History of the American Legion Auxiliary
Founded in 1919, the American Legion Auxiliary is the world’s largest women's patriotic service organization. With a membership at nearly 800,000, local American Legion Auxiliary units have a strong presence in more than 9,000 communities nationwide. The American Legion Auxiliary’s mission is to support The American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad.
For God and country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace and security
Auxiliary Membership Requirements
Women are eligible for membership in the Auxiliary if they are themselves a veteran who served honorably or if they fall into one of the following categories:
- wife
- mother
- sister
- daughter
- granddaughter
- great granddaughter
- grandmother
- great grandmother
of an active duty service member or veteran who served honorably during any of the eligible war eras listed in the table below. Step-relatives in the categories above, such as step-mother, step-sister, step-daughter, are also eligible.
If a request for American Legion Auxiliary membership is based on a family member who is living, that person must be a member of The American Legion.
If a request for Auxiliary membership is based on a deceased veteran who was not a member of The American Legion, the prospective member will be required to provide verifying documentation that proves her eligibility.
A woman veteran may join the American Legion Auxiliary without being a member of The American Legion if her dates of service fall within at least one of the eligible service categories, as described on the ALA membership applications. If, however, her family members wish to join the Auxiliary or the Sons of The American Legion through her service, she must first become a member of The American Legion; The Legion will verify the woman veterans eligibility.
In addition to the DD214, examples of other acceptable documentation to verify eligibility are:
- DD214 (not issued until Korean War)
- Official military orders
- Official military service citations/awards
- Letters related to the veterans military service on official government letterhead
- Certificate from the V A records center in St. Louis, and Data from the back of older discharges.
American Legion Auxiliary Application
Download the application and return the completed form to Joan Flynn at the
American Legion Post 227, 69 River St. Middleton Ma. If you have any questions you can email her at Joan Flynn.
If you need help obtaining the records, visit The National Personnel Records Center here
National Archives Veterans Service Records
| World War I | April 6, 1917 - November 11, 1918 |
| World War II | December 7, 1941 - December 31, 1946 |
| Korean War | June 25, 1950 - January 31, 1955 |
| Vietnam Era | February 28, 1961 - May 7, 1975 |
| Lebanon/Grenada | August 24, 1982 - July 31, 1984 |
| Panama | December 20, 1989 - January 31, 1990 |
| Persian Gulf | August 2, 1990 - (this eligibility period remains open) |