American Veterans (AMVETS) is a non-partisan, volunteer-led organization formed by

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

veterans A veteran () is a person who has significant experience (and is usually adept and esteemed) and expertise in an job, occupation or Craft, field. A military veteran is a person who is no longer serving in the military, armed forces. A topic o ...

of the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

military. It advocates for its members as well as for causes that its members deem helpful to the nation at large. The group holds a Federal charter under

Title 36 of the United States Code The United States Code is the official compilation of the Federal laws of a general and permanent nature that are currently in force. Title 36 covers "Patriotic and National Observances, Ceremonies, and Organizations." Parts Subtitle I: Patrio ...

. It is a 501(c)19 organization.

History

In December 1944 twelve small groups of World War II veterans met in Kansas City and formed AMVETS. A year later there were 20,000 memberships and 200 Amvets posts. Originally only World War II veterans were eligible to join, and the organization's stated goals were: * 1. Full employment for veterans * 2. Working for veterans' rights * 3. Influencing national issues that benefit the United States * 4. Gaining recognition of veterans' needs * 5. Maintaining friendships made during military service * 6. Keeping alive the ideals veterans fought for

Change in membership requirements

In 1966 AMVETS requested Congress to amend their charter so that veterans of the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict could join, and President Lyndon Johnson signed the bill changing eligibility dates for AMVETS membership. Then in 1984 President Ronald Reagan signed a public law that amended AMVETS charter to open membership to all honorably discharged veterans.

Harold Russell's terms as National Commander

Harold Russell Harold John Avery Russell (January 14, 1914 – January 29, 2002) was an American World War II veteran and actor. After losing his hands during his military service, Russell was cast in the epic drama film ''The Best Years of Our Lives'' (1946 ...

, the handless World War II veteran and

Academy Award The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit in film. They are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in the United States in recognition of excellence ...

winner for ''

The Best Years of Our Lives ''The Best Years of Our Lives'' (also known as ''Glory for Me'' and ''Home Again'') is a 1946 American drama film directed by William Wyler and starring Myrna Loy, Fredric March, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, Virginia Mayo and Harold Ru ...

'', served three terms as National Commander in the 1950s. As head of AMVETS, Russell wrote to President

Harry S. Truman Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884December 26, 1972) was the 33rd president of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953. As the 34th vice president in 1945, he assumed the presidency upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt that year. Subsequen ...

in 1951 supporting his decision to dismiss General

Douglas MacArthur Douglas MacArthur (26 January 18805 April 1964) was an American general who served as a top commander during World War II and the Korean War, achieving the rank of General of the Army (United States), General of the Army. He served with dis ...

during the

Korean War The Korean War (25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953) was an armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula fought between North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea; DPRK) and South Korea (Republic of Korea; ROK) and their allies. North Korea was s ...

. Russell's telegram to Truman cited MacArthur's "repeated insubordination in violation of basic American principles governing civil versus military authority." His telegram said those were "obvious grounds" to relieve MacArthur. Erle Cocke Jr., commander of the

American Legion The American Legion, commonly known as the Legion, is an Voluntary association, organization of United States, U.S. war veterans headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. It comprises U.S. state, state, Territories of the United States, U.S. terr ...

, said that he was "shocked by the news" that AMVETS and the American Veterans Committee supported MacArthur's firing. AMVETS memorial sign on Thruway

Awards

AMVETS presents its annual Silver Helmet Awards to "recognize excellence and achievement in Americanism, defense, rehabilitation, congressional service and other fields." Current Silver Helmet Recipient, John Henry Felix, August 2022 Past Silver Helmet Recipients include: President Harry S. Truman, 1958 for Americanism President Dwight Eisenhower, 1959 for Peace Vice President Richard Nixon, 1960 for Americanism Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson, 1960 for Americanism Eleanor Roosevelt, 1962 for Peace Henry Kissinger, 1972 for Peace Pope Paul VI, 1981 for Peace Lee Greenwood, August 1988 for Americanism General Colin Powell, 1991 for Defense Governor Tim Walz, 2010 for Americanism Tom Donwen, AMVETS Post 56, California, 2019 for Rehabilitation https://www.ohamvets.org/single-post/amvets-silver-helmet-award-honorees-to-be-announced-live-thursday-night https://www.bluestemprairie.com/bluestemprairie/2010/02/walzgetsamvetssilvehelmet.html

Nursing scholarships

In 1945 the AMVETS National Sad Sacks were formed to raise money for the Sad Sacks Nursing Scholarship Fund. The scholarships, named after George Baker’s '' Sad Sack'' cartoon character, are awarded to children of military veterans.'Sad Sack', ''York Daily Record'', November 26, 1975, page 18
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References

External links

Official Website
* * {{Portal bar, Society, United States Charities based in Maryland American veterans' organizations 1944 establishments in the United States Organizations established in 1944 Lobbying organizations in the United States Magazine publishing companies of the United States Nonpartisan organizations in the United States Patriotic and national organizations chartered by the United States Congress