Dr. David Wilbur Peters, Post 56's First Commander, 1919 - 1920

Dr. David W Peters was the first commander of Northampton Post No. 56.  His name appears first on the Charter Application submitted in 1919.   At a meeting held in the Cape Charles Casino on 26 September 1919,  the following officers were elected;  Chairman - D W Peters, Vice Chairman - J B Crosley, Finance Officer - Julius T Ames, Secretary - V C Taylor, Post Adjutant - J W Daniel, Chaplain - Reverend J R McAllister.

Formation of Post 56 was announced in an article on page 2 of the Peninsula Enterprise,11 October 1919.  It took a while, but the Post Charter was finalized on 23 September 1922.

An article on page 3 of the Eastern Shore Herald, 24 January 1920 documented a 19 January meeting at which the following officers were elected; D W Peters - Commander, Vice Commander - J W Parsons, Finance Officer - A L Ward, War Risk Officer - J W Daniel, Adjutant and Secretary - V C Taylor, Chaplain - Reverend J R McAllister.

Vernon Carlisle Tayor, Post 56 Commander, 1921

A Charter member, Vernon C Taylor was elected as the second commander of Northampton Post No. 56 at a meeting on the 3rd of January 1921 as noted in an article in the Virginia Pilot on 6 January 1921..  A career railroad employee, he served as a Corporal in Company "D", 318th Infantry during WWI.  Officers elected at this meeting were; Commander - Vernon C Taylor, Vice-Commander - M E Bristow, Adjutant - John C Farlow, Finance Officer A L Ward, War Risk Insurance Officer - John R Daniel, Chaplain - Reverend J A McAlister.

During the war, Corporal Taylor regularly corresponded with Mr John Edmonds, editor of the Penninsula Enterprise.  Many of these letters were published.  In a letter published on 1 Mar 1919, Corporal Talor said "While I am not desirous of taking up too much of the valuable space in your paper, at the same time, I do feel that our Eastern Shore relatives and friends, as well as those throughout the State, would possibly enjoy reading a brief history of the movements of our Battalion. "  The letter then went into great detail covering their departure from Camp Lee on the 20th of May 1918 to December 2nd, 1918.

Commander Taylor went on to become the Commander of Worcester Post No. 93, Pocomoke City, Maryland on June 7th, 1946. 

Myon Edison Bristow, Post 56 Commander, 1922

Myon E Bristow was a Naval Yoeman in the Spanish American War and Ensign in WWI. In July of 1929 he was commissioned a Lieutenant Commander in the US Naval Reserve. 

He became the 3rd Commander of Northampton Post No. 56 in November 1921.  In an article published on page 2 of the Baltimore American, Baltimore MD, on 21 November 1921 the paper notes the following officers were elected in a meeting held the week of November 20th; Commander - M E Bristow, Vice-Commander - R H Reynolds, Adjutant - John W Daniel, Treasurer - Frank Hoffmaster, War Risk Officer - John W Parsons, Chaplain  - Reverend J R McAllister, Historian - Frank Floyd, Sergeant-At-Arms - Max Brown, Steward - J B Taylor.

In January 1922, he submitted the "Post Application for Permanent Charter".  This document indicated the post had 103 members in 1920 and 69 members paid up for 1921.  Membership dues were $3.00.

Commander Bristow, Chief Bank Examiner for the State Corporation Commission, was elected Department of Virginia Commander in 1932.

John Wise Parsons, Post 56 Commander, 1923

A Charter Member, John W Parsons Jr. was the fourth commander of Northampton Post No. 56.  He served as 2Lt, 104th Supply Train during WWI. 

The first reference to John Parsons as commander was on page 1 of the Accomack News, 1 June 1923.  New River Notes (newrivernotes.com) contains a history of Post 56 from inception to 1924. It identifies the following officers:  E. J. Hunt, vice-Post commander; E. T. Warner, adjutant; Frank Hoffmaster, treasurer; F. M. Floyd, chaplain and historian; J. T. Ames, sergeant-at-arms.

Commander Parsons was very active in the American Legion serving as both Commander and Vice Commander of Post 56 and later, served on a number of Department of Virginia Executive Committees.

Charles G. "Max" Brown, Post 56 Commander, 1924

In the fall of 1923, C G Brown was chosen to be Commander of Northampton Post 56.

At a November meeting detailed in an article on page 1 of the Accomack News, 16 November 1923, Commander Parsons called for nominations for the ensuing year.  At this time C. G. Brown was elected as Commander for the year 1924 and John W Parsons was elected as Vice Commander.  New River Notes (newrivernotes.com) contains a history of Post 56 from inception to 1924. It identifies the following officers:  John Parsons, Jr., vice-Post commander; E. T. Warner, adjutant; F. H. Hoffmaster, treasurer; F. Floyd, chaplain; E. E. Guy, sergeant-at-arms; Wm. F. Ayres, historian.

