Frequently Asked Questions about the Library1. I have an item/object, which I think is valuable. Will you tell me how much my collectible/artifact is worth? It is the policy of The American Legion National Headquarters not to give appraisals on any items or objects. Maloney's Antiques and Collectibles Resource Directory (http://www.maloneysonline.com) can help you find experts, appraisers, dealers clubs and museums that specialize in any kind of collectible. Harry L. Rinker: The Official Price Guide to Collectibles (http://www.harryrinker.com) also has resources, summaries and prices for thousands of antiques and collectibles. Collectingchannel.com (http://www.collectingchannel.com/) and Collectorsuniverse.com (http://www.collectorsuniverse.com/) include information and links for all kinds of collectibles. Krause Publications (http://www.krause.com) publishes magazines, price guides and other information. Remember that list prices are usually what a dealer will ask for a collectible. When you sell to a dealer, expect to get 40 percent to 60 percent of that price. Of course, you can bypass the dealer and buy or sell on your own. AuctionWatch.com (http://www.auctionwatch.com/) includes links to auctions and Web sites for a variety of categories. And EBay (http://www.ebay.com) has auctions for almost any kind of collectible you can imagine.
2. I would like to visit The American Legion's library at National Headquarters for research purposes. What types of material are available to the public? What arrangements should I make? The American Legion library was founded in 1923 and tasked with preserving materials related to the programs and ideals supported by The American Legion. Included in these areas are 20th Century wars in which the United States was involved, as well as issues concerning veterans after their return from war. Access to the materials in the archives and files of The American Legion library must be granted by the librarian and curator. Before setting up a date for study, researchers must inform the Librarian in which specific areas of American Legion history they are interested. Write to: The American Legion National Headquarters
c/o Joseph Hovish, Librarian & Curator
700 North Pennsylvania Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
E-mail: jhovish@legion.org If granted approval, a date for conducting research will be agreed upon. The American Legion requests a copy of any article, thesis, book, etc. that may be written as a result of research conducted at its library and archives. Hours of operation: The library, archives and museum are open for research purposes from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Materials available in the library: The library and archives contain files, correspondence, articles and published volumes concerning The American Legion and its history since its inception in 1919. Frequently, this material originated with sources who have a unique relationship with The American Legion, its supported programs, or its administrative organization and may not be available at any other location. A complete run of The American Legion Magazine from July 4, 1919 to the present is available for reference in the library. The archives include a collection of over 12,000 photographs. Extensive files of correspondence relating to subject matters that have concerned The American Legion are kept in the archives. In addition, approved research may be conducted on the digests of each of the National Conventions and meetings of the National Executive Committee. Also maintained in the library and archives is a small collection of United States military unit histories, a general reference section, and a collection of nearly 10,000 volumes. Our collection of World War I and World War II recruiting posters numbers over 2,000. Biographical files on those Legionnaires who have held state or national-level offices are compiled, based on responses to questionnaires from National Headquarters. Emil A. Blackmore Museum: The Emil A. Blackmore Museum contains artifacts from current and past activities, along with mementos of the conflicts from which Legion members have earned their eligibility. There are oil paintings, sculptures, dioramas, weapons, flags and photographs from around the world. Location: The American Legion National Headquarters is located in the heart of scenic downtown Indianapolis, on the mall of the Indiana War Memorial Plaza and Historic District. The Library is located on the north end of the fourth floor. Interstate access is only two blocks away and the Indianapolis International Airport is a short 20-minute drive. Hotel accommodations are available within walking distance. Contact the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association at: 1-800-323-4639 or on the World Wide Web at: http://www.indy.org/. An overview of The American Legion may be seen at The American Legion Website http://www.legion.org. Printed histories of The American Legion on the national level have been published in the following: James, Marquis, A History of The American Legion. New York, NY: William Green, 1923.
Jones, Richard Seelye, A History of The American Legion. Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1946.
