User:Just-An-Average-Guy/valor
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 Crest of the Legion of Valor | |
| Formation | 1890 (as the Medal of Honor Legion) |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Philip J. Conran, National Adjutant and Primary Contact, 4706 Calle Reina, Santa Barbara, CA 93110-2018 |
| Membership | Recipients of the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or Air Force Cross |
National Commander | Donald E. Mason |
| Website | www.legionofvalor.com |
The Legion of Valor is a federally chartered corporation created to promote patriotic allegiance to the United States, fidelity to the U.S. Constitution, and popular support for civil liberties and the permanence of free institutions.
History
[edit]The Legion of Valor was organized on April 23, 1890, in Washington, D.C as the Medal of Honor Legion. Its founders were Civil War and Indian War Campaign veterans who were recipients of the Medal of Honor.
Membership was enlarged in 1898 to include Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War and the Philippines Insurrection.
In an effort to enlarge membership and better further the organization's objectives, in 1918 recipients of the Army Distinguished Service Cross, the second ranking Army decoration for extraordinary heroism, were admitted to membership. In 1933, recipients of the Navy Cross were admitted to membership and the name of the organization was changed to "The Army and Navy Legion of Valor".
In August 1955 Congress passed legislation to incorporate The Army and Navy Legion of Valor of the United States.
With the creation of the Air Force Cross in 1961, recipients of that award were admitted to membership, and the name was changed to "Legion of Valor of the United States of America, Inc".
Goals and Objectives
[edit]As detailed in the Legion of Valor's constitution and the legislation that authorized the organization, its purposes are:
A. Cherish the memories of the valiant deeds for which the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, and the Air Force Cross are the insignia.
B. Promote true fellowship.
C. Advance the best interest of members of the Armed Forces of the United States and to enhance their prestige and understanding by example and personal activity.
D. Extend all possible relief to needy members, their widows, and children.
E. Stimulate patriotism in the minds of our youth and engender a national pride and interest in the Armed Forces of the United States.
Governance
[edit]The Legion of Valor is administered by elected officers including a national commander and two vice commanders, as well as a board of directors. Past national commanders hold lifetime positions on the board of directors.
National Convention
[edit]The Legion of Valor meets annually to conduct board of directors meetings, elections of officers, and review and amend its constitution.
Projects and programs
[edit]Silver Cross
In 1957 the Legion of Valor created a Silver Cross for Heroism to recognize actions involving the saving or preservation of life, and that the decoration could be conferred on any person who displayed such conduct.
Because of the demanding eligibility criteria, it is rare for more than than two Silver Crosses to be presented each year, although there is no limit on the number that may be granted.
Most recently, the Silver Cross was presented to the Director of a Veteran's Administration Medical Center, who climbed a construction crane 105 feet high to render aid to an apparently suicidal veteran.
In recent years recipients have included a Florida newspaper carrier who could not swim, but dove into a canal to rescue the driver of a submerged car, and a Texas National Guard chaplain who ignored hos own injuries to save a number of elderly persons from drowning after a sudden violent thunderstorm struck the lake where people were boating and swimming.
A Silver Cross for Heroism was posthumously presented to a native of Mexico who was studying for his U.S. citizenship examinations. When his tutor was attacked by six assailants he fought off the attackers, in the process receiving fatal gunshot wounds.
Silver Crosses were also given to recognize two airline pilots who successfully thwarted a hijacker. Although one pilot was killed and the other wounded, the surviving pilot landed the plane successfully after the hijacker was wounded and subdued.
The first Silver Cross awarded to a woman was presented to an airline purser who saved a life during a hijacking in Beirut.
In 1989 the Legion of Valor's constitution was amended to allow Silver Cross recipients to become associate members.
Bronze Cross
The Bronze Cross for Achievement is available Reserve Officers Training Corps cadets who demonstrate excellence in military, scholastic, and civic affairs.
The Bronze Cross program was begun in 1951 when the District of Columbia Chapter established an incentive for excellence in the Washington High School Corps of Cadets.
The national Legion of Valor made the Bronze Cross a nationally-sponsored program in 1957, and by 1975 it had expanded to include all college-level R.O.T.C. members, as well as high school cadets of the Marine Corps Junior R.O.T.C.
Museum
[edit]In August 1991 the Legion of Valor established the Veterans Memorial Museum. Located in Fresno, California, the museum contains military memorabilia, artifacts, photographs, and official citations.
Gift Shop
[edit]The Legion of Valor maintains an online gift shop that enables customers to support the Legion of Valor through purchase of its officially sanctioned merchandise.
Other Benefits
[edit]Several state motor vehicle departments allow Legion of Valor members to obtain special license plates to recognize their achievements.
See Also
[edit]Legion of Valor web site
Sources
[edit]- The Objects of the Hereditary Societies and the Military and Naval Orders of the United States, by Eugene Zieber, 1895, pages 14 to 16
- Patriotic Societies of the United States, by Sydney Aaron Phillips, 1914, page 76
- Roster of the Medal of Honor Legion, published by the Legion, 1897
- Text of federal legislation, 36 USC CHAPTER 1303 - Legion of Valor of the United States of America, Incorporated, 01/08/2008
- Magazine article, America's Legion of Valor Museum, Army Magazine, Association of the United States Army, by Scott R. Gourley, November 1, 2001
- Medal of Honor: Profiles of America's Military Heroes from the Civil War to the Present, by Allen Mikaelian, 2003
- California Department of Motor Vehicles web site, Legion of Valor License Plate page
- Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth web site, Veterans' Guide to Benefits page
- Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles web site, Special Plates Information page
- Arizona department of Motor Vehicles web site, License Plates in Arizona page
- Press release, Mines ROTC Cadet Receives Legion of Valor Honor, Karen Gilbert, Public Relations Specialist, Colorado School of Mines, September 23, 2009
- Newspaper article, VHS Cadet Honored With Legion of Valor Bronze Cross, Shelby County (Alabama) Reporter, October 15, 2009
- Fodor's 2000 California, 1999, page 285