American Legion National Commander remembers Ike Skelton
‘True Friend of Veterans’

The head of the nation’s largest organization of wartime veterans expressed sorrow at yesterday’s passing of longtime U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., former chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.

“America’s veterans lost a true friend,” American Legion National Commander Daniel M. Dellinger said. “In 2012, The American Legion honored Rep. Skelton with our prestigious Patriot Award because, simply put, that’s what he was. Urged to run for Congress by Harry S. Truman, he represented Missouri’s 4th Congressional District with dignity and honor for 17 terms. His commitment to our national defense was unwavering. He was a strong supporter of military pay increases and sought to increase the size of the U.S. Naval fleet. He repeatedly voted for the flag protection amendment and sent a message that the flag of the United States should be respected and that desecration of this symbol of our country is wrong. The numerous accolades that he received as an advocate for veterans and their families were well deserved. The American Legion sends its condolences to the entire Skelton family.”