There is only one class of membership - honorary
memberships are not authorized.
ALL WHO SERVED IN THE ARMY, NAVY, MARINE CORPS, COAST
GUARD OR AIR FORCE OF THE UNITED STATES ARE ELIGIBLE
ONLY IF THEY HAVE THE FOLLOWING CONSTITUTIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
"Any person shall be eligible for membership
in The American Legion who was a member of the Army,
Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard or Air Force of the
United States and assigned to active duty at some
time during any of the following periods:
April 6, 1917 to November 11 1918;
December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946;
June 25, 1950 to January 31, 1955;
February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975;
August 24, 1982 to July 31, 1984;
December 20, 1989 to January 31, 1990;
August 2, 1990 to the date date of cessation of hostilities
as determined by the Government of The United States,
all dates inclusive ... provided, however, that such
service shall have been terminated by honorable discharge
or honorable separation, or continued honorably after
any of said periods; provided, further, that no person
shall be entitled to membership who, being in such
service during any of the said periods, refused on
conscientious, political or other grounds to subject
himself to military discipline or unqualified service."
A January 19, 1988, decision of the Secretary of
the Air Force granted veterans status, not just veterans
benefits, to its members of the Merchant Marine and
certain employees of the Army and Navy during the
period December 7, 1941, to August 15, 1945. The Federal
Government now considers such service to be "active
duty" service.
