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Vintage pre-owned collection with age and handling wear throughout. The caps show yellowing, staining, and surface wear; some ribbons show spotting, fading, creasing, and fraying. Metal pieces show varying tarnish, discoloration, and finish wear. Paper items show age toning, folds, edge wear, and some tears. The mounted installation program has surface and edge wear. Please examine all photographs closely for individual condition and contents. Items are offered in their present condition.
Item Specifics
* Organization: The American Legion
* Named Member: Milton W. Prueter / Milt Prueter
* Post: Broadview Post No. 626
* Location: Broadview, Cook County, Illinois
* District / Division: 5th District / 1st Division
* Era: Primarily 1960s–1970s
* Collection Type: Named officer’s memorabilia and document collection
* Materials: Mixed metal, fabric, paper, wood, and other materials
* Subjects: Veterans’ organizations, conventions, Chicago history, patriotic events
* Sale Includes: Entire collection pictured
Description
Extensive American Legion collection centered on Milton W. “Milt” Prueter of Broadview Post 626, Illinois. This substantial grouping brings together officer caps, convention medals, named delegate badges, ribbons, pins, membership credentials, photographs, programs, and correspondence documenting his involvement in the organization.
The named material connects Prueter to several leadership positions. A 1974 credential identifies him as 5th District Commander. The mounted November 8, 1975 installation program lists Milton W. Prueter as Senior Vice Commander of the First Division / Cook County Council. January 1977 Cook County Council correspondence lists him as Commander and bears an approval signature in his name.
The collection also includes a 1972 American Legion national convention working press credential identifying Milton Prueter as a public relations consultant.
Highlights include:
* Six American Legion officer caps embroidered with “5th District” and “626”: two Commander, two Vice Commander, one Adjutant, and one Finance Officer.
* Convention medals and delegate/guest badges, including examples for Atlanta 1969, Portland 1970, Chicago 1972, Honolulu 1973, Miami Beach 1974, and Minneapolis 1975.
* Two medals with “Commander” suspension bars, plus an additional American Legion emblem medal.
* Numerous Illinois convention ribbons, enamel pins, membership awards, Bicentennial pieces, and other organizational insignia.
* Badges and ribbons bearing Milt/Milton Prueter’s name, along with guest items named to Betty/Bette Prueter.
* Membership and officer cards associated with Broadview Post 626, the 5th District, and Cook County Council.
* A 1969 “40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux” membership card in Prueter’s name.
* Five black-and-white photographs showing parade scenes, Legion participants, and a convertible in a procession.
* National convention programs for Chicago 1972 and Hawaii 1973, plus a Chicago convention welcome brochure.
* Chicago Park District and Soldier Field correspondence and event paperwork concerning the American Legion’s 1977 Fourth of July celebration.
* Mounted 1975 Bicentennial inaugural ball and installation program naming Prueter among the officers to be installed.
* A newspaper page headed “West Chicago Observes Memorial Day, 1975,” including an article discussing Prueter’s Memorial Day remarks.
* Broadview Post installation and flagpole dedication invitations.
* American Legion patches, bolo tie, name badges, commemorative accessories, and an American Legion Baseball Booster pocketknife.
* Two boxed John H. Geiger National Commander homecoming souvenirs dated October 15–17, 1971.
* Additional small items and ephemera shown in the photographs.
The combination of named credentials, dated correspondence, photographs, and officer insignia provides a substantial basis for further research into Prueter’s American Legion activities and local Illinois veterans’ organization history.
The medals and titles described here relate to American Legion offices, membership, and conventions. No claim is made that they are military combat decorations. Metal content has not been verified, and no gold or sterling silver content is represented. Signatures have not been independently authenticated.
Included:
The complete collection shown in the photographs, sold together as one lot. Overview and detail photographs show overlapping views of the same collection; repeated appearances do not indicate additional quantities. No items outside the photographed collection are included.
You will receive the exact items shown in the photos.
Keywords
American Legion, Milton W Prueter, Milt Prueter, Broadview Post 626, Illinois, Cook County Council, Fifth District, First Division, commander, veterans organization, convention medals, delegate badges, officer caps, enamel pins, ribbons, membership cards, Chicago history, Soldier Field, Bicentennial, named collection, historical ephemera