Commander Brown, also known as Max Brown, was a WWI veteran and resident of Cape Charles.  The 1930 census listed him as a General Store Proprietor.  He was elected as Sergeant-At-Arms in 1921.  His obituary of 1971 states that he was a Past American Legion Commander in Virginia.

Ottowell Sykes "Otto" Lowe, Post 56 Commander, 1925

Commander Lowe was first noted as Post 56 Commander in an article on page 18 of the Richmond Times Dispatch, 2 July 1925.  The Article described Northampton Post No. 56 plans for 4th of July.   

An Attorney and graduate of William and Mary, Otto Lowe opened offices in Cape Charles shortly after graduation in 1923.  Commander Lowe was very active in the community.  He was Member of the Cape Charles Rotary Club.  He was on the board of directors when the Cape Charles Chamber of Commerce was formed in March 1936.  He was a participant at the Virginia Constitutional Convention in May of 1945 advocating to allow Service Members and Veterans to vote without having to pay a Poll Tax and to allow Service Members under the age of 21 the right to vote.

John Warren Daniel, Post 56 Commander, 1926

A Charter Member, John W Daniel is identified as Post Commander for 1926 in the Program Agenda prepared for the American Legion Post 56 Building Dedication on May 10, 2008.  The agenda contains a page listing Past Post Commanders.

To date, no further information has been found detailing this year or officers elected.

Thaddeus Wallace Jones, Post 56 Commander, 1927

Commander Jones was elected Commander of Northampton Post No. 56 in October 1926 as reported on Page 3 of the Eastern Shore Herald, 16 October 1926. Also elected were:  Vice Commander - J F Wilson, Adjutant - D W Peters, Treasurer - J W Parsons Jr, Service Officer - W F Ayres, and Sergeant-At-Arms - Charles Jones.

A veteran of the World War, Commander Jones was a prominent Northampton County businessman and Banker in Cheriton, Virginia. 

In May of 1927, Commander Jones presided over the dedication of the Cape Charles War Memorial Library.  Located in the vacant Presbyterian Church (500 Tazewell Avenue).  The War Memorial Library was the first public library on the Eastern Shore and the first “War Memorial Library” in the state of Virginia.

Reverend Howard Davis, Post 56 Commander, 1928

A Veteran of both World Wars, Commander Davis was elected Commander as reported on Page 7 of the Virginian-Pilot and the Norfolk Landmark, 5 September 1927.  He was installed at a meeting held on 4 Jan 1928.  This was reported on Page 5 of the Virginian-Pilot and the Norfolk Landmark, 5 January 1928.  Other officers elected were: Vice-Commander - J B Crosley,  Secretary - L P Fauver, Treasurer - John W Parsons, Chaplain - Reverend P E Brame, Sergeant-At-Arms - J D Penney.

Commander Davis was a Methodist minister.  A WWI Veteran, he was Chaplain of the First Delaware Infantry and later of the 59th Pioneer Infantry.  In 1944, he was assigned as Chaplain of Fort Miles during WWII.

Reverend Glen Grove Vought, Post 56 Commander, 1930

Commander Vought was identified as Commander of Post No. 56 while attending the American Legion annual conference of department heads, post commanders and adjutants. The article, titled “Hundred Legionnaires are in the City For Annual Conference” was published on pages 2 & 7 of the Roanoke World-News on 6 January 1930.  The article mentions Lance Fulcher as Adjutant.

A Naval Veteran of WW1, Commander Vought was a Baptist Minister.

Arthur Littleton Ward, Post 56 Commander, 1931

A Charter Member, Commander Ward was a Supply Sergeant with Machine Gun Company, 116th Infantry during WW1.  The 1930 Census shows him as an Insurance Salesman. 

Commander Ward was identified as Commander in an article published on page 1 of the Peninsula Enterprise, 18 March 1931.  The title of the article was “Ex Servicemen Meet at Cape Charles”.  The following officers were identified in the article; Adjutant - Lance Fulcher, Finance Officer - C P King, Service Officer - W F Ayres.

Robert H Reynolds, Post 56 Commander, 1932

According to a file source titled "Appendix G" (page 876), Commander Reynolds was Commander in August 1932.  Other officers listed were: Vice Commander - Max Brown, Treasurer - Clayton P King, Adjutant - Ernest J Hunt, Service Officer - W F Ayres, Sergeant-At-Arms - Hugh Roberts, Historian - T Wallace Jones.

John Warren Daniel, Post 56 Commander, 1934

A Charter Member, John W Daniel elected Commander on 27 Aug 1934 as published on page 1 of the Peninsula Enterprise, 1 September 1934. Officers elected were; First Vice Commander - R S Holloway, Second Vice Commander - H S Roberts, Adjutant - Lance Fulcher, Finance Officer - C P King, Service Officer - W F Ayres, Historian - W B Illiffe, Chaplain - C J Hicks, Sergeant-At-Arms - T S Gaskill, Athletic Officer C J Hicks, Publicity - J W Daniel.

