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History of ADBC |
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History of the American Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor, Inc. In the charter of American Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor the purpose of the organization is given: "To establish and maintain a place for holding meetings and perform and encourage fraternal, athletic and historical activities; to hold, own and/or control real estate and or personal property acquired by gift or purchase or otherwise whenever possible, to foster patriotism and civic loyalty and to perpetuate and strengthen friendship, to care for the widows and orphans of our deceased or unfortunate comrades, to assist and make lighter the circumstances of our comrades who have been injured or handicapped as a result of service in World War II, and its primary purposes are social and fraternal in nature, but this purpose shall not include the right to apply for a license to sell alcoholic beverages." The charter war signed and witnessed in Massachusetts on March 21st, 1946. List of National Commanders Harold Spooner 1946 Louis Sachwald 1973-74 Frank Bigelow 1993-94 Rev. Albert D.Talbot 1947 Jerome A. McDavitt 1974-75 Charles L. Pruitt 1994-95 James McEvoy 1947 John M. Emerick 1975-76 Melvin L. Routt 1995-96 M/Gen. E.P. King, Jr. 1948 Joseph T. Poster 1976-77 James R. Flaitz 1996-97 Simme Pickman 1948-49 John Bennett 1977-78 John Koot 1997-98 Albert J. Senna 1950-51 James D. Cantwell 1978-79 Roy Y. Gentry 1998-99 Maurice Mazer 1952-53 Ralph Levenberg 1979-80 Edward Jackfert 1999-2000 Joseph A. Vater 1953-55 Elmer E. Long, Jr. 1980-81 Joseph L. Alexander 2000-01 Lewis Goldstein 1955-57 Philip Arslanian 1981-82 Joseph Ward 2001-02 Albert C. Cimini 1957-58 John Rowland 1982-83 Omar McGuire 2002-03 Samuel M. Bloom, M.D. 1958-59 John Crago 1983-84 John H. Oliver 2003-04 Kenneth J. Stull 1959-61 Edward Jackfert 1984-85 Agapito E. Silva 2004-05 Harry P Menozzi 1961-62 John R. Lyons 1985-86 Harold A Bergbower 2005-06 John F. Ray 1962-64 Henry J. Wilayto 1987-88 Joseph L. Alexander 2006-07 Samuel B. Moody 1964-65 Charles Bloskis 1988-89 Everett D. Reamer 2007-08 Arthur R, Bressi 1965-67 Arthur Beale 1989-90 Dr. Lester I. Tenney 2008-09 John H. LeClair 1967-69 Andy Miller 1990-91 James K . Cavanaugh 1970-71 Joseph Matheny 1991-92 Thomas A. Hackett 1971-72 George Wonneman 1992-93 History of ADBC-First Ten Years of News (from September,2006) Quan Jan. 26-1946--First Meeting of American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor held in Base Theater at Fort Devens, Mass. 80 ex-POW's present. Jan. 29-1946--Charter drawn up in Lawyer's office at Ayer, Mass. Ten Charter Members present. Feb. 5, 1946--Jimmy O'Keefe's Restaurant gave dinner for ADBC, about 50 members were present at this meeting in Boston. After the dinner everyone went to the fights at Boston Garden and later to see Sally Keith--the famous tassel dance. A good time was had by all. Feb. 20, 1946--E.M. Leowe gave a Sunday luncheon for 60 members at Hotel Bradford. After lunch everyone was invited to his home. It was a big party and a grand time was had by all. March 30, 1946--Beatrice Kaye gave a party at Latin Quarter in Boston. 