Early in 1919, some of the American Soldiers and Officers, before returning to the United States, met in Paris France, and discussed the forming of an organization of the Veterans of World War I.  Thus, the ground work was started and the American Legion was on its way.

                Back in the United States, the idea was carried on by the returning Veterans who formed local clubs and organizations throughout the cities and hamlets in the States.

                A caucus was called at St. Louis, Missouri in May, 1919, where officers in charge of organizing the American Legion nationally met to discuss plans for making the American Legion a National, State and local affair, patterned after the Federal Government with a constitution and a preamble.

                The Preamble for the American Legion sets out the purposes for which the Legion was formed, to-wit:

                For God and Country, we associate ourselves together for the following purposes:

1.       To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America;

2.       To maintain Law and Order;

3.       To foster and perpetuate a 100% Americanism;

4.       To preserve the memories and incidents of our association in the great war;

5.       To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state, and nation;

6.       To combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses;

7.       To make right the Master of Might’

8.       To promote peace and good will on earth;

9.       To safe-guard and transmit to posterity, the principles of Justice, Freedom, and Democracy;

10.   To consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.

Several Wisconsin Veterans were in attendance at the St. Louis Caucus and on their return, promotional work of organizing the American Legion was begun in Wisconsin, on the National, State, and Local levels.  The first organizing State Officers were:

Edward M. Ackley – Milwaukee                 Chairman

John C. Davis – Milwaukee                           Vice Chairman

R.M. Gibson – Wisconsin Rapids                Adjutant

Newman H. Bellis – Wausau                        Finance Officer

Rev. Gustave Stearns – Milwaukee           Chaplain

James H. McGillen – Green Bay                  Historian

                These first officers were replaced by the regular officers elected at the first Wisconsin Department Convention held in Milwaukee early in September, 1919.

The new state officers were:

Commander                                                                       John C. Davis  - Milwaukee

Vice Commander                                                             H. C. McCarthy  - Richland Center

Adjutant                                                                              R. M. Gibson  - Wisconsin Rapids

Finance Officer                                                                  Newman H. Bellis – Wausau

Chaplain                                                                               Rev. Gustave Stearns – Milwaukee

Master at Arms                                                                 Leo J. Kosak – Milwaukee

Historian                                                                              James H. McGillen – Green Bay

National Exec. Comm. Man                                          Harold Crosby  - Rhinelander

 

                The time of the first National Convention in Minneapolis on November 11, 1919, according to records, there were only 41 Posts organized in Wisconsin, but a year later there were 280 Posts and 23,000 members.

                At Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, a small group of returned Veterans assembled early in September, 1919 at the Village Hall and discussed forming a Local Post and what would be necessary to get a Charter

                It was first decided that a name would be necessary and it had been customary to name the Post after the first Veteran killed in action.  Frank E. Malone of Mount Horeb was the first soldier to die on the field of battle.  He was killed in the Battle of Cantegney in France in May, 1918 while serving as a member of Company F, 28th Infantry, 1st Division.  An application was sent for and returned the first part of October, 1919.  It was found that 15 qualified Veterans were required to sign the application.  There were many more than 15 ready and willing to sign, but the first 15 available signed the application.  The application was sent to Milwaukee and a Charter was issued on October 23rd, 1919.  On November 20, 1919 the Frank E. Malone Post held its first meeting at the Village Hall and elected the following officers:

Post Commander                                                             Otto G. Gesme

Vice Commander                                                             O. E. Ishmael

Adjutant                                                                              J. E. Roberts

Finance Officer                                                                  C. P. Brechler

Historian                                                                              Gil Ayen

Chaplain                                                                               Ernest Stolen

                A short time after the election of officers, 49 paid up members belonged to the Post.  The members were at this time just returning from France and were trying to readjust to civilian life, and naturally they did not have much money.  Therefore, the treasury was dependent upon the membership dues, which were $5.00 per year.  Out of these dues, the greater part had to be sent to National and State Headquarters.  To replenish the treasury the Legion held celebrations and the first celebration was the 4th of July, 1921.  The Veterans worked hard for this celebration and after the expenses were paid, a good balance was left to carry on the work of caring for the disabled comrades and their families.  Due to the lack of sufficient funds, the Legion called upon the business men for help for the cause of the American Legion for which the Local Post has always been grateful.  Memorial Day has always been observed with a program at the local school and a parade of the Legion and the Auxiliary, the city band, later the high school band, and the grade school children was had from the school to the cemetery where the graves of all soldiers and sailors of all wars were decorated.

