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)

*Because eligibility dates remain open, all members of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible to join The American Legion at this time, until the date of the end of hostilities as determined by the government of the United States.

U.S. Merchant Marine eligible only from Dec. 7, 1941 to Aug. 16, 1945.


Click below for information on required
Eligibility Documents