Rumer, Thomas A., The American Legion: An Official History 1919-1989. New York, NY: M. Evans & Company, Inc., 1990. Also of interest:
The American Legion Extension Institute: A course of study giving the opportunity to learn and discover the rich history, programs, policies, developments, positions and future goals of our organization. This course also serves as a handy reference set on the workings of the Legion. Available from National Headquarters Emblem Sales. Cat. No. 75175 Price: $6.95
3. I have items (cap, awards, letters, etc.) from the 40&8. What is the meaning of "Forty and Eight"? Can you give me information about this organization? La Societe Des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux is a French title meaning "The Society of the 40 Men and 8 Horses". The phrase is derived from the rail cars used during WWI to transport troops to the Western Front in France. Each car was supposed to have capacity of -you guessed it - 40 men and 8 horses. The 40 & 8 - as it is more commonly known - was an organization for Legionnaires who had distinguished themselves in The American Legion through service. Today, the 40 & 8 is no longer affiliated with The American Legion although the organization does still exist. The 40 & 8 national organization may be contacted at: Forty & Eight National Headquarters
777 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206
Tel: (317) 634-1804
4. What is the publication, "The Source Records of the Great War?" This set of books was compiled by Charles F. Horne in 1923. The sale was sponsored by The American Legion until termination of the contract in 1935. When the books were sold, many of the salesmen asked prospective buyers to impart their war record. The buyers were informed that the record would be placed on a certificate and included as part of the purchaser's individual copy. This record was not included in any other volume, other than the one received by the buyer. There is no record of persons who purchased these volumes on file here in Indianapolis. During the period our organization was interested in these sales, the prices were: special American Legion set with buckram binding $39.50; silk binding $69.50; and leather binding $98.00. The books have been out of print for many years. No information is at hand as to the exact number of sets sold. From 1931 to 1935, The American Legion was authorized and required to expend the amounts for the purpose of rehabilitation of disabled veterans. Accordingly, such sums were applied to the annual budgets of the Legion's National Rehabilitation Division beginning with the year 1931.
5. I believe one of my relatives (or other persons) was a founding member of The American Legion. Do your archives contain a list of all the founding members of The American Legion? The founders of The American Legion are considered to be those men and women who attended one or both of the first two caucuses held in Paris and St. Louis in 1919. There are no recognized founders of The American Legion living today. There is a listing of these founders in the Archives. This list is known to be incomplete since there were many delegates at both caucuses who attended but did not register. Therefore, all that can be said with certainty is that there is no record of any living Legionnaire who attended either of those meetings. "Charter member of The American Legion" is another term commonly used. When National Headquarters first granted charters to Posts, the men who were the original members of those Posts were called charter members. Many of the charter members of a Post would sign the application for charter. This established that there were a sufficient number of eligible veterans willing to begin an American Legion Post. Frequently, these men would come to be known in later years as "charter members of The American Legion". After 80 years, many times this term is taken to mean the national organization rather than the local Post.
6. I am searching for military service records for myself, a family member, for genealogical research. What records can I find at The American Legion's library and archives? The American Legion does not have military service records. For that you need to apply, with as much information as you know, to: National Personnel Records Center
(Military Personnel Records)
9700 Page Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100 Further information about access to military service records is available at: http://www.archives.gov/research_room/obtain_copies/veterans_service_records.html With access to a printer and the Adobe Acrobat Reader software, you may download and print a copy of the Standard Form 180 - Request Pertaining to Military Records at: http://www.archives.gov/research_room/obtain_copies/standard_form_180.pdf The following is from the National Archives and Records Administration:
Services for Veterans, Next-of-Kin, or the Veteran's Representative
General. Copies of most military and medical records on file at NPRC(MPR), including the DD Form 214, Report of Separation (or equivalent), can be made available upon request. Veterans and next-of-kin of deceased veterans have the same rights to full access to the record. Next-of-kin are the unremarried widow or widower, son or daughter, father or mother, brother or sister of the deceased veteran. Authorized third party requesters, e.g., lawyers, doctors, historians, etc., may submit requests for information from individual records with the veteran's (or next of kin's) signed and dated authorization. All authorizations should specify exactly what the veteran (or next-of-kin) is allowing to be released to a third party. Authorizations are valid one year from date of signature. A sample authorization is included for your review. Information or copies of documents may be released from Official Military Personnel Files within the provisions of the law. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act provide balance between the right of the public to obtain information from military service records, and the right of the former military service member to protect his/her privacy. Please review these items for additional information. In all cases, you must sufficiently identify the person whose record is requested, so that the records can be located with reasonable effort.
