Past Department Commanders (cont’d. from “Our History)
# | From Year | To Year | Name | Post |
76 | 1994 | 1995 | Martin, Wesley “Wes” | Carrington |
77 | 1995 | 1996 | Kime, Suzanne “Sue” | Grand Forks |
78 | 1996 | 1997 | Salveson, Jerry | Fargo |
79 | 1997 | 1998 | Clifford, James “Jim” | Minot |
80 | 1998 | 1999 | Bosch, Joseph “Joe” | Linton |
81 | 1999 | 2000 | Overby, Dean | Galchutt |
82 | 2000 | 2001 | Skarphol, Gary L | Williston |
83 | 2001 | 2002 | Hubrig, Glenn | Hankinson |
84 | 2002 | 2003 | Roll, Sebastian T “Seb” | Mott |
85 | 2003 | 2004 | Hall, Jeffrey “Jeff” | Bottineau |
86 | 2004 | 2005 | Pritchard, Willis “Willie” | Oakes |
87 | 2005 | 2006 | Satrom, Wayne D | Galesburg |
88 | 2006 | 2007 | Simundson, Orville | Mountain |
89 | 2007 | 2008 | Peterson, Harvey | Beach |
90 | 2008 | 2009 | Quam, Carroll | Wahpeton |
91 | 2009 | 2010 | Samuelson, Jerry | Watford City |
92 | 2010 | 2011 | Vetter, Larry | Larimore |
93 | 2011 | 2012 | Krause, Robert “Bob” | Gwinner |
94 | 2012 | 2013 | Rice, David “Dave” | Harwood |
95 | 2013 | 2014 | Kachena, Eugene | Pisek |
96 | 2014 | 2015 | Weible, Donald “Don” | Wilton |
97 | 2015 | 2016 | Goldsmith, Harold “Bud” | Streeter |
98 | 2016 | 2017 | Kilen, Orletta | Almont |
99 | 2017 | 2018 | Meier, Karen | Garrison |
100 | 2018 | 2019 | Glenn Wahus | Watford City |
Department Commander-Elect Added into Officer Structure
The position of department commander-elect as an elective position was created effective with the department convention held in 1998. That convention elected both a department commander and a department commander- elect. Commencing at the 1999 department convention, and at each department convention thereafter, the department commander-elect became the department commander upon confirmatory action of the department convention.
The following were chosen commander-elect position for the year indicated:
Name | Town | Year |
Dean Overby | Wahpeton | 1998-99 |
Gary Skarphol | Williston | 1999-00 |
Glenn Hubrig | Hankinson | 2000-01 |
Seb Roll | Mott | 2001-02 |
Jeff Hall | Bottineau | 2002-03 |
Willis Pritchard | Oakes | 2003-04 |
Wayne Satrom | Galesburg | 2004-05 |
Orville Simundson | Cavalier | 2005-06 |
Harvey Peterson | Beach | 2006-07 |
Carroll Quam | Wahpeton | 2007-08 |
Jerry Samuelson | Watford City | 2008-09 |
Larry Vetter | Larimore | 2009-10 |
Bob Krause | Gwinner | 2010-11 |
Dave Rice | Harwood | 2011-12 |
Eugene Kachena | Pisek | 2012-13 |
Don Weible | Wilton | 2013-14 |
Harold “Bud” Goldsmith Jr. | Streeter | 2014-15 |
Orletta Kilen | Almont | 2015-16 |
Karen Meier | Garrison | 2016-17 |
Glenn Wahus | Watford City | 2017-18 |
Kenny Wiederholt | Gwinner | 2018-19 |
Steve Anderson | 2019-2020 |
Department Vice Commanders
Until 1946 there was only one Department Vice-Commander
Name | Town | Date |
F.R. Landers | Minot | 1919-20 |
Philip R. Bangs | Grand Forks | 1920-21 |
George H. Russ, Jr | Bismarck | 1921-22 |
M.M. Campbell | Bottineau | 1922-23 |
Harry Rafferty | Harvey | 1923-24 |
A.B. Welch | Mandan | 1924-25 |
A.J. Rulon | Jamestown | 1925-26 |
Dr. WE. Cole | Bismarck | 1926-27 |
Harry Hart | Ray | 1927-28 |
Dr. H.S. Kreidler | Wahpeton | 1928-29 |
Harry Lynn | Linton | 1929-30 |
Johan C. Overbye | Park River | 1930-31 |
Carl Erickson | Williston | 1931-32 |
H.M. Pippin | Halliday | 1932-33 |
Herbert Metzger | Williston | 1933-34 |
Ed Tptlin | Dickinson | 1934-35 |
Roy Dow | Mandan | 1935-36 |
Harry Edblom | Oakes | 1936-37 |
Ben Myhre | Williston | 1937-38 |
Perry Goss | Carrington | 1938-39 |
I.L. Doherty | Killdeer | 1939-40 |
Otto C. Krueger | Fessenden | 1940-41 |
W.A. Shinn | Bantry | 1941-42 |
P.I. Dahlen | Williston | 1942-43 |
R.H. Russell | Neche | 1943-44 |
Julius F. Mattson | Roseglen | 1944-45 |
Alf P Ness | Sanish | 1945-46 |
Eastern | Central | Western | Year |
Patrick J. Milloy Wahpeton | John E. Davis McClusky | Dr. John L Devine Minot | 1946-47 |
Elton Ringsak Grafton | Harold Torson Cando | Earl Rundle New England | 1947-48 |
Edward A. Milligan Michigan | Archie H. McGray Bismarck | Lloyd M. Rockne Hazen | 1948-49 |
Dr. A.D. Ottinger Valley City | Truman E. Risbrudt Jamestown | Earnest N. Schmit Beach | 1949-50 |
Palmer J. Sougstad Northwood | Eddy Burkhartsmeier Rugby | Truman C. Wold Watford City | 1950-51 |
Leonard Van Horne Fargo | Paul L. Bartholomew Wilton | Howard F. Doherty Kildeer | 1951-52 |
L. E. Duffy Enderlin | Earl F. Boyd Bismarck | Les I. Bird Hettinger | 1952-53 |
W. J. Gust Jr. St. Thomas | Charles E. Schlieve Leeds | F. Leslie Forsgren Corsby | 1953-54 |
Wayne Seelhammer Cogswell | Willard W. Brandt Linton | Ed Brown Stanley | 1954-55 |
Walter T. Stine Valley City | George F. Griffin Jamestown | Byron Krantz Kenmare | 1955-56 |
Al Montplaisir Fargo | Melvin Christianson Minnewaukan | Don Newberger Bottineau | 1956-57 |
Carrol Torgerson Cooperstown | Ole R. Gunderson Turtle Lake | Ralph Shults Mott | 1957-58 |
Don Sloan Lakota | Otto A. Helm New Rockford | C.H. Rodewald Tioga | 1958-59 |
Lester H. Paulson LaMoure | Clarence P. Michels Dunseith | Robert E. Hennessy Minot | 1959-60 |
Herb Mitz Drayton | Edwin N. Loveland Wilton | Gus Draeb Hebron | 1960-61 |
Elmo R. Olson Finley | C.J. Olson Fessenden | Lloyd A. Nelson Stanley | 1961-62 |
Ronald N. Weber Havana | Paul R. Lange Devils Lake | Hadley T. Wickham Mandan | 1962-63 |
Frank J Kosanda Grand Forks | Ray Wiest Wishek | John A. Schafer Flasher | 1963-64 |
Arnold J. Stockstad Park River | James M. Morris Jamestown | Robert A. Waller New England | 1964-65 |
Dale Luick Fairmount | George M. Dahlen Edmore | Harry A. Kauzmann Mandan | 1965-66 |
Al Olenberger McVille | Edgar R. Anderson Wilton | Tom Willoughby Minot | 1966-67 |
David F. Kosmatka Forman | Blaise Johnson Jamestown | William Tomchuk Belfield | 1967-68 |
Miron (Jack) Schlener Wahpeton | Gerald A. Taylor Oberon | Q.R. (Kink) Schulte Stanley | 1968-69 |
William C. Sweeney Fargo | Richard E. Iverson Bismarck | Frank C. Freezon Mandan | 1969-70 |
Treumann J. Lykken Grand Forks | Howard McKenzie Jamestown | Joseph T. Steier Reeder | 1970-71 |
Gordon Stark Grafton | Morris O. Halverson Rugby | Herb Gartner Minot | 1971-72 |
C.O. “Oz” Sveum Enderlin | Boyd H. Clemens Bismarck | Ernie Kouba Towner | 1972-73 |
Carleton J. Likness Milnor | Norman H. Hanson Carrington | Robert W. Moran Williston | 1973-74 |
Nordeen Sorlien Finley | Martin Olson Oberon | Duane S. Hanson Reeder | 1974-75 |
Allan Mathison Walhalla | Charles H. Schroeder Bismarck | Joseph J,. Lukach Noonan | 1975-76 |
Al Zinke Grafton | Fred J. Schmidt Jud | Leonard Hoff Richardton | 1976-77 |
Wilfred Clemenson Fargo | Jerome Dahlen Brinsmade | Fred Mau Mohall | 1977-78 |
Ronald Ness Pembina | Walter W. Kottsick Riverdale | Art F. Diby Mandan | 1978-79 |
Edwin J. Heinze Dazey | Edwin Remmick Gackle | Virgil Dinga Voltaire | 1979-80 |
Earl H. Redlin Ellendale | James F. Johnson New Rockford | H.F.”Sparky” Gierke Watford City | 1982-83 |
Lars Hildre Petersburg | Richard D. States Sarles | Garland Crook Rhame | 1983-84 |
Helmer Wenaas Valley City | Aaron “Moody” Dalke Bismarck | Floyd V Semenko Williston | 1984-85 |
