I Am The American Legion: Jordan Houghton

Jordan Houghton and William Stacey were both from Seattle and served at the same time in Afghanistan. They never met, but every day, Houghton is inspired by Stacey’s service and sacrifice.

A Marine Corps sergeant on his fourth deployment, Stacey was killed Jan. 31, 2012, by an improvised explosive device while on foot patrol. Years later, Houghton set out to establish American Legion Post 206 in Stacey’s memory.

“He was bigger than life, a real leader,” says Houghton, 1st District commander for the Department of Washington and Post 206’s founding commander. “We’ve heard from his family, friends and platoon members that all he did was look out for others, care for them, and put the mission and the people first. We made that our ethos, and try to do that in everything we pursue.”

Though relatively new, Post 206 is already making a difference, organizing service projects at the University of Washington, around Seattle and beyond, including cleaning 6,000 veteran gravemarkers at Evergreen-Washelli Cemetery.

Wherever they go, the post’s charter members wear bracelets bearing Stacey’s name. “It serves as a reminder and keeps him at the forefront as we do great things, hopefully, for our community.”

Branch of Service  Army (2009-2013)

RANK  Specialist 

MILITARY JOB  Combat medic

AMERICAN LEGION post  William C. Stacey Post 206, Seattle

Years in the legion  4

LEGION ACTIVITIES

• Post adjutant (2019-present)

• Post commander (2017-2019)

• District commander (2018-2019)

• Department vice commander Area I (2019-present)

• National Legion College graduate (2018)

• Department Recruiter of the Year (2018)

• Silver Brigade membership award (2018)