He was publisher of the Northampton Times at Cape Charles.  A veteran of WW1, he served as War Risk officer during Post 56’s first year.  He also served as Historian in 1940.

Hugh Sinclair Roberts, Post 56 Commander, 1935-1936 and 1945-1946

Commander Roberts was a Corporal in the 116th Infantry during World War 1.

He was elected Commander of Post No. 56 at a meeting held on 22 August 1935 as reported on page 12, of the Peninsula Enterprise, 24 August 1935. Other officers elected were; Vice Commander - Lance Fulcher, Adjutant - J Douglas Penny, Service Officer - W F Ayres, Finance Officer - C P King.

Commander Roberts was noted as commander a second time at the Dedication Ceremony for the Cape Charles Memorial Honor Role on 23 April 1946.  This was reported on page 1 of the Peninsula Enterprise 26 April 1946.

Commander Roberts was an employee of the Cape Charles Post Office. 

Robert H Reynolds, Post 56 Commander, 1936 and 1937

A veteran of WWI, he was born in Philadelphia, PA and raised in Gloucester County, NJ. 

According to a file source titled "Appendix G" (page 876), Commander Reynold was Commander during 1936.  Other officers that year were: Vice Commander - Max Brown, Adjutant - W B Iliffe, Finance Officer - C P King, Service Officer - W F Ayres, Chaplain - Reverend E L Larsen, Historian - Lance Fulcher, Publicity Officer - John W Daniel, Sergeant-At-Arms - F A Bounds

He was elected Commander of Post No. 56 at a meeting on 28 July 1937 as reported on page 1, Peninsula Enterprise, 31 July 1937.  Other officers elected were 1st Vice Commander - Lance Fulcher, 2nd Vice Commander - Louis Scher, Adjutant - W B Iliffe, Service Officer - W F Ayres, Historian - W Elliott Wilkins, Chaplain - E L Larsen, Sergeant-At-Arms - H L Carpenter, Athletic Officer - H S Roberts, Publicity Officer - J W Daniel.

Commander Reynolds was a Foreman for the Pennsylvania Railroad and was well known as Captain of the first company formed on the Eastern Shore, Co I, 8th Regiment, 4th Virginia Infantry.  He later deployed as part of the 29th Division.

William Fletcher Ayres, Post 56 Commander, 1938-1939

An Attorney, Commander Ayres was a navy veteran of WWI.  He was Elected Commander on 20 January 1938 and served two consecutive terms as Post Commander.  His election was noted in an article in the Peninsula Enterprise, page 1, 21 January 1938.  Other officers elected were; Treasurer - Eliott Wilkins, Adjutant - Bill Olive, Chaplain - Reverend G W M Taylor.

Commander Ayres was unanimously elected First District Commander in June of 1938.

In an article published on page 3 of the Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch, 26 August 1938, he elected as Commander for his second term.  Other officers for that year were; First Vice Commander - J B Crosley, Second Vice Commander - Louis Scher, Finance Officer - W Elliott Wilkins, Adjutant - W B Iliffe, Service Officer - J W Daniel, Historian - V L Steventon, Chaplain Reverend G W M Taylor, Sergeant-At-Arms - Herman Bull. 

He was elected Mayor of Cape Charles in November 1940.  Commander Ayres was very active in the American Legion, holding positions up to the time of his death in 1964.

Ernest Harper MacMillan, Post 56 Commander, 1939

Commander MacMillan was elected post commander as reported on page 5 of the Peninsula Enterprise on 21 July 1939. Other officers elected were; Vice Commander - W Elliott Wilkins, Adjutant - W B Iliffe, Finance Officer - Louis Scher.

Commander MacMillan lived only a short time in Cape Charles.  Born in Ireland, he immigrated to the United States with his family in 1899. An Advertising Manager by trade, he lived in Cape Charles from about 1933 to 1940.  He was a Sergeant with Base Hospital #10 when he returned from France during WWI.  By 1940, he had moved to Vineland, New Jersey.  In New Jersey, he continued his American Legion service as Chaplain of Theodore Roosevelt Post No. 4 (Times Journal, Page 5, Vineland, NJ, 12 November 1943).

John C Farlow, Post 56 Commander, 1940-1942

Commander Farlow served two consecutive years as Commander of Post 56.  He was identified as commander on page 15 of the Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch, 9 August 1940 . Other officers elected were; Vice Commander - Lance Fulcher, Second Vice Commander - George B Wynne, Adjutant - William Iliffe, Vice Adjutant - V L Steventon, Sergeant-At-Arms - John Winding, Chaplain - J E Foster, Service Officer - W Ayres, Finance Officer - W Elliott Wilkins, Vice Finance Officer - L H Thole, Historian - John W Daniel.

His second term as Commander was announced on page 8 of the Peninsula Enterprise on 31 October 1941.  Other officers elected were: Vice Commander - Lance Fulcher, Adjutant - W B Iliffe, Finance Officer - W Elliott Wilkins, Sergeant-At-Arms - Herman Bull.