Marlo Tveter Mooreton | Norvin Black McHenry | Ray E. Frank Killdeer | 1985-86 |
William O. Haug Grand Forks | Lonnie D. Nelson Maddock | James O. Coates Mandan | 1986-87 |
James A. Horton Wahpeton | David A. Liuska Wing | Paul A. Richter Regent | 1987-88 |
Thomas R. Moe Mayville | Jim Telken Jamestown | Geral Wiechman Flasher | 1988-89 |
Sven Michels Portland | Ray Gibbens Calvin | Ray Atoll Williston | 1989-90 |
Suzanne Kime Grand Forks | Don Weible Wilton | Ken Vatne Wildrose | 1990-91 |
Merton Svaleson Hillsboro | Wes Martin Carrington | Don Herrly Hebron | 1991-92 |
Glenn Schlenvogt Oakes | George Freund Cando | Jim Clifford Minot | 1992-93 |
B.J. Brazil Minto | Roger Boe Turtle Lake | Seb Roll Mott | 1993-94 |
Eastern Region | Central Region | Western Region | |
LaMoine Sonnenberg Oakes | Erling Rolfson New Rockford | Richard Dippong Minot | 1994-95 |
Willis Pritchard Oakes | Donald Machacek Langdon | Bruce Parsons Leith | 41995-96 |
Dean Overby Wahpeton | Joe Bosch Linton | Jim Clifford Minot | 1996-97 |
Glenn Hubrig Hankinson | Ron Frydenlund Jamestown | Gary Skarphol Williston | 1997-98 |
John Mullen McVille | Jerry Rice Maddock | Dale Roth New Leipzig | 1998-99 |
Harold Kratochvil Lankin | Blaine Meier Garrison | Mark Forster Mandan | 1999-00 |
Floyd Aune Mayville | Warren Sand Jamestown | Darrell Wolff Beach | 2000-01 |
James Karas Pembina | Erling Rolfson New Rockford | Jeff Hall Bottineau | 2001-02 |
Carroll Quam Wahpeton | Donald Machacek Langdon | Frank Glimm Zahl | 2002-03 |
Wayne Satrom Galesburg | Robert Scott Carrington | Dennis Kessel Belfield | 2003-04 |
Orville Simundson Cavalier | Gordon Boucher Rolette | Don Erstad Scranton | 2004-05 |
Larry Vetter Larimore | Jim Hilzendeger Napoleon | Harvey Peterson Beach | 2005-06 |
Vern Houser Park River | Robert Ludwig New Rockford | Jerry Samuelson Watford City | 2006-07 |
Dave Rice Fargo | Leon Hiltner Wales | Dave Hilleren New Town | 2007-08 |
Albert Tuma Larimore | Karen Meier Garrison | Dave Hilleren New Town | 2008-09 |
Robert (Bob) Krause Gwinner | Keven Semmens New Rockford | Oran Keith Sherwood | 2009-10 |
Eugene Kachena Pisek | Kent McDougall Rock Lake | Miles Bobb Dickinson | 2010-11 |
Mark Antal Park River | Bob O’Shea Turtle Lake | Kenneth Hasby New Town | 2011-12 |
Ronald Matthews Fargo | Harold “Bud” Goldsmith, Jr., Streeter | David Rolfson Watford City | 2012-13 |
Rodney Kadlec Pisek | Anna Spivey Langdon | Orletta Kilen Almont | 2013-14 |
Roger Sateren Lakota | Richard Marcellais Belcourt | Heather Thompson Bottineau | 2014-15 |
Roger Sateren Lakota | Pat Hemmy Rolla | Mike Weyrauch Ray | 2015-16 |
Larry Lien Fargo | Bruce Sailor Washburn | Glenn Wahus Watford City | 2016-17 |
Kenny Wiederholt Gwinner | Marv Anseth Turtle Lake | Gordon Blake Billings, MT | 2017-18 |
Larry Reed West Fargo | Steve Anderson Langdon | Alan Fehr Dickinson | 2018-19 |
Department Executive Committee
Eastern Region
Name | Town | Year |
G. Carpenter | Fargo | 1921-22 |
Thomas E. Whelan | St. Thomas | 1922-32 |
Lynn U. Stambaugh | Fargo | 1932-34 |
Dr. F. E. Weed | Park River | 1934-49 |
H. G. Ruemmele | Grand Forks | 1949-61 |
Carrol Torgerson | Cooperstown | 1961-72 |
Treumann J. Lykken | Grand Forks | 1972-75 |
Nordeen Sorlien | Finley | 1975-78 |
Allan Mathison | Walhalla | 1978-84 |
Curtis O. Twete | McVille | 1984-90 |
James A. Horton | Wahpeton | 1990-96 |
Willis Pritchard | Oakes | 1996-02 |
James Karas | Pembina | 2002-2008 |
Dave Rice | Fargo | 2008-11 |
Kenny Wiederholt | Gwinner | 2011-17 |
Roger Sateren | Lakota | 2017- |
Central Region Committeemen
Name | Town | Year |
F.S. Henry | Bismarck | 1921-26 |
A.J. Rulon | Jamestown | 1926-27 |
Fred Gimblett | Fessenden | 1927-29 |
Dr. L.B. Greene | Edgeley | 1929-37 |
Victor L. Thom | Goodrich | 1937-44 |
Perry Goss | Carrington/Jamestown | 1944-68 |
Paul R. Lange | Devils Lake | 1968-71 |
Richard Iverson | Bismarck | 1971-77 |
Norman H. Hanson | Carrington | 1977-83 |
Harlan Hanson | Milton | 1983-89 |
Lonnie Nelson | Maddock | 1989-94 |
Lonnie Nelson (concluding year of second term) | Maddock | 1994-95 |
Roger Boe | Turtle Lake | 1995-01 |
Blaine Meier | Garrison | 2001-07 |
Robert Ludwig | New Rockford | 2007-13 |
Harold Goldsmith (resigned 6-29-14 when elected department commander-elect | Streeter | 2013-14 |
ElRay Fercho (appointed 6-29-14 to complete unexpired term) | Streeter | 2014-16 |
William Lipetzky | Jamestown | 2016-18 |
Bruce Sailer | 2018- |
Western Region Committeemen
Name | Town | Year |
A. B. Welch | Mandan | 1921-24 |
John K. Kennelly | Mandan | 1924-28 |
Harry Hart | Ray | 1928-29 |
Hugh Vallely | Minot | 1929-30 |
Henry Handtmann | Mandan | 1930-33 |
Gervais J. Manning | Dickinson | 1933-39 |
Roy F. Dow | Mandan | 1939-42 |
Dr. T. L. Stangebye | Mott | 1942-43 |
P. J. Edkins | Beach | 1943-46 |
Henry E. Brown | Dickinson | 1946-51 |
George Toman | Mandan | 1951-54 |
Edgar T. Agnew | Dickinson | 1954-57 |
Theodore T. Loy | Minot | 1957-70 |
John A. Schafer | Flasher | 1970-76 |
Robert E. Hennessy | Minot | 1976-8 I |
Fred Mau | Mohall. | 1981-82 |
Virgil Dinga | Voltaire | 1982-88 |
Gary Skarphol | Williston | 1988-94 |
Name | Town | Year |
Seb Roll | Mott | 1994-00 |
James Clifford | Minot | 2000-03 |
Frank Glimm | Zahl | 2003-6-36-05 (resigned) |
Don Erstad | Scranton | 8-1-05-06 |
Dale Roth | New Leipzig | 2006-12 |
Ted Becker | Almont | 201202018 |
Mike Weyrauch | Ray | 2018- |
Past Department Judge Advocates
Name | Town | Year |
G. McLain Johnson | Hillsboro | 1925-27 |
Mark Amundson | Bowman | 1927-33 |
Thomas J. Burke | Bismarck | 1933-34 |
Victor L. Thom | Goodrich | 1934-36 |
T. I. Dahl | Grafton | 1936-46 |
John D. Jeffrey | Williston | 1946-48 |
*Patrick T. Milloy | Wahpeton | 1949-64 |
Gus Draeb | Hebron | 1964-84 |
**H. F. “‘Sparky” Gierke | Watford City | l 984-Aug 8, 1988 |
Frank J. Kosanda | Grand Forks | 1988-89 |
Frank J. Kosanda | Grand Forks | 1989-90 |
Thomas R. Moe | Mayville | 1990-94 |
**(resigned, elected nat’l commander)
***appointed Aug 9, 1988 to finish unexpired term
Name | Town | Year |
Thomas R. Moe | Mayville | 1994-03 |
Gary Helgeson | Bismarck | 2003-04 |
Daniel D. Narum (resigned to accept appointment as district judge | LaMoure | 2004-06 |
Thomas R. Moe | Mayville | 2007-08 |
Patricia Hodney | Lakota | 2008-16 |
Christian Anderson | Wahpeton | 2016-19 |
Mamie Havalka | Bismarck | 2019- |
Past Department Chaplains
Name | Town | Year |
Cuthbert S. Moore | Lisbon | 1919-20 |
Rev. Edwin Burling | Velva | resigned late 1920; |
L. W. Upshaw | Jamestown | Appointed 1-3-21 1920-21 |
L. W. Upshaw | Jamestown | 1921-24 |
Rev. J. O. Ensrud | Starkweather | 1924-25 |
Rev. Silas Fairham | Drayton | 1925-26 |
Rev. John Halloran | Ray | 1926-27 |
Rev. Clarence Covell | Hillsboro | 1927-28 |
Rev. A.C. Hill | Bottineau | 1928-30 |
Rev. John Hogan | Minot | 1930-31 |
Rev. J. A. Fjelstad | Edmore -Lisbon | 1931-37 |
Rev. J. R. Samon | Mooreton | 1937-39 |
Rev. Dewitt Myers | Fairmount-Valley City | 1939-44 |
Rev. Ira Herzberg | Cavalier | 1944-46 |
Rev. T. J. Tracy | Bowman | 1946-51 |
Rev. Leslie R. Burgum | Jamestown | 1951-52 |
Rev. L.V. Studzinski | Minto | 1952-57 |
Rev. Raymond Saunders | LaMoure | resigned 1957 |
