Evening star., 1947-08-10
In Local Service Organizations
New Legion Chief
Has Had Colorful
Military Career

Military Career
Owen G. Halloran, new depart
ment commander of the District
Department, American Legion, has
led an active military and civilian
life. Born in Atlanta, Ca, he at
tended grade schools there, later
graduating with honors from Mariet
College and taking a postgraduate
course at Oxford University, Eng
land.
Returning to Georgia, he enlisted
In the Georgia National Guard as a
private, rising through the ranks to
a second lieutenant. After represent
ing the Georgia Guard on three oc-
casions in the national rifle and
pistol matches, he resigned to enter
the British Army as an infantry pri-
vate and rose to the rank of captain
In the Royal Air Forces.
During 4 years and II months
service, he completed 229 missions
over enemy lines, was credited with
destroying nine enemy aircraft and,
before being shot down and losing a
leg, was awarded the coveted Mons
Star Medal and 81 battle bars.
At the close of World War I he
returned to Georgia and joined the
Baxter L. Schantz Post of the
American Legion at La Grange, be-
coming post commander. He later
served the Department OF Georgia
as vice commander. He also organ
lied what is now the wel-known
Emblem Division of the American
Legion and, before coming here in
1884 to accept a position in the Bu-
reau of Foreign and Domestic
Trade, Commerce Department, serv-
ed one term on the Allegheny
County Council in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Upon transferring his Legion
membership here, he became a
member of the Stephen P. Nc
Groarty Post, of which he Is now a
past commander, and before the
outbreak of World War II was con-
tinuously member of the Execu-
tive Committee of this department.
He served most of the time as the
chairman of the Department Amer
1canism Commission and during the
interim found time to direct three
Washington Soap Box Derbies and
serve as member of the District
of Columbia Commissioners Traffic
Advisory Board.
Entering World War II as a major
In the Army Air Forces, he rose to
colonel, being assigned to duty in
the Office of the Undersecretary of
War. He was commended by the
Army Air Forces and received the
Legion of Merit after five years
service. Upon discharge, he ac-
cepted position as a consultant
in the Bureau of Federal Supply,
Treasury Department, where he is
at present employed.
One of the first official acts of the
new commander will take place next
Wednesday evening, when he will
install Donald Moler as the new
commander of the Cooley-McCul-
Tough Post, assisted by his staff and
escorted by the National Guard of
Honor in command of Capt. James
C.. Clarke.
Other officers to be installed are:
First vice commander, Edward Fore
man; second vice commander, John
F. OMeara; third vice commander,
Ralph Parkus; adjutant, George w.
Kefauver, jr.; sergeant at arms,
Lewis Bible; chaplain, the Rev. 1.
Breslau, and Executive Committee,
Philip Stearns, James Malarkey and
Jack London.
Twenty-Five members of the post
have already paid 1948 dues and the
post recently contributed substan-
TALLY to the Boy Scouts summer
camps and to a camp for under
privileged children.
Manager Horace Hooters Bunker
Hill Post Junior American Legion
baseball champions will leave here
tomorrow for Parkersburg, w. Va,
where they will enter the national
regional playoffs with the winning
teams from Maryland, Delaware and
West Virginia. Manager Hocter,
Coach Marshall Jacobs and Depart
ment Athletic Officer James A.
Munro will accompany the team,
composed of David Zatz, Paul
Merola, George Reeden, James
Stevens, Richard Cook, Harry Kallas,
Harry Brightman, Donald Cherry,
John Spicer, Danny Cookman, DON
ard Brumlove, Thomas Dyer, Edward
Kline, Leo Kerschbaum, John Hogan
and Leonard Bauroth.
After winning the District title
last Sunday, Comdr. Halloran pre-
sented the team with the Com
manders' Trophy and each member
Of the team with baseball jackets.
The George E. Killeen Post, which
will meet Tuesday evening at 1904
M street NV, has elected Thomas
Buckley as commander. Others
elected are: First vice. commander,
David Westlein; second vice COM
mander, Cornelius Prosner; sergeant
at arms, John Clark; chaplain, Will
liam Baker; finance officer, Jerry
Mckee, and service officer, Robert
Murtaugh.
Election of officers will be the main
order of business when the Kenneth
H. Nash Post meets Thursday at 8
pm. at the Naval Lodge Hall, $50
Pennsylvania avenue Sc.
Those nominated for Office are:
Commander, James w. Wright; first
vice commander, William E. Ritter;
second vice commander, Joseph Fu-
turan; third vice commander, Cor
don Ridings; judge advocate, Will
liam D. Mulkey; chaplain, D. j.
Mustoine; sergeant at arms, Clyde
Ragan, and quartermaster, Theodore
Ruszizak.
Meetings This Week.
Monday - Lincoln, Jacob Jones,
FBI and Treasury Posts, Legion
Club; Woodbridge Post, 2022 Rhode
Island avenue NE: Civil Service
Post, Civil Service Commission.
Tuesday - Capital Transit and