GLEN PEDERSEN POST N0. 1
AMERICAN LEGION
Spencer, Iowa

On March 25, 1919, the first step was taken to form such an organization. A banquet was given by the canteen committee of the Red Cross and the War Mothers of America. All soldiers, sailors, marines, and army nurses living in Spencer and in Sioux and Riverton townships were invited. The banquet was held in the dining rooms of the Congregational Church and 214 were in attendance, including wives and lady friends. It was a colorful gathering, to say the least, as all veterans were in uniform. That evening a temporary organization was voted, and Rush C. Smith was elected president and Maris E. DeWolf was elected secretary. The name of the organization was to be, "World War Veterans."

On April 21, 1919, about 60 ex-servicemen and 2 army nurses paraded behind the Spencer band through the business section of Spencer, boosting the Victory Loan. Following the parade, a meeting was held at the Clay County Courthouse. Officers for a permanent organization were elected. Rush C. Smith, an ex-army man, was elected president, and Roy L. Cobb, an ex-navy man, was elected secretary. Rules and regulations for "World War Veterans of Spencer Post No. 1" were adopted and signed by those present. Committees were appointed to meet with representatives from the G.A.R. and Sons of Veterans to plan a program for Memorial Day. Thus World War I veterans began their first affiliation with other civic and patriotic organizations of Spencer. Squads of ex-service men in uniform were also assigned to various Victory Loan booths while others brought in "bond slackers" to the booths. Clay County was one of the first counties in the nation to go "over the top" in the drive.

A temporary national and state meeting of ex-service men decided to organize into a national organization called the "American Legion," effective May 11, 1919. This was the trasition of "World War Veterans" to the "American Legion." It was annouced that the first petition to reach the tempoary secretary in Des Moines on May 11 would be assigned post number one in Iowa

The Spencer group went into action. They assembled for a midnight meeting on May 10 at the apartment of E.T. Bjornstad and Rex C. Hubbard. A notary public was in attendance with his seal, and two dozen pens had been secured. As the clock struck 12, the men signed the petition and their signatures were notarized, all in a matter of a few minutes. In order to cinch the honors, Rush Smith, E.T. (Ed) Bjornstad, and Maris DeWulf, with the petition in their possession, jumped in a car and headed to Carroll. They arrived there at 3 A.M. and Bjornstad and DeWulf boarded the trainn for Des Moines. They were waiting in Secretary McVicar's office when he arrived that morning. The petition was signed and Spencer had the coveted No. 1 in their possession. The petition from Council Bluffs arrived fifteen minutes later.

A charter was granted (23 August, 1920)and Spencer was named American Legion Post No. 1 of Iowa. Later the name was changed to "Glen Pedersen Post No. 1, American Legion" in honor of the first Spencer man killed in World War 1.

The American Legion Post first appeared under the new Charter on Memorial Day, 1919. The first meetings were held in the basement of the courthouse. Ed Bjornstad was chosen as a delegate from this district to attend the national convention held in Minneapolis. It was a notable fact of the time that Spencer was one of the leading posts in the state and the first in memberships in the 11th district.

To be eligible to join the American Legion you must have served during these time periods:

Information on a veteran's service record can be obtained by contacting:
National Archives and Records Administration
Telephone: 1-866-272-6272