Clopper-Michael American Legion Post #10

American Legion Post #10 was chartered in October 19, 1921 – one of the first Posts founded in the State of Maryland.

It was originally located at 23 South Main Street in Boonsboro and moved to its current location at  710 North Main Street in 1967.

The American Legion supports and advocates for veterans, active military and their families and works to foster patriotism and responsible citizenship.

Learn more about the Clopper-Michael American Legion Post #10.

Preamble:

For God and country, we associate ourselves together for the following purpose: To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain and law and order; to foster and perpetuate a 100% Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in the Great Wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and goodwill on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principals of justice, freedom and democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.

The Post honors the 290 Washington County heroes, patriots and warriors who gave the ultimate sacrifice in combat for our country:

Statistics:

• World War I – 37
• World War II – 206
• Korean War – 31
• Vietnam War – 16

To select the name for the Post, it included all the heroes who fought in World War I and drew the names of two servicemen from Boonsboro.  Post #10 was named Clopper-Michael after Private Austin G. Michael and Corporal John F. Clopper. 

Corporal John F. Clopper

Corporal Clopper was a member of the All American 82nd Division, 319th Field Artillery Battalion of the United States Army.

He was born in the Boonsboro area on August 8, 1889 and killed in action as his division staged for battle near St. Mihiel on September 7, 1918.

Corporal Clopper was 29 years old at the time of his death and had been in combat for only 99 days.

Private Austin G. Michael

Private Michael was born on October 27, 1898, the oldest son of Daniel and Lettie Michael and grew up with siblings Earl, Ethelena and Lela on a farm off Mount Carmel Road.  Austin enlisted in the Maryland National Guard on June 5, 1917 and arrived in France on June 15, 1918.

The Maryland National Guard was incorporated into the “Blue & Gray” 29th Division, Infantry Company B.  Pvt. Michael was killed in action during combat operations in the Center Sector, Meuse-Argonne, France on October 17, 1918 – just ten days short of his 20th birthday.  Austin had been in combat theater for only 124 days.