1938-1939 – Commander Charles B. Wincote
Post 492 received a Gold Star Award for attaining its 1939 membership quota. Members were entitled to purchase 1939 Gold Stars to wear for 10¢ each.
February 1939: “Jay Conner presented a report on the prospects of securing a permanent transportation arrangement from the school bond for children attending the Crippled Childrens School.”
Captain Homer Hacker announced the County Council might lift Post 492’s charter for noncompliance with the provision every post have a member on the Council. After discussion, it was decided no action would be taken. $67.00 in Post Treasury.
March 6, 1939: In response to Sunshine School’s $76.00 need for transportation for disabled students, Post 492 agreed to contribute $15.00.
“The question of whether or not the Post should apply for reinstatement in the County Counsel (sic) was discussed at length. It was moved the Finance Officer be directed to pay $5 to the County Counsel (sic) with the understanding that the Post would be reinstated.”
Member Art Jensen was appointed to the Sunshine School Board.
June 5, 1939: Post 492 initiated plans to organize a collection within the city for dependents of those killed aboard the submarine Squalls.
On May 23, 1939, during a storm nine miles off the New Hampshire coast, the submarine USS Squalls sank to the ocean floor, 240’ below the surface. No submarine rescue had ever succeeded beyond 20’ in depth. The next day, a navy diver descended to the deck of the Squalls and miraculously discovered a grappling hook had caught a railing 3” or 4’ from the escape hatch. With a diving bell, they were able to rescue the 33 survivors in four trips. The seven weakest sailors came up in the first trip. On the second trip, the bell’s Chief Machinist Mate decided to bring up nine men. Nine were carried to the surface in the third trip.
While bringing the last 8 men up, the bell suddenly stopped at 160’. The strands of the cable began to come apart. The bell was lower to the ocean floor and another diver went down with a new cable. He almost died from getting tangled in the frayed cable. A decision was to pull the damage cable up by hand. The bell weighed 21,600 pounds. By blowing water every 15 seconds out the ballast tanks, six men aboard the rescue ship were able to haul the men to safety. The entire process took 39-hours including 4-1/2 hours for the last survivors. 26 men were lost in the tragedy.
On September 13, 1939, the Navy raised the Squalls. The submarine was cleaned, repaired and re-commissioned as the USS Sailfish in 1940. It sank seven ships during WWII. The three divers each received the Medal of Honor.
1939: Post 492 reached its 25-member limit in 1939. Its roster included five attorneys, two retired military officers, two title company executives, two insurance agents, two government administrators, a doctor, dentist, journalist, city clerk, a brewer and seven prominent business leaders.
Post 492 also received an Annual Americanism Citation from the National Americanism Commission for worthwhile and outstanding service to its community during 1939.
1939-1940 – Post Commander Ralph S. Roberts
July 10, 1939: “Request for report on Community Betterment activities stating that this was one which did not submit a report last year and put the Department in the hole in competing for the National trophy.”
September 11, 1939: The County Council “announced the foundation of the Church of the American Legion, undenominational.”
October 1939: Post member retired Marine Corp Major Gerald A. Johnson submitted a report for the National Convention, which recommended the “Legion stand strongly for neutrality and development of defensive forces of sufficient strength to overcome other nations.”
Interestingly, “(a) Secret ballot held as to whether the present neutrality should be repealed, showed a majority of post present in favor of repeal.”
It was decided the Post should “purchase Past Commanders button for Past Commander (Charles) Wincoteat the cost of $3.50.”
A report was submitted that, “the boys attending the Sons of Legion Convention at Oakland disgraced the Legion through drunkenness and destruction of property and otherwise imitating (sic?) Legion Delegates.” It was suggested that an effort be made to prevent the Sons from having their convention in San Diego.”
There was an article in the February 1940 issue of The Readers Digest “to have obscene literature removed from news stands.” Post 492 will “submit a resolution to that effect at the next meeting of the Council.”
The Thursday Club thanked Post 492 for donating $10 to be given to the San Diego Society for Crippled Children.
March 4, 1940: The American Legion wanted all posts to exceed their membership quotas. “Inasmuch as this post is limited to its present membership of twenty-five, it is not eligible for this contest.”