                The following consists of a number of activities carried on by the Legion over the past 30 years:

                The Legion undertook to raffle off a Chevrolet car.  This was quite an undertaking at the time, but proved a successful way for making money.  This raffle took place in 1924. 

                The most humorous incident was a play put on by the American Legion entitled, “When Men Marry”.  This was a very elaborate affair where the men wore silk hats and dress suits and the women who were all men, wore evening gowns.  The groom was Roy Sommers who was 5’ 4” and the bride was “Big Bill”, Wm. J. Olson, who was about 6’5”.  Doctor C. A. Sholts, Village President at the time, a corpulent man weighing about 240 pounds, was ring-bearer.  This wedding was worth going miles to see.  Another humorous incident was Mr. A.A.  Babcock, the then President of the Chamber of Commerce and the father of the local high school teacher, Miss Vera Babcock, who had up to that time worn a nice mustache, shaved his mustache off so he could take part in the play and he made such a hit without his mustache that he never grew one again.  This play was run for two nights and the receipts for the two nights totaled $900.

                Another play entitled, “Corporal Egan” was also given by the Legion and other town folks.

                In 1927 and 1928 the Legion enjoyed its largest membership to date, with a total of 84 members.

                The Legion Post took part in the $5,000 Endowment Drive in 1928 and our quota was set at $400.  We went over our quota and made about $500.

                In 1930 the local Post entertained the 3rd District Conference at Mount Horeb which was one of the largest and best attended conferences ever held.

                Armistice Day has been observed with a program at the local theaters or at the local school followed by a banquet at noon by the Legionnaires and their wives, and the Auxiliary Sisters.  The evening of Armistice Day is observed by an Auxiliary Party given to the Legionnaires.

                A Memorial Monument with a flag pole was built by the Legion in the Mount Horeb Union Cemetery, upon lot donated by the Cemetery Association to the American Legion.  A Memorial was erected in honor of all soldiers and sailors of all wars.  This memorial spot has been in constant use ever since for the exercises in our cemetery.  This Memorial was erected in 1930.

                The Legion in the early days headed drives for the Salvation Army and the Red Cross.

                The Frank E. Malone Post bought the Lake Park, now known as Stuart Park, which is north of the village.  This had been heretofor known as Lake Park and had been built up by the business men of Mount Horeb.  It became nationally known for its Ski-tournaments.  However, after some severe floods the dam was washed away and the lake with it.  It was the purpose of the Legion to rebuild the dam and recover some of the glamour of he past.  It was about this time that the Federal Government was creating Civilian Conservation Corps and the Legion and Chamber of Commerce worked together to bring one of the CCC Camps to Mount Horeb.  The Camp was located on the newly purchased park land where the Government erected camps and living quarters.  Part of the old building remains and it is now used as a shelter house.  The dam was, however, rebuilt as an erosion project.  It continued so until the American Legion sold the Park to Dane County for Park Purposes.

                The Frank E. Malone Post shared their quarters with the Grand Army of the Republic of which there were a good number in Mount Horeb and community.  The GAR having their Camp here and known as the Ren-Dixon Post.  The Civil War Veterans were getting along in years and were happy to have the Legion to carry on with them and for them.  Comrade Anton Ruste conceived the idea of beautifying the triangles along the highway made so by new highway construction.  After the highways were prepared for public use, the triangles were usually covered with rocks and brush which made eye-sore to an otherwise beautiful landscape.  Comrade Ruste and the former Secretary of State, Honorable John S. Donald, had had many conferences regarding beautification of highways, and as a result Comrade Ruste presented the project to the American Legion for consideration.  The Legion took over two of these triangles – one on the south side of Mount Horeb where 92 and 8th Street divide.  The other one is on the north side of town where Highway 78 and the Pine Bluff road divide.  These triangles were planted with flowers and shrubs and kept up.  After the completion of the triangles they were dedicated and a ceremony was had with bands and flags.  A short time later one of our Post Commanders, Herman Bogard, became a candidate for State Commander and as part of his program he advocated highway beautification with a result that the Legion Posts throughout the State of Wisconsin became very active in highway beautification.

