Douglas M. Lyons. WWI Veteran who was killed in combat action in Verdun, France, 12 October 12, 1918. Posthumously Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions. The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Douglas M. Lyons, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 114th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division, A.E.F., near Verdun, France, 12 October 1918. Inspiring his men by his fearlessness, Lieutenant Lyons led an attack against a strongly fortified enemy position, and, in so doing, was killed.

On September 23, 1930, forty-two men from the Stewart County, Tennessee area met and completed the Application for Post of The American Legion. The Post would be named after Douglas Milford Lyons, a WWI Veteran who was killed in combat action in Verdun, France, 12 October 12, 1918 (Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions). The application was signed by the Post Adjutant H.P. Andrews, from Dover, TN and forwarded through Legion Command channels for final completion on September 26, 1930. On February 24, 1931 the Post Application for Permanent Charter was completed, with 67 Post members paid up for the year on the roster. J. Ben Thomson was the Commander, H.P. Andrews remained as the Adjutant, T.E. Andrews was the Treasurer, W.P. Bruton was the Historian, Irls S. Roberts was the Service Officer, and William Robinson was the News Correspondent. Post 72 was granted its Permanent Charter on February 26, 1931 and has been a part of the Stewart County Community for nearly Eighty-five years.

     It is our honor to inform you that Dover TN Post 72 was awarded the National Commanders Post Excellence Award for 2017 (Fourth Year in a  Row and only two posts in the State of Tennessee received this award in 2017) as we continue our exposure of American Legion values to the youth of our community, increase visibility of the American Legion Family through service projects, and continue to grow our Post Membership and Legion Family.  This past January (2017), during the Department of Tennessee Conference, Dover Unit 72 Auxiliary was awarded their charter and officially became a part of our team.  We are excited in the direction we are headed and are now working towards the establishment of our Squadron 72, Sons of The American Legion (SAL) and our Chapter 72 Legion Riders, we are looking for charter members for the SAL and Riders.  If you have any family members that are eligible to join our Legion Family, please ask them to join.  Together, we can and will do better, when it comes to veterans, their families, and our community.

     A few programs Dover Post 72 has been involved in since May 2016 have been; the Stewart County 9-11 Rally Round the Flag Pole/Day of Remembrance, Stewart Co. POW/MIA Ceremony, sponsored the Stewart County Field of Flags at the Stewart Co. Visitors Center, hosted the Stewart Co. Veterans Honor Dinner, assisted with the Stewart Co. Children's Christmas Program, sponsored the Fort Donelson National Cemetery “Wreaths Across America” program (Post 72 is the Official Unit Coordinator), sponsored the Fishing for Fisher House Bass Tournament, awarded the Stewart Co. Fire Fighter, Law Enforcement Officer, and Paramedic/EMT Awards, sent three (each) Stewart Co. High School young men and women to Boy/Girls State, and just finished up at Eagle Fest where we sponsored a Moon Pie Eating Contest, Hot Dog Eating Contest, and a Tug of War.  None of these events/sponsorships would not have been made possible without the support from our community and the great men and women of Dover Post 72 and  Dover Unit 72 Auxiliary. We would love to have your family join ours.