POST NAMESAKE

First Lieutenant Ray C. Dickop

LT. RAY DICKOP POST #36 was named in honor of First Lieutenant Ray C. Dickop who served in the United States Army and was killed in action at Fismes France on August 4, 1918. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during the Second Battle of the Marne with the 32nd Infantry Division.

His award citation reads:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Ray C. Dickop, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 127th Infantry Regiment, 32d Division, A.E.F., in the attack on Fismes, France, 4 August 1918. On reaching Chezelles Farm, First Lieutenant Dickop was shot in the head, body and legs. Although thus fatally wounded, when orders came for another assault, he gave the command "Charge" to his company and led the assault until he fell dead.

General John Pershing, Commander of the American Expeditionary Forces, compiled a list of 100 greatest American heroes of World War I. He included First Lieutenant Ray C. Dickop on that list.

Ray C. Dickop was born on May 30, 1891, in Beloit, WI. His mother, Ada (1872-1913), and his father, John (1861-1904), predeceased him. Census records show that Ray Dickop lived with his mother at 7 Maple Ave, South Beloit, IL in 1912. Old maps show the location of his home at 7 Maple St. Maple Street was renamed to Dickop Street after his death to commemorate this great national hero of World War I. He also had a paternal aunt, Hilda Schiller, and cousin, Lena Schiller, who lived in West Bend, WI. 1LT Dickop is buried in the Calvary Cemetary in Beloit Wisconsin.

1LT Dickop was a Second Lieutenant in Company L, 1ST Wis. Infantry, Wisconsin National Guard, at Beloit, WI, when mobilized July 15, 1917. He was assigned to Co. L when the U.S. Army’s 127th Infantry was organized and rode to France aboard USS George Washington. He was promoted to First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army Company L, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32D ‘Red Arrow’ Division, American Expeditionary Force (A.E.F.).

Articles from the web on Lieutenant Dickop:

Nature at the Confluence

The Wall of Valor

Beloit Historical Society

History of The 'Red Arrow' in WWI

THE 'RED ARROW' DIVISION

Have you ever been on Hwy 32 in Wisconsin (from the Illinois Border to northern Wisconsin) and noticed the 'Red Arrow' on the signs? Hwy 32 carried this marker in honor of the 32nd Infantry Division and is designated as the 32nd Division Memorial Highway. But why does the arrow have the horizontal line in the middle? During WWI, the 32nd was the first allied division to pierce the German Hindenburg Line of defense and the 32nd then adopted its shoulder patch; a line shot through with a red arrow, to signify its tenacity in piercing the enemy line. It then became known as the Red Arrow Division.

POST CHARTERING

The American Legion evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I, focusing on service to veterans, servicemembers and communities.

1919

March 15-17

Following WWI, members of the American Expeditionary Force convened in Paris for the first American Legion caucus.

May 8-10

The second caucus was held in St Louis and 'The American Legion was adopted as the organization's official name. The Legion's draft Preamble and Constitution are approved.

June 9

The National Executive Committee adopts the Legion emblem. (CLICK HERE to see a full explanation behind the emblem).

August 30

Leaders of the West Bend community obtained a temporary charter to establish an American Legion Post in West Bend.

September 16

The American Legion is chartered by the US Congress.

November 10-12

The first American Legion convention convened in Minneapolis. The Preamble and Constitution are adopted. Delegates voted to locate the Legion's headquarters in Indianapolis (which remains as headquarters) instead of Washington DC. A resolution was also passed in support of the Boy Scouts of America, making the Boy Scouts the first youth program backed by The AMerican Legion.

1922

June 4

LT Ray Dickop Post 36 received a permanent charter in The American Legion.

1970

July 7

An Incorporation Charter was granted to the LT Ray Dickop Post 36.

Post History

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Patriotic Days

MEMORIAL DAY has always been an outstanding occasion in this community. In addition to memorial events throughout the _____ community, the goal of every Veteran to it's last man is to keep MEMORIAL DAY sacred to the memory of our war dead of all of the wars of the country; and all graves are decorated on this National Holiday.

ARMISTICE DAY, now called VETERANS' DAY, originally marked the end of fighting in World War I. It is an important holiday on the calendar of Legionnaires everywhere and in the hearts of all Veterans. It has been in ____. Annually the Post sponsored the Armistice Day Parade. An important tradition was established when the Post led in the memorial exercises at 11 o'clock on the morning of November 11, marking the exact hour of the cessation of hostility on the war fronts.

Registration Of Graves

Since it's inception American Legion Post ___ has been a leader in this community in the area of graves registration; which has been incorporated by all the American Legion Posts in ___ County. Grave Registration enables all interested parties to locate the site of the grave of each Veteran. American Legion Post ___ acquired a burial lot in ______ Cemetery and this has been marked by the erection of a massive monument marking it as the burial lot for servicemen without kin. Each year, active members place a flag on each Veteran's grave.

Scholarships and Community Projects

American LegionPost --- sponsors various scholarships for the further education of our children. We also sponsor and financially assist many worthy community projects and programs initiated by the National American Legion.

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