A WWI Veteran, Commander Farlow enlisted in the Navy in May 1918.  According to an online database (Ancestry.com. Maryland Military Men, 1917-1918) Commander Farlow was awarded the “Order of St. Sava (Serbian).

Lance A Fulcher, Post 56 Commander, 1942-1943

A Charter Member, Commander Fulcher was elected as Commander on 22 October as published on  of the Peninsula Enterprise, 23 October 1942.  Other officers elected were: Vice Commander - W E Bloxom, Adjutant - W C Downes, Finance Officer - H S Roberts, Service Officer - W F Ayres, Chaplain - Paul White, Sergeant-At-Arms - Herman Bull.

During WW1, he was a Corporal, Wagoner Supply Co, 116th Infantry.

Commander Fulcher held positions as Vice Commander, Adjutant and Executive Committee member numerous times over the years.  He was a member of the Firing Squad formed in 1921.  He was Mayor of Cape Charles in 1958.

William Carl "W C" Downes, Post 56 Commander, 1943

According to a file source titled "Appendix G" (page 881), W C Downes, a WW1 Veteran and Charter member, was Commander in August 1943.  Other officers were: 1st Vice Commander - D L Kellam, 2nd Vice Commander - Edward Holland, Adjutant - George Doutt, Finance Officer - J L Warren, Chaplain - Paul White, Sergeant-At-Arms - Herman Bull, Service Officer - W F Ayres.

David L Kellam, Post 56 Commander, 1945

Commander Kellam was a US Army veteran of WWI and resident of Cheriton, Virginia.  An Ancestry.com database, "Maryland Military Men (1917-1918) identifies him as a Sergeant on 12/1/18, assigned to Company E, 2 Inf Replacement & Traininng Battalion, Camp Lee Va. 

Commander Kellam was a local merchant in 1940.  We have found only one reference to him as Commander of Post 56.  This was in an article on page 6 of the Peninsula Enterprise dated 1 June 1945 "Poppy Day in Northampton Is Big Success".  The article also identifies George Doutt as Post Adjutant.

Hugh Sinclair Roberts, Post 56 Commander, 1935-1936 and 1945-1946

Commander Roberts was a Corporal in the 116th Infantry during World War 1.

He was elected Commander of Post No. 56 at a meeting held on 22 August 1935 as reported on page 12, of the Peninsula Enterprise, 24 August 1935. 

Commander Roberts was noted as commander a second time at the Dedication Ceremony for the Cape Charles Memorial Honor Role on 23 April 1946.  This was reported on page 1 of the Peninsula Enterprise 26 April 1946.

Commander Roberts was an employee of the Cape Charles Post Office. 

Troy B Sowers, Post 56 Commander, 1947

A US Air Force Veteran of WWII, Commander Sowers was identified as post commander on page 1 of the Peninsula Enterprise, 26 July 1946.  The title of this article was “Troy B. Sowers Elected Commander At Cape Charles”.  The article states that he was elected at a special meeting held on 22 July to serve as Commander for the year 1947. Other officers elected were; 1st Vice Commander - William G Carrow III, 2nd Vice Commander - Roland R Charnock, Adjutant - James E Rhodes, Chaplain - Paul E White, Sergeant-At-Arms - Aubrey E Hamilton, Service Officer - William F Ayres.  The article identifies William Burkholder as "Past Adjutant".

Commander Sowers was a Jewelry Salesman.

Lance A Fulcher, Post 56 Commander, 1948-1949

A Charter Member, Commander Fulcher was identified as having resigned as Commander in October 1949.  This was noted on Page 8 of the Peninsula Enterprise, 28 October 1949.

During WW1, he was a Corporal, Wagoner Supply Co, 116th Infantry.

Commander Fulcher held positions as Vice Commander, Adjutant and Executive Committee member numerous times over the years.  He was a member of the Firing Squad formed in 1921.  He was Mayor of Cape Charles in 1958.

John H Stevens, Post 56 Commander, 1948-1949

A US Air Force veteran of WWII (1942-1946).  As a 1Lt, Commander Stevens served as a acting commander of a Third Air Force combat crew at Hunter Field, Ga.

First noted as Commander of Post No. 56 on Page 8 of the Peninsula Enterprise, 28 October 1949.  In this article, Commander Stevens was noted as having been elected to the Cape Charles Town Council.

Commander Stevens is identified as a Past Commander on page 3 of the Hampton “Daily Press”, 8 June 1955 when he the Hampton School Board elected him as Assistant Principle of the George Wythe Junior High School.

Herman K Richardson, Post 56 Commander, 1951

Commander Richardson, a US Army veteran of WWII, was first noted on page 5 of the Gloucester Mathews Gazette-Journal, 7 June 1951.  The article states that Commander H. K. Richardson announced that Post 56 of Cape Charles has 133 members due to post membership efforts.

