Heroes of ‘Great War’ remembered at Legion

The Poplar Bluff Museum has tales of us, our family, and our history. I want to tell you some of those tales found within the museum walls.

The Poplar Bluff American Legion Post 153 is called the Brown Mabry Post. Such a curious name leads one to ask why is it called that, and why isn’t named after our Korean War Medal of Honor recipient Billie Kanell?

Post 153 is named in honor of Sgt. Charles Brown and Sgt. Raymond Mabry.

Brown enlisted in the Army in Poplar Bluff in 1917. He went to Jefferson Barracks, Texas, and then France. Brown was assigned to the 42nd Infantry Division. During the battle of Chateau Thierry, Brown was killed.

Raymond Mabry enlisted in the Marines in 1917 and also went to France. He was assigned to the 6th Marine Regiment. His unit was sent to the front to stop the German advance on Paris. There, they met the enemy at Belleau Wood. That battle was so fierce that the Germans called the Marines “Devil Dogs” and the name stuck. Sgt. Mabry was later killed leading an attack at Soissons, France.

The American Legion was formed by World War I veterans returning home. Post 153 was formed in Poplar Bluff in 1920.

The first post commander was Lloyd Langley. The veterans voted and named it after our local heroes of the Great War, Brown and Mabry. The post was well established by the time the Korean War happened, answering the Billie Kanell question. The post is still active today, welcoming veterans from all eras.

Sgt. Brown and Sgt. Mabry’s photos are on display in the “Hall of Heroes.” The history of American Legion Post 153 is also on display in the Kanell Hall Veterans Museum. Both exhibits are located in the Poplar Bluff Museum.

The museum is handicap accessible and open every Sunday free of charge from 1-4 p.m. at 1010 Main St. (Formerly the Old Mark Twain School). Tell them Mike sent you!

Mike Shane is a veteran, Poplar Bluff resident and board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.