The Legion played the leading role in drafting and passing the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the "
G.I. Bill". In addition to organizing commemorative events, members assist 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.[3] It has also historically promoted
Americanism, individual obligation to the community, state, and nation; peace and goodwill.[4]
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.[5]
List of founding members
The men who initiated the formation of the Legion:[6]
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.[7]
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.[8] The Legion emblem or "button" was officially adopted by the National Executive Committee of The American Legion on July 9, 1919.[9]
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.[10] 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.,[11] 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.[12]U.S. Merchant Marines who served between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, are also eligible.[13] 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.[14]
The following is a list of eligibility dates the American Legion uses to determine membership eligibility.[11][12]
The official publication, originally known as The American Legion Weekly, launched on July 4, 1919.[15] In 1926, the Legion Weekly reduced the frequency of publication and was renamed The American Legion Monthly.[16] In 1936, the publication's name and volume numbering system changed again, this time to The American Legion.[17]
The American Legion Digital Archive online offers scans of "American Legion magazine, national meeting digests, newsletters, press releases, and other publications published by the national organization."[18]
Ceplair, Larry (2011). Anti-communism in Twentieth-century America: A Critical History. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.
ISBN978-1440800474.
OCLC712115063.
Heale, M.J. (1990). American Anticommunism: Combating the Enemy Within, 1830–1970. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.
ISBN978-0801840500.
OCLC21483404.
Spencer, Dewey, ed. (1979). History of The American Legion, Department of Arkansas, 1919–1979. Little Rock.{{
cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (
link)