Rev. L. V. Studzinski | Ardoch | appointed . 1957-58 |
Rev. John L. McHugh | Cando | 1958-60 |
Rev. M.P. Lutness | Bismarck | 1960-64 |
Rev. Charles Myer | Linton | 1964-65 |
Rev. M.P. Lutness | Bismarck | 1965-67 |
Rev. Chester Johnson | Jamestown | 1967-69 |
Rev. James C. Tuxbury | Mandan | 1969-75 |
Rev. Howie Krienke | Beach | 1975-78 |
Rev. Jerry Salveson | Fargo | 1978-89 |
Rev. M. P. Lutness | Bismarck | 1989-92 |
Rev. Jerry Salveson | Fargo | 1992-94 |
Fred Schmidt | Fessenden | 1994-99 |
Rev. Charles Sheffler | Langdon | 1999-02 |
Rev. John Carlson | Wyndmere | 2002-03 |
Rev. Bill Cosgrove | New England | 2003-04 |
Rev. John Carlson | Wyndmere | 2004-05 |
Rev. Dean Bakken | Amidon | 2005-06 |
Rev. Mark Antal | Park River | 2006-09 |
Linda Whaley | Fargo | 2009-10 |
Dr. J. David Jones | Minot | 2010-11 |
Rev. Al Gaines | New Leipzig | 2011-12 |
Wayne Wermager | Fargo | 2012-13 |
Rev. Jared Kadlec | Horace | 2013-14 |
Richard Reuer | Minot | 2014-15 |
Rev. Mark Antal | Park River | 2015-18 |
Rev. Brian Davidson | Dickinson | 2018-19 |
Karen Hutchins | 2019- |
Past Department Finance Officers
Name | Town | Year |
L.R. Baird | Dickinson | 1919-28 |
Fred J. Seeba | Harvey | 1928-30 |
Fred Gimblett | Fessenden | 1930-34 |
A. J. Rulon | Jamestown | 1934-69 |
Blaise Johnson | Jamestown | 1969-73 |
George Neigum | Bismarck | 1973-86 |
Dorain LaRocque | Walhalla | 1986-1990 |
Stephen I. Morse | Langdon | 1990-2004 |
Lester Mutschelknaus | Hebron | 2004-08 |
George Zeller | Carson | 2008-14 |
Randall Cale | Stirum | 2014-10-5-15(resigned) |
Cliford Herrick, appointed 10-5-15 to complete unexpired term | Jamestown | 2016-18 |
Coug Wittmier | Streeter | 2018- |
Past Department Historians
William H. Greenleaf | Grand Forks | 10-17-19 to 2-11-20 (resigned) |
Earl Tostevin | Mandan | 2-16-20 to 8-26-20 (appointed) |
William M. Jones | Lisbon | 1920-65 |
Arnold J. Stockstad | Park River | 1965-69 |
Allen Ruzicka | Lankin | 1969-73 |
E. Willis Bjorge | Petersburg | 1973-77 |
Victor C. Hass | Bowbells | 1977-78 |
E. Willis Bjorge | Petersburg | 1978-79 |
Harris Togstad | Minot | 1979-81 |
Kenneth Weber | Minot | 1981-83 |
Hal Weninger | New Town | 1983-86 |
Milton W. Kane | Valley City | 1986-88 |
Leonard Hoff | Richardton | 1988-94 |
James O. Coats | Mandan | 1994-00 |
Harold Kratochvil | Lankin | 2000, died 2-22-02 |
Marlin Schneider | Bismarck | 2002-03 |
Karen Meier | Garrison | 2003- |
Past Department Sergeants-at-Arms
Name | Town | Year |
William “Bill” Stern | Fargo | 1919-20 |
Ernst Pohlig | Bismarck | 1978-80 |
C. O. “Ozzie” Sveum | Enderlin | 1980-92 |
Walter Flemmer | Turtle Lake | 1992-94 |
Walter Flemmer | Turtle Lake | 1994-95 |
Charles Battes | Williston | 1995-98 |
Walter Flemmer | Turtle Lake | 1998-00 |
Harlan Muehler | Wahpeton | 2000-03 |
Marvin Collins | Park River | 2003-08 |
Leon Hiltner | Wales | 2008- |
Department National Security Committee Chair or Directors
(Titled National Defense Committee Prior to 1949-50)
Name | Town | Year |
Milton Rue | Bismarck | 1934-35 |
Lynn Stambaugh | Fargo | 1935-36 |
Walter Brophy | Bismarck | 1936-37 |
James Dougherty | Minot | 1937-38 |
Henry Brown | Dickinson | 1938-39 |
W.W. Jeffrey | Williston | 1939-40 |
Frank Cheatham | Grand Forks | 1940-41 |
Harold Piper | Minot | 1941-42 |
P. J. Edkins | Beach | 1942-43 |
Harry E. Polk | Williston | 1943-45 |
T. F. Stelten | Wahpeton | 1945-46 |
Edward A. Milligan | Michigan | 1946-47 |
Roger Baertsch | Fargo | 1947-48 |
Warner Litten | Fargo | 1948-49 |
Robert E. Dahl | Grafton | 1949-50 |
Adrian O. McLellan | Fargo | 1950-52 |
Truman C. Wold | Watford City | 1952-53 |
Robert E. Dahl | Grafton | 1953-61 |
John E. Davis | Bismarck | 1961-69 |
Ray Wiest | Wishek | 1969-82 |
John Swanson | Mandan | 1982-83 |
Bernard A. Wagner | Sanborn | 1983-84 |
C. Emerson Murry | Bismarck | 1984-87 |
Roy R. Tomanek | Mandan | 1987-94 |
Department Law & Order Directors
Name | Town | Years Served |
Jack Schlener | Wahpeton | 1969-71 |
Ronald Evenson | Bismarck | 1971-72 |
Dennis Lyon | Minot | 1972-73 |
Department Civil Air Patrol Directors
Name | Town | Year |
Joe Parmer | Fargo | 1959-65 |
John Shull | Grand Forks | 1965-68 |
George Walstad | Park River | 1968-71 |
Dale Luick | Fargo | 1971-73 |
Wayne Looysen | Carrington | 1973-75 |
Dallas Meidinger | Jamestown | 1975-76 |
Department Defense Civil Preparedness Directors
Name | Town | Year |
Joseph Thomas | Bismarck | 1955-58 |
Lawrence A. Peterson | Bismarck | 1958-62 |
Joseph R. Walter | Devils Lake | 1962-65 |
Ernest W. Hagen | Devils Lake | 1965-67 |
George F. Marback | Mandan | 1967-77 |
Mike Kopp | Mandan | 1977-78 |
John Christianson | Watford City | 1978-79 |
Department Foreign Relations Committee Chair
Name | Town | Year |
Earle R. Sarles | Hillsboro | 1930-31 |
H. M. Pippin | Halliday | 1931-33 |
R. J. Downey | Devils Lake | 1933-34 |
A. U. Anderson | Crosby | 1934-35 |
Sam Thompson | Williston | 1935-36 |
None appointed | 1936-58 | |
Jack Williams | Fargo | 1958-62 |
Thomas E. Whelan | St. Thomas | 1962-77 |
Earnest N. Schmit | Bismarck | 1977-85 |
Curtis O. Twete | McVille | 1985-88 |
Q. R. Schulte | Stanley | 1988-90 |
Curtis O. Twete | McVille | 1990-91 |
Harry W. Moore | Fargo | 1991-92 |
Ray Atol | Williston | 1992-93 |
Don Herrly | Hebron | 1993-94 |
Department Energy Chair
Name | Town | Dates Served |
Robert Nygard | Jamestown | 1978-81 |
Milton T. DeGree | Bismarck | 1981-82 |
Roy R. Tomanek | Mandan | 1982-84 |
Department Gift of Life Program Directors
Name | Town | Dates Served |
Gordon Stark | Grafton | 1970-71 |
Morton Johnson | Mandan | 1971-72 |
Don Miller | Wahpeton | 1972-73 |
Robert L. Short | Langdon | 1973-75 |
Morton Johnson | Mandan | 1975-77 |
William Tomchuk | Belfield | 1977-79 |
John E. Stiles | Sherwood-Arvilla | 1979-90 |
B.J. Brazil | Minto | 1990-93 |
Wes Martin | Carrington | 1993-94 |
Department Marksmanship Committee Chair
Name | Town | Dates Served |
N. G. Johnson | Beach | 1938-44 |
Roger W. Snyder | Fargo | 1944-46 |
Ross Jeffrey | 1946-48 |
Department Volunteer Liaison For Shooting Sports
Harold Holien | Cando | 1955-89 |
Department Counter-Subversive Activities Directors
Name | Town | Dates Served |
Richard V. Boulger | Dickinson | 1949-51 |
Robert E. Dahl | Grafton | 1951-53 |
Richard V. Boulger | Dickinson | 1953-54 |
Bert L. Wilson Jr. | Bowbells | 1954-56 |
F. Leslie Forsgren | Crosby | 1956-57 |
Department Graves Registration Committee Chair
Name | Town | Dates Served |
William H. Payne | Bismarck | 1933-34 |
R.B. Safstrom | Forman | 1934-35 |
William H. Payne | Bismarck | 1935-38 |
William H. Brekken | Devils Lake | 1938-39 |
J. R. Harmon | Fort Yates | 1939-41 |
Peter I. Dahlen | Williston | 1941-42 |
Julius Mattson | Roseglen | 1942-43 |
Committee inactive due to WW II | 1943-46 | |
Herman Brocopp | Bismarck | 1946-47 |
Julius Mattson | Roseglen | 1947-48 |
Legion Representatives on Coordinating Council
In addition to the incumbent department commander and department adjutant, the third voting member of the organizations comprising the North Dakota Veterans Coordinating Council is the organizational representative.
