Membership in the Auxiliary is limited to women who have direct personal connection with World Wars I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, or in conflicts in Grenada, Lebanon, Panama or the Persian Gulf War. This service is through a member of one’s immediate family who served in the Armed Forces during those wars or conflicts, or through their own service with the Armed Forces. Upon establishment of eligibility, such women may become members of a local Unit of the Auxiliary. A member of a local Unit is also a member of the Department and the National Organization. By the payment of dues in the local Unit a member also contributes to the support of the Department and National Organizations.
All women who are eligible to membership in the Auxiliary come under one of the following classifications.
1. The mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, granddaughters, great-granddaughters and grandmothers of members of
The American Legion.
2. The mothers. wives, daughters, sisters, granddaughters, great-granddaughters and grandmothers of those who served in the Armed Forces of the United States during any of the eligibility periods listed below and who died in the line of duty during such service, or who, having received an Honorable Discharge, died after such service.
3. The mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, granddaughters, great-granddaughters, and grandmothers of those who
were citizens of the United States and who served during any of the eligibility periods listed below in the Armed
Forces of any of the governments who were allies of the United States and who died in the line of duty during such service, or who, having received an Honorable Discharge, died after such service.
4. Women who are eligible for membership in The American Legion in their own right.
This eligibility includes step-relatives.Eligibility PeriodsWorld War I April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918
World War II December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946
Korean War June 25, 1950 to January 31, 1955
Vietnam War February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975
Lebanon/Grenada August 24, 1982 to July 31, 1990
Panama December 20, 1989 to January 31, 1990
Persian Gulf August 2, 1990 to date of cessationInformation on a veteran’s service record can be obtained from
Military Personnel Records Center
9700 Page Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63132
General information and operator assistance: (314) 263-1100.To request records for
Navy (314) 538-4147/4142
Army (314) 538-4122/4222
Air Force (314) 538-4218
The only form of membership that is authorized is active membership; of which there are two classes, Senior and Junior, and there can be no granting of special or honorary membership for any purpose or reason whatsoever. The National Organization has ruled that Junior members be defined as of that group under the age of 18 years who automatically become active adult members upon reaching the age of 18. However a wife or parent under the age of 18 years who is eligible for Auxiliary membership shall be classed as a Senior member.Once accepted as an Auxiliary member, women eligible under classification (1) may continue their membership from year to year whether or not their veteran relative continues to be a member of The American Legion. The fact that a member’s service relative is no longer a member of the American Legion does not compel the Auxiliary member to lose her Auxiliary membership.
The phrase "died in the line of duty" applies to all those persons who were killed in action, died of wounds or disease, were killed by accident or otherwise came to their death other than as a result of their own misconduct. In case of doubt the Adjutant General of the Army, or the Navy Department, Washington, D.C., can advise if the person was considered to have died in the line of duty.The term "wife," as used in the eligibility clause does not mean that the wife occupied that status at the time her husband was in war service. Any woman who marries a member of The
American Legion at any time is eligible to membership in the Auxiliary. The term "wife" also includ
