American Legion

File:Leland M Barnett American Legion Post 123 Norwood OH foto by Andy Hemmer Cincinnati.jpg

The Leland M. Barnett American Legion Post #123 opened in 1920 on Montgomery Road in Norwood, inside of an Odd Fellows Hall built in 1892.

For other uses, see American Legion (disambiguation).

American Legion

250px American Legion National Headquarters Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Five-pointed star with the insignia "U. S." enclosed in two bronze bands in the center of the star. This design is enclosed in a wreath. Encircling the star and the wreath are the words "American Legion" set in deep blue enamel. This in turn is encircled by a narrow band suggestive of the rays of the sun Emblem
Established	March 15, 1919 (1919-03-15)
Founded at	Paris, France
Type	501(c)(19), war veterans' organization
Tax ID no.	35-0144250
Headquarters	700 North Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, Indiana
Coordinates
Area served	Worldwide
Membership (2018)	~1,800,000
National Commander	Vincent J. Troiola (NY) Since September 1, 2022
National Vice Commanders	Patricia A. Harris (NC) Since September 1, 2022 Kenneth C. Hylton (IN) Since September 1, 2022 Paul M. Kennedy (PA) Since September 1, 2022 Douglas R. Uhrig (WY) Since September 2, 2021 Glenn Wahus (ND) Since September 2, 2021
National Executive Committee	61 voting members 6 national officers 55 committeemen
Key people	National Headquarters Executive director James Baca Washington Office Executive Director Chanin Nuntavong
Main organ	National Convention
Subsidiaries	Sons of the American Legion
Secessions	Forty and Eight
Affiliations	American Legion Auxiliary American Legion Riders
Website	legion.org

The American Legion, commonly known as the Legion, is a non-profit organization of U.S. war veterans headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. It is made up of state, U.S. territory, and overseas departments, and these are in turn made up of local posts. The organization was formed on March 15, 1919, in Paris, France, by a thousand officers and men of the American Expeditionary Forces (A. E. F.), and it was chartered on September 16, 1919, by the United States Congress.

The Legion played the leading role in the drafting and passing of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the "G.I. Bill". In addition to organizing commemorative events, members provide assistance at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals and clinics. It is active in issue-oriented U.S. politics. Its primary political activity is lobbying on behalf of interests of veterans and service members, including support for benefits such as pensions and the Veterans Health Administration. It has also historically promoted Americanism, individual obligation to the community, state, and nation; peace and good will.

History

Main article: History of the American Legion

File:Paris Caucus (March 1919).jpg

The Paris Caucus

The American Legion was established on March 15, 1919, in Paris, France, by delegates to a caucus meeting from units of the American Expeditionary Forces (A.E.F.), which adopted a tentative constitution. The action of the Paris Caucus was confirmed and endorsed by a similar meeting held in St. Louis, Missouri, from May 8 to 10, 1919, when the Legion was formally recognized by the troops who served in the United States. The Paris Caucus appointed an Executive Committee of seventeen officers and men to represent the troops in France in the conduct of the Legion. The St. Louis caucus appointed a similar Committee of Seventeen. These two national executive committees amalgamated and were the initial governing body of the Legion. The temporary headquarters was located in New York.

List of founding members

The men who initiated the formation of the Legion:

• Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., of the First Division
• Colonel Henry D. Lindsley, formerly Mayor of Dallas, Texas
• Sergeant John J. Sullivan, of Seattle
• Lieutenant Colonel Franklin D'Olier, of Philadelphia
• Ex-Senator Luke Lea, of Tennessee
• Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Huidekoper, of Washington, D.C.
• Major Redmond C. Stewart, of Baltimore
• Wagoner Dale Shaw, of Iowa
• Lieutenant Colonel George A. White, of Oregon
• "Bill" Donovan, of the "Fighting 69th"
• Major Thomas R. Gowenlock, of Illinois
• Lieutenant Earl B. Dickerson, of the 92nd Division
• Sergeant Alvin York, of Tennessee
• Colonel John Price Jackson, of the S. O. S.
• Lieutenant Colonel "Jack" Greenway, of Arizona
• Sergeant Roy C. Haines, of Maine
• G. Edward Buxton, Jr., of Rhode Island
• Eric Fisher Wood, of Pennsylvania
• Chaplain John W. Inzer, of Alabama
• Lieutenant Colonel David M. Goodrich, of Akron
• Chief Petty Officer B. J. Goldberg, of Chicago
• "Tom" Miller, of Delaware
• Major Alex. Laughlin, Jr., of Pittsburgh
• Major Henry Leonard, of the Marine Corps
• Dwight F. Davis, of the 35th Division
• Corporal Charles S. Pew, of Montana
• Brigadier General William G. Price, of the 28th Division
• Bishop Charles H. Brent, Senior Chaplain of the A. E. F.
• Major General John F. O'Ryan, of the 27th Division
• Stewart Edward White, of California
• Private Jesus M. Baca, of New Mexico
• Brigadier General Charles H. Cole, of the 26th Division
• Sergeant E. L. Malsbary, of Nevada
• Lieutenant Samuel Gompers, Jr., of New York
• Colonel Henry L. Stimson, Ex-Secretary of War
• Lieutenant Colonel Charles W. Whittlesey, Commander of the "Lost Battalion"
• Roy Hoffman, of Oklahoma
• Lieutenant Colonel A. Piatt Andrew, of the American Ambulance in France
• Brigadier General Harvey J. Moss, of the State of Washington
• John MacVicar, Mayor of Des Moines before the War
• Sergeant George H. H. Pratt, of New Orleans
• Colonel F. W. Galbraith, of Cincinnati
• Corporal Joseph H. Fountain, of Vermont
• Devereux Milburn, of the 78th Division
• Lieutenant Colonel Wilbur Smith, of the 89th Division
• Sergeant Theodore Myers, of Pennsylvania
• Colonel Bennett C. Clark, son of Champ Clark
• Robert Bacon, Ex-Secretary of State

Headquarters

Indiana World War Memorial Plaza, home of the National Headquarters

The national headquarters, informally known as American Legion headquarters, is located on the Indiana World War Memorial Plaza at 700 North Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. It is the headquarters for the National Commander of The American Legion and also houses the archives, library, Membership, Internal Affairs, Public Relations, and The American Legion magazine's editorial offices. The national headquarters has expanded multiple times since its establishment.

Emblem

The World War I Victory Button on a narrow circular band of blue enamel, containing the words "American Legion" in gold letters, forms the central element of the American Legion Emblem. The Legion emblem or "button" was officially adopted by the National Executive Committee of The American Legion on July 9, 1919.

Eligibility

Membership in The American Legion was originally restricted to soldiers, sailors, and marines who served honorably between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918. Eligibility has since been expanded to include personnel who served on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States or armed forces associated with the U.S., between December 7, 1941, through a date of cessation of hostilities as determined by the federal government, and was an American citizen when they entered that service or continues to serve honorably. U.S. Merchant Marines who served between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, are also eligible. Honorary, associate, social, or guest memberships in the Legion are not permitted. Members must be eligible through the nature and timing of their military service.

The following is a list of eligibility dates used by The American Legion to determine membership eligibility.

Eligibility dates
War era Start date End date World War I April 6, 1917 November 11, 1918 World War II – present December 7, 1941 Open

Publication

The official publication, originally known as The American Legion Weekly, launched on July 4, 1919. In 1926, the Legion Weekly switched frequency of publication and was renamed The American Legion Monthly. In 1936 the publication's name and volume numbering system changed again, this time to The American Legion.

Notable members

See also: List of notable members of the American Legion

Notable members of The American Legion have included:

• President Woodrow Wilson by Harris & Ewing, 1914-crop2.jpg

  Woodrow Wilson, 28th President of the United States

• TRUMAN 58-766-06 (cropped).jpg

  Harry Truman, 33rd President of the United States

• 

  Dwight Eisenhower, 34th President of the United States

• 

  John Kennedy, 35th President of the United States

• 

  Lyndon Johnson, 36th President of the United States

• Richard M. Nixon, ca. 1935 - 1982 - NARA - 530679.tif (cropped).jpg

  Richard Nixon, 37th President of the United States

• Gerald Ford presidential portrait (cropped).jpg

  Gerald Ford, 38th President of the United States

• 

  Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States

• 

  Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States

• George H. W. Bush, President of the United States, 1989 official portrait (cropped).jpg