According to a file source titled "Appendix G" (page 885), H K Richardson was Commander in May of 1951.  Other officers were: 1st Vice Commander - Harry Batson, 2nd Vice Commander - John Everhart, Adjutant - Henry J Lambertson, Finance Officer - Oscar L Ewell, Chaplain - Douglas Penney, Assistant Chaplain - Paul White, Service Officer - W F Ayres, Publicity Officer - Everett Fuqua, Historian - Richard L Parks, Sergeant-At-Arms - Joe Bosse

He was a member of the Post 56 Color Guard and was elected as 1st District 3rd Vice Commander in on 28 June 1952.

According to the 1950 Census, Commander Richardson was identified as an Oil Salesman living in Cape Charles.

Wallace Richard Karpa, Post 56 Commander, 1952

According to a file source titled "Appendix G" (page 886), W A Karpa was Commander in June of 1952.  Other Officers were: 1st Vice Commander - T J Milligan, 2nd Vice Commander - Everett Burton, Adjutant - Tommy Young, Finance Officer - Richard Etz, Sergeant-At-Arms - Gilmer Dunton, Service Officer - W F Ayres, Athletic Officer - Ruffy Charnock, Chaplain - Douglas Penney, Historian and Publicity Officer - H K Richardson.

Thomas J Milligan, Post 56 Commander, 1953

Commander Milligan returned from WW1 as a Sergeant, Company H, 4th Infantry Regiment.  He was very active with Post No. 56 since at least 1921 when he was selected as a member of the post Executive Committee in November of that year.

He was first noted as Commander at the opening of the hospital Nurses Home, Page 1 of the Peninsula Enterprise, 12 November 1953 and again in a related article on page 8 of the Peninsula Enterprise dated 19 November 1953. He was identified as a retired Yard Master for the Pennsylvania Railroad and Past Commander of Post 56 in his obituary published on page 32 of The Virginian-Pilot, Sunday, Oct 24, 1971.

According to a file source titled "Appendix G" (page 887), T J Milligan was Commander June of 1954.  Other officers were:  1st Vice Commander - Howard Brooks, 2nd Vice Commander - Ralph Young, 3rd Vice Commander - Thomas L Wood, Adjutant - H K Richardson, Finance Officer - Richard Etz, Chaplain - Douglas Penney, Sergeant-At-Arms - Claude Shrieves, Publicity Chairman - John C Farlow, Historian - H K Richardson.

Howard E Brooks, Post 56 Commander, 1955

According to a file source titled "Appendix G" (page 888), Howard Brooks was Commander in June of 1955.  Other Officers were: 1st Vice Commander - Ralph Young, 2nd Vice Commander - David Dix, 3rd Vice Commander - Howard Richardson, Adjutant - Thomas McGrath, Finance Officer - Richard Etz, Sergeant-At-Arms - Surrey Bell, Service Officer - W F Ayres, Publicity Officer - J C Farlow, Chaplain - Douglas Penney.

David Charles Dix, Post 56 Commander, 1957

A veteran of WWII, Commander Dix was a member of the US Coast Guard from 16 September 1939 to 3 October 1945. 

To date, we have no news evidence identifying him as Commander.  In an article on page 4 of the Peninsula Enterprise, Accomack, 19 April 1956, he was identified as a member of Post 56.  The article states that at a regular meeting of Post 56, David Dix was elected as Business Manager of the Post Junior Baseball Team.

Richard F Etz, Post 56 Commander, 1958

A US Navy veteran of WWII, Commander Etz was a Jeweler. 

Commander Etz was identified as post commander on 19 June 1958 as an endorser to a letter published on page 8 of the Peninsula Enterprise.  In this letter, John E West, winner of the Distinguished Service Cross, encouraged the Accomack and Northampton Counties to ensure that schools declare Memorial Day a holiday for the children.

Carl Russell Kane, Post 56 Commander, 1959-1961

Commander Kane enlisted in the US Army on 22 February 1943.  After the war, he earned his teaching degree from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia.  He served as Principle, Teacher and Physical Education Teacher in the Northampton County schools from about 1955 to 1969.

To date, we have no news evidence identifying him as Commander.  In an article on page 4 of the Peninsula Enterprise, Accomack, 19 April 1956, he was identified as a member of Post 56.  The article states that at a regular meeting of Post 56, Carl Kane was elected as Manager of the Post Junior Baseball Team.

A H Colin, Post 56 Commander, 1962

Commander Colin was identified as having been elected as Post Commander in an article published on Page 6 of the Peninsula Enterprise on 28 June 1962.  Other officers elected were: 1st Vice Commander - A J Ewell, 2nd Vice Commander - Lance Fulcher, Finance Officer - Gilmer Dunton, Adjutant - William Burkholder, Service Officer - W F Ayres, Chaplain - J Douglas Penney, Sergeant-At-Arms - John Jameson, Historian - Charles Murrin.

To date, no other articles or information about Commander Colin have been found.

John Douglas Penney, Post 56 Commander, 1964-1965

A veteran of WW1, Commander Penney was a Corporal in the 116th Infantry when he returned from France in May 1919. 

