JOHN O. NEWBERRY

(1893 - 1957)
40/8 National Commander

Born February 7, 1893, in Bates County, Missouri, the son of George W. and Martha Oliver Newberry, he was educated in the public schools in Butler, Missouri, and moved to Jefferson City with his family in 1913.

Newberry was one of the founders of The American Legion having attended the Paris caucus following the close of World War I while he was still on active duty in the Army. Active in patriotic, civic, religious, and business circles throughout the years following his World War I service, he compiled an illustrious record in each field. In 1953 he was elected as National Commander (Chef de Chemin de Fer) of the Forty and Eight, the Legion honor society.

He was Director of the Missouri State Savings and Loan League and Chairman of the Board for seven years serving as its President in 1948. For many years he headed the Cole County Draft Board and was President of the Board of Advisers of the Missouri School for the Deaf for some seven years. A dedicated Legionnaire, and keenly interested in The American Legion's youth program, Newberry made it a point each year to visit Missouri Boys State while in session. At the time of his death, he was Chairman of the Commission which planned and constructed the present State Headquarters of The American Legion.

Cities of Newberry County:
		Ingle City Duggan City