The American Legion was an experiment to assist the WWI veterans and their families. Horatio Nelson Jackson organizer needed a man that could lead the State as Commander.
Reverand John Martin Thomas was asked to lead the organization. A man of faith, educator, business man with an gift for fundraising money.
John Martin Thomas was born at Fort Covington, NY. born 12/27/1869.
He resided in Middlebury, VT
Served as a 1LT Chaplain 10/2/1918-4/5/1919. His principal station was Camp Taylor, KY and Hoboken, NJ
He was College President of the following: Middlebury College 1908-1921; Penn State 1921-25; Rutgers University 1925-1930; Norwich University (Acting President) 1943.
Vice President of National Life Insurance Company.
Pastor of the Arlington Avenue Presbyterian Church in East Orange NJ 1893-1908.
1943 in his retirement you could see a 5 star blue banner hanging in his window. Representing his son, son-in-law, and three grandsons serving our country WWII.
He died Feb 26, 1952 of colon cancer and is buried in Middlebury, VT