                In 1946 the Local Legioin was all out for the Drive for Camp American Legioin at Tomahawk, Wisconsin.  It appeared at that time that our Veterans Camp at Tomahawk was going to fail for want of finances.  The State Legion put on a drive through every Post and the Drive went over with great success, making much more money than expected and the camp has been continued ever since.

                During World War II, the Village of Mount Horeb was naturally interested in the boys who were going to service and whereas it had been customary in the past for the Legion or the townspeople, or both, to set up an Honor Roll of the boys who had gone to Service. The Village Board, after making some survey of the communities in and around southern Wisconsin, decided that Mount Horeb should have an Honor Roll for our Service Boys and submitted the question to the American Legion with the result that Mount Horeb bought a different type of Honor Roll and placed same in the quarter of the Village Municipal Building.  This is one of the most beautiful Honor Rolls erected and can be seen today at the Municipal Building.  It contains all the names of our soldiers, sailors, marines and air corp men from this community, in gold letters.  The Village purchased the Honor Roll which stands 7” high and the Roll itself is on a revolving stand made of the same wood material.  This Honor Roll was bought and paid for and kept up by the Village.  Mr. Chris J. Gesme, the clerk, took it upon himself to get the history of each Veteran whose name was on the Honor Roll and a Certificate was presented to the family and after the war, the history was turned over to the American Legion and Mr. Gesme was made an Associate Member of the Local Post.

                Junior Baseball was sponsored by the American Legion for two or three years when the Local Post developed a very fine baseball team that won games locally and away from home.

                The Legion has been an advocate and supporter of Boy Scout work and has encouraged band music for the youth  of Mount Horeb.  The Local Post has taken part in competitive sports, at State Conventions and it nearly always won a trophy.  The Rifle Team is one of the active organizations that take part.

                In later years, the Legion has sponsored Badger Boys State and has sent one or two Juniors from our high school to attend the weeks session at Ripon each year and paid their expense.  They have over the years given prizes to the school for good essays and for many other educational matters.

                The Frank E. Malone Post has assisted in 93 or more Military Funerals of deceased Comrades in the last 30 years.  The following are the names of the elected officers of the Frank E. Malone Post from 1919 to date:

1919

Post Commander                                                             Otto G. Gesme

Vice Commander                                                             O.E. Ishmael

Adjutant                                                                              J. E. Roberts

Finance Officer                                                                  C. P. Brechler

Historian                                                                              Gil Ayen

Chaplain                                                                               Ernest Stolen

1920

Post Commander                                                             O.E. Ishmael

Vice Commander                                                             B. E. Dahlen

Adjutant                                                                              Alvin Kollath

Finance Officer                                                                  C. P. Brechler

Historian                                                                              Gil Ayen

Chaplain                                                                               Ernest Stolen

1921

Post Commander                                                             B. E. Dahlen

Vice Commander                                                             Otto G. Gesme

Adjutant                                                                              Alvin Kollath

Finance Officer                                                                  C. P. Brechler

Historian                                                                              Stanley Jacobson

Chaplain                                                                               L. Bergh

1922

Post Commander                                                             Stanley Jacobson

Vice Commander                                                             Mike Birrenkott

Adjutant                                                                              R. D. Nelson

Finance Officer                                                                  C. B. Thompson

Historian                                                                              P. A. Zintz

Chaplain                                                                               Irvin Hoff

1923

Post Commander                                                             M. A. Birrenkott

Vice Commander                                                             Ernest Schaller

Adjutant                                                                              A. F. Statz

Finance Officer                                                                  C. P. Brechler

