Martin Wallberg American Legion Post 3 was named in memory of Westfield’s World War I hero, Martin Wallberg, a son of Westfield who paid the supreme sacrifice and the first to carry the American flag over the top. Martin Wallberg was born in Västra Ed, Kalmar, Sweden, on August 23, 1898, and came to Westfield, N.J. with his parents when he was 4 years, 6 months old. He attended school in Westfield, and completed his studies around the outbreak of WWI. In June 1915, he left home and went to Canada. On May 8, 1916, he enlisted in the Canadian army because he thought it was his duty. After training, he was sent to England, arriving on October 19, 1916. From there, he left for France on February 15, 1917, and went into action in April 1917. Serving with the 8th Battalion, Manitoba Regiment in August 1917, he was wounded, later recovered, and went back into action. While in the trenches, Martin received mail from home containing a little American flag from Major Leigh Pearsall of Westfield informing him that he had been elected to the honor roll of Westfield in appreciation of his valor as an American volunteer with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces. On November 10, 1917, at Passchendaele Hill, in Belgium, carrying his American flag Martin went over the top, and was KIA. His flag was recovered, and later donated to Post 3 by the Wallberg Family. For his valor, Post 3 founders unanimously agreed that Post 3 be named in memory of Martin Wallberg. Private Martin Tore Wallberg (Service Number: 234934) is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Belgium, and on the Saskatchewan Virtual War Memorial. The Westfield Historical Society inducted Martin Wallberg into the Westfield Hall of Fame on May 25, 2016.

Martin Wallberg American Legion Post 3 was founded by Westfield veterans of World War I. The first meeting was held in the home Leigh M. Pearsall on May 21, 1919. In that meeting, Alan Bruce Conlin was elected temporary Chairman, and Edward Wittke temporary Secretary. A committee consisting of Leigh M. Pearsall, Robert Keyes, Robert Perry, Lindsey Dallas, and Aubrey Russell nominated the following who became the first elected officers: Commander: Walter A. Dempsey Senior Vice Commander: Robert Keyes Junior Vice Commander: Raymond Cherry Adjutant: Edward Wittke Asst. Adjutant: William Canfield Quartermaster: Alan Bruce Conlin Asst. Quartermaster: William McClintock Color Sergeant: Alfred W. Murphy Chaplin: Chas. Sisserson Officer of the Day: Robert Snevily Historian: Leigh M. Pearsall On or about May 25, 1919, the day the American Legion opened the New Jersey office in Newark, Alan Bruce Conlin applied for and obtained a temporary charter. The Martin Wallberg American Legion Post of Westfield, New Jersey received the number three (3) designation. Martin Wallberg American Legion Post 3 received its permanent charter on September 6, 1919. THE FOLLOWING ARE MARTIN WALLBERG AMERICAN LEGION POST 3 CHARTER MEMBERS: George W. Cravens Raymond S. Brainard Charles E. Tice Donald Donaldson William F. Kennedy John S. Ferguson Fred R. Doerrer Leigh M. Pearsall Frank L. Beattys Harrison L. Taylor Frank M. Traynor Josiah T. Tubby Jr. William L. Dallas Raymond Cherry Albert R. Manner Leonard D. Appley Walter A. Dempsey Edward W. Wittke T. Sherman Class Alan B. Conlin Herber B. Smith Robert E. Perry Jr. George C. Manner William C. Canfield George V. Gilmore The first headquarters for Martin Wallberg American Legion Post 3 was the old Prospect Street School in downtown Westfield, which is now the northwest end of Westfield’s municipal parking lot. Post 3 veterans of WWI renovated, and occupied the building from 1921 until 1949. After the end of WWII, veterans of WWII decided to build a more modern home. Under the leadership of Jack J. Camillo, Commander for the years 1949 & 1950, the current home at 1003 North Avenue West, Westfield, NJ was built and occupied in 1949. NOTABLE MEMBERS THAT HAVE MANAGED YOUTH PROGRAMS: - Albert Moeller - American Legion Baseball - Peter Hogaboom - Boys State - Jack Ford - Boys State MARTIN WALLBERG AMERICAN LEGION POST 3 IS INVOLVED WITH THE FOLLOWING COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS: - Westfield Historical Society - Boy Scouts of America - Girl Scouts of America - American Red Cross - Daughters of the American Revolution MULTIPLE GENERATION FAMILIES INVOLVED WITH POST 3 INCLUDE: - Edward W. Wittke, and Edward W. Wittke, Jr. - Alan B. Conlin, and Alan B. Conlin, Jr. - Peter Hogaboom, and son Thomas Hogaboom - Charles E. Townsend Sr., and granddaughter Sharon Knight (Auxiliary President) COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES PERFORMED BY POST 3 INCLUDE: - Coordinating activities for veterans at the VA NJ Heathcare System - Lyons Campus - Fundraising, purchasing personal items, and shipping care packages for the Support Our Troops Program - Fundraising, and purchasing toys for recipients of the Toys for Tots Program - Awarding an annual scholarship to a Westfield High School Senior in memory of deceased Westfield High School student - Ray Bailey - Providing funding for Boys State students - Fundraising, and making donations to Veterans Haven North - Putting flags on veterans graves on Memorial Day - Entertaining Sunrise Senior Living residents MEMORIALS CONSTRUCTED BY MARTIN WALLBERG AMERICAN LEGION POST 3 INCLUDE: - A Veterans Walkway commemorating military veterans

Martin Wallberg American Legion Post 3 was the first American Legion post chartered in Union County, NJ.