SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION
Thanks for stopping by today! We're confident you will enjoy becoming a member of The American Legion Family, this nation's largest organization dedicated to supporting veterans of the armed services of the United States of America!
Eligibility
Come join us to see how you can get involved. If you meet the eligibility requirements for membership in the Sons of The American Legion, we'd love to have you join our ranks! You should be able to get an official S.A.L. Membership Application from just about any American Legion Post in the country.
Not everyone is eligible to become a member of the Sons of The American Legion. There are specific membership requirements.
To be eligible, you must be a male descendant (includes stepsons and adopted sons) of a member of The American Legion. You would also be eligible to join the Sons of The American Legion if you are the male descendant (stepsons and adopted sons included) of a veteran who died in service during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, or the Persian Gulf War (see specific time periods for service during these conflicts).
You would also be eligible to join the Sons of The American Legion if you are the male descendant (stepsons and adopted sons included) of a veteran who died subsequent to his or her honorable discharge from service in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, or the Persian Gulf War (the same eligibility periods apply as above).
If you need help obtaining the records to prove your eligibility visit The National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records. It is the repository of millions of military personnel, health, and medical records of discharged and deceased veterans of all services during the 20th century. Information from the records is made available upon written request (with signature and date) to the extent allowed by law.
Active Duty Service Eligibility Dates
for Membership in The American Legion
(note: potential S.A.L. members should use these dates to determine if their parents or grandparents are/were eligible for membership in The American Legion) 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)
The Sons of The American Legion was created in 1932 as an organization within The American Legion. The S.A.L. is made up of boys and men of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the United States military and became eligible for membership in The American Legion. Together, members of The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion make up what is known as The Legion Family. All three organizations place high importance on preserving our American traditions and values, improving the quality of life for our nation's children, caring for veterans and their families, and perhaps most importantly, teaching the fundamentals of good citizenship.
Preamble to the S.A.L. National Constitution
Proud possessors of a priceless heritage, we male descendants of veterans of the Great Wars, associate ourselves together as "Sons of The American Legion" for the following purposes: To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a true spirit of Americanism; to preserve the memories of our former members and the associations of our members and our forefathers in the Great Wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and good will on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our friendship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness; to adopt in letter and spirit all of the great principles for which The American Legion stands; and to assist in carrying on for God and Country.