George N. Bourque

World War I

Born in Waterville, Maine on October 31, 1893.

Enlisted in Company H, 2nd Maine Infantry. When the company left for duty in Texas during the Mexican border wars in 1916, he was made First Sergeant. Shortly after the United States entered into World War I, he was assigned to the first Officers Training Camp at Plattsburg, NY and was commissioned a First Lieutenant. He went to France in the summer of 1917 and, after being assigned to various camps and schools, he wound up in the 103rd Infantry, 26th Division which was his old outfit. Served there until killed in action on September 25, 1918, the first casualty from the Waterville area.

Arthur Webster Lanigan

World War II

Born in Waterville, Maine on January 3, 1922.

Attended Waterville High School and Coburn Classical Institute. He was employed at the Haines Theater prior to his enlistment in the US Navy in January 1940. Trained at Newport News, then assigned to the Pacific fleet on the carrier Saratoga. Transferred to the cruiser USS Houston, one of 1145 persons aboard this ship. It was sunk by the Japanese in Sunda Strait at the western end of Java on February 28, 1942. Arthur Lanigan was the first Waterville youth killed in World War II.

Post History

One of the earliest posts in the country, the Bourque-Lanigan post has served its community, state and nation since its founding on June 17, 1919 in Waterville, Maine.

The post originally was named for George N. Bourque, who enlisted in Company H, 2nd Maine Infantry.

The first meeting of the post was held in the Waterville Morning Sentinel building formerly located at 25 Silver Street. The third floor meeting hall was often referred to as the Silver Racket Hall. The first Commander was Dr. John G. Towne who served in that office for two years (1919-1921) and later was very active in the Legion statewide including holding position of Department Commander. Though more attended the first meeting, only seventeen signed application for charter. However the charter was held open for some time and over four hundred are on the official charter.

In 1926 Dr. John Towne was elected to National Vice Commander at the National Convention held in Philadelphia.

In addition to Dr. Towne the post had another prominent Legion member from the first, James L. Boyle. James Boyle was known throughout the state and nation as "Mr. American Legion". He was one of the ablest exponents of the Legion from coast to coast. He was a Legion founder having attended the Paris caucus. After returning to the United States he was a delegate to the St. Louis Caucus and served as secretary to the Maine delegation. He was elected Department Adjutant at the first department convention held in Bangor in 1919. He retired in 1964 and was succeeded by another member of the post, Nathaniel T. Cobb. Cobb served as Department Adjutant until 1966 and was reelected to that office again in 1986. He retired as Department Adjutant in 1989. Charles H. Michaud Jr., another member of the post was elected Department Adjutant in 1989.

After the Second World War the post was renamed to include Arthur Lanigan, who was the first Waterville youth killed in the war. He enlisted on January 8, 1940 in the U. S. Navy. He was killed in action on the cruiser USS Houston which was sunk on February 28, 1942 in the Sunda Strait.

The growth of the post after the World War II required that the Post look for a new, larger home. The citizens of Waterville supported this enthusiastically and the post acquired the Edwards property at the corner of Silver and Spring Streets. Later, when even more space was needed, the post acquired property on College Avenue. Eventually in 1949 a new building was completed at the current address, 21 College Avenue in Waterville. Post #5 serves the communities of both Waterville and Winslow. In 1949 the American Legion Department Convention was held in the building. Today the building also houses the Maine Department offices.

Seven members of the post have held the position of Department Commander: Dr. Towne in 1923, Colonel Jack Choate in 1928, Paul Julien in 1940, Reginald Dennis in 1967, Charles H. Michaud Jr. in 1984, Clifford L. Quinney in 1971 and William Powers in 1997. In addition, James L. Boyle, Ivan E. Forsythe and Nathaniel T. Cobb were elected to the status of Honorary Past Department Commander.

Members from Bourque-Lanigan Post 5 who have distinguished themselves in public service include Clinton A. Clauson, former Governor of Maine; Edmund S. Muskie, former Governor, United States Senator and Secretary of State; and George Mitchell, former Majority Leader of the United States Senate.