American Legion Certificate of Identification 1927
American Legion Certificate of Identification
The American Legion’s 1927 Certificate of Identification: A Forgotten Chapter in Veteran Support
In 1927, the American Legion, a prominent veterans’ organization founded after World War I, took an unusual but significant step in issuing Certificates of Identification to its members. This initiative was born out of the organization’s commitment to supporting and protecting veterans, especially those traveling abroad.
The Purpose of the Certificate of Identification
The American Legion’s Certificate of Identification functioned as a form of identity verification for veterans, primarily for those traveling overseas. At the time, many American veterans lacked proper documentation, which made international travel difficult. U.S. passports were already well-established, but not all veterans possessed one, and some encountered bureaucratic obstacles when proving their identity.
The American Legion stepped in to address this issue by providing a standardized document that verified the holder’s identity as a legitimate member of the organization and, by extension, a U.S. veteran. These certificates were particularly useful for veterans traveling to visit war memorials, cemeteries of fallen comrades, and American military grave sites in Europe. They also served as a form of recognition when veterans sought aid from American embassies and consulates abroad.
Design and Features of the Certificate
The American Legion’s Certificate of Identification was designed to be a practical and easily recognizable document. It typically included:
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