On December 10, 1938, a permeant Post Charter was issued by National Commander L. L. Chacherick, duly attested by the National Adjutant Frank E. Samuel at the Legion’s Headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana. The new Charter was issued to The American Legion at Raleigh, to be known as Charles T. Norwood Post No. 157, Department of North Carolina. The Charter was also signed by the North Carolina Department Commander and Department Adjutant on December 28, 1938. These actions by the National and Department Commanders ended the A and B Divisions within the Department of North Carolina American Legion, but did not end the practice segregation by race of post membership within the state.
The Officers of Charles T. Norwood Post No. 157 listed on the Post Application for Permanent Charter dated November 26, 1938 were:
Commander:Grady Johnson
Adjutant:Vann D. Alston
Treasurer:Samuel Kittrell
Historian:S. S. Hayes
Service Officer:G. W. Alston
News Correspondent:Arthur Giles
At the time of the application, the post membership was listed as eighty-four (84) with the prior year membership listed as one hundred and twenty-six (126). At that time, there was approximately three hundred (300) veterans of color residing in Raleigh, NC. Also, the word “colored” was written in the margin of the application.
The post has met in several locations in Raleigh, NC. Among the locations of post meeting places were East Hargett Street, formally known as the Negro Business District, 416 East Cabarrus Street, Raleigh Safety Club and the Garner Road YMCA Garner Road location.
