On July 12, at a joint meeting of the Legion Family at Crippen Fellows Post 50 in Castleton, Vt., George H. “Buddy” Taggart was recognized for his 75 years of continuous membership in The American Legion. Buddy, who tuned 95 on July 4, is a regular attendee at Post 50, is a member of the E-Board, plays golf twice a week, and regularly helps with projects around the post.
Buddy joined The American Legion right out of the Army in 1945 and has spent his entire 75 years with Crippen Fellows Post 50.
He joined the Army at just 17 on Feb. 24, 1944, and was assigned to field artillery. After training at Fort Ord, Calif., he was shipped to Manila in the Philippines where he trained with his unit at what was termed as a "rest camp." They received all new equipment and training in preparation to make the invasion on Japan. After the war ended he was part of the Occupation Forces in Japan.
Buddy was honorably discharged from the Army as an E-5 and received commendations and awards for First Cavalry Division, 271st Field Artillery Battalion, Liberation Ribbon 1-1 Bronze Star, Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal and a Purple Heart.
Back home as a member of Post 50, he served as commander twice, 1952-1953 and again from 1971-1972, and has held virtually every other office in the post. He was the Department of Vermont Sgt-at-Arms 1959-1960.