Hawks

The Hawks drum and bugle corps was originally formed in March of 1959 as the Hawthorne Boosters drum corps, under the sponsorship of the Hawthorne District Businessmen’s Association of Portland and the leadership of Bruce Plumb.

The corps entered the field of competition in the 1959 Oregon American Legion (AL) State contest, placing 3^rd and under support from the Hawthorne Booster Club, re-organized as the Hawthorne Hawks, capturing the 1960 State Legion title. Under additional sponsorship of the Leathernecks AL Post 169 of Portland, the Hawthorne group defended their state championship in 1961. After finishing 2^nd in the 1962 State contest, the corps appeared in the 1963 VFW Nationals, placing 16^th in the preliminary round, their only VFW Nationals’ appearance, along with a 2^nd place finish in the AL State competition.

The following year, sponsored by the Portland Police VFW Post 2807, the often nicknamed VFW Hawks, placed 3^rd in the 1964 Oregon State show, winning the 1965 Legion State title & finishing 12^th the AL Nationals’ prelims. In 1966, the Hawks became a member of the Northwest Drum Corps Association (NWDCA), competing in the “Class B” division, winning the 1966 & 1968 NWDCA titles and moved up to the “Class A” division, placing 4^th in the 1969 circuit championships.

In 1970, the Portland unit performed in their final Nationals contest, placing 9^th in the AL finals and 3^rd in Legion State competition. In 1971 & 1973, the corps placed 2^nd in the NWDCA circuit, captured the 1971 “All-American” regional title, placing 5^th in 1972 and closed out their final year with a 9^th place finish in the Drum Corps West championships. The Hawks, though coed, had the distinction of being led by an all-woman marching instructional staff, composed of Judy Scroggins, Martha Belmore & Betty Infinger.

In 1975, the corps merged with the Royal Lancers of Portland to form the Third Regiment.

DCW, 6/6/03, p.3; Paul Legault (DCX)

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" PORTLAND HAWKS
Organized in March 1959

In 1964 the following were officers : Business Mgr. Phil York, Asst. Bus. Mgr. Ross Johnson, Corps Director, Clete Smith; Music Director, Del Reeder; Drum Director, John Parkhurst; Drill Instructor, Jim VanVlack; Bugle Instructor, George Stell; Color Guard Ins. Marty Brauwer.

The Portland Hawks were sponsored by the Parents Club formed in January 1961 which has responsibility for fund raising and operating of the corps, together with Portland Police VFW Post #2807 and Leathernecks American Legion Post #169.

As the only officially sponsored VFW corps for the state of Oregon, plans are underway to arrange a VFW competition for 1964 in Oregon.
This was taken from a 1964 Program. "

[From the Spartans of Vancouver, WA Sat July 8th 1989 Drum Corps Spectacular Program.]

CORPS 7 items

Hawks

Hawks Portland OR from the Bill Ives Collection

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Hawks

Hawks,Portland,OR,Patch1-Hawk(RE-6.75x6.75)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection Contributed by Richard Elmquist

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Hawks

Hawks,Portland,OR,Pin1(RE-1.75)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection

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Hawks

Hawks,Portland,OR,Pin2-HawkCrest(RE-2.0)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection

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Hawks

Hawks,Portland,OR,Pin3-VFW(BJA)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection

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Hawks

Hawks,Portland,OR,Pin4-VFWSponsored(BJA)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection

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Hawks

Hawks,Portland,OR,Pin5-Booster(BJA)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection

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