Historian                                                                              Stanley Jacobson

Chaplain                                                                               Theo. Landmark

1924

Post Commander                                                             Oliver Lee

Vice Commander                                                             R. D. Nelson

Adjutant                                                                              A. F. Statz

Finance Officer                                                                  Fount S. Zintz

Historian                                                                              Gil Ayen

Chaplain                                                                               Theo. Landmark

SGT at Arms                                                                       John Uebersetzig

1925

Post Commander                                                             Gus Johnon

Vice Commander                                                             Wm J. Olson

2nd Vice Commander                                                      Ernest Schaller

Adjutant                                                                              Otto Gesme

Finance Officer                                                                  Gil Ayen

Historian                                                                              Fount S. Zintz

Chaplain                                                                               John Uebersetzig

SGT at Arms                                                                       Ted Ayen

Service Officer                                                                   R.D. Nelson

Athletic Officer                                                                 A.F. Statz

1926

Post Commander                                                             Herman Bogard

Vice Commander                                                             Ed J. Smith

2nd Vice Commander                                                      Oscar Swiggum

Adjutant                                                                              A.F. Statz

Finance Officer                                                                  R. B. Dahle

Historian                                                                              John Luder

Chaplain                                                                               Harvey Field

SGT at Arms                                                                       Ernest Schaller

Service Officer                                                                   R.D. Nelson

Athletic Officer                                                                 Gil Ayen

Exec Committee                                                               O.G. Gesme and Oliver Lee

1927

Post Commander                                                             A.F. Statz

Vice Commander                                                             Thomas Crowe

2nd Vice Commander                                                      Art Bloland

Adjutant                                                                              Oscar Swiggum

Finance Officer                                                                  R. B. Dahle

Historian                                                                              Anton Ruste

Chaplain                                                                               O.G. Gesme

SGT at Arms                                                                       John Uebersetzig

Service Officer                                                                   R.D. Nelson

Athletic Officer                                                                 Gil Ayen

Exec Committee                                                               Herman Bogard and F.A. Zintz

 

1928

Post Commander                                                             M.A. Tollund

Vice Commander                                                             Oliver Lee

2nd Vice Commander                                                      John Uebersetzig

Adjutant                                                                              A.F. Statz

Finance Officer                                                                  R. B. Dahle

Historian                                                                              Anton Ruste

Chaplain                                                                               Roy Sommers

SGT at Arms                                                                       Albert Mittmoen

Service Officer                                                                   R.D. Nelson

Athletic Officer                                                                 Ernest Schaller

Exec Committee                                                               Ed Redel and B.E. Dahlen

1929

Post Commander                                                             Ernest Schaller

Vice Commander                                                             Oscar Swiggum

2nd Vice Commander                                                      Elmer Krohn

Adjutant                                                                              Elmer Tvedt

Finance Officer                                                                  R. B. Dahle

Historian                                                                              A.F. Statz

Chaplain                                                                               M.A. Tollund

SGT at Arms                                                                       A.J. Bloland

Service Officer                                                                   R.D. Nelson

Athletic Officer                                                                 Gil Ayen

Exec Committee                                                               Oliver Lee and B.E. Dahlen

1930

Post Commander                                                             Oscar Swiggum

Vice Commander                                                             Fred Schott

2nd Vice Commander                                                      Joe Brink

Adjutant                                                                              A.F. Statz

Finance Officer                                                                  R. B. Dahle

Historian                                                                              M.A. Tollund

Chaplain                                                                               C.P. Breckler

SGT at Arms                                                                       Elmer Krohn

Service Officer                                                                   R.D. Nelson

Athletic Officer                                                                 Ernest Schaller

Exec Committee                                                               Gus Johnson and B.E. Dahlen

1931

Post Commander                                                             Joe Buechner

Vice Commander                                                             Albert Lee

2nd Vice Commander                                                      Henry Smith

Adjutant                                                                              A.F. Statz

Finance Officer                                                                  R. B. Dahle and R.D. Nelson

Historian                                                                              M.A. Tollund