  George Bush, 41st President of the United States

• 

  George Bush, 43rd President of the United States

• MacArthur Manila (cropped).jpg

  General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, Medal of Honor recipient

• George S. Patton 01.jpg

  General George Patton, Jr., two-time Distinguished Service Cross recipient

• 

  Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., Medal of Honor recipient

• 

  Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, Medal of Honor recipient

• Alvin C. York 1919.jpg

  Sergeant Alvin York, Medal of Honor recipient

• 

  Humphrey Bogart, Academy Award winner

• 

  Clark Gable, Academy Award winner

List of national commanders

1. Franklin D'Olier, of Pennsylvania, 1919–1920
2. Frederic W. Galbraith, Jr., of Ohio, 1920–1921
3. John G. Emery, of Michigan, 1921
4. Hanford MacNider, of Iowa, 1921–1922
5. Alvin M. Owsley, of Texas, 1922–1923
6. John R. Quinn, of California, 1923–1924
7. James A. Drain, of Washington, 1924–1925
8. John R. McQuigg, of Ohio, 1925–1926
9. Howard P. Savage, of Illinois, 1926–1927
10. Edward E. Spafford, of New York, 1927–1928
11. Paul V. McNutt, of Indiana, 1928–1929
12. O. L. Bodenhamer, of Arkansas, 1929–1930
13. Ralph T. O'Neil, of Kansas, 1930–1931
14. Henry L. Stevens, Jr., of North Carolina, 1931–1932
15. Louis A. Johnson, of West Virginia, 1932–1933
16. Edward A. Hayes, of Illinois, 1933–1934
17. Frank N. Belgrano, of California, 1934–1935
18. Ray Murphy, of Iowa, 1935–1936
19. Harry W. Colmery, of Kansas, 1936–1937
20. Daniel J. Doherty, of Massachusetts, 1937–1938
21. Stephen F. Chadwick, of Washington, 1938–1939
22. Raymond J. Kelly, of Michigan, 1939–1940
23. Milo J. Warner, of Ohio, 1940–1941
24. Lynn U. Stambaugh, of North Dakota, 1941–1942
25. Roane Waring, of Tennessee, 1942–1943
26. Warren H. Atherton, of California, 1943–1944
27. Edward N. Scheiberling, of New York, 1944–1945
28. John Stelle, of Illinois, 1945–1946
29. Paul H. Griffith, of Pennsylvania, 1946–1947
30. James F. O'Neill, of New Hampshire, 1947–1948
31. S. Perry Brown, of Texas, 1948–1949
32. George N. Craig, of Indiana, 1949–1950
33. Erle Cocke, Jr., of Georgia, 1950–1951
34. Donald R. Wilson, of West Virginia, 1951–1952
35. Lewis K. Gough, of California, 1952–1953
36. Arthur J. Connell, of Connecticut, 1953–1954
37. Seaborn P. Collins, of New Mexico, 1954–1955
38. J. Addington Wagner, of Michigan, 1955–1956
39. Dan Daniel, of Virginia, 1956–1957
40. John S. Gleason, Jr., of Illinois, 1957–1958
41. Preston J. Moore, of Oklahoma, 1958–1959
42. Martin B. McKneally, of New York, 1959–1960
43. William R. Burke, of California, 1960–1961
44. Charles L. Bacon, of Missouri, 1961–1962
45. James E. Powers, of Georgia, 1962–1963
46. Daniel F. Foley, of Minnesota, 1963–1964
47. Donald E. Johnson, of Iowa, 1964–1965
48. L. Eldon James, of Virginia, 1965–1966
49. John E. Davis, of North Dakota, 1966–1967
50. William E. Galbraith, of Nebraska, 1967–1968
51. William C. Doyle, of New Jersey, 1968–1969
52. J. Milton Patrick, of Oklahoma, 1969–1970
53. Alfred P. Chamie, of California, 1970–1971
54. John H. Geiger, of Illinois, 1971–1972
55. Joe L. Matthews, of Texas, 1972–1973
56. Robert E. L. Eaton, of Maryland, 1972–1973
57. James M. Wagonseller, of Ohio, 1974–1975
58. Harry G. Wiles, of Kansas, 1975–1976
59. William J. Rogers, of Maine, 1976–1977
60. Robert C. Smith, of Louisiana, 1977–1978