20 members were present. Lots of fun. March 10, 1946--Organization gave Sunday lunch at Hotel Bradford for General and Mrs. Wainwright. About 30 members and their wives were present. General and Mrs. Wainwright were very pleased with the progress of the organization. March 17, 1946--A number of men were guests of the City of New York at St. Patrick's Day Parade. It was a big day for those that went to New York. Men were guests on the Fred Allen Show. March 30, 1946--Ten members went to Washington, D.C. to increase the prestige of the organization. Met with members of Congress and the Senate plus spoke with General Eisenhower about convention April 6, 1946--First convention held at Hotel Bradford, Boston, Mass. City gave a big parade to honor us. No school for the children and finished up with about 1300 people being present at the Reunion and banquet. April 20, 1946--Gold Star Mothers organization formed in Boston for all mothers whose sons died during Philippine Campaign. June, 1946--First picnic of organization was held. Personnel from as far away as N.M. One of the most enjoyable times ever had by the club. July, 1946--First permanent headquarters set up at 120 Boylston St., Boston, Mass. August, 1946--First copy of the "Quan" put out. Sept. 22, 1946--Survivors of 192nd Tank Battalion presented a Tank used in the Defense of Bataan to the Village of Maywood, Illinois as a Memorial. April, 1947--Second National Convention at Boston City Club, Boston, Mass. Hank Wilayto, National Chairman. May, 1947--Far East Meeting held at American Club, Tokyo, Japan. About 500 people attended. April 8, 1948--Third National Convention, Hotel Commodore, New York City, Ray Morgan Chairman. 500 people attended. March 14, 1949--Simme Pickman hurt in automobile accident at Waldoboro, Maine. Suffered broken arm and leg, was laid up for months. April 23, 1949--Mrs. Nancy Belle Norton (The Angel of Bataan) given a testimonial dinner at the Briarcliff Lodge, Lynn, Mass. About 200 attended. Jan. 8, 1950--Hotel Commodore, N.Y. The New York Chapter met. Samuel Bloom President for 1949 conducted the meeting; Mark Wohlfeld elected President for 1950. 39 members were present. Simme Pickman was guest speaker. Jan 29, 1950--American Legion Home, Hartford, Conn. 30 members were present and plans were made to start a Conn. Chapter. Siegfried Schreiner elected President. Feb. 5, 1950--Bergenfield, N.J. Al Senna conducted meeting held at Benny Aquilina's home. A number of ex-POW's were present. May 5, 1950--Convention held at William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh, Pa. Three wonderful days were spent in Pittsburgh by about 500 members who came from all over the country to enjoy this reunion. Oct. 29, 1950--Newark N.J. State meeting of N.J. Chapter. Mr. Myron Weiner of War Claims Commission guest speaker. Nov. 5, 1950--Meeting at Post 25 American Legion Home, Harrisburg, Pa. Joe Vater State Commander, conducted the meeting. Dec. 1950--General Beebe retired after very distinguished career. Dec. 1950--S/Sgt. Roy Brown passed away in Korea; M/Sgt. Russell Walker passed away in Washington, D.C. Two wonderful guys--"we salute you for a job well done". Jan. 31, 1951--Member Ernest Scott and his wife Edna were killed in an accident on their way home to Michigan from a trip to California. April 6, 1951--Convention held at the Bellevue Stratford Hotel, Philadelphia, Pa. Over 500 members were present. Lou Goldstein and James P. S. Deveraux, Brig. Gen. Ret. was guest speaker. Sept. 20, 1951--Cpl. Ray Young was killed in accident in Ellsworth, Maine. He was a good friend, a good father and husband, and a very wonderful person. May 2, 1952--National Convention held at Deshler--Wallick Hotel, Columbus, Ohio, Mike Dunn, Chairman. May, 1953--8th National Convention, Pantlind Hotel, Grand