Chaplain                                                                               Carl Breckler

SGT at Arms                                                                       John Uebersetzig

Exec Committee                                                               Gus Johnson and B.E. Dahlen

1932

Post Commander                                                             Joe Buechner

Vice Commander                                                             Harvey Field

2nd Vice Commander                                                      Henry Smith

Adjutant                                                                              A.F. Statz

Finance Officer                                                                  Wm. J.Birrenkott

Historian                                                                              M.A. Tollund

Chaplain                                                                               Malcolm Seth

SGT at Arms                                                                       Theo. Landmark

Service Officer                                                                   R.D. Nelson

Athletic Officer                                                                 Ernest Schaller

 

1933

Post Commander                                                             Arthur Bloland

Vice Commander                                                             Clarence G. McTaggert

1st Assistant                                                                        Joe Buechner

2nd Vice Commander                                                      Anton Ruste

2nd Assistant                                                                       Elmet Disrud

Adjutant                                                                              O.G. Paulson

Finance Officer                                                                  Ray Bakken

Historian                                                                              M.A. Tollund

Chaplain                                                                               Malcolm Seth

SGT at Arms                                                                       Albert Lee

Service Officer                                                                   R.D. Nelson

Athletic Officer                                                                 Ed Redel

Exec Committee                                                               Gus Johnson and B.E. Dahlen

1934

Post Commander                                                             Joe Buechner

Vice Commander                                                             Clarence G. McTaggert                                                 

2nd Vice Commander                                                      Anton Ruste

2nd Assistant                                                                       Elmet Disrud

Adjutant                                                                              Herbert H. White

Finance Officer                                                                  Ray Bakken

Historian                                                                              M.A. Tollund

Chaplain                                                                               Malcolm Seth

SGT at Arms                                                                       Albert Lee

Service Officer                                                                   A. F. Statz

Athletic Officer                                                                 Ed Redel

Exec Committee                                                               Gus Johnson and B.E. Dahlen

1935

Post Commander                                                             Oliver Lee

Vice Commander                                                             Irving Erickson                                  

2nd Vice Commander                                                      James Lunde

Adjutant                                                                              Herbert H. White

Finance Officer                                                                  Ray Bakken

Historian                                                                              M.A. Tollund

Chaplain                                                                               Rev. I.A. Lavik

SGT at Arms                                                                       John Uebersetzig

Service Officer                                                                   A. F. Statz

Athletic Officer                                                                 Ed Redel

Exec Committee                                                               Gus Johnson and B.E. Dahlen

1936

Post Commander                                                             Oliver Lee

Vice Commander                                                             John Uebersetzig                                                            

2nd Vice Commander                                                      George Lukken

Adjutant                                                                              D.E. Dahlen

Finance Officer                                                                  Ray Bakken

Historian                                                                              M.A. Tollund

Chaplain                                                                               Rev. I.A. Lavik

SGT at Arms                                                                       Ted Jungenberg

Service Officer                                                                   A. F. Statz

Athletic Officer                                                                 Ernie Statz

Exec Committee                                                               Harvey Field and Henry Smith

1937

Post Commander                                                             John Uebersetzig

Vice Commander                                                             Clarence Henderson                                                      

2nd Vice Commander                                                      Ted Jungenberg

Adjutant                                                                              D.E. Dahlen

Finance Officer                                                                  M.A. Birrenkott

Historian                                                                              M.A. Tollund

Chaplain                                                                               Rev. I.A. Lavik

SGT at Arms                                                                       Marvin Thorsrud

Service Officer                                                                   A. F. Statz

Athletic Officer                                                                 Wm. Birrenkott

Exec Committee                                                               Otto Brager and Henry Smith

1938

Post Commander                                                             George Lukken

Vice Commander                                                             Elmer Krohn                                                      

2nd Vice Commander                                                      Ted Jungenberg

Adjutant                                                                              Joe Buechner

Finance Officer                                                                  M.A. Birrenkott

Historian                                                                              M.A. Tollund

Chaplain                                                                               Rev. I.A. Lavik

SGT at Arms                                                                       Elmer Disrud