Commander Penney served two consecutive years as Commander of Post 56.  He was first elected in 1963 as reported page 18 of the Ledger-Star, 1 June 1963. Other officers elected in 1963 were: 1st Vice Commander - Lance Fulcher, 2nd Vice Commander - Charles Powell, Adjutant - Surrey Bell, Service Officer - W F Ayres, Chaplain - George Wilkins, Sergeant-At-Arms - Clifford Handley, Historian - Ralph Young.

He was installed as Commander a second time as reported on page 3 of “The Daily Times”, 25 July 1964.  Other officers elected in 1964 were: 1st Vice Commander - Roley Holland, 2nd Vice Commander - Charles S Travis, Adjutant - Richard Dunton, Finance Officer - Gilmer Dunton, Service Officer - William F Ayres, Chaplain - W F Cobb, Historian - Ralph Young, Athletic Officer - Charles Murrin, Sergeant-At-Arms - Charles E Gray.

William Fletcher Ayres (W F Ayres), longtime Post 56 Service Officer passed away in September of 1964.  Commander Penney passed away within days of his appointment to the National Membership and Post Activities Committee in November 1965.

Wallace Richard Karpa, Post 56 Commander, 1968-1993

A WWII veteran, Commander Karpa enlisted in the Army Air Corps on 13 October 1942.

From all accounts, Commander Karpa served as post commander from 1968 to 1993, succeeded by Commander Charles Carlson.  Meeting minues from June 1988 and also 17 March 1994 would indicate that Andy Bodnar served as Treasurer.

There are only two news references indicating he was commander.  In both cases, he was referenced as Past Commander.

During his tenure, he presided over the restoration of the original Cape Charles War Veterans Memorial (1969) and the installation of the current memorial 20 years later in 1989.

He was a member of the Advisory Committee for the Eastern Shore Civilian Defense Council representing the American Legion as reported on page 4 of the Peninsula Enterprise, 26 Jan 1951.

In 1962, Commander Karpa was Assistant Manager of the Cape Charles ABC Store (Peninsula Enterprise, Page 9, 30 Aug 1962).

He successfully ran for Cape Charles Town Council in 1984 (The Virginian-Pilot, Page 10, 2 May 1984) and won 2 additional 2 year terms.

Charles Walter Carlson, Post 56 Commander, 1993-1995

Commander Carlson enlisted in the US Army on December 7th, 1941, the day Pearl Harbor was attacked.  He served until December 8th, 1945. He was a Staff Sergeant, stationed at Fort John Custis, in 1945.

Meeting minutes of 17 March 1994, while not specifically naming ALL officers indicate the following:  Commander - Charles Carlson, Vice Commander - A T Scott, Adjutant - David E Bryant, Treasurer - Andy Bodnar, Chaplain - Richard Barton.

American Legion Post No. 56 Minutes of Thursday, June 15, 1995 show that members unanimously reelected all post officers for the 1995-1996 year.  Officers were:  Commander - Charles Carlson, 1st Vice Commander - A T Scott, 2nd Vice Commander - Elliott Wilkins, Adjutant - David Bryant, Finance Officer - William H Smith, Chaplain - Richard Barton.

His obituary of 2001 identifies him as a Past Commander of Post 56.  Commander Carlson was an electrician for the Pennsylvania Railroad and Co-Owner of Charmar’s Antiques with his wife.

Richard "Dick" Barton, Post 56 Commander, 1995-1998

An article in the Eastern Shore News, 6 April 1996 titled "Legion officers elected" announced the election of Commander Richard "Dick" Barton.  Other officers elected were:  Vice Commander - A T Scott, 2nd Vice Commander - Eliott Wilkins, Adjutant - David Bryant, Finance Officer - Bill Smith, and Chaplain - C W Carlson.

Commander Barton went on to serve several terms as 1st District Commander.

Jim Chapman, Post 56 Commander, 1998-2000

The Post Certification of Officers Form for the year 1999-2000 dated 29 April 1999 identifies Commander James R Chapman, Post Adjutant Donald L Clarke, Post Finance Officer Ray A Dodd, and Post Service Officer Albert T Scott.

Commander Chapman went on to become District Commander and Commander of the American Legion Department of Virginia.

Bill Kropfeld, Post 56 Commander, 2000-2004

Commander Kropfeld was elected on 8 June 2000 as documentded in the Post Meeting Minutes.  Other officers elected at the meeting were: Post Adjutant - Donald L Clarke, Post Finance Officer - Ray A Dodd, Post Chaplain - Charles Carlson, 1st Vice Commander - Albert T Scott, and 2nd Vice Commander - Reginald E Wesberry.

Dick Barton, Post 56 Commander, 2004-2006

Post Certification of Officers dated 29 August 2004 identifies Commander - Richard Barton, Vice Commander - William C Kropfeld, Adjutant - James R Chapman, Finance Officer - George N Doughty and Chaplain - David L Ross.