Rapids, Mich. Ed. Thomas, Chairman. August 1953--Bataan and Corredigor Commission Bill passed by Congress. Sept, 8, 1953--General Wainwright buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C. Oct. 25, 1953--Radio program by American Broadcasting System about Sgt. Earler and flag he carried through POW camp. Dec. 1953--Our organization's overseas hats became available this month. Price $4.00 each. May, 1954--General Carlos P. Romulo opened Ninth National Convention by unveiling plaque to honor those who served and died defending Bataan and Corregidor. Oct. 2, 1954--Williamsport, Pa, Pennsylvania Chapter had dinner and dance. About 50 people present. Jan. 15, 1955--New England Chapter reorganized at Hotel Bradford, Boston, Mass. Hank Wilayto elected New England Commander. Wives Auxiliary for New England Chapter was formed. 1955--Our organization was deeply grieved to hear of the death of our beloved Commander's wife, Mrs. Edward P. King, Jr., at Sea Island, Ga., in the spring of this year. Early Convention Dates and Places Early Convention and Commanders 1. 1946 Boston, Mass. Cmdr. Harold Spooner Bradford Hotel 2. 1947 Boston, Mass. Cmdr. Rev. A.D. Talbot Boston Boys Club and James McEvoy 3. 1948 New York City, NY Cmdr. Gen. E.P. King, Jr. Commodore 4. 1949 Atlantic City, NJ Cmdr. Simme Pickman Ambassador 5. 1950 Pittsburgh, PA Cmdr. Simme Pickman Wm. Penn Hotel 6. 1951 Philadelphia, PA Cmdr. Al Senna Bellevue-Stratford 7. 1952 Columbus, OH Cmdr. Al Senna DeSalem-Wallick 8. 1953 Grand Rapids, MI Cmdr. Maurice Mazer Pantlind 9. 1954 New York City, NY Cmdr. Joseph Vater Statler 10. 1955 Boston, Mass. Cmdr. Joseph Vater Bradford 11. 1956 Asheville, ND Cmdr. Lou Goldstein George Vanderbilt 12. 1957 Albany, NY Cmdr. Lou Goldstein Sheraton Ten Eyke 13. 1958 Providence, RI Cmdr. Al Cimine Sheriden Biltmore 14. 1959 Trenton, N.J. Cmdr. Samuel E. Bloom Hildebrecht 15. 1960 Pittsburgh, PA Cmdr. Ken Stull Hilton 16. 1961 Binghamton, NY Cmdr. Ken Stull Sheraton Inn 17. 1962 Miami Beach, FL Cmdr. Harry Menozzi Barcelona 18. 1963 Fort Monroe, VA Cmdr. John Ray Chamberlin 19. 1964 Atlantic City, NJ Cmdr. John Ray President Hotel 20. 1965 Washington, DC Cmdr. Sam Moody Sheraton-Park 21. 1966 Cleveland, OH Cmdr. Art Bressi Statler—Hilton 22. 1967 Philadelphia, PA Cmdr. Art Bressi Sheraton Hotel 23. 1968 Binghamton, NY Cmdr. John Le Clair Sheraton Inn 24. 1969 Miami Beach, FL Cmdr. John Le Clair Barcelona 25. 1970 Atlantic City, NJ Cmdr. James Cavanaugh Claridge 26. 1971 Atlanta, GA Cmdr. James Cavanaugh Atlanta American 27. 1972 Newport, RI Cmdr. Thomas Hackett Viking Hotel 28. 1973 Kansas City, MO Cmdr. Bernard Grill Maehlebach 29. 1974 San Antonio, TX Cmdr. Lou Sachwald El Tropicano 30. 1975 Clearwater, FL Cmdr. Jerry McDavitt Fort Harrison 31. 1976 Atlantic City, NJ Cmdr. John Emerick Marlbarough-Blenheim 32. 1977 San Diego, CA Cmdr. Joseph Poster El Cortez 33. 1978 St. Louis, MO Cmdr. John Bennett Chase Park Plaza 34. 1979 Miami Beach, FL Cmdr. James Cantwell Carillon 35. 1980 Pittsburgh, PA Cmdr. Ralph Levenberg William Penn 36. 1981 Las Vegas, NV Cmdr. Elmer Long Sands 37. 1982 Louisville, KY Cmdr. Philip Arslanian Galt House 38. 1983 Miami Beach, FL Cmdr. John Rowland Carillon Beach 39. 1984 Kansas City, MO Cmdr. John Crago Muelebach Copy of Original Charter Original Constitution 25th Pilgrimage to the Philippines 5th Annual Reunion 19th National Convention 21st National Convention 23rd National Convention 32nd Annual Convention |
Collection |
History of ADBC Collection |
Accession number |
1668.1 |