Appointed annually, the following have represented The American Legion in that capacity for the period indicated:
Name | Town | Year |
Elmo R. Olson | Finley | 1965-67 |
Al Olenberger | McVille | 1971-73 |
Vernon Useldinger | Fargo | 1976-78 |
Gerald A. Taylor | Oberon | 1980-81 |
Milton W. Kane | Valley City | 1983-84 |
Earl H. Redlin | Ellendale | 1988-89 |
Earl H. Redlin | Ellendale | 1992-94 |
Name | Town | Year |
Earl H. Redlin | Ellendale | 1994-97 |
Joe Smith | Bismarck | 1997-1998 |
John Mullen | McVille | 1998-00 |
Seb Roll | Mott | 2000-01 |
Gary Skarphol | Williston | 2001-02 |
Glenn Hubrig | Hankinson | 2002-03 |
Seb Roll | Mott | 2003-09 |
Harvey Peterson, | Beach | 2009-10 |
Brian Kalk | Bismarck | 2010-11 |
Larry Vetter | Larimore | 2011-12 |
Bob Krause | Gwinner | 2012-15 |
Bruce Sailor | Washburn | 2015-19 |
Department Legislative Committee Chair
Name | Town | Year |
Rheinhart J. Kamplin | Crosby | 1919-20 |
A. B. Carlson | Minot | 1920-21 |
C. H. Starke | Dickinson | 1921-22 |
G. A. Fraser | Bismarck | 1922-23 |
M. H. Lynch | Lidgerwood | 1923-24 |
L. R. Baird | Dickinson | 1924-25 |
D. S. Ritchie | Valley City | 1925-26 |
A. J. Rulon | Jamestown | 1926-27 |
Jack Williams | Fargo | 1927-34 |
Thomas E. Whelan | St. Thomas | 1934-52 |
John E. Davis | McClusky | 1952-56 |
Jack Williams | Fargo | 1956 -66 |
Vernon Useldinger | Fargo | 1966-70 |
Earnest N. Schmit | Bismarck | 1970-72 |
Carrol Torgerson | Cooperstown | 1972-78 |
Al Olenberger | McViIIe | 1978-80 |
Earnest N. Schmit | Bismarck | 1980-82 |
Joe Novak | Bismarck | 1982-83 |
John A. Schafer | Flasher | 1983-91 |
Ray Atol | Williston | 1991-92 |
Joseph Smith, Jr. | Bismarck | 1992-93 |
Curtis O. Twete | McVille | 1993—94 |
Curtis O. Twete | McVille | 1994-95 |
John Mullen | McVille | 1999-00 |
Seb Roll | Mott | 2000-01 |
Gary Skarphol | Williston | 2001-02 |
Glenn Hubrig | Hankinson | 2002-03 |
Seb Roll | Mott | 2003-09 |
Harvey Peterson | Beach | 2009-10 |
Brian Kalk | Bismarck | 2010-11 |
Larry Vetter | Larimore | 2011-12 |
Bob Krause | Gwinner | 2012-15 |
Bruce Sailor | Washburn | 2015-19 |
North Dakota American Legion Audit Committee Chair
Bob Krause, Gwinner………………….2015-19
Department Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Committee Chair(Titled Department Rehabilitation Committee Prior to 1971-72)
Name | Town | Year |
T.O. Kraabel | Fargo | 1930-38 |
Vince Lee | Minot | 1938-39 |
Perry Goss | Carrington | 1939-40 |
Henry Cottam | LaMoure | 1940-41 |
R.H. Russell | Neche | 1941-43 |
R.R. Nelson | Bismarck | 1943—44 |
O.M. Johnson | Devils Lake | 1944-48 |
William R. Burns | Grand Forks | 1948-49 |
George Harvey | Williston | 1949_50 |
W.J. Gust Jr. | St. Thomas | 1950-52 |
Mel Christianson | Minnewaukan | 1952-53 |
L E. Duffy | Enderlin | 1953-54 |
Mel Christianson | Minnewaukan | 1954-55 |
W.J. Gust Jr. | St. Thomas | 1955-56 |
Ronald N. Weber | Havana | 1956-57 |
W.J. Gust Jr. | St. Thomas | 1957-59 |
Willard W. Brandt | Linton | 1959-62 |
W. J. Gust Jr. | St. Thomas | 1962-70 |
Gisli Johannson | Minot | 1970-73 |
William A. Hamre | Williston | 1973-74 |
Clifford C. Day | Oakes | 1974-75 |
George M. Dahlen | Edmore | 1975-77 |
Clifford C. Day | Oakes | 1977-78 |
George M. Dahlen | Edmore | 1978-80 |
Stan Severson | Hettinger | 1980-84 |
George M. Dahlen | Edmore | 1984 85 |
Milton P. Sletten | Wahpeton | 1985 87 |
F.E.”Frank” Gathman | Fargo | 1987-90 |
James McDonald | Mohall | 1990-94 |
Name | Town | Year |
James McDonald | Mohall | 1994-99 |
Robert Evans | Williston | 1999-03 |
Jim Hilzendeger | Napoleon | 2003-08 |
Jim Deremo | Fargo | 2008-13 |
Bryan Watters | Fargo | 2013-15 |
Lynn (Tye) Titus. Jr. | Fargo | 2015-16 |
Summer Kristianson | West Fargo | 1-23-17- |
VA Volunteer Services Chair to Fargo VA Health Care System
Name | Town | Year |
John West, Sr. | Fargo | 1969-75 |
Frank Suppa | Fargo | 1975-1994 |
Milt W. Kane | Fargo | 1994-01 |
David Lee | Moorhead | 2001-15 |
Dave Rice | Harwood | 2015-19 |
VA Volunteer Services Chair to Miles City VA Medical Center
Robert Evans, Williston……………….….1994-99
Department Employment Chairs
Name | Town | Dates Served |
Lynn U. Starnhaugh | Fargo | 1931-32 |
E. W. (Ed) Kibler | Cavalier-Fargo | 1932-37 |
S. F. Laskey | Whapeton | 1937-38 |
F.E. Henderson | Grafton | 1938-39 |
S. F. Laskey | Whapeton | 1939-40 |
Abe Abrahamsen | Grand Forks | 1940-41 |
T. J. Brady | Minot | 1941-42 |
Albert Bolkan | Devils Lake | 1942-43 |
Thomas G. Johnson | Hillsboro | 1943-45 |
Henry Holtz | Garrison | 1945-46 |
George Toman | Mandan | 1946-47 |
Leslie Maupin | Minot | 1947-48 |
Joseph F. Burley | Minot | 1947-48 |
E. W. Kibler | Fargo-Bismarck | 1950-58 |
Jack Williams | Fargo | 1958-62 |
W. M. (Bill) Williamson | Bismarck | 1962-63 |
Arthur E. Ulness | Fargo | 1963-79 |
Tom Willoughby | Bismarck | 1979-82 |
W. M. (Bill) Williamson | Bismarck | 1982-85 |
Leo Swenson | Bismarck | 1958-93 |
Rick Ryan | Bismarck | 1993-94 |
Marlys Morgenstern | Bismarck | 2009-19 |
Department Public Relations and Awards Committee Chair
Name | Town | Year |
Harry W. Moore | Fargo | 1994-98 |
Robert A. Waller | New England | 1998-03 |
Dean Overby | Wahpeton | 2003-08 |
Willis Pritchard | Oakes | 2008-12 |
Brian Kalk | Bismarck | 2012-16 |
Dave Hilleren | New Town | 2016-17 |
Karen Meier | Garrison | 2017-18 |
Press Association Presidents
Name | Town | Year |
Sven Mickels | Portland | 1995-97 |
Don Weible | Wilton | 1998-04 |
Sven Mickels | Portland | 2005-06 |
Herbert Schultz | Petersburg | 2007-15 |
