Hamilton Knights

The White Knights drum and bugle corps was originally formed in 1936 as the Hamilton Sons of American Legion (SAL) Squadron Post 20 and was sponsored by the Hamilton American Legion Post 20 of Baltimore, under the leadership of Earle R. Poorbaugh and corps director Joseph Sedlack.

From 1936 to 1952, the SAL Squadron was a perennial champion in the annual “Junior” State contests, only missing out to a 2^nd place finish in 1946. The Hamilton Post also enjoyed great success in the annual Maryland Open championships during the same period, winning several titles along with SAL State division championships over this same span. The Post 20 of Baltimore became known as the “Home of Champions”.

The SAL Post went inactive from 1953 to 1955, reorganizing in 1956 and re-entering the field of competition in 1957, performing in the SAL State division contests until 1963. In 1961, Paul Citro also became the new corps director and eventual soul of the group as they restructured under a new name, the White Knights, in 1962, sporting new uniforms of white & gold. The next two seasons saw the corps place 5^th & 6^th in the 1964 & 1965 State contests respectively.

The 1966 season included an appearance in their one and only American Legion National championships, finishing in 43^rd position in the preliminary round and over the next 3 years, would continue to progress on the field. From 1970 to 1975, the corps became a member of the Eastern States circuit, placing 4^th (1970), 3^rd (1971), 7^th (1972-1973), 11^th (1974), 8^th (1975) that also included participation in the 1974 VFW Nationals, where they ranked 29^th in the prelims. The corps went on the inactive roster from 1976 to 1978.

The White Knights were reactivated in 1979 as the Hamilton Knights and joined the Garden State Circuit “Intermediate Class” in 1982, placing 2^nd in 1982 & 1983 and a 3^rd place finish in 1984. The Baltimore unit was also crowned the 1983 Eastern States “Class A” champions.

They disbanded in 1985.

Encyclopedia of Drum and Bugle Corps, 1966; rec.arts.marching.drumcorps; Paul Legault (DCX)

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Hamilton Knights

WhiteKnights,Baltimore,MD,Pin1-Y&Wstripes(GBA)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection

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