Each spring, the Legion’s five national vice commanders fan out across the country to graduation ceremonies to present the awards in person.
In the 1930s, The American Legion began sponsoring awards for an outstanding graduate each year at the U.S. Military Academy and Naval Academy. Since then, the tradition has grown to include the Coast Guard, Air Force and Merchant Marine academies. Each spring, the Legion’s five national vice commanders (NVC) fan out across the country to graduation ceremonies to present the awards in person.
The 2025 recipients (and 2024-2025 national vice commanders) are:
Air Force Academy (highest academic standing in all subjects): 2nd Lt. Giovanni Galeoto, Reno, Nev., NVC Joseph Lysaght presenting
Coast Guard Academy (athletic excellence): Ens. Chase Randall, Spokane, Wash., NVC James Kellogg presenting
Merchant Marine Academy (excellence as a color guard member): Ens. Rhys Krinberg, Alexandria, Va., NVC Charles Robbins presenting
Military Academy (highest academic standing in chemistry): 2nd Lt. Edward Chen, Madison, Wis., NVC Roger Mathison presenting
Naval Academy (highest academic standing in English, history and government for a foreign affairs major): Ens. Sebastian Gordillo, Imperial Beach, Calif., NVC Gary Leach presenting
Read more about these and many other American Legion awards in the Trophies, Awards &
Ceremonials Manual.
- Troops