Jun 25, 1919
According to notes on the Charter Application, 15 veterans signed and sent an application to the State American Legion. The application was received by the State on June 27th.

Jul 5, 1919
Charter signed by the State for Naperville Post 43

Jul 24, 1919
A notice was placed in the Naperville Clarion announcing the first meeting of Naperville Post 43 at the 5th Regiment Illinois Reserve Militia Armory on Thursday, July 24, 1919. All sailors, soldiers and marines, whether members or not, were invited to "learn the many advantages this organization offers to those who were in military service during the late war". So where was the Armory? According to the Blue Book of the State of Illinois: State..

Jul 24, 1919
Chauncey Reed was born in West Chicago, Illinois. He was city treasurer of West Chicago, Illinois, in 1913 and 1914. He graduated from the Webster College of Law in Chicago, Illinois, in 1915. He was admitted to the bar that same year and commenced practice in Naperville, Illinois. During the First World War, Reed served as a sergeant in the 86th Infantry Division. He resumed his law practice in Naperville upon his return from the..

Jan 15, 1920
The 2nd Commander of Naperville Post 43 (1920) was Win G. Knoch, born May 24, 1895 in Naperville. After law school and service in World War I he entered a law partnership with future congressman and first commander of Naperville American Legion Post 43 Chauncey Reed. This led to his position as Assistant State's Attorney for DuPage County in 1920. He was a DuPage County Judge from 1930 -- 1942, U. S. District Court Judge..

May 31, 1920
In 1920, the Naperville American Legion Post 43 took over the organization of the annual Memorial Day Parade from the Grand Army of the Republic and with the Veterans of Foreign Wars has maintained responsibility for this popular local event ever since.

Sep 16, 1920
George Ester was born in Naperville, Illinois on March 27, 1893. Shortly after the country declared war he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served for 18 months. A good share of this time was spent on the high seas with a submarine crew which operated out of the naval base in the Azore Islands. After his discharge he returned to Naperville for several years during which time he served as the 3rd Commander (1921)..

Jul 21, 1921
Robert D. Bradlee was a WWI veteran. He served as the 4th Commander of Naperville American Legion Post 43 1921-1922.

Jul 20, 1922
Oscar Rohr was a WWI veteran. He served as the 5th Commander of Naperville American Legion Post 43 1922-1923.

Jul 19, 1923
Claude Grimes served in the US Navy in WWI. He was the 6th CDR of Post 43 1923-1924. Claude died January 15, 1975 and is buried in Naperville Cemetery.

Jul 17, 1924
Paul Herman Boecker, Sr was born March 12, 1896 in Naperville, Illinois. He served in WWI and later became the Seventh Commander of Post 43 1924-1925. He served as Naperville City Treasurer from April 30 1931-April 16, 1935. Paul died on September 5, 1949 in Naperville and was buried in Naperville Cemetery.

Jul 16, 1925
R.A. Anderson became the Eighth Commander of Naperville Post 43 1925-1926.

May 31, 1926
This statue was originally dedicated May 31, 1926 and was designed by artist E.M. Viquesney. Purchased by the Naperville American Legion Post 43, it was erected in honor of all those from Naperville who served in World War I. The inscription on the base of the statue reads, "To Perpetuate the Memory of Veterans of the World War 1914-1918." Surrounding the statue are seven stones honoring the seven "Naperville boys" who gave their lives in..

Jul 15, 1926
Edward W. Johnson became the Ninth Commander of Naperville Post 43 1926-1927.

Jul 21, 1927
James Sheehan was the 10th Commander of Post 43.

Jul 19, 1928
Edward Ullrich was a WWI veteran. He served as the 11th Commander of Naperville Post 43 1928-1929.

Jul 18, 1929
Fred Galow was a WWI veteran. He served as the 12th Commander of Naperville Post 43 in 1929-1930.

Jul 17, 1930
Frank F. Enck served as the 13th Commander of Post 43 1930-1931. He was a veteran of both World Wars. Frank was a graduate of Naperville High. Following WWI, he attended Loyola University. While at Loyola, he was Treasurer of Xi Psi Phi Dental Fraternity (1923) and Assistant Editor of Dentos (The Loyola University School of Dentistry yearbook). During WWII Dr. Enck served as a major in the Pacific theater of operations.

Jul 16, 1931
Herbert P Thompson was a veteran of WWI. He served as the 14th Commander of Post 43 1931-1932.

Jul 21, 1932
William R. Friedrich was a veteran of WWI. He served as the 15th Commander of Post 43 1932-1933. During the height of the Great Depression in the 1930s, a permanent memorial committee was appointed to oversee the acquisition and development of the land. William R. Friedrich was a member of that committee. The committee and local citizens funded the purchase of the land that became Centennial Beach.