1942-1943 – Post Commander Chester Munson
(Minutes from July 1942 to July 1943 are missing)
1943-1944 – Post Commander Frank J. Lantry
July 20, 1943: Frank Lantry, Jr., son of Commander Frank Lantry, Sr., “gave a very able, interesting and complete report as just what happens at Boys State.”
Correspondence from Navy Hospital Chaplain H. G. Gatlin read expressing appreciation “for the purchase of ear phones for the men in the Naval Hospital ($43.00).”
“Discussion relative to getting Junior baseball going in sections where there are no fields.”
October 19, 1943: “Petition for Jap control and exclusion read.” Information about scrap drives, old newspaper drives and blood donation presented.
November 16, 1943: “Considerable discussion was had relative to Veterans of World War II joining the American Legion. Consensus of opinion seemed to be that Veterans of the two World Wars would have little in common.”
November 24, 1943: Letter from The Bible Center (non-profit and non-sectarian) thanked Post 492 for “135 (New) Testaments for our men in the Armed Forces ($27.00).”
December 14, 1943: “Considerable discussion” about treatment of disabled veterans. Committee formed to help disabled veterans connect with the Red Cross.
January 18, 1944: Chester Munson reported on the difficulty of helping disabled veterans. There were many organizations trying to help discharged veterans, but “no one of these knew the functions of the others.
Representatives of U.S.E.S. and the Red Cross attended the February 15, 1944 meeting and explained their roles in assisting veterans. U.S.E.S. was described as “the central clearing house to handle all Veterans cases.”
March 15, 1944: Several Post 492 members were in various hospitals.
April 19, 1944: “Considerable discussion was held relative to the admission of Vet’s of World War II into the American Legion. It was decided that our Post would hold nothing of interest to these Vet’s and that our Post should take no action.”
“Chairman (John) Downey reports that our Post is in no position to sponsor a Junior baseball Team.”
“State Guard Chairman Hewicker reports that State Guard is a dead issue at this time.”
June 1944: It was decided Post 492 members would act individually to sell War Bonds. “Reported that $104,000.00 of War Bonds had been sold by members in drive.”
1944 dues were increased to $10.00 per year.
1944-1945 – Post Commander John C. Downey
August 16, 1944: “The Commander (John Downey) again called attention to the fact that he had a small supply of Legion caps and requested each member to wear his to the meetings.”
Ralph Roberts reported the State Convention “was a very quiet session.” He felt California Governor Earl Warren delivered the best speech. “One of the principal resolution was rejected – it being the question of admission of the Veterans of the second World War.”
Chester Munson reported that out of every 10,000 veterans discharged, 1,700 had psychiatric problems.
October 18, 1944: Apparently there was conflict between Bert Hamblen of the San Diego Veteran’s Bureau and “all of the vets organizations, due to his desiring to be the ‘Big Shot.’ He has the ill will of the U.S.E.S., the Red Cross, Selective Service and every other organization due to bucking them. He tells the Vets that they should run the show – he to do the steering.”
It was also reported, “that Draft Boards were beginning to take over the placement of Vets.” Further, Post 492 urged “the Legion to back up Organizations trying to get the use of Government housing for Service Personnel.”
November 15, 1944: The hat was passed to buy Playing Cards for Overseas boys. Over $23 was raised.
It was later learned that three Post 492 members – Dr. Thomas Toothaker, Aldis Clemons and Jack Merrick – were involved in a head-on collision and taken to Navy Hospital on their way to the Legion meeting.
January 17, 1945: “This Post endorses the A.L. Bill for Universal Military Training.” “Finance officer report bank balance of $148,72.”
February 21, 1945: Comrade Jack Merrick died in Naval Hospital from automobile injuries.
“Major Hughes called attention to the omission of our Post from the list of California Posts in the recent issue of the California Legionnaire.
April 13, 1945: Post 492 member Major Arthur D. Hughes (58) died.
Mr. Wm. Kendel of Calvert’s Distillers spoke on April 19, 1945 re Alcohol in the War Effort. “It was well received and enjoyed by all.” (Apparently Mr. Kendel made a monetary contribution to Post 492 as a condition of his appearance. The amount was unknown to the Adjutant responsible for the minutes.)