Commander calls for Universal Military Training weeks after U.S. troops are sent back to war.
The American Legion was immersed in two of its biggest national issues in the spring of 1950. The organization, outraged over cuts to veterans benefits and VA health-care facilities proposed by the Hoover Commission, had just published a scathing 16-page objection in May. A heated congressional battle was brewing on the horizon.
Then, on June 25, at 4 a.m. Korean time, communist forces crossed the 38th Parallel. The Republic of Korea was invaded, and Americans soon found themselves back at war, in defense of democracy.
Suddenly, the Legion’s other major legislative priority of the time soared in relevance – its long and unwavering call for Universal Military Training (UMT). Young U.S. troops, the Legion argued, were once again being sent to battle without adequate military training, let alone functional weapons or equipment. The argument for UMT (not to be confused with compulsory military service) had been made by the nation’s largest veterans organization since its founders came home from World War I.
American Legion National Commander George N. Craig called an urgent meeting of the National Executive Committee July 18-23. In essence, it was a primordial “virtual meeting” conducted by telephone and telegraph, that would lay out the Legion’s revised policy, given recent events on the Korean peninsula:
“We earnestly urge immediate curtailment of governmental expenditures in all fields that do not make a direct contribution to the national security and which may be postponed without injury to the welfare of our people.
“To give this plea the weight of its patriotic example, The American Legion as of now throws overboard for the duration of the present crisis its advocacy of any new veterans’ pension legislation.
“Also, for the duration, we shall support no new bonus bills.
“And we shall ask no additional benefits or extensions of time under the G.I. Bill of Rights, except to make them applicable to those now fighting your war in Korea,
“The American Legion realizes that in this continuing crisis, our dollars are mighty weapons. They must be fighting dollars from now on …
“National security must have top call upon our national wealth.”
On July 23, National Commander Craig broke away from the NEC meeting shortly after the policy statement was approved and resolutions were passed to deliver an impassioned speech on CBS Radio. He shared with millions The American Legion’s support for President Truman, the military intervention and full support of the organization’s members and posts. He also used his national platform to call on Congress to “DECIDE NOW” on UMT.
“Many of our brave American youths are falling and dying today in Korea … paying the fearful price of inadequate training and of insufficient weapons and supplies,” he said. “We believe that our able Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson made a prophetic statement when he said, ‘Peace can be secured only through strength!’
“Time after time, the great minds of our nation … including the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense … have urged our Congress to act (on UMT). Had that advice been followed, there might have been no World War II … and certainly no crisis such as we have today.”
Craig told listeners that North Korea’s invasion was an “act of raw aggression” and “outright breach of the peace” that could expand into other countries.
“Realizing the Herculean task confronting our nation, the entire membership of The American Legion has been mobilized. The services of the 3 million American Legionnaires in 17,418 posts throughout the length and breadth of our land have been pledged to the President of the United States and the American government. These 3 million men and women … veterans of experience in two world wars … stand ready to perform whatever tasks our government may assign to us.”
The Legion’s points were clearly stated:
- Cut any unnecessary government spending “which may be postponed without injury to the welfare of our people.” He made it clear that meant the Legion’s budget requests for new veteran pensions, GI Bill expansions and bonuses. “It is a case today of powder or pensions … bullets or bonuses!”
- All American Legion posts were to mobilize to assist in the war effort.
- Immediate UMT action from Congress was the highest priority to avoid another unprepared force called to arms.
The NEC also adopted resolution to regard all U.S. personnel serving in the Korean War “status of veterans for the purpose of assuring them and their dependents the death, disability, and dependency benefits now applicable to veterans of the Great Wars.”
- Honor & Remembrance