Harry Kappas Stinger

The goal in creating the American Legion in 1919 was for the mutual benefit of those like Harry who served in “the Great War.” It was similar to organizations that formed after the Civil War (“Grand Army of the Republic,”United Confederate Veterans,”) and the Spanish American War (“Veterans of Foreign Wars”). In each case, these former members of the military hoped to foster camaraderie and patriotism, advocate for benefits, and support military families.

Although he was on active duty less than two years, Harry worked as a civilian employee at the United States Naval Home for 37 years and was active in the American Legion for 64 years. He did it all without living anywhere else except greater Philadelphia.

Harry was born the year after his parents married, and was raised with a brother and sister. Two others were born that died in infancy. They lived in the Grays Ferry section, within walking distance of the Naval Home where he would later work. Harry dropped out of school at age 11 when his father was injured at work. 

His mother took in laundry while Harry went to work and became the breadwinner. He made $2.75  a week at J.G. Brill Company, 62nd and Woodland Avenue. It was the leading manufacturer of trolley cars, like this 1912 model used by the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company. His mother died at age 39 of bronchitis in 1909. Harry was 17 and kept his family afloat. His little sister was just 4 years old, but his father also found work as a stables laborer.

After a few years Harry was making wooden boxes like this one at the Fels Naptha soap factory not far from the Brill plant. That’s where he was when he registered for the draft in June of 1917. It was noted that he had fallen arches, which may explain why, when he enlisted in November, he was assigned to the Naval Home. There couldn’t have been an assignment any closer to home than that.

After a short time as Mess Attendant 1st Class, he became Commissary Steward. He also had a musical side, forming the Navy’s first (but unofficial) jazz band. He would lead a combo of local musicians to entertain the old sailors. By the time he was released from active duty in mid-1919, his rating was Chief Commissary Steward. Then they hired him back at that position, where he remained until his retirement.

That same year, the American Legion was organized, initially with members of the American Expeditionary Forces that were still in Europe, but open to all service members. Harry was one of the early proponents. A convention was held in Minneapolis from November 10-12 (to coincide with the anniversary of Armistice Day) to adopt their constitution and receive the first charter members. 

Harry was one of 684 delegates to that convention where he received a charter membership card and marched in their first parade on the 11th. He was still wearing his Navy summer whites at the time, and it was snowing, but it didn’t matter. He came home to promote membership to everyone he knew and get involved in one of many local posts that would do good things through its thousands of members throughout the city.

The Howard C. McCall Post in West Philadelphia was his second home after the Naval Home, which is where he lived at the time. In 1927, he was a representative to the Legion’s convention in Paris, then became their post commander in 1930.

It may have been the start of a great economic depression, but it was an exciting year for him personally. He went to New Jersey to marry Jane Catherine Dougherty, who was born June 20, 1891, 18 days after him. A year later, they had Harry Jr., born in between their birth dates on June 16. The newlyweds set up their home in Yeadon, just west of the city limits in Delaware County.

Newspapers mentioned Harry in his position with the Legion 170 times over the next 25 years. He became quite adept at public speaking as he took on various roles within the Legion: Sixth District commander, state commander, Eastern vice commander, and adjutant of the Philadelphia Council. He was elected to four two-year terms as a member of the national executive committee. 

He even persuaded his wife to join the Ladies’ Auxiliary where she was elected president of the Yeadon Unit 179 in 1948. That same year she died of lymphoma. They had moved their residence to the Naval Home where Harry had a superintendent’s title. The 1950 census listed his previous year’s salary at $4150.

A few years later Harry moved one last time to the Overbrook neighborhood. Before reaching the decision to retire, he saw his son off to serve his country in the army after he graduated from St. Joseph’s College. (The 39 years of service mentioned in this announcement include the two years he served on active duty at the home during World War I.)

Two years into retirement he saw Harry Jr. get married, and enjoyed taking part in the lives of his four grandsons and four granddaughters. But he never retired from his work in the Legion. 

Harry maintained his position as adjutant into the mid-1960s. He was quoted in the newspaper bemoaning the drop in membership on both the local and national levels, expressing his post’s opposition to the possible closing of the Navy Yard, and attended a City Hall proclamation in 1964 recognizing the Legion’s 45th anniversary. Five years later he was himself given formal recognition and a handsome trophy honoring his 50 years of service.

But Harry still wasn’t finished, according to his obituary, which said he was serving on one committee or another at the time of his death at age 92. He was buried with his wife and father on the Yeadon side. His mother’s plot was in Section 212, Lot 106.