If you've served active duty in the armed forces during any of the time periods listed here, and have been honorably discharged OR are still on active duty You are eligible for membership in THE AMERICAN LEGION
 

MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for The American Legion, a man or woman must have served at least one day of active duty in one of the armed forces of the United States during one of the eligibility eras below.

 
       
 

World War I

April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918

  
 

World War II

 

December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946

 

  
 

Korea

 

June 25, 1950 to January 31 1955

 

  
 

Vietnam

 

February 25, 1961 to January 31, 1975

 

  
 

Lebanon & Grenada

 

August 24, 1982 to July 31, 1984

 

  
 

Panama

 

December 20, 1989 to January 31, 1990

 

  
 
Persian Gulf
August 2, 1990 to the date of cessation of hostilieties as determined by the government of the United States (This means that all military personnel now on active duty are eligible for membership in The American Legion.
  
 

Current and past members of the National Guard and Reserve may also be eligible for membership provided that they had periods of at least four months of duration for training in one or another of the aforementioned eligibility eras. Annual summer camps and weekend drills do not constitute eligible periods of service. Active duty is the key to Legion membership. A person need not have served overseas to be eligible, but must possess an Honorable Discharge (DD Fm 214).