A Salute to the
Veterans & Enlisted of Burleson County by Tammy Kubecka
When our military men and women return to Burleson County, they are changed people compared to the kids who leave the county to serve our country in times of war and peace. The concept of comradeship for fellow veterans in past years, lead to the formation of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion posts. To further pay tribute to their military service, the posts bear the names of local veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The first VFWs were formed out of veterans’ groups in Ohio and Colorado in 1899, following the Spanish-American War and campaigns in Cuba and the Philippines. The VFW offers rehabilitation for disabled and needy veterans, and assists their families as well. Becoming more prevalent after World War II, the VFW continues to educate their local communities on patriotism and Americanism. Caldwell VFW Post was organized in a dual ceremony with Milam County on September 15, 1945, at the Burleson County Courthouse. Edward Struwe was elected Commander, along with Vice-Commander Darden Rowland, Junior Vice-Commander James R. Pillow, Adjutant James P. Hill and Quartermaster Charles W. Holik. It was named the Campbell-Williams VFW Post #4458, honoring two local servicemen who perished during WWII. Stamps Campbell, Jr was born in Somerville in 1919, to parents Stamps Sr. and Adelaide LaNelle Brodnax Campbell. There were five children in the Campbell family, and Stamps had a twin sister who had died at birth. He finished high school and married Bess Jack, and no doubt to earn an extra dollar, he’d joined the National Guard unit in Caldwell. Oliver Duncan Williams was also born in 1919 and raised around Chriesman, the son of Houston and Hallie Ethel Morris Williams. His younger brother was country music’s “Perk” Williams. When the United States joined allies in WWII, Oliver, who was living in El Campo at the time, and Stamps Campbell, Jr, were called to action and both became members of Company E, 143rd Infantry, 36th Division, and bound for Italy. Storming the beach at Salerno, Italy on September 9, 1943, Company E was trying to establish a beachhead to repel encroaching German troops. Under heavy fire, the Burleson County boys managed to accomplish most of their mission, but Sgt. Campbell, age 23, and SSgt. Williams, age 24, were killed in the battle. Many from Company E were taken as prisoners of war. The remains of these brave men were not returned to Burleson County for burial until July and August, 1948. The American Legion was established on March 15, 1919 in Paris, France by representatives from units of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) of World War I. It was followed by a
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similar meeting in May, in St. Louis, Missouri. One of the men who initiated the American Legion was Lt. Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. The organization was to be a support system for WWI veterans. American Legion Post #451 in Caldwell was established February 8, 1928, with the election officers; Commander Col. B.F. Delamater, Vice Commander Capt. A.T. Autrey, Post Adjutant M.F. Broaddus, Finance Officer J.W. Ripple, Post Historian J. J. Haisler, Chaplain A.S. Broaddus, Service Officer W. J. Alexander, and Sergeant at Arms John J. Veiss. The Post was named the Deutsch-Houston Post in memory of John Deutsch and T. C. Houston, two of the first Burleson County casualties from World War I. John Deutsch was born in 1897, the son of Fred Adolph and Mary Krenek Deutsch. He was a gunner in HQ Co, 141st Regiment of the 36th Division. Sgt. Deutsch was killed in France on October 9, 1918, at age 21. He is buried at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in Romagne, France. Thomas Cherry Houston was quite well-known around Caldwell as the Assistant Manager of the Burleson County Ledger and News-Chronicle newspaper. Tall and slender with dark hair, T.C. was one of several printers belonging to the Temple Typesetters Union that volunteered for duty in WWI. He was already a member of National Guard Company I, 2 INF of Texas. Active duty made him yet another local member of Co B, 141 Inf, 36th Division. He had just turned 24 when he lost his life in France on October 9, 1918 and is buried in Romagne, France. The American Legion Post #455 in Somerville is named for Private Marion Mays, born in Somerville in 1895. Married to Mary Mays, Marion was only 22 when he died at Saint-Etienne, Champagne-Ardeene, France on October, 1918. He was also part of the 141st Infantry of the 36th Division. He’s buried at Oaklawn Cemetery in Somerville. Disabled Veterans (DAV 86) also has an active organization in Burleson County. Information about these organizations, or services available to veterans and their families, can be obtained from the Burleson County Veterans Service Officer at 979-5676360. The office is open Thursday and Friday mornings. The Somerville Memorial Post #8578 of the VFW was established on December 7, 1971, but became inactive in January 1994. We all know that Burleson County has contributed more than their fair share during every war this nation has faced, and the names on these county posts are a great tribute to those we lost. We also know that all our veterans, who served during wartime and peace, are the pride of our county, and country. A salute to the veterans, and enlisted, of Burleson County!
