Post History
American Legion Post 226 was awarded its temporary charter in 1947 and received a permanent one in 1950. Post 226 is named in honor of three local men, born and raised on the Mayo peninsula, who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country during World War II. Two brothers, Howard and Bernard Cummings, and a cousin William Ellsworth Behlke never made it home. They forever rest in the very soil they fought and were killed on in Europe.
PFC Howard Cummings
Born – 30 November 1916
KIA – 11 June 1944 (6 Days after the invasion at Normandy)
Age – 28
Unit – 175th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Awards – Purple Heart
Good Conduct Medal
Presidential Unit Citation with D-Day Arrowhead Device
Meritorious Unit Commendation
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with D-Day Arrowhead Device
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantry Badge
Honorable Service “Ruptured Duck” World War II Victory Pin
Interned – The Normandy American Cemetery, Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, France
PFC Bernard H. Cummings
Born – 9 October 1924
KIA – 9 October 1944
Age – 20
Unit – 377th Infantry Regiment, 85th Infantry Division
Awards – Purple Heart with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster (signifying two awards)
Good Conduct Medal
Presidential Unit Citation
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantry Badge
Honorable Service “Ruptured Duck” World War II Victory Pin
Interned – The Florence American Cemetery, Florence, Italy
SGT Wm. Ellsworth Behlke
Born – 5 September 1918
KIA – 8 February 1945
Age – 27
Unit – 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division
Awards – Bronze Star with Combat “V” for Valor
Purple Heart with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters (signifying four awards)
Good Conduct Medal
Presidential Unit Citation with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with D-Day Arrowhead Device and 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantry Badge
Honorable Service “Ruptured Duck” World War II Victory Pin
Interned – The Henri-Chappelle American Military Cemetery, Henri-Chappelle, Belgium
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