LT. RAY DICKOP POST #36 was named in honor of First Lieutenant Ray C. Dickop who served in the United States Army and was killed in action at Fismes France on August 4, 1918.  He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during the Second Battle of the Marne with the 32nd Infantry Division. 

His award citation reads:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Ray C. Dickop, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 127th Infantry Regiment, 32d Division, A.E.F., in the attack on Fismes, France, 4 August 1918. On reaching Chezelles Farm, First Lieutenant Dickop was shot in the head, body and legs. Although thus fatally wounded, when orders came for another assault, he gave the command "Charge" to his company and led the assault until he fell dead.

General John Pershing, Commander of the American Expeditionary Forces, compiled a list of 100 greatest American heroes of World War I.  He included First Lieutenant Ray C. Dickop of that list.  

Ray C. Dickop was born on May 30, 1891, in Beloit, WI.  His mother, Ada (1872-1913), and his father, John (1861-1904), predeceased him.  Census records show that Ray Dickop lived with his mother at 7 Maple Ave, South Beloit, IL in 1912.  Old maps show the location of his home at 7 Maple St.  Maple was renamed to Dickop Street after his death to commemorate this great national hero of World War I.  He also had a paternal aunt, Hilda Schiller, and cousin, Lena Schiller, who lived in West Bend, WI.

November 2019 Command: 
Jay Anderson, Commander
Rev. Clarissa Martinelli, 1st Vice Commander
Jim Geldreich, Adjutant
Bart Williams, Finance Officer
SG Dick Gerard, Chaplin
Michael Feller, Sergeant at Arms
Jim Maersch, Service Officer
Brian McDonald, Parliamentarian
Donna Kleinmaus, Board Member at Large
Max Sommerfeld, Board Member at Large

Past Commanders:
Delbert J. Kenny, First Post Commander & Charter Member
Henry O. Regner, Post Charter Member
Norman A. Schowalter, Post Charter member
Chester I. Nielson, Past Commander
Walter E. Malzahn, Post Charter Member
Albert C. Kieckhafer, Post Charter Member
Sylverster J. Driessel, Post Charter Member
D.W. Lynch, Post Charter Member
Walter J. Gumm, Post Charter Member
E.W. Dewey, Past Commander
Stephen M. O'Meara, Past Post Judge Advocate
Joseph Frederick Huber, Past Commander
P.J. Ziegler, Post Charter Member

Below are some prominent members of the American Legion Ray Dickop Post #36 - Many are Charter members of the post or past commanders:

Delbert J. Kenny - Teacher, Poster Charter Member, 1st Commander of Legion Post, later a State Commander

Henry O. Regner - West Bend Mayor 1926-1930, Poster Charter Member, Post Commander and later State Commander.  A city park is named in his honor - Regner Park. 

Norman A. Schowalter - Charter member of Post and Past Commander, Employed by West Bend Aluminum Company (later West Bend Company) for 46 years.  Retired as Vice President of purchasing in 1963; active in West Bend Community, member of library board and board of directors of St. Joseph's Community Hospital.  

Chester I. Nielson - Post Commander, World War II Veteran, owner of West Bend Auto Company and president of Wesbar Stamping Company.  

Walter E. Malzahn - Post Charter member, Chief accountant of West Bend Aluminum Company (West Bend Company)

Albert C. Kieckhafer - Poster Charter Member, President and Chairman of the Board of West Bend Aluminum Company. 

Dr. Sylverster J. Driessel - Post Charter Member, physician and surgeon; practiced in Barton, later joined Dr. D.W. Lynch at the West Bend Clnic