Post Certification of Officers dated 24 June 2004 identifies Commander - Richard Barton, Adjutant - James R Chapman, Finance Officer - George N Doughty.

Post Meeting Minutes of 16 June 2005 record the election of Commander Barton, First Vice Commander - Harold B Arnold, Adjutant - Jim Chapman, Finance Officer - George Doughty, and Chaplain - Dave Ross.

Harold B “Bruce” Arnold, Post 56 Commander, 2006-2007

The Post Certification of Officers dated 27 April 2006 identifes Commander - Harold B Arnold, Post Adjutant James R Chapman, and Post Finance Officer - Donald L Clarke. 

Walt Dallenbach, Post 56 Commander, 2007-2009

Post Meeting Minutes of 8 May 2007 record the election of Commander Walt Dallenbach, 1st Vice Commander - Barry Downing, 2nd Vice Commander - George Williams, 3rd Vice Commander - Tony Sacco, Adjutant - Jim Chapman, Finance Officer - Don Clarke, and Chaplain - Ed DeAngelis.

Commander Dallenbach, at the 8 January 2007 Post Meeting, announced that the formal chartering of the post's SAL Squadron will be 19 January 2008.

Post Meeting Minutes of 8 April 2008 record the slate of officers for the 2008-2009 year.  The following officers were nominated with votes to occur at the 8 May meeting:  Commander - Walt Dallenbach, 1st Vice Commander - Bill Stramm, 2nd Vice Commander - Ralph Orzo, 3rd Vice Commander - Larry Burkhard, Adjutant - Jim Chapman AND Tony Sacco, Finance Officer - John Hoinski, Chaplain - Charles Etz, Sergeant-At-Arms - Bill Burton, Service Officer - Ed DeAngelis.

William Stramm, Post 56 Commander, 2009-2011

The 2010 Fall Edition of the Post 56 Bugle listed Commander Stramm and the following officers:  1st Vice Commander - Ralph Orzo, 2nd Vice Commander - Bob Roche, Adjutant - Ive Chubb, Finance Officer - John Hoinski, Sergeant-At-Arms - Bill Burton, Historian - Denis Wood, Judge Advocate - John Burdiss, Chaplain Reverend Thomas Shannonhouse. 

The Spring 2011 Edition listed the following officers: 1st Vice Commander - Ralph Orzo, 2nd Vice Commander - Bob Roche, Adjutant - Ive Chubb, Finance Officer - John Hoinski, Sergeant-At-Arms - Bill Burton, Historian - Denis Wood, Judge Advocate - John Burdiss, Chaplain Reverend Thomas Shannonhouse, Service Officer  - Charles Etz.

Ralph Orzo, Post 56 Commander, 2011-2013

Commander Orzo assumed Command of Post 56 in July of 2011.  Other officers, identified in the July 2011 Executive Committee minutes, were:  1st Vice Commander - Bob Roche, 2nd Vice Commander - Vicki Allgeier, Finance Officer - John Hoinski, Adjutant - Ive Chubb, Service Officer - Charles Etz, Chaplain - Vincent Conroy, Sergeant-At-Arms - Bill Burton, Historian - Denis Wood, Judge Advocate - Joohn Burdiss.

Commander Orzo continued as Commander for the 2012-2013 year according to the 2012 Summer Edition of the Post 56 Bugle) .  Other officers, identified were:  1st Vice Commander - Bob Roche, 2nd Vice Commander - Vicki Allgeier, Finance Officer - Bill Stramm, Adjutant - Ive Chubb, Service Officer - Chad Isabelle, Chaplain - Vincent Conroy, Sergeant-At-Arms - Bill Burton, Historian - Denis Wood, Judge Advocate - John Burdiss.

Note: By the spring of 2013, Wilson Leggett had assumed the postion as 2nd Vice Commander.

Dave Steward, Post 56 Commander, 2013-2014

Commander Steward was elected for the year 2013-14.  Installation of Officers was conducted on 18 June 2013.  The following officers were installed:  1st Vice Commander - Bob Roche, 2nd Vice Commander - Joe Vaccaro, Adjutant - Ive Chubb, Finance Officer - Rich Thomas, Sergeant-At-Arms - Bill Burton, Chaplain - Vincent Conroy, Judge Advocate - John Burdiss, Service Officer - Chad Isabelle, Historian - Denis Wood

Joe Vaccaro, Post 56 Commander, 2014-2015

Commander Vaccaro was elected for the 2014-2015 year.  Other officers elected were:  1st Vice Commander - Vicki Allgeier, 2nd Vice Commander - Larry McCluskey, Adjutant - Bob Roche, Finance Officer - Dave Steward, Sergeant-At-Arms - Bill Burton, Historian - John Chubb, Judge Advocate - John Burdiss, Chaplain - Wilson Leggett, Service Officer - Bill Stramm.

