported American Legion Ball and in 2012 the new field was built by non-profits to support the American Legion Baseball
2020
Post 13 renamed "Henry "gene" Burton Sr. Memorial Post
Jan 19, 2022
Gene, known as “Buddy” in Tennessee, was the younger twin born on Oct. 4, 1940, in Jackson County, Tennessee, to Richard Cecil and Mattie Lou (Norton) Burton.
Education was always important to their family, as his father had a third-grade education and his mother had an eighth-grade education. Gene graduated from Cookeville Central High School in 1959 and immediately joined the United States Air Force.
While stationed at Elmendorf Air Force base in Anchorage, working as a..
