Sargent Arthur G. Smith and Corporal Emery C. Reynolds (Smith-Reynolds) were the first two Vancouver servicemen to give their life in World War 1. Sgt. Smith was assigned to Company C  and Cpl. Reynolds to Company E of the 4th Engineers, Combat Logistics Regiment, 4th Division of the U.S. Army stationed in Vancouver, Washington. Both were sent overseas and fought in the second battle of Marne in France on August 1, 1918. Cpl. Reynolds was killed in action on August 7, 1918 and Sgt. Smith was fatally wounded on August 10th and died the same day.

Charter Members of Post 14: Dale McMullen (First Commander), Richard R. Yeatuau (First Adjutant), Robert B. Smith, Asa W. Ryan, Earl E. Garrett, Hugh M. Brace, Arthur A Cain, Harry D. Gonser, Earl O. Johnson, Clarence R. Studer, L.O. Davis, R.R. Morris, Lonis Schaefer, Cedric Miller and Charles W. McCarty.

It  was the first American Legion Post in Vancouver, Washington and we stared with a major post-war project to build a community center and swimming pool for the residents of Vancouver. Construction of Memorial Hall as it was called started in 1919 by veterans of both the Spanish-American War and World War 1. The plan was to fund the project through sale of $50.00 Gold Bonds at a total value of $100,000. Members of Smith-Reynolds Post 14 received pledges to start the project, but were unable to collect enough money to pay for the entire construction cost as a result of the Depression of 1920-21. The depression lasted for 19 months, from January 1920 to July 1921 (14 months after the end of World War 1) so eventually the building was purchased by the City of Vancouver. This photograph was taken by Albert Warner Scott after its dedication and permission to use this photo was given to the American Legion by Albert’s son Finley L. Scott and his Granddaughter Michele Scott.

Post 14 was started by 15 First World War veterans. They applied for a charter on July 1, 1919 and received a temporary on July 29, 1919. The official charter on display at Post 14 dated April 22, 1924 and signed by Department of Washington on May 2, 1924 is not the original Charter. During the period between April 1919 to completion of Memorial Hall members of Smith-Reynolds Post 14 held meetings in the Commercial Club Rooms, Salvation Army Building, Central Hall and St. Luke’s Church. It was during this time of frequent moves the original Charter was lot and has never been recovered.