Eligibility Information

 

Preamble to the Constitution
of The American Legion

For God and Country
 

We associate ourselves together for the following purposes:

to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order, to foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in the great wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and goodwill on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.

If you have served federal active duty in the armed forces during any of the war eras listed below, and have been honorably discharged or are still serving — you are eligible for membership in The American Legion!

*August 2, 1990 to today (Operation Desert Shield/Storm) December 20, 1989 to January 31, 1990 (Operation Just Cause - Panama) August 24, 1982 to July 31, 1984 (Lebanon/Grenada) February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975 (Vietnam War) June 25, 1950 to January 31, 1955 (Korean War) December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946 (World War II) April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918 (World War I) *New Legion Act  December 7, 1941 to Present Legion Act   *Because eligibility starts from December 7th 1941, Congress voted to consider all eligible Veterans the ability to join the American Legion.   U.S. Merchant Marine eligible only from Dec. 7, 1941 to Aug. 16, 1945.

 

Proof of eligibility may be verified by presenting any of  the following documents:

Form DD214

Certificate of Honorable Discharge

Current Military Identification Card

 

If you do not have a copy of your DD214 or other Discharge documents, duplicate copies may be obtained by contacting:

The National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100.

 

Specify that a duplicate separation document or discharge is needed. The veteran's full name should be printed or typed so that it can be read clearly; the request must also contain the signature of the veteran.  Include branch of service, service number or Social Security number and exact or approximate date and years of service.

Click here for Standard Form 180 - Request Pertaining to Military Records

To apply for membership, a standard Application must be completed.  This form is available at Post 162.

You may present in person the above documents plus $40 Annual Membership fee to Post 162 at the address above.  Your application will be reviewed and presented to the general membership for acceptance at the next regularly scheduled Post General Meeting. Note: