The community of St. Hedwig, Texas was established in the year of 1856.  The first settlers in St. Hedwig were farmers of Polish decent.  Today St. Hedwig is still a farming community with most of its population of about 700 descendants of the first settlers.  Today St. Hedwig is a farming community with a total population of 2,094 as of 2017.  St. Hedwig is located 14 miles due east of San Antonio between E IH 10 and south 87 on FM 1346. 

The community of St. Hedwig, from the Civil War through the Persian Gulf War has had many of her sons serve in the Armed Forces of the United States.  Living in the community are five (5) Gold Star Mothers who lost their sons during World War II.  During World War II, the citizens of St. Hedwig travelled throughout the City of San Antonio and surrounding communities collecting scrap iron for the war effort.  The collection and storage point for all the scrap iron was the Country Store and Meat Market, then owned and operated by Julian Strzelczyk, father of our Past Post Commander, Frank Strzelczyk.  After the war, the United States Government paid the community of St. Hedwig for the collected scrap iron.  The monies received was donated to the San Antonio War Wardens Association to help build a War Memorial for the War Veterans of Bexar County.   

In March of 1946, the men, who had served in the military, of St. Hedwig formed the American Legion Post which is known today as the St. Hedwig American Legion Post 539.  The meetings were held at the St Hedwig Club, regionally known as “Dutch’s, owned by Albert “Dutch” Strzelczyk Sr.  Post 539 is in the 20th District, 3rd Division of the Department of Texas.  On the birthday of The American Legion (National Organization), March 17, 1946, St. Hedwig American Legion Post 539 received its Temporary Charter from the Department of Texas.  On December 19, 1946 the Permanent Charter was received from the Department of Texas.    

In 1951, The American Legion Post 539 and Julius Strzelczyk entered into an agreement.  The agreement between the two parties is that the Legion would purchase 2 ½ acre tract of land, known as the St. Hedwig Farmers Gin site.  This would include improvements on the property of one Gin Building, one seed house, one cotton storage house and one office building in the amount of $2300.00.  This agreement was signed by Post Commander Michael Chuturich and was witnessed by Hugo T Zaiontz. 

In 1953, The post home was built.  It has served as a Community Center as well as a post home.  The hall is used for many gatherings including weddings, charity events, and of course dances.  The post home consists of a hall with the seating capacity of 500 - 600.  The Kitchen area consist of four (4) rooms, a bricked bar-b-que room, a large preparation room, a small room with cooking kettles and a large room were two (2) serving lines can be operated at the same time, a small building behind the hall that serves as an office.  The facility also has a covered carnival type midway called Slim’s Alley and picnic table area where Bingo games had been played outside.  Next to the hall, there is a baseball field used for baseball and soccer. On any given evening, you can see the bright lights of the field shining down on members of the Youth Organization as they compete in friendly games.  The post grounds cover 7 1/2 acres of land which most had been donated. 

In 1981, The F-84 Thunderstreak (No. 51-9364), formerly of the 149th Tactical Fighter Group, Kelly AFB, Texas, that had been retired to the Post fell victim to vandals and the post reluctantly parted with the jet to a team from the 463rd Avionics Maintenance Squadron at Dyess AFB, where it will be cleaned and readied for static display. 

In 2016, The post expanded the Legion Family to include the American Legion Auxiliary.  The Auxiliary chartered with 47 members in June.  Linda Doege was elected President of the Auxiliary.