ELKS HEROES
Over the years and even today, the Alameda Elks has been a stopping point for many everyday heroes. From sports figures, to war heroes, to community leaders, one common thread was that they all believed and supported the good work of the Alameda Elks Lodge.
Sports Heroes
From 1929 to 1954, the Alameda Elks Lodge hosted the Majors vs Minors charity baseball game. The game was the idea of Alameda Elks Lodge member and local semi-pro baseball player, Manuel Duarte. The Majors vs Minors game was so highly regarded that Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis granted the Alameda Elks Lodge special concessions to use major league players.
Just a few of the players who participated in the game over the years were: Joe DiMaggio, Lefty O’Doul, Lefty Gomez, Casey Stengel, Bill Rigney, Billy Martin, Jerry Coleman, Bob Lemon and Ted Kluszewski.
War Veterans
We’re proud to say that the Alameda Elks Lodge has over 230 members who are veterans, having served in the US Air Force, US Army, US Navy, US Marine Corps, US Coast Guard, US Merchant Marines, and the British Army. Our veterans have sacrificed extensively, serving our country in the cause of freedom in WW II, Korea, Vietnam and the recent conflicts in the Middle East. Notable Alameda Elks veterans are:
Jim Thompson, US Army
Though originally exempt during WW II, Jim volunteered and enlisted in 1943. Jim was an infantrymen who was part of the D-Day landing in Europe and the liberation of Paris. He then transferred to the Pacific and serving as a flame thrower operator participating in the liberation of the Philippines, the assault on Iwo Jima, the battle for Okinawa and with the occupations forces in Japan. He was awarded three purple hearts and returned to the United States in 1946.
Bill Darling, US Marine Corps
Bill enlisted in 1943, and served in WW II as a machine gunner in K Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. He participated in the assault landing of the island of Peleliu where he was wounded. Recovering from his wounds, Bill later participated in the battle for Okinawa, where is was wounded again.
George Rose, US Navy
An Alameda business man and member of Rotary, He served in WW II on a Mine Sweeper participating in the clearing of coastal landing zones for six different amphibious landings in the Pacific Theater.
Gene Maurice, US Navy
Gene is a long time resident of Alameda, known for his trumpet playing having his own jazz combo. He endured numerous Kamikaze attacks in WW II, on board the Carrier Flag Ship USS Saginaw, in close support of the battles for Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
Duke Campbell, US Navy (deceased)
Duke served during WW II in the Pacific theater as a Naval Aviator. He was a prominent member of the Alameda Community serving as one of the last Commanding Officers of the Naval Air Station Alameda.
Bill Mc Namara, US Army
Toured in Vietnam as an Advisor to the Vietnam Army and as an infantry officer.
Greg Boyington Jr. USAF (son of Pappy Boyington)
Tours in Vietnam as a fighter pilot.
Nick Pereira, US Marine Corps
Tours in Vietnam as an infantry officer.
Bruce Hanley, US Army
Tours in Vietnam and Army Special Forces.
Community Leaders
Chuck “Honest Chuck” Corrica was Mayor of Alameda for three terms. Chuck was credited with passing the legislation that protected many of Alameda’s Victorian homes; proposing the Mayor’s 4th of July Parade in Alameda and, saving the Alameda Golf Course.
