Dukes

In the fall of 1928, the Dukes drum and bugle corps, originally known as the Dubuque American Legion (AL) Post 6, passed a resolution into the study of organizing a Legion drum corps and in early spring of 1929, the corps was formed.

From their inception, the Post 6 was a recurrent state contestant, participating in the annual event starting in 1929 and competed in their first AL Nationals in 1931, where they finished in 60^th position. After a 3^rd place finish in the 1932 state convention, the corps hosted the 1933 state championships and returned to the AL Nationals preliminary round that same year. In 1935, sporting their brown coats, buff colored breeches and gilded hats, they appeared once again in the AL Nationals, placing 33^rd and 48^th the following season, both in the prelims.

Between 1936 to 1940, the Dubuque unit was crowned the 1938 & 1940 state champions along with 2^nd place finished in 1936, 1937 and 1939. In what would eventually become their last appearance in Nationals competition, the corps participated in the 1941 AL championships, placing 29^th in the preliminaries. Upon return from the second World War, the corps reorganized and took part in the 1946 state parade and reinstated field competition in 1947, progressing over the next 4 years, culminating as the 1951 Legion state champions, their last title.

From 1952 to 1962, the Dubuque Post 6 continued their pursuit of state competition, placing between 2^nd to 5^th over the years that also included a name change to the Dukes of Dubuque since at least 1959; the last 2 seasons consisted of parade activity until 1964.

They disbanded in 1965. Members of the Post were instrumental in the formation of the “Junior Dukes”, who eventually became known as the acclaimed Colts.

Paul Legault (DCX)

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