American Legion Legend John R Huhn III
John "Jack" R. Huhn III
6 SEP 1917 - 27 JUN 1997
Jack joined the American Legion in 1947 as a member of Oaklyn-Bettlewood Post 84, and later transferred to Delaware Township Memorial (now Cherry Hill Post 372) in 1959. He served as Adjutant in 1959, Vice Commander in 1960, and Post Commander from 1960-61 and 1983-94. During his 13 years as Post Commander he oversaw $100,000 in capital improvement projects.
Jack served in all County offices, and was DEC for three years.
He was an American Legion Camden County delegate for nearly 50 years, holding all the county offices. He started Camden County Government Day more than 25 years ago. He was also President of Locustwood Memorial Park
Mr Huhn was a state trustee in the American Legion Boys State Program, which each offers some of the states top academic students a lesson in participatory democracy and citizenship.
He was born on Septemmber 6, 1917 in Woodlynn, NJ and lived in Collignswood, Washington DC and Oaklyn before settling in Pennsauken for nearly 45 years. Always a good student, he attended Woodlynn Grammar School, was a lettered athelete at Camden High School, and served as PResident of the Alumni Association. He was Captain of the George School Baseball team, and President of the Varsity Club. He won eight letters at Swarthmore Collecge, which bestowed on him a BA in Political Science and Economics. He was also coach of the freshman football team. After graduation, he words as an economist for the US Dept of Agriculture.
Jack entered the service the day after Pearl Harbor, December 8, 1941. During his Naval service, Jack worked for the Chief of Naval Operations in highly classified positions, handling Top Secret material, also as a Courier. Later, as a Lieutenant Commander, he was Commanding Officer of a Mobile Issuing Unit, providing registered codes and recognition signals, serving in Kwajelin, Eniwetok, Tokoyo Bay, and aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid. He was honorably discharged on February 28, 1946.
He married Ensign Erwina Owens on June 5, 1943, at their Washington DC Navy duty stations and were happily married for almost 54 years until her passing on January 20, 1997. During their lifetime, they were an All-American couple, erudite, impeccably dressed and emitting an aura of class; together they were an American Legion couple.
Jack went into a retail electrical applicance business after his discharge in 1946, worked for Griffith and Co, a Philadelphia accounting firm, from 1949-1951. In 1952, he inheritied his fathers seat on the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, and workd as a floor trader and specialist. He remained there until 1978. In 1969 he joined Dean Witter as an assistant vice president.
His dedication to the community was manifold, as well as his participation in such organizations as Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, President of Locustwood Memorial Park, Collingswood Lodge No 210, F & A. M., the Excelsior Consistory in West Collingswood, Crescent Temple Shrine in Trention, Potentate's Aide for nine years, charter member of Crescent String Banc, Camden County Shrine Club, Merchantville Country Club, Captain of Oaklyn Fire Co No 1, the Loyal Order of Moose and Rotary Club of Collingswood.
A most remarkable list of accomplishments by a most remarkable man, who lived his life to the fullest, ever ready to serve and hel his fellow man. He was unique in that he may never be replaced in deeds and stature.
Even after his demise, he still fostered and remembered his dedication to his American Legion family.
Substantial bequests were made to Post 372 and to the Auxiliary Unit 372, and stipulated these bequests be utilized for the sole purpose of defraying the expenses of delegaters to the Boys State and Girls State programs, in addition to a specific amount to be used to foster the Legion Baseball Program of his Post.
His Will also bequeathed a legacy to the American Legion Camden County Committee to be utilized to promote the High School Oratorical Program.
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May 1994
1987