William Stramm, Post 56 Commander, 2015-2017

The Post 56 Bugle identified Commander Stramm for the year 2015-2016.  Other Officers elected were:  1st Vice Commander - Mike Sullivan, 2nd Vice Commander - Larry McCluskey, 3rd Vice Commander - John Schulz, Adjutant - Bob Roche, Chaplain - Wilson Leggett, Sergeant-At-Arms - Fred Milstead, Historian - John Chubb.

Commander Stramm was re-elected at a regular meeting of the post on 14 Jun 2016.  Other officers elected were; 1st Vice Commander - Glenn Purvis, 2nd Vice Commander - Larry McCluskey, 3rd Vice Commander - Barry Taylor, Adjutant - Dave Krough, Finance Officer - Tony Jette, Chaplain - Wilson Leggett, Sergeant-At-Arms -Johnny "JC" Carstens, Historian - Roger Munz, Service Officer - Bill Stramm.

Glenn Purvis, Post 56 Commander, 2017-2018

Commander Purvis was elected at a regular meeting of the post on 13 June 2017.  Other officers elected were; 1st Vice Commander - Barry Taylor, 2nd Vice Commander - Brian Smith, 3rd Vice Commander John Woolaver, Adjutant - Bob Andersen, Finance Officer Tony Jette, Chaplain - Wilson Leggett, Sergeant-At-Arms - Johnny "JC" Carstens, Service Officer - Bill Stramm.

William Stramm, Post 56 Commander, 2018-2020

Commander Stramm was re-elected at a regular meeting of the post on 11 June 2019.  Other officers elected were; 1st Vice Commander - Barry Taylor, 2nd Vice Commander - Dave Krough, 3rd Vice Commander - Robert Church, Adjutant - Bob Andersen, Finance Officer - Jim Stannard, Chaplain - Wilson Leggett, Sergeant-At-Arms - Johnny "JC" Carstens, Historian - Larry McCluskey, Service Officer - Frank Colins.

Dave Krough, Post 56 Commander, 2020-2021

Commander Krough was elected at the June 2020 monthly meeting.  Other officers elected were; Finance Officer - Jim Stannard, Adjutant – Bob Andersen, 1^st Vice Commander -- Barry Taylor, 2^nd Vice Commander – Beth Stephens, 3^rd Vice Commander – Bob Church, Chaplain – Wilson Leggett, Sergeant-at-Arms – Johnny "JC" Carstens, Historian – Larry McCluskey, Service Officer – Frank Collins

Glenn Purvis, Post 56 Commander, 2021-2022

Commander Purvis was elected at the Post 56 monthly meeting 8 June 2021.  Other officers elected were; Finance Officer - Jim Stannard, 1st Vice Commander - Robert Church, 2nd Vice Commander - Bill Lewis, 3rd Vice Commander - Larry McCluskey, Adjutant - Tom Weaver, Chaplain - Wilson Leggett, Sergeant-At-Arms - Johnny "JC" Carstens, Historian - Larry McCluskey, Service Officer - Frank Collins.

William F Lewis, Post 56 Commander, 2022-2023

Commander Lewis was elected at the Post 56 monthly meeting 14 June 2022.  Other officers elected were; 1st Vice Commander - Robert Church, 2nd Vice Commander - Herb Thom, 3rd Vice Commander - Dan Heyman, Adjutant - Tom Weaver, Finance Officer - Jim Stannard, Chaplain - Chris Smith, Sergeant-At-Arms - Johnny "JC" Carstens, Historian - Larry McCluskey, Service Officer - Frank Collins.

Herbert Thom, Post 56 Commander, 2023-20224

Commander Thom was elected at the Post 56 monthly meeting 13 June 2023.  Other officers elected were; 1st Vice Commander - Robert Church, 2nd Vice Commander - Nancy Wilderson, 3rd Vice Commander - Paul (IB) Dacyczyn, Adjutant - Bill Stramm, Finance Officer - Jim Stannard, Chaplain - John Wilderson, Sergeant-At-Arms - Johnny "JC" Carstens, Historian - Larry McCluskey, Service Officer - Frank Collins.

Nancy R Wilderson, Post 56 Commander, 2024-2026

Commander Wilderson was elected at the Post 56 monthly meeting 11 June 2024.  Other officers elected were; 1st Vice Commander - Robert Church, 2nd Vice Commander - Larry White, 3rd Vice Commander - John Wilderson, Adjutant - Bill Stramm, Finance Officer - Jim Stannard, Chaplain - John Wilderson, Sergeant-At-Arms - J C Carstens, Historian - Larry McCluskey, Service Officer - Tom Weaver.

Commander Wilderson was re-elected at the Post 56 monthly meeting 10 June 2025.  Other officers elected were; 1st Vice Commander - Robert Church, 2nd Vice Commander - Larry White, 3rd Vice Commander - John Wilderson, Adjutant - Bill Stramm, Finance Officer - Jim Stannard, Chaplain - John Wilderson, Sergeant-At-Arms - Johnny "JC" Carstens, Historian - Larry McCluskey, Service Officer - Dave Krough.