James F. Byrnes

1965, James F. Byrnes

A Supreme Court justice who left the bench to lead a war mobilization board during World War II, Byrnes received The American Legion's Distinguished Service Medal in 1965.

"In that post, he assumed many duties and was invested with greater power than any other individual in the country except the president," said National Commander Donald Johnson, presenting the honor. "His fellow Americans, in fact, came to know him in this demanding role as the assistant president."

President Herbert C. Hoover

1965, President Herbert C. Hoover

His humanitarian endeavors earned Hoover posthumous recognition from The American Legion in 1965.

"Before the United States' entry into World War I, Mr. Hoover's great talents were called upon to administer the gigantic relief programs for the aid of the helpless victims of war in Europe and especially in Belgium and France," said National Commander Donald E. Johnson, presenting the honor to the president's son, Herbert Hoover Jr.

In World War II, Hoover again raised millions to help feed war victims.

Dr. Charles W. Mayo

1964, Dr. Charles W. Mayo

Like his father and uncle before him, Mayo used his skills as a surgeon to benefit people at his family's legendary medical facility in Rochester, Minn. A Legionnaire, too, Mayo received the Legion's Distinguished Service Medal in 1964.

Presenting the award, National Commander Daniel Foley said Mayo "has devoted his lifetime to the progress of medical science and the dissemination of knowledge on advancements recorded in the science of medicine and the exacting techniques of surgery."

Cardinal Francis Spellman

1963, Cardinal Francis Spellman

For Spellman's steadfast support for those serving in the U.S. military, the Roman Catholic archbishop of New York received The American Legion's Distinguished Service Medal in 1963.

National Commander James E. Powers praised Spellman for his trips to battle ones in World War II. In fact, he was in the Pacific at the time of Japan's surrender and was the first American to celebrate Mass in Tokyo during the occupation.

1962, Dr. Thomas A. Dooley

Dooley served both his nation and his fellow man as a Navy corpsman, physician and humanitarian. Before he succumbed to cancer, he and another physician started MEDICO - the Medical International Cooperative Organization, which opened seven hospitals in Southeast Asia.

Gen. Lucius D. Clay

1962, Gen. Lucius D. Clay

Clay, a West Point graduate and "father" of the Berlin Airlift, received The American Legion's Distinguished Service Medal in 1962 for "his close identification with the defense of Western Germany, first as commander of the U.S. Forces and Military Government in the United States Zone during the Berlin Airlift, and as Kennedy's special representative," National Commander Charles L. Bacon said.

President John F. Kennedy

1961, President John F. Kennedy

For his Navy service during World War II, his time in Congress and his work as the nation's commander in chief, Kennedy received the Legion's Distinguished Service Medal in 1961. When a busy schedule kept him from attending the second annual Washington Conference, nearly 1,000 Legionnaires traveled to the White House to bestow the honor on him.

Sen. Robert S. Kerr

1959, Sen. Robert S. Kerr

A World War I veteran, senator and Oklahoma industrialist, Kerrwas the first Legion past department commander to earn the Distinguished Service Medal in 1959.

"During his tenure in the Senate, Sen. Kerr has distinguished himself, not only in the field of veterans affairs, whose interest he has always had at heart, but has proven himself to be a leader in the economic and foreign policies of our government," Past National Commander Seaborn P. Collins said.

Bernard Mannes Baruch

1958, Bernard Mannes Baruch

A Wall Street tycoon and presidential adviser, Baruch received the Legion's Distinguished Service Medal in 1958, for his support of a strong national defense.

"In World War I he was the symbolic and dynamic leader of America's defense-mobilization effort," National Commander John S. Gleason Jr. told delegates. "World War II proved how right and how prophetic he was. ... his seeming inexhaustible strength and increasingly wise counsel were enlisted without hesitation or reservation in the cause of victory and a just and lasting peace."

Unknown Servicemen of World War I, World War II and Korea

1958, Unknown Servicemen of World War I, World War II and Korea

In 1958, The American Legion gave its Distinguished Service Medal to the unknown servicemen of World War I, World War II and the Korean War, who live only in the memories of their comrades and families, with no known final resting place. They didn't earn every honor imaginable, nor did they achieve the highest rank. Nonetheless, these men and women died fighting for the nation's freedom.

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