National Vice Commanders

Elected at the national convention, five vice commanders act as representatives of the national commander. They may preside over meetings of the National Executive Committee or the national convention, and perform other duties for the commander. No two vice commanders can be chosen from the same department during the same year.

To contact an American Legion national vice commander, contact Jennifer Norton at National Headquarters by calling (317) 630-1234 or via e-mail.

Current national vice commanders:

David N. Voyles, Midwest Region

A U.S. Army veteran, and former Department of Missiouri commander, David N. Voyles, of Amazonia, Mo., is a member of Post 359 in St. Joseph. He has held numerous leadership positions at the Legion’s post, department, and national levels. Voyles earned a Bronze Star, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Army Commendation Medal with valor device while serving in the U.S. Army.

James H. Hales Jr., Northeast Region

A Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran from Blairsville, Penn., James H. Hale Jr. is a member of Post 343 in New Castle and has held numerous leadership positions at the Legion’s post, department and national levels. He previously served as department commander for Pennsylvania in 2005-2006, and as a Pennsylvania state deputy constable. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1964 and retired as a captain in 1985.

Larry D. Sheets, Southeast Region

A former department commander of Florida, Larry D. Sheets, of Miami is a member of Post 32 in Hialeah, Fla.. He has held numerous leadership positions at the Legion’s post, department, and national levels. He was the chairman of the Post 32 American Legion Baseball, which won The American Legion World Series in 1978. He served in the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft mechanic during the Vietnam War.

Mervin G. Gunderson, Western Region

A former department commander of Montana, Mervin G. Gunderson, of Belgrade, Mont., is a member of American Legion Post 30 in Belgrade and has held numerous leadership positions at the Legion’s post, department and national levels. A veteran of the U.S. Army, Mervin is a retired Montana State University Police Officer.

Milton G. Heifner, Central Region

A former department commander of Iowa, Milton G. Heifner, of Woodward, Iowa, is a member of Post 211 in Woodward and has held numerous leadership positions at the Legion’s post, department and national levels. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War and retired from the U.S. Air Force Reserve in 1992.