Preparing Requests for Information from Official Military Personnel Files. Federal law [5 USC 552a(b)] requires that all requests for records and information be submitted in writing. Each request must be signed (in cursive) and dated (within the last year). FOR THIS REASON, NO REQUESTS WILL BE ACCEPTED OVER THE INTERNET. Requests must contain enough information to identify the record among the more than 70 million on file at NPRC(MPR). Certain basic information is needed to locate military service records. This information includes the veteran's complete name used while in service, service number or social security number, branch of service, and dates of service. Date and place of birth may also be helpful, especially if the service number is not known. If the request pertains to a record that may have been involved in the 1973 fire at NPRC(MPR), also include place of discharge, last unit of assignment, and place of entry into the service, if known.
Veterans who plan to file a claim for medical benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) do not need to request a copy of their military health record from NPRC (MPR). The original health records are provided by the Center when requested by the VA after the claim is filed. Many health records were lent to the Department of Veterans Affairs prior to the 1973 fire. Veterans who filed a claim prior to 1973 should contact the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in order to determine if their record is already on file. The VA Toll Free # is 1-800-827-1000 and will connect the caller to the nearest VA office. The Standard Form (SF) 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records, although not mandatory, is the recommended method to send a request for military service information. This form captures all the necessary information to locate a record. Provide as much information on the form as possible and send copies of any service documents that you may have. Requests may also be submitted as a letter, containing the basic information listed above. Follow the instructions for preparing the SF 180. Check the table to determine the location of the record and submit your request to the appropriate address. Note: Do not use the addresses on the SF 180 for sending requests related to the issuance or replacement of medals and awards. Costs. Generally there is no charge for military personnel and health record information provided to veterans, next-of-kin, and authorized representatives. If your request involves a service fee, you will be notified as soon as that determination is made. Response Time. Response time varies dependent upon the complexity of your request, the availability of records, and our workload. Please do not send a follow-up request before 90 days have elapsed as it may cause further delays.
7. I am looking for information on a current or former member of The American Legion. What information on individual Legionnaires may be found at the Legion's National Headquarters? The National Headquarters maintains biographical files on those Legionnaires who have attained a certain level of participation within The American Legion. For example:
National Commanders
National Executive Committee Members
National Officers
Department Commanders
Department Officers
Department Adjutants
American Legion Staff Members
We do not maintain biographical information on members at the local level, such as:
Post Commanders
Post Officers
Post Members
County Officers
District Officers. Our earliest resource for verifying Legion membership purposes is The American Legion Magazine subscription records from 1968. These only show name, address, post, department, years of continuous membership and membership number. Due to its confidential nature, this information is not available to the general public. We do offer a letter-forwarding service as a benefit to members of The American Legion. Those who are members of The American Legion may submit a name to be checked against our membership listing. The only information contained in the listing is current names and addresses of members. We do not have access to a member's former branch of service, rank, service number, telephone number, or social security number. We will forward a letter from you to matching names from our membership list. If you are a member and you wish to make use of our letter-forwarding service, please contact us and give us your mailing address. We will send you an application form that explains the kind of information needed, and the stamps and envelopes required, for this service. Other than postage, letters and envelopes, this service is free to our members. Requests are limited to five searches per year.