Sven Mickels | Portland | 2015-19 |
Department Children & Youth Committee Chair
(Titled Department Child Welfare Committee Prior to 1971-72)
M. H. Sprague | Grafton | 1925-26 |
W. K. (Bill) Treumann | Grand Forks | 1926-37 |
Frank J. Webb | Grand Forks | 1937-49 |
H.E. (Hank) Edhlund | Fargo | 1949-57 |
Donald R. Kuehn | Fargo-Minot | 1957-63 |
Dick Furness | Mott | 1963-73 |
Ernie Kouba | Towner | 1973-77 |
Marlo Brackelsberg | Mohall | 1977-82 |
Ronald N. Ness | Pembina | 1982-84 |
Earl Redlin | Ellendale | 1984-85 |
David A. Liuska | Wing | 1985-87 |
Paul G. Schadewald | Sykeston | 1987-92 |
Willis J. Pritchard | Oakes | 1992-94 |
Willis J. Pritchard | Oakes | 1994-95 |
Don Weible | Wilton | 1995-03 |
Department Americanism/Children & Youth Committee Chair
Name | Town | Year |
Philip R. Bangs | Grand Forks | 1919-20 |
G. H. Russ Jr. | Bismarck | 1920-21 |
William Stern | Fargo | 1921-22 |
Walter H. Schlosser | Grand Forks | 1922-23 |
Nels Hofland | Stanley | 1923-24 |
R. L. Rousseau | Crosby | 1924-25 |
Emanuel Sgutt | Fargo | 1925-26 |
No record | ???? | 1926-27 |
Dr. H. S. Kreidler | Wahpeton | 1927-28 |
No record | ??? | 1928-32 |
Thomas E. Whelan | St. Thomas | 1932-33 |
Dr. F. Draper Hurd | Tolley | 1933-34 |
A. M. (Arve) Dahlen | Fairmount | 1934-35 |
LeRoy Pease | Wahpeton | 1935-37 |
M. S. Byrne | Bowman | 1937-38 |
Louis F. Temme | Beulah | 1938-39 |
Curtis B. Jenkins | Linton | 1939-40 |
A. M. (Arve) Dahlen | Fairmount | 1940-41 |
Floyd E. Henderson | Grafton | 1941-42 |
Perry Goss | Carrington | 1942-44 |
C. W. Leifur | Bismarck | 1944-49 |
Adrian O. McLellan | Fargo | 1949-52 |
Truman C. Wold | Watford City | 1952-53 |
Robert E. Dahl | Grafton | 1953-57 |
Mel Christianson | Minnewaukan | 1957-60 |
Leonard Dalsted | Bismarck | 1960-11-13-64 |
Sam Tolchin sky | Bismarck | 12-21-64-68 |
Harry A. Kautzmann | Mandan | 1968-70 |
Arnold J. Stockstad | West Fargo | 1970-75 |
Frank J. Kosanda | Grand Forks | 1975-76 |
Wayne Looysen | Carrington | 1976-77 |
Walter Kottsick | Riverdale | 1977-78 |
Virgil Dinga | Voltaire | 1978-79 |
Victor C. Hass | Bowbells | 1979-81 |
Harris Togstad | Minot | 1981-82 |
Garland Crook | Rhame | 1982-83 |
Harris Togstad | Minot | 1983-84 |
James O. Coats | Mandan | 1984-86 |
Marlo Tvetter | Mooreton | 1986-1-2-89 |
Sven Mickels | Portland | 1990-03 |
Fred Eslinger | Elgin | 2003-04 |
Robert Ludwig | New Rockford | 2004-08 |
Don Weible | Wilton | 2008-13 |
Kenny Wiederholt | Gwinner | 2013-17 |
Dave Daely | Maddock | 2017-18 |
Mike Weyrauch | Ray | 2018-19 |
Department Athletic Committee Chair
Name | Town | Date(s) |
Jack Williams | Fargo | 1927-28 |
Clarence L. Jensen | Kensal | 1928-32 |
Bill Ellison | Mandan | 1932-33 |
Frank J. Webb | Grand Forks | 1933-36 |
James Little | Barney-Wyndmere | 1936-38 |
C. C. Finnegan | Fargo | 1938-40 |
C. C. Lillie | Grand Forks | 1940-47 |
James E. McKenna | Jamestown | 1947-49 |
Einar Wall | Kempton (Interim Ch.) | Aug.’49 |
James E. Mc Kenna | Jamestown | 1949-50 |
Nate Cummings | Oakes | 1950-59 |
Otto A. (Pete) Helm | New Rockford | 1959-69 |
Cliff Nygard | Bismarck | 1969-92 |
Bruce (Sam) Birdsall | Dickinson | 1992-94 |
Bruce (Sam) Birdsall | Dickinson | 1994-97 |
Ken Vatne (died 6-18-16) | Hamlet | 1997-6-18-16 |
Jake Raile | Mandan | 2016-18 |
Russell Kroshus | Bismarck | 2018-19 |
Department Basketball Chair
Name | Town | Year (s) |
Earl Rundle | New England | 1946-47 |
Department Oratorical Contest Committee Chair
Louis F. Temme | Beulah | 1938-39 |
Curtis B. Jenkins | Linton | 1939-40 |
Arve Dahlen | Fairmount | 1940-41 |
Floyd E. Henderson | Grafton | 1941-42 |
Perry Goss | Carrington | 1942-44 |
C. W. Leifur | Bismarck | 1944-53 |
Robert E. Dahl | Grafton | 1953-54 |
C. W. Leifur | Bismarck | 1954-55 |
Mel Christianson | Minnewaukan | 1955-56 |
Robert E. Dahl | Grafton | 1956-57 |
Clair T. Blikre | Rolla-Stanley | 1957-62 |
Elton Skarperud | Grand Forks | 1962-65 |
Edward J. Drashil | Bismarck | 1965-68 |
Boyd Clemens | Bismarck | 1968-70 |
Charles H. Schroeder | Bismarck | 1970-71 |
Boyd Clemens | Bismarck | 1971-72 |
Charles H. Schroeder | Bismarck | 1972-75 |
Vane Thomas | Minot | 1975-78 |
Frank J. Kosanda | Grand Forks | 1978-81 |
Charles H. Schroeder | Bismarck | 1981-3-3-88 |
Vern Fetch | Bismarck | 3-7-88-94 |
Vern Fetch | Bismarck | 1994-08 |
Ron Broderson (resigned) | Watford City | 2008-4-12-14 |
Jerry Samuelson | Watford City | 2013-19 |
Department Boy Scouts Chair or Directors
Name | Town | Year (s) |
J. Lloyd Monson | Fargo | 1926-27 |
O. H. Halverson | Northwood | 1927-29 |
No record | 1929-30 | |
T. S. Harkison | Willow City | 1930-31 |
No record | 1931-36 | |
Dr. J. O. Arnson | Bismarck | 1936-39 |
John Karasiewicz | Bismarck | 1939-41 |
Judge James Morris | Bismarck | 1941-47 |
Al Schoenfeld | Dickinson | 1947-49 |
Ralph B. Maxwell | Rolla | 1949-52 |
Dr. A. F. Jensen | Grand Forks | 1952-53 |
Clarence Bladow | Wahpeton | 1953-54 |
George “Toby” Morton | Bismarck | 1954-57 |
Edward T. Wosepka | Beach | 1957-59 |
Ralph Shults | Mott | 1959-62 |
W. J. Thoreson | York | 1962-63 |
Edmond Remfert | Hebron | 1963-67 |
Edward A. Milligan | Bottineau | 1967-70 |
Wayne Looysen | Carrington | 1970-72 |
William Ebeltoft | Dickinson | 1972-73 |
Wayne Looysen | Carrington | 1973-76 |
Dewey Nielsen | Rugby | 1976-78 |
James F. Johnson | New Rockford | 1978-79 |
Donald Darling | Minot | 1979-94 |
Department Education & Scholarships Directors
Donald R. Kuehn | Fargo-Minot | 1954-55 |