Service Officer                                                                   A. F. Statz

Athletic Officer                                                                 Ted Ayen

Exec Committee                                                               Oscar Swiggum and Bennet Bruflat

1939

Post Commander                                                             George Lukken

Vice Commander                                                             Elmer Krohn                                                      

2nd Vice Commander                                                      Vincent Walsh

Adjutant                                                                              Frank Bie

Finance Officer                                                                  M.A. Birrenkott

Historian                                                                              M.A. Tollund

Chaplain                                                                               Rev. I.A. Lavik

SGT at Arms                                                                       Gust Anderson

Service Officer                                                                   A. F. Statz

Athletic Officer                                                                 L.E. Martin

Exec Committee                                                               Ray Bakken and C.G. McTaggart

1940

Post Commander                                                             Raymond Bakken

Vice Commander                                                             Raymond Jenkins                                                            

2nd Vice Commander                                                      Albert Lee

Adjutant                                                                              C.G. McTaggart

Finance Officer                                                                  M.A. Birrenkott

Historian                                                                              M.A. Tollund

Chaplain                                                                               Rev. I.A. Lavik

SGT at Arms                                                                       Bennet Bruflat

Service Officer                                                                   Oliver Lee

Athletic Officer                                                                 Clarence Henderson

Exec Committee                                                               Owen Paulson and Dr. R.A. Oglivie

1941

Post Commander                                                             Rev. I.A. Lavik

Vice Commander                                                             Henry Smith                                                      

2nd Vice Commander                                                      Joe Oimoen

Adjutant                                                                              C.G. McTaggart

Finance Officer                                                                  M.A. Birrenkott

Historian                                                                              M.A. Tollund

Chaplain                                                                               Raymond Bakken

SGT at Arms                                                                       Melvin Thorsrud

Service Officer                                                                   Oliver Lee

Athletic Officer                                                                 Joseph A. Murphy

Exec Committee                                                               A. F. Statz and Louis L. Martin

1942

Post Commander                                                             C. H. Strange

Vice Commander                                                             Louis E. Martin                                                 

2nd Vice Commander                                                      Raymond Jenkins

Adjutant                                                                              C.G. McTaggart

Finance Officer                                                                  M.A. Birrenkott

Historian                                                                              M.A. Tollund

Chaplain                                                                               Rev. I.A. Lavik

SGT at Arms                                                                       Theo Landmark

Service Officer                                                                   Wm. J. Olson

Athletic Officer                                                                 Ed Redel

Exec Committee                                                               Otto Brager and Harvey Field

1943

Post Commander                                                             Louis E. Martin

Vice Commander                                                             Raymond Jenkins                                                            

2nd Vice Commander                                                      S. A. Sylvester

Adjutant                                                                              John Uebersetzig

Finance Officer                                                                  M.A. Birrenkott

Historian                                                                              M.A. Tollund

Chaplain                                                                               Rev. I.A. Lavik

SGT at Arms                                                                       Melvin Thorsrud

Service Officer                                                                   Wm. B. Olson

Athletic Officer                                                                 Ed Redel

Exec Committee                                                               C. R. Strange and Ray Bakken

1944

Post Commander                                                             Henry Smith

Vice Commander                                                             Dr. H. A. Oglivie                                                

2nd Vice Commander                                                      Vincent Walsh

Adjutant                                                                              S. A. Sylvester

Finance Officer                                                                  M.A. Birrenkott

Historian                                                                              M.A. Tollund

Chaplain                                                                               Rev. I.A. Lavik

SGT at Arms                                                                       Melvin Thorsrud

Service Officer                                                                   Wm. Olson

1945

Post Commander                                                             Herbert C. Koch

Vice Commander                                                             Lon W. Corbin                                                   

2nd Vice Commander                                                      Joseph A. Murphy

Adjutant                                                                              E. J. Smith

Finance Officer                                                                  M.A. Birrenkott

Historian                                                                              M.A. Tollund

Chaplain                                                                               Rev. I.A. Lavik

Service Officer                                                                   Oliver Lee

