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Eligibility Requirements for American Legion Auxiliary Membership

Membership in The American Legion Auxiliary shall be limited to the grandmothers, mothers, sisters, Male or Female Spouse, and direct and adopted female descendants of members of The American Legion, and to the grandmothers, mothers, sisters, Male or Female Spouse, and direct and adopted female descendants of all men and women who were in the Armed Forces of the United States during any of the following periods: April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918; and any time after December 7, 1941; or who, being citizens of the United States at the time of their entry therein, served on active duty in the Armed Forces of any of the governments associated with the United States during any of said periods, and died in the line of duty or after honorable discharge; and to those women who of their own right are eligible for membership in The American Legion.

A woman who is eligible for American Legion membership is eligible to join the American Legion Auxiliary regardless of whether or not she is a member of The American Legion. However, eligibility of her female relatives (sister, mother, direct decedents) depends upon her membership in The American Legion.

Information on a veteran’s service record can be obtained by contacting:

National Archives and Records Administration

Telephone: 1-866-272-6272

www.archives.gov

Additional Considerations:

1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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 veteran’s 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 veteran’s military service on official government letterhead
• Certificate from the V A records center in St. Louis, and Data from the back of older discharges. Military records may be requested from the National Archives at: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

Helpful Resources

National Military Personnel Records Center 9700 Page Avenue St. Louis, MO 63132-5100 Phone: 866-272-6272

Online request

DD214 request form to mail

Military Personnel Records website