Maurice E. Doolan
9/20/1896-10/9/1955
Rutland’s native boy. Joined the military in 1914-1919 serving at the Mexican Border and WWI. From private to Captain he was a true leader.
2/4/1914-1919 with Company A 102nd Machine Gun Battalion he received Silver Star and Citations for unusual bravery when his Commander Officer was lost and he led his detachment at the St. Mihiel Offensive and the Battle of Marne. Also receiving citations for bravery against the enemy under intense machine gun Marcheville and Riaville on Sept 26-26, 1919. During this time he was hospitalized in France for “Trench Fever”. Discharged in 4/29/1919. Rank Sergeant.Overseas (9/23/1917-4/17/1919).
He re-enlisted in 1923 and in 1930 he was promoted from LT to Captain and was the Commanding officer of Company A, 102nd Machine Gun Bn.
1930 he made news when he asked the employers of Vermont to allow all National Guardsmen to attend the two week training camps. (This was years before it was a federal mandate).
1936 Managed Post #31 Drum Corps. (He often played trumpet)
1936 President of the Rutland Yankee Division Organization.
1937 Department of Vermont American Legion Drum Corps Chairman
1938 State Yankee Division organization historian.
1939 He spent many months visiting veterans at the Veterans Hospital. Providing entertainment nights with skits and pictures and discussions regarding the topics from veterans, American Legion events.
He was involved with DAV, Boy Scouts, Trinity Episcopal Church and Yankee Division.
1939-1940 Commander of Post #31. Successfully leading the post to receive a National Citation for excellence in Membership. Sons of The American Legion Commander was Leonard F. Wing, Jr. (son of his military commander).
1945-1952 adjutant of Post #31. Was honored upon his retirement with a Legion Ring. He was the engine that kept the post actively involved in the lives of its community veterans.
Note: His mother Caroline Doolan was a charter member of Unit #31 Auxiliary. She was also extremely active in all veteran related auxiliary units formed in Rutland.
He worked with the Howe Scale Company in the drafting and designing department.
In 1952 he was diagnosed with heart disease at the VA hospital. He spent the remainder of his life working for The American Legion and the veterans of the community, state and nation.
1955 he passed to post everlasting. His obituary did not contain his bravery, citations or awards. It did not focus on his full history of commitment. It, however, did praise the many Legionnaires that honored his life and military service while they laid him to rest at Evergreen Cemetery.