Matt McGahan | Fargo | 1955-56 |
Donald R. Kuehn | Fargo-Minot | 1956-63 |
Dick Furness | Mott | 1963-67 |
Dr. Clair T. Blikre | Wahpeton | 1967-73 |
Donald L. Sheldon | Fargo | 1973-77 |
James O. Coats | Mandan | 1977-82 |
Curtis Herman | Makoti | 1982-83 |
William O. Haug | Grand Forks | 1983-86 |
Edith Dacks | Minot | 1986-90 |
John E. Stiles | Arvilla | 1990-94 |
Department Membership and Post Activities Committee Chair
Jim Clifford | Minot | 1994-96 |
Albert Tuma | Larimore | 1996-97 |
Joe Bosch | Linton | 1997-98 |
Dean Overby | Wahpeton | 1998-99 |
Lester Mutschelknaus | Hebron | 1999-00 |
David Challey | Hankinson | 2000-02 |
Dale Roth | New Leipzig | 2002-03 |
Carroll Quam | Wahpeton | 2003-06 |
Ralph Byron | Cavalier | 2006-07 |
Larry Vetter | Larimore | 2007-09 |
Albert Tuma | Larimore | 2009-10 |
Kenny Wiederholt | Gwinner | 2010-11 |
Eugene Kachena | Pisek | 2011-12 |
Don Weible | Wilton | 2012-13 |
Ronald J. Matthews | Fargo | 2013-16 |
Alan Fehr | Dickinson | 2016-2018 |
Todd Rikke | Lidgerwood | 2018-19 |
Department Musical Organizations Committee Chair
Spencer S. Boise | Bismarck | 1938-52 |
Herbert J. Franek | Fargo | 1952-53 |
Spencer S. Boise | Bismarck | 1953-54 |
Herbert J. Franek | Fargo | 1954-62 |
Gil Olson | Bismarck | 1962-68 |
Robert O. Boutrous | Bismarck | 1968-83 |
Chuck Joseph | Williston | 1983-94 |
Chuck Joseph | Williston | 1994-95 |
Al Enger | Grand Forks | 1995-96 |
Anthony Prough | Minot | 1996-97 |
Department Convention Festival Chair
Don Rapske | Fargo | 1997-98 |
Gary Skarphol | Williston | 1998-99 |
Legion Appointees to Administrative Committee on Veterans Affairs
Donald F. Sloan | Lakota | 1971-77 |
Kenneth G. Habiger | Casselton | 1971-78 |
James M. Morris | Jamestown | 1971-81 |
Stanley R. Severson | Hettinger | 1977-83 |
Fred Mau | Mohall | 1978-79 |
George M. Dahlen | Edmore | 1979-81 |
Earnest N. Schmit | Bismarck | 1981-84 |
Edwin Remmick | Gackle | 1981 85 |
Curtis O. Twete | McVille | 1983-86 |
Richard (Dick) States | Sarles | 1984-90 |
David A. Liuska | Wing | 1985-91 |
Fred J. Schmidt | Fessenden | 1986-89 |
Suzanne Kime | Grand Forks | 1989-1995 |
Adrian Crowfeather | Bismarck | 1990-93 |
John Mullen | McVille | 1994-97 |
Donald F. Weible | Wilton | 1994-02 |
Kenneth Vatne | Hamlet | 1995-04 |
Thomas R. Moe | Mayville | 1997-03 |
Gary Skarphol | Williston | 2002-08 |
Orletta Kilen | Almont | 2003-12 |
Dean Overby | Wahpeton | 2004-19 |
Jeff Hall | Bottineau | 2008-14 |
Marlin Schneider | Bismarck | 2012-21 |
Kenneth Hasby | New Town | 2014-17 |
Alan Fehr | Dickinson | 2017-20 |
Legionnaire Insurance Director/Trustee
Gus Draeb | Hebron | 1994-98 |
David M. Schmidt | Fargo | 1998-02 |
Jim Deremo | Fargo | 2002-07 |
Kim Anderson | Fargo | 2007-08 |
David Johnson | West Fargo | 2011-9-21-17 |
Ronald J. Matthews | Fargo | 11-27-17-19 |
National Guard and Reserve Liaison Chair
Carroll Quam | Wahpeton | 2003-15 |
Dave Rice | Harwood | 2015-17 |
Karen Meier | Garrison | 2017-18 |
Carroll Quam | Wahpeton | 2018-19 |
Awards | ||
Dave Rice | Harwood | 2015-17 |
Karen Meier | Garrison | 2017-18 |
Carroll Quam | Wahpeton | 2018-19 |
BOYS STATE DIRECTORS
Name | Dates Served |
Leroy Pease | 1938 to 1942 |
no N.D. Boys State due to WWII | 1943 to 1946 |
Leroy Pease | 1947 to 1956 |
M. B. Zimmerman | 1957 to 1969 |
David A. Wolf | 1970 to 1973 |
Marcus L. McDonald | 1974 to 1991 |
Joe Yenkosky | 1992 to 1998 |
Neil Litton | 1999-present- |
North Dakota American Legion Foundation Board of Directors 1994-95 to 2018-19
President | Town | Dates |
William Haug, | Grand Forks | Part 1993-94 |
Carleton Likness | Wahpeton | Part 1994-02 |
Dave Challey, | Hankinson | 2002-07 |
Chairman of the Board | Town | Dates |
Carleton Likness | Wahpeton | 2002-07 |
Earl Peterson, | Bozeman, MT (Beach Post) | 2007-09 |
Harvey Peterson | Beach | 2009- |
Foundation Regional Directors
Eastern Region | Central Region | Western Region |
1993-94 William Haug Grand Forks | 1993-96 Dennis Mock Bismarck | 1993-97 Norman Erdman Ralph |
1994-01 Carl Likness Wahpeton | 1996-02 Jerry Rice Maddock | 1997-03 Tony Prough Minot |
2001-07 Dave Challey Hankinson | 2002-08 Dale Townsend Carrington | 2003-09 Orlin Hanson Sherwood |
2007-13 Wayne Satrom Galesburg | 2008-14 Harold Goldsmith Streeter | 2009-10 Earl Peterson Bozeman, MT |
2013-17 Bruce Holtan Fargo | 2014- Arnie Havelka Bismarck | 2010-14 Ron Broderson Watford City |
2017- Eugene Kachena Pisek | 2017- Gary Skarphol Williston |
Ex-officio voting members granted director status by virtue of department offices held are:
treasurer, the department finance officer; secretary, the department adjutant, and a representative of the Sons of The American Legion.
Ex-officio members (non-voting) are the following American Legion officers: department commander, department judge advocate, past department commander, department commander-elect and Sons of The American Legion detachment commander.
North Dakota American Legion State Band Manager 1989-2019
(When time arrives to make final decisions on material to be included in the 25-year history, it would be highly appropriate to include State Band Manager Bruce Holtan with his picture in a story on many appearances and performances of the Legion State Band. Bruce has been the outstanding manager of the band since 1989 and has also performed with the unit as a skilled musician since 1971.)
North Dakota American Legion Centennial Committee Chair
Bob Greene, Grand Forks……2015-12-8-16
resigned.
