John J. Cocklin
5/2/1893-6/22/1981
World War I veteran serving 4/1/18-1/18/1919. Company M 303d infantry and 301st Field Artillery. 1st Sergeant. Overseas 7/8/1918-1/3/1919.
Although, not listed as a charter member of Post #31, he began as an active member in 1919.
1919 Treasurer of Post #31
1922-23 Department of Vermont Adjutant
1923 Post #31 Chaplain
1927 Delegate to the American Legion Convention in Paris, France.
1936 Asst City Treasurer
1936 Indicted by States Attorney: Asa Bloomer for 70+ violations of embezzlement of over $250,000.00, as bank clerk at Marble Savings Bank. Cocklin assisted the investigation of a ring of offenders all the way to the former Governor involved in the scheme. However, he was found guilty and sentenced to 8-12 years at the State Prison in Windsor, Vt. He appealed, and it was not over turned.
1938 Marble bank took his home and property to pay back losses.
1941 Filed for bankruptcy.
His son entered the military and 1960s served in Vietnam and received a bronze star.
He moved to Florida an lived in Orlando are until his death 1981. He is buried at Arlington Cemetery.
