About Us
For more than a century, we have been dedicated to serving veterans, strengthening our community, and inspiring future generations.
OUR HISTORY
Our story began with
World War I
Our story began with World War I and a man named Alvin Mansfield Owsley Jr.
Alvin was born in Denton, Texas on June 11, 1888. He graduated from Denton High School. After attending the North Texas State Normal School, the present-day University of North Texas, he graduated in the top tier from Virginia Military Institute. He then went on to obtain a law degree at the University of Texas and was admitted to the bar in 1912.
Alvin Mansfield Owsley Jr. and
World War I
On April 6, 1917, when the U.S. declared war on Germany, Owsley joined other Texans in France in the 36th Division under the command of Gen. John Pershing, where he rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel.
After the war Pershing chose Owsley to join a select group of soldiers sent to Paris to write the American Legion charter. It was established in March 1919, in Paris, France, by officers and men of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF). It was subsequently chartered by the 66th U.S. Congress on September 16, 1919.
It was the third patriotic group authorized by Congress and it is the oldest and largest veteran service organization in the nation.
The Founding of Post 71
On Aug. 1, 1920, Owsley helped charter Denton’s American Legion Post 71, named for Arthur Othello McNitzky.
McNitzky enlisted as a Private in Company M, 142nd Infantry Regt., 36th Division, U.S. Army. Before the Argonne Forest Battle in St. Etienne, France he had been promoted to Mess Sergeant. It was during that battle that he decided to go to the front and fight with his comrades.
Arthur Othello McNitzky
When he reached the front, he was told he had no business being there. McNitzky refused to leave and continued to advance with his company. It was while firing from inside a hole that he was struck in the forehead by a machine gun bullet and died instantly. He was the first resident of Denton, Texas to be killed in the war.
He was buried in the McNitzky family plot in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, in his home town of Denton, Texas and shares a headstone with his father.
In addition to his service ribbons and Purple Heart, he was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French Government. He was 28 years old.
Building a Home for Post 71
Post 71 was incorporated on August 20, 1920 and after 100+ years it remains one of the most influential bodies of men and women anywhere.
After the post was founded on August 20, 1920, members initially did not have a permanent building. Like many Legion posts after World War I, they met in borrowed spaces around downtown Denton.
Typical early meeting places included:
• Rooms near the Denton courthouse square
• Local halls and rented meeting rooms
• Businesses willing to host veterans’ meetings
These temporary locations helped the post get established before it could afford its own property.
1957 | A Notable Chapter
In 1957, Owsley represented the American Legion in a delicate international incident in which an American soldier accidentally shot and killed a Japanese housewife on a U.S. military base in Japan.
The Legion Hall and the War Effort
By the early 1940s, the post had a Legion Hall that became heavily involved in the war effort.
In 1942, the hall was used as a quasi-USO hospitality center for soldiers traveling through Denton. The hall provided lodging, showers, and connections to local families offering meals or overnight stays. Later that year, the building was expanded to add sleeping quarters for about 90 soldiers. This shows how central the Legion Hall became to the community during the war.
At the end of 1943 the Downtown USO opened at Elm & Oak.
Growing With Denton
By the Mid-Late 20th Century, as membership grew and Denton expanded, the post changed locations several times over the decades.
Local records show different halls being used or owned by the Legion as they outgrew previous spaces. Eventually the organization moved away from the downtown square area to larger property outside the core of the city.
Its current location at 2501 Spencer Road in Denton provides space for meetings, community events, veteran support programs, ceremonies and gatherings.
OUR HISTORY TIMELINE
1920
Post Founded
Post founded; meetings held around the Denton Square.
1942
USO Hospitality Center
Legion hall used as a USO hospitality center for soldiers.
1943
Downtown USO Opens
Downtown USO opens at Elm & Oak.
Late 20th Century
Relocation to Spencer Road
Post eventually relocates to the Spencer Road property.
Early Meetings
1920s
Community Support
Through the Years
Strong Leadership,
Dedicated Members
Proudly Serving
Our Community
Investing in
Our Youth
Be Part of Our Legacy
Whether you’re a veteran, family member, or supporter, there’s a place for you at Post 71