61. John M. Carey, of Michigan, 1978–1979
62. Frank I. Hamilton, of Indiana, 1979–1980
63. Michael J. Kogutek, of New York, 1980–1981
64. Jack W. Flynt, of Texas, 1981–1982
65. Al Keller, Jr., of Illinois, 1982–1983
66. Keith A. Kreul, of Wisconsin, 1983–1984
67. Clarence M. Bacon, of Maryland, 1984–1985
68. Dale L. Renaud, of Iowa, 1985–1986
69. James P. Dean, of Mississippi, 1986–1987
70. John P. Comer, of Massachusetts, 1987–1988
71. H. F. Gierke III, of North Dakota, 1988–1989
72. Miles S. Epling, of West Virginia, 1989–1990
73. Robert S. Turner, of Georgia, 1990–1991
74. Dominic D. DiFrancesco, of Pennsylvania, 1991–1992
75. Roger A. Munson, of Ohio, 1992–1993
76. Bruce Thiesen, of California, 1993–1994
77. William M. Detweiler, of Louisiana, 1994–1995
78. Daniel A. Ludwig, of Minnesota, 1995–1996
79. Joseph J. Frank, of Missouri, 1996–1997
80. Anthony G. Jordan, of Maine, 1997–1998
81. Harold L. Miller, of Virginia, 1998–1999
82. Alan G. Lance, Sr., of Idaho, 1999–2000
83. Ray G. Smith, of North Carolina, 2000–2001
84. Richard J. Santos, of Maryland, 2001–2002
85. Ronald F. Conley, of Pennsylvania, 2002–2003
86. John A. Brieden III, of Texas, 2003–2004
87. Thomas P. Cadmus, of Michigan, 2004–2005
88. Thomas L. Bock, of Colorado, 2005–2006
89. Paul A. Morin, of Massachusetts, 2006–2007
90. Martin F. Conatser, of Illinois, 2007–2008
91. David K. Rehbein, of Iowa, 2008–2009
92. Clarence E. Hill, of Florida, 2009–2010
93. Jimmie L. Foster, of Alaska, 2010–2011
94. Fang A. Wong, of New York, 2011–2012
95. James E. Koutz, of Indiana, 2012–2013
96. Daniel Dellinger, of Virginia, 2013–2014
97. Michael D. Helm, of Nebraska, 2014–2015
98. Dale Barnett, of Georgia, 2015–2016
99. Charles E. Schmidt, of Oregon, 2016–2017
100. Denise H. Rohan, of Wisconsin, 2017–2018
101. Brett P. Reistad, of Virginia, 2018–2019
102. James W. Oxford, of North Carolina, 2019–2021
103. Paul E. Dillard, of Texas, 2021–2022
104. Vincent J. Troiola, of New York, 2022–2023

List of honorary commanders

• Marshal Ferdinand Foch, of the French Army
• General John J. Pershing, Commander in Chief of the A. E. F.

List of past national commanders by vote of national conventions

• Henry D. Lindsley, of Texas, 1919
• Milton J. Foreman, of Illinois, 1921
• Bennett Champ Clark, of Missouri, 1926
• Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., of New York, 1949
• Eric Fisher Wood, of Pennsylvania, 1955
• Thomas W. Miller, of Nevada, 1968
• Maurice Stember, of New York, 1975
• Hamilton Fish III, of New York, 1979
• E. Roy Stone, Jr., of South Carolina, 1987
• Robert W. Spanogle, of Michigan, 2008

See also

• Freedom Bell, American Legion
• List of members of the American Legion
• List of veterans' organizations

References

General sources

•  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

External links

Official

General information

• American Legion Photographs collections at the University of Missouri–St. Louis
• American Legion politician members at The Political Graveyard
• The American Legion Centennial Celebration

Archives

• Washington American Legion Records, 1919–1920. 4 microfilm reels. At the Labor Archives of Washington, University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.
• Stephen Fowler Chadwick Papers, 1917–1974. 21.1 cubic feet. At the Labor Archives of Washington, University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.