Although neither of the participants could have known it at the time, history was made at the Past Commander's Ball held at American Legion Pony Express Post 359 in Saint Joseph, Missouri.
One of the attendees (besides the living Past Commanders of Post 359) was Past National Commander (1975 - 1976) Harry Gordon Wiles of Department of Kansas Post 53. He presented a special medal to Joseph J. Frank of Missouri Post 777. Legionnaire Frank was then the Department Commander for The American Legion Department of Missouri.
A little more than 12 years later, Legionnaire Frank would himself be elected American Legion National Commander for 1996 - 1997.