Veterans Home Foundation Board
Carroll Quam | Wahpeton | President 2017-19 |
Department Outdoor Publicity Committee Chair
Miles Lander | Grand Forks | 1931-44 |
Department Radio Committee Chair
L. W. Hamm | Fargo | 1925-27 |
No record | 1927-34 | |
R. C. Melchoir | Fargo | 1934-36 |
C. T. Hoverson | Fargo | 1936-39 |
Harold Piper | Minot | 1939-40 |
Robert M. Smoot | Fargo | 1940-42 |
Fred C. Hagen | Fargo | 1942-45 |
Department Conservation Committee Chair
Name | Town | Dates Served |
M. O. Steen | Bismarck | 1932-34 |
M. O. Ryan | Fargo | 1934-40 |
L. T. Orlady | Jamestown | 1940-44 |
S.W. Thompson | Devils Lake | 1944-45 |
Department Public Relations Committee Chair
Ed Kraus | Fargo | 1944-46 |
C. R. Andrus | Fargo | 1946-50 |
J. V. McCarthy | Fargo | 1950-52 |
F. J. Froeschle | Bismarck-Lisbon | 1952-54 |
Alf T. Olsen | Fargo | 1954-64 |
Harry W. Moore | Fargo | 1964-67 |
Robert Feickert | Mandan | 1967-68 |
Ralph Shults | Hettinger | 1968-73 |
Don P. Miller | Bismarck | 1973-75 |
Carleton J. Likness | Milnor | 1975-76 |
Frank J. Kosanda | Grand Forks | 1976-77 |
Carleton J. Likness | Milnor | 1977-78 |
Curtis H. Nelson | Fargo | 1978-80 |
Carleton J. Likness | Milnor | 1980-84 |
Ralph Shults | Hettinger | 1984-87 |
Ed Doherty | New Rockford | 1987-92 |
Carleton Likness | Wahpeton | 1992-10/30/93 |
Harry W. Moore | Fargo | 10/30/93-94 |
Department Speakers Bureau Chair
Frank J. Kosanda | Grand Forks | 1959-66 |
Ray Shoff | Bismarck | 1966-69 |
Charles H. Schroeder | Bismarck | 1969-70 |
Frank J. Kosanda | Grand Forks | 1970-75 |
Leo Swenson | Bismarck | 1975-3/24176 |
William C. Sweeney | Fargo | 4-11-76-77 |
John W. Conyne | Bismarck | 1977-78 |
Gordon Semrau | Grand Forks | 1978-80 |
Leo Swenson | Bismarck | 1980-83 |
Gordon Semrau | Grand Forks | 1983-87 |
Stephen I. Morse | Langdon | 1987-90 |
Press Association Past Presidents
Morton Johnson | Mandan | 1974 |
Lloyd Haugen | Minot | 1975 |
Morris Wachendorf | Riverdale | 1976 |
Carleton J. Likness | Milnor | 1977-79 |
Paul R. Lange | Devils Lake | 1980-81 |
Ralph T. Shults | Hettinger | 1982-83 |
Edith Dacks | Minot | 1984-85 |
Leo Swenson | Bismarck | 1986-87 |
James O. Coats | Mandan | 1988 |
Harold Bruschwein | Wahpeton | 1989-90 |
Sven Mickels | Portland | 1993-94 |
Department Highway Safety Chair or Director
Milton G. Kelly | Devils Lake | 1937-38 |
Edward Hadley | Stanley | 1938-40 |
Amos Rood | Valley City | 1940-41 |
A. O. McKinnon | Bismarck | 1941-42 |
Martin Olson | Dunn Center | 1942-43 |
Ray Healey | Minot | 1943-47 |
A. M. Rott | Bismarck | 1947-50 |
Clark J. Monroe | Bismarck | 1950-53 |
Walter J. Thompson | Kenmare | 1953-55 |
Phil Hog Haug | Pembina | 1955-57 |
Don Sloan | Lakota | 1957-58 |
Ole R. Gunderson | Turtle Lake | 1958 -60 |
James J. Brodigan | Fargo | 1960-62 |
Herbert A. Mitz | Drayton | 1962-63 |
James J. Brodigan | Fargo | 1963-66 |
Sons of The American Legion Detachment Commander
Dwight Kautzmann | Mandan | 1991-93 |
Frank Whippler | Lankin | 1993 died 10-11-93 |
Mike Hodney | Lankin | 10-12-93-94-96 |
Dwane W. Liuska | Wing | 1996-9-5-99 |
Vacant | 1999-2002 | |
Gerald Puetz | Barney | 2002-09 |
Dean Meberg | Park River | 2009-11 |
Mike Daely | Minot | 2011-16 |
Frank Vondra | Park River | 2016-18 |
Michael Miska | Jamestown | 2018-19 |
Detachment Adjutants
David M. Schmidt | Fargo | 1991-02 |
Vacant | 3-3-02-6-20-03 | |
Dean Meberg | Park River | 2003-06 |
Bill Peschel | Wahpeton | 2006-13 |
Willie Witkowski | Gwinner | 2013-16 |
Tim Tuma | Larimore | 2016-18 |
Todd Rikke | Lidgerwood | 2018-19 |
Department SAL Directors or Advisors
Name | Town | Dates |
James Little | Barney | 1933-34 |
A.B. Johnson | Flora | 1934-38 |
Milton G. Kelly | Devils Lake | 1938-39 |
Robert G. Mensing | Ashley | 1939-40 |
Richard M. Still | Fargo | 1940-42 |
H. J. Hugelen | Maddock | 1942-45 |
Harry Overby | Fargo | 1945-46 |
Earl Rundle | New England | 1946-47 |
James O. Coats | Mandan | 1987-89 |
Rodney Byron | Mountain | 1989-94 |
Ron Monson | Park River | 1994-00 |
Dean Meberg | Park River | 2000-11 |
Albert Tuma | Larimore | 2011-19 |
Sons of the American Legion Squadrons
Bismarck |
Dickinson |
Ellendale |
Fargo |
Fordville |
Galchutt |
Garrison |
Gwinner |
Hankinson |
Hope |
Jamestown |
Kensal Langdon |
Lankin |
Larimore |
Lidgerwood |
Mandan |
Manvel |
Minot |
Mooreton Mountain New England |
Oakes |
Park River Rugby Valley City |
Wahpeton |
Watford City |
Williston |
Wyndmere Hillsboro |
Grand Chefs de Gare Passe
Jack Williams | Fargo | Grand Organizer |
Joe E. Rabinovich | Grand Forks | 1922-23 |
John P. “Chick” Conmy | Fargo | 1923-24 |
Steve Arman | Grafton | 1924-25 |
James Monro | Wahpeton | 1925-26 |
Walter McGahey | Williston | 1926-27 |
Thomas Condon | Valley City | 1927-28 |
Dr. L. B. Greene | Edgeley | 1928-29 |
William G. Elmslie | Devils Lake | 1929-30 |
Earl W. Stranahan | Fargo | 1930-31 |
William Schantz | Bismarck | 1931-32 |
Charles Devine | Williston | 1932-33 |
Edward Kraus | Fargo | 1933-34 |
Harry Rosenthal | Bismarck | 1934-35 |
Frank Coffman | Devils Lake | 1935-36 |
C. T. “Ted” Hoverson | Fargo | 1936-37 |
William B. Allen | Grand Forks | 1937-38 |
John Degg | Bismarck | 1938-39 |
W. Riley Pettitt | Fargo | 1939-40 |
Thomas C. Brown | Valley City | 1940-41 |
Frank Cheatham | Grand Forks | 1941-42 |
Willard C. Sveen | Williston | 1942-43 |
William H. Brekkcn | Devils Lake | 1943-44 |
Alvin H. Meyer | Wahpeton | 1944-45 |
Arthur E. Ulness | Fargo | 1945-46 |
Edward F. Trepp | Bismarck | 1946-47 |
Dr. O. H. Hoffman | Hannaford | 1947-48 |
Wm. K. Treumann. | Grand Forks | 1948-49 |
Clarence E. Jorde | Mandan | 1949-50 |
Harry E. Maher | Fargo (resigned) | 1950-51 |
T. I. Dahl | Grafton (completed term) | 1950-51 |
Elmer C. Cecil | Williston | 1951-52 |
Melvin C. Olson | Wahpeton | 1952-53 |
Ernest W. Hagen | Devils Lake | 1953-54 |
John J. Preboske | Fargo | 1954-55 |
John F. Lord | Mandan | 1955-56 |
George F. Griffin | Jamestown | 1956-57 |
H. D. “Howdy” Dunahay | Bismarck | 1957-58 |
Russell Crawford | Grand Forks | 1958-59 |
James J. Brodigan | Fargo | 1959-60 |
Alfred Zinke | Grafton | 1960-61 |
Joseph J. Thomas | Bismarck | (recalled to active military duty) …………….. 1961-62 |
Leo Heffenan | Jamestown | (acting grand chef de gare for remainder of term) ’61-62 |
Ralph Shults | Mott | 1962-63 |
James O. Coats | Mandan | 1963-64 |
Harold Bruschwein | Wahpeton | 1964-65 |
Gerald A. Taylor | Devils Lake | 1965-66 |
Harry Degenstein | Jamestown | 1966-67 |
Donald Jenson | Grand Forks | 1967-68 |
Robert R. Stone | Fargo | 1968-69 |
Ned Kindsvogel | Bismarck | 1969-70 |
James Hinzpeter | Minot | 1970-71 |
Arthur W. Olson | Mandan (died) | 1971-72 |
Lyle Conners | Minot (finished term) | 1971-72 |
John W. Conyne | Bismarck | 1972-73 |
M. W. “Red” Chapek | Williston | 1973-74 |
Joseph Steier | Reeder | 1974-75 |
Virgil Dinga | Minot | 1975-76 |
Burton G. Maxwell | Fargo | 1976-77 |
William “Bill” Doherty | Bismarck | 1977-78 |
Marlin Gay | Minot | 1978-79 |
Harold Braniff | Jamestown | 1979-80 |