1946

Post Commander                                                             Edward J. Smith

Vice Commander                                                             Leon F. Jenkins                                 

2nd Vice Commander                                                      Lyle J. Johnson

Adjutant                                                                              Forest A. Johnson

Finance Officer                                                                  M.A. Birrenkott

Historian                                                                              M.A. Tollund

Chaplain                                                                               Rev. I.A. Lavik

Service Officer                                                                   Everett C. Goli

SGT at Arms                                                                       Wm. J. Wittwer

Athletic Officer                                                                 Art Steensrud

Exec Committee                                                               Herbert Koch and Henry Smith

1947

Post Commander                                                             Forest A. Johnson

Vice Commander                                                             Ray Cunneen                                    

2nd Vice Commander                                                      Wm. Wittwer

Adjutant                                                                              Ansel E. Kittleson

Finance Officer                                                                  Merlin Jacobson

Historian                                                                              Victor Ruste

Chaplain                                                                               Rev. I.A. Lavik

Service Officer                                                                   Walter Post

SGT at Arms                                                                       Wesley Bakken

Athletic Officer                                                                 Rapheal Vasen

Public Relations                                                                Lyle Johnson

1948

Post Commander                                                             Ansel E. Kittleson

Vice Commander                                                             Kenneth Erickson                                            

2nd Vice Commander                                                      Arthur Basthemer

Adjutant                                                                              Gil Aavang

Finance Officer                                                                  Merlin Jacobson

Historian                                                                              Harland Emerson

Chaplain                                                                               Rev. I.A. Lavik

Service Officer                                                                   Walter Post

SGT at Arms                                                                       Charles Junius

Athletic Officer                                                                 Ray Cunneen

Public Relations                                                                Lyle Johnson

1949

Post Commander                                                             Lyle Johnson

Vice Commander                                                             Arthur Basthemer                                           

2nd Vice Commander                                                      Curtis Witte

Adjutant                                                                              Merlin Jacobson

Finance Officer                                                                  Forrest Johnson

Historian                                                                              Victor Ruste

Chaplain                                                                               Rev. I.A. Lavik

Service Officer                                                                   Walter Post

SGT at Arms                                                                       Lavern Aavang

Athletic Officer                                                                 Ray Cunneen

Public Relations                                                                Herbert Koch

 

1950

Post Commander                                                             Arthur Basthemer

Vice Commander                                                             Wesley Bakken                                

2nd Vice Commander                                                      Katherine Roth

Adjutant                                                                              Ray Cunneen

Finance Officer                                                                  Merlin Jacobson

Historian                                                                              M. A. Tollund

Chaplain                                                                               Rev. I.A. Lavik

Service Officer                                                                   Walter Post

Asst Service Officer                                                         Robert Riegel

SGT at Arms                                                                       Tenny Midthun

Athletic Officer                                                                 Phillip Hoff

Public Relations                                                                Wallace Kalbacken

1951

Post Commander                                                             Kenneth Erickson

Vice Commander                                                             Ed Post                

2nd Vice Commander                                                      Katherine Roth

Adjutant                                                                              Victor Ruste

Finance Officer                                                                  Ansel Kittleson

Historian                                                                              M. A. Tollund

Chaplain                                                                               Herbert Koch

Service Officer                                                                   Walter Post

Asst Service Officer                                                         Ray Cunneen

SGT at Arms                                                                       Adolph Schlub

Athletic Officer                                                                 Dean Nelson

Public Relations                                                                Harry Cook

 

About 1945, most of the Veterans were returning from the theaters of war in Europe and in the far east, and as they returned they were invited to join the American Legion or they could form a Legion of their own.  Most of the Veterans joined the American Legion and are now taking active part therin.  A check of the officers from 1946 on, will indicate that most of the officers are Veterans of WWII.

The Frank E. Malone Post is still looking for suitable quarters for a Legion home for the Legion and Auxilary.  Many places have been offered for sale, but thus far the Post has not found anything desirable.  The Membership of the Frank E. Malone Post #113 is about 130 members at the present time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                 

View more history for Post 113 in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin