Legion leadership through the decades

The Emil A. Blackmore Museum is pleased to announce the launch of a brand-new exhibit, American Legion Past National Officers, featuring the first 50 years of national officers, as well as past national commanders and honorary commanders, from 1919-1969.

The national commander and five national vice commanders who lead The American Legion are elected every year by the American Legion national convention. The other five national officers appointed annually by the National Executive Committee include the adjutant, treasurer, judge advocate, historian and chaplain. The national officers provide leadership for the organization in support of Legion members, American servicemembers and veterans. In addition to historic photos, documents and artifacts from the American Legion archives, visitors can learn more about each national commander with historical documents from their time in office.

The national officers from 1970-2019, and sergeant-at-arms listings, will be forthcoming in future updates. Other exhibits can be found at the Emil A. Blackmore Museum online exhibit website.