8. I have an American Legion School Award medal/medallion. What were these medals awarded for? Is there a record of how many School Award medals were made and when? The American Legion School Award originated with posts in Pennsylvania and spread throughout the country. It began as an award each year to the outstanding boy graduating from the eighth grade of a local public school or the equivalent grade at a private school. The award was given on the five-point bases of Honor, Courage, Scholarship, Leadership and Service. Many American Legion Auxiliary units created a similar award for girls on the bases of Courage, Character, Service, Companionship and Scholarship. The awards became an officially recognized national activity in 1926, when 1,046 medals were distributed, and soon were being awarded to high school students. The first medals available from The American Legion National Emblem Sales Catalog appeared in 1927. These medals were made in two different designs, one for boys and a similar medal, smaller in size and appropriately designed, for girls. In 1951 a new design was implemented for award to both boys and girls. In 1962 the qualifications for both boys and girls were made the same - Honor, Courage, Scholarship, Leadership and Service. The following year Patriotism was added to the other five qualifying attributes.  Today, the American Legion School Award Medal represents the educational symbolism of the School Medal Award Program and associates it with The American Legion and its purposes. The medal is applicable for award to either boys or girls in the graduating class of elementary, junior and senior high schools, and colleges. For better Citizenship and Americanism the official American Legion School Award medal is presented by Posts to a vast number of boys and girls in graduation classes of public and private schools. Recipients best represent outstanding qualities of character and ability. Award is based on Courage, Honor, Leadership, Patriotism, Scholarship and Service, which if cultivated, result in better citizenship. Medallion Type of Award: 2 1/2 inches, suitable for either boy or girl
Medal: 1 1/4 inches, identical in design to the large medal; American Legion ribbon with pin and catch. (Available from The American Legion Emblem Sales division.)
9. My post is involved with building a memorial to all of those from our town who died in wartime while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Where can we find this information? There are many partial sources of information. Online, go to the American Battle Monuments Commission Website at http://www.abmc.gov/ At this site, the Commission maintains a listing of those interred at the American military cemeteries overseas and those Missing in Action from World War I, World War II and Korea. In addition it has a listing of war veterans buried at the Corozal American Cemetery. This site does not contain the names of Americans returned to the United States for burial. The National Archived and Records Administration maintains an online listing of those who died during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. These listings are organized by state and give the hometown of record. Go to: http://www.archives.gov/research_room/research_topics/korea_and_vietnam_casualties.html The records in the Korean Conflict Casualty File (KCCF) are for persons who died as a result of hostilities in Korea, 1950-57, including those who died while missing or captured. The Combat Area Casualties Current File (CACCF), as of December 1998, includes final records for persons who died 1956-1998, as a result of either a hostile or non-hostile occurrence in the Southeast Asian Combat Area, including those who died while missing or captured. In print, try:
World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing, U.S. War Department, 1946. Published by the War Dept. for the information of public officials, the press, the radio and interested organizations. Contains data on military personnel who were killed or died, or became and remained missing, between the President's declaration of unlimited national emergency on May 27, 1941, and the cut-off date of this report, January 31, 1946. Combat Connected Naval Casualties, World War II, Casualty Section, Office of Public Information Department of the Navy, 1946. A State-by State summary taken from casualty lists released by the Navy Department. Casualties listed represent only those on active duty in the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, resulting directly from enemy action or from operational activities against the enemy in war zones from December 7, 1941, to the end of the war. Vietnam Veterans Memorial: Directory of Names (December, 1982). Chronological listing of those who were killed or died or remain unaccounted for from July 1959 until May 1975. Gives date of casualty and hometown of record. Also, local newspapers very often published lists of local residents who served during a war shortly after the end of hostilities. A local library may have copies of these local newspapers on microfilm. Check dates as much as six months after the end of hostilities. It is possible that a state organization has made similar efforts on behalf of a state monument or memorial. Check with your state government.
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How to write resolutions or reports
