SWAYNE-CAMPBELL-TESTA VFW POST 5467
Proudly Serving the Kennett Square Community and Veterans
OUR POST HISTORY
The officers for the newly organized Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Kennett Square were appointed at a meeting convening at the Kennett Square Junior Chamber of Commerce on December 21, 1945. The first commander elected was Norman Connell. Initial meetings were held at the Hotel Kennett, a room at the American Legion, Post 491, and other locations within the community. These would be the meeting places until the organization could secure a meeting place of its own. The local community was canvassed to find the most opportune site. Then in 1949, Post 5467 purchased the property just west of the Kennett Square borough, which extended from U.S. Route 1 – West to Route 1 – East and south of the east bound highway to the west branch of the Red Clay Creek. The property included a large building occupied by D.W. Keller, the Brittingham Diner, and 3 ¼ acres of land. Post 5467 resides in the very same building you see and visit today as a result of many years of work by the entire membership. The current charter for Swayne-Campbell-Testa, VFW Post 5467 was issued on January 3, 1949. However, due to the merger with the West Grove VFW Post 7530, being the senior post, the official charter date is February 7, 1946.
HISTORY OF THE VFW
The VFW was created from the merger of several societies that formed immediately following the Spanish–American War. In 1899, small groups of veterans returning from campaigning in Cuba and the Philippine Islands, founded local societies based on the comradery known only to those who faced the dangers of war and the issues they faced when
returning home. Through these similar experiences and a common language, the American Veterans of Foreign Service was established in Columbus, Ohio on September 29, 1899 by Spanish-American War veteran James C. Putnam. 3 months later The Colorado Society, Army of the Philippines was organized in Denver, Colorado on December 12, 1899. Shortly after a society known as the Foreign Service Veterans was born in Pennsylvania. These organizations grew side by side, increasing in scope and membership until 1913, when the three organizations met. Driven by their shared interests, identities and camaraderie; these organizations agreed to merge together to form what is now known as the Veteran of Foreign Wars of the United States.
OUR NAMESAKES
Swayne – Campbell – Testa, VFW Post 5467, for whom the post was named.
Lawrence H. Swayne – Sergeant Swayne was born in Fairville, Pennsylvania on September 18, 1919 and attended Kennett Consolidated School. He enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 21 years old on June 7, 1941 and deployed overseas in support of World War II with the 9th Armored Division, Company A, 14th Tank Battalion, in August, 1944. He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry and a Purple Heart during the Battle of Remagen, an allied invasion of Germany resulting in the unexpected capture of the Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine River. His unit was also awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for their heroism. Unfortunately, he was killed by a sniper on May 6, 1945 in Czechoslovakia while transporting German captives back to American lines. His remains are buried locally at the Longwood Cemetery.
Noel Campbell – Sergeant Campbell was born in West Grove, Pennsylvania on July 1, 1919 and attended Kennett Consolidated School. He enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 21 years old on August 27, 1940. He was assigned to the 18thInfantry Regiment, 1stInfantry Division. The 18thInfantry Regiment was in combat where they would experience heavy action over the several months in the Tunisia Campaign from January 21, 1943 to May 9, 1943, helping to secure Tunisia for the Allies. He was awarded the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. He perished on April 15, 1944 and is commemorated in North African American Cemetery in Tunis, Tunisia.
Anthony F. Testa – Private Testa was born in Wilmington, Delaware on September 12, 1912 and attended Saint Thomas’ School. He was a resident of Chester County, Pennsylvania at the time of his enlistment in the United States Army on July 22, 1942 and was assigned with the Headquarters and Service Company, 871st Airborne Engineer Aviation Battalion during World War II. He primarily served in the Southwest Pacific. Unfortunately, he was killed in action on September 20, 1943 during an air raid in Nabzad, New Guinea by a shell fragment. He had only served in the Army for one year and two months at the time of his death and was decorated with a Purple Heart. His remains are buried at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manilla Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.
POST OFFICERS
Commander Joe Zenisek
Senior Vice Commander Greg Beck
Junior Vice Commander Don McDannald
Quartermaster Steve Delaney
Chaplain Edward Tolmie
Adjutant Brian Thuer
Judge Advocate Ed Hassepien
Surgeon George Gaydos
1-Year Trustee Matt Dunlevy
2-Year Trustee Jennifer McDannald
3-Year Trustee Jim Donegan
Service Officer Vacant