Mike Jung | Hettinger | 1980-81 |
Floyd Semenko | Williston | 1981-82 |
Howard McKenzie | Jamestown | 1982-83 |
Robert G. Long | Fargo | 1983-84 |
Alvin Rotering | Hettinger | 1984-85 |
Tom Rainsberry | Grand Forks | 1985-86 |
Chuck Joseph | Wiliston | 1986-87 |
Q. R. “Kink” Schulte | Stanley | 1987-88 |
Robert Caudel | Bismarck | 1988-89 |
Robert Lechner | Fargo | 1989-90 |
Duane Hanson | Hettinger | 1990-91 |
Jack Schlener | Wahpeton | 1991-92 |
Alvin Kilgore | Grand Forks | 1992-93 |
Jordis Larvick | Williston | 1993-94 |
VernFetch | Bismarck | 1994-95 |
James Telken | Jamestown1 | 995-96 |
Howard V. Erickson | Fargo | 1996-97 |
David Kaufman | Grand Forks | 1997-98 |
Richard Rasch | Garrison | 1998-99 |
Charles Schumacher | Minot | 1999-00 |
Larry Lein | Fargo | 2000-01 |
Bruce Parsons | Leith | 2001-02 |
Richard Iverson | Bismarck | 2002-03 |
Gary Skarphol | Williston | 2003-04 |
Garland Crook | Dickinson | 2004-05 |
Donald Schwinden | Fargo | 2005-06 |
Ken Vatne | Hamlet | 2006-07 |
Lorne Noehre | Bismarck | 2007-08 |
Herbert Schultz | Petersburg | 2008-09 |
David Rice | Fargo | 2009-10 |
Ronald J. Matthews | Fargo | 2010-11 |
Aaron J. McFerran | Mandan | 2011-12 |
George Petermann | Dickinson | 2012-13 |
Robert Jacobson | Fargo | 2013-14 |
B.J. Brazil | Minto | 2014-16 |
Albert Tuma | Larimore | 2016-18 |
Benny Kemp | Bismarck | 2018-2019 |
Grand Correspondents
C.E. “Sid” Birder | Park River | 1922-24 |
Arthur F. Collar | Fargo | 1924-28 |
C.T. “Ted” Hoverson | Fargo | 1928-35 |
Harry Rosenthal | Bismarck | 1935-42 |
Harry E. Maher | Fargo | 1942-50 |
Arthur E. Ulness | Fargo | 1950-61 |
James J. Brodigan | Fargo | 1961-62 |
Arthur E. Ulness | Fargo | 1962-72 |
John J. Preboske | Fargo | 1972-77 |
Burton Maxwell | Fargo | 1977-84 |
John Conyne | Bismarck | 1984-86 |
Robert Long | Fargo | 1986-90 |
Al Rotering | Hettinger | 1990-92 |
David Kaufman | Grand Forks | 1992-96 |
John McCauley | Center | 1997-01 |
Robert G. Long | Fargo | 2001-02 |
Mark Forster | Mandan | 2002-03 |
Robert A. Lechner | Fargo | 2003-07 |
Gary Puppe | Bismarck | 2007-08 |
Robert A. Lechner | Fargo | 2008-09 |
Larry Lein | Fargo | 2009-11 |
Mark Forster | Mandan | 2011-12 |
Art Wanner | Dickinson | 2012-13 |
Robert Krause | Fargo | 2013-14 |
Robert Jacobson | Fargo | 2014-18 |
Ed Stern | Bismarck | 2018-19 |
Past Auxiliary Department Presidents
Name | Town | Year | Motto/Emblem |
Mrs. W. H. Witherstine | Grand Forks | 1923 | |
Mrs. Bernard S. Nickerson | Mandan | 1924 | |
Mrs. Arthur L Knauf | Jamestown | 1925 | |
Mrs. Anna L. Hazen | Larimore | 1926 | |
Mrs. L. P. Larson | Finley | 1927 | |
Miss Hazel B. Nielson | Valley City | 1928 | |
Mrs. J. R. Pence | Minot | 1929 | |
Mrs. James Morris | Bismarck | 1930 | |
Mrs. A. A. Kjelland | Hatton | 1931 | |
Mrs. Albert G. Porter | LaMoure | 1932 | |
Mrs. H. P. Ide | Sheldon | 1933 | |
Mrs. Raymond Holmes | Minot | 1935 | |
Mrs. Elric C. Geelan | Enderlin | 1936 | |
Mrs. James D. Stenson | Minot | 1937 | |
Mrs. H. W. Rosenthal | Bismarck | 1938 | |
Mrs. Thomas M. Street | Bottineau | 1939 | |
Mrs. T. H. Ferber | Oakes | 1940 | |
Mrs. John W. Payne | Williston | 1941 | |
Mrs. C. L. Robertson | Jamestown | 1942 | |
Mrs. E. W. Tobin | Dickinson | 1943 | |
Mrs. A. W. Plachte | Wahpeton | 1944 | |
Mrs. Spencer S. Boise | Bismarck | 1945 | |
Mrs. John Engesather | Brocket | 1946 | |
Mrs. A. U. Anderson | Crosby | 1947 | |
Mrs. Frank J. Webb | Grand Forks | 1948 | |
Mrs. F. E. Ackermann | Fargo | 1949 | |
Mrs. Peter I. Dahlen | Williston | 1950 | |
Mrs. R. C. Wiper | Bowbells | 1951 | |
Mrs. Oscar W. Fode | Jamestown | 1952 | |
Mrs. H. A. Lieberg | Devils Lake | 1953 | |
Mrs. L. W. Roen | Fargo | 1954 | |
Mrs. Lester H. Paulson | LaMoure | 1955 | |
Mrs. L. D. Sweeney | Larimore | 1956 | |
Mrs. John W. Stannard | Williston | 1957 | |
Mrs. C. O. Sveum | Enderlin | 1958 | |
Mrs. William Krause | Drake | 1959 | |
Mrs. Walter L. Dougherty | Park River | 1960 | |
Mrs. Karl L. Ericson | New Rockford | 1961 | |
Mrs. Arthur M. Kenly | Valley City | 1962 | |
Mrs. Ross Mcintosh | Cavalier | 1963 | |
Mrs. Harry E. Bowen | Hope | 1964 | |
Mrs. Alvin Moltzen | New Salem | 1965 | |
Mrs. James E. McGuigan | Leonard | 1966 | |
Mrs. Ernest J. Hanson | Grand Forks | 1967 | |
Mrs. Joseph J. Schneider | Devils Lake | 1968 | |
Mrs. Roger W. Snyder | Fargo | 1969 | |
Mrs. Norman H. Hanson | McClusky | 1970 | |
Mrs. Sigurd S. Haaland | Velva | 1971 | |
Mrs. Wesley G. Sather | Graftonm1972 | ||
Mrs. Harold H. Weyrauch | Ray | 1973 | |
Mrs. Jerome Stevens | Washburn | 1974 | |
Mrs. Frank J. Kosanda | Grand Forks | 1975 | |
Miss Patricia Higgins | Bismarck | 1976 | |
Mrs. Clifford Day | Oakes | 1977 | |
Mrs. Leonard Hoff | Richardton | 1978 | |
Mrs. Joseph Johnson | Roseglen | 1979 | |
Mrs. Erwin Yentsch | New Town | 1980 | |
Mrs. Dean Stetson | Bismarck | 1981 | |
Mrs. Kenneth Weber | Minot | 1982 | |
Mrs. Duane Hanson | Reeder | 1983 | |
Mrs. David Mcferran | Mandan | 1984 | |
Mrs. Willard Sorteberg | Portland | 1985 | |
Mrs. Albert Wicka | Beach | 1986 | |
Mrs. Helen Prochnow | Fairmount | 1987 | |
Mrs. Paul Brandt | McHenry | (died in office) | |
Mrs. Lloyd Schopp | Streeter | finished 1988 | |
Mrs. Lloyd Schopp | Streeter | 1989 | |
Mrs. Norman Hande | Rhame | 1990 | |
Mrs. Floyd V Semenko | Williston | 1991 | |
Mrs. Paul Ingwalson | Crosby | 1992 | Star |
Mrs. Roger Boe | Turtle Lake | 1994 | Tree |
Minnie Flynn | Dunseith | 1995 | Tower/Peace Garden |
Lualice Stockert | Stanton-Mandan | 1996 | Flag |
Muriel Seidel | Bismarck | 1997 | Sunflower |
Alice Coats | Mandan | 1998 | Quilt |
Tootie Fueller | Rugby | 1999 | Bell |
Donna Rice | Maddock | 2001 | Light House |
Judy Twete | McVille | 2002 | Angel |
Beverly Wolff | Beach | 2003 | American Flag |
Kathy Daniels | St. Thomas | 2004 | Flag |
Tammy Ryberg | Bowbells | 2005 | Bee |
Mary Ann Gefroh | Linton | 2006 | Eagle |
Sandra Erdman | Reeder | 2007 | Heart |
Charlotte Lassonde | Rolla | 2008 | Angel |
Carrie Heinz | Rolette | 2009 | Dog |
Gigi Moore | Oakes | 2010 | Hot Air Balloon |
Ginny Brazil | Minto | 2011 | Shape ND, Star |
Betty Malkowski | Belfield | 2012 | Star |
Linda Juntunen | Rolla | 2013 | |
Marlys Aubol | New Town | 2014 | Heart |
Arla Roth | Bentley | 2015 | Outline USA, Cross |
Marlene Boyer | Carrington | 2016 | Boots |
Diane Kraemer | Grand Forks | 2017 | Butterfly |
Mavis Goodroad | Fargo | 2018 | Eagle/tear |
Jeannie Roman | 2019 | “We Love our Veterans” | |
Myrna Ronholm | Jamestown | 2020 |
Auxiliary Department Secretaries
Miss Abbey Hurley | Fargo | 1922-24 |
Ms. L. W. Hamm | Fargo | 1925 |
Abbey Hurley Conmy | Fargo | 1926 |
Mrs. C. F. Phillips | Fargo | 1927-29 |
Mrs. R. M. DcPuy | Jamestown | 1930-35 |
Mrs. G. R. Schwandt | Enderlin | 1936-73 |
Mrs. Donald R. Colvin | Minot | 1973-85 |
Mrs. Donald D. Lund | Minot | 1985-89 |
Sherry Lind | Cooperstown | 1999-01 |
Myrna Ronholm | Jamestown | 2001-13 |
Catherine Olson | Grand Forks | 2013-15 |
Shirley Montgomery | Fargo | 2015- |
Marcy Schmidt | 20?? – current |