AMVETS
Abbreviation | AMVETS |
---|---|
Established | December 10, 1944 |
Type | Veterans' organization |
Legal status | Federally chartered corporation |
Headquarters | 4647 Forbes Blvd., Lanham, Maryland |
Region served | Worldwide |
Membership (2016) | 250,000 |
Executive Director | Joseph Chenelly |
National Commander | Jan Brown (2019-2020) |
Main organ | National Convention |
Subsidiaries |
|
Website | amvets |
Formerly called | American Veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam |
American Veterans (AMVETS) is a non-partisan, volunteer-led organization formed by World War II veterans of the United States 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. It is a 501(c)19 organization.
Harold Russell, the handless World War II veteran and Academy Award winner for The Best Years of Our Lives, served three terms as National Commander in the 1950s. As head of AMVETS, Russell wrote to President Harry S. Truman in 1951 supporting his decision to dismiss General Douglas MacArthur during the Korean War.
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, said that he was "shocked by the news" that AMVETS and the American Veterans Committee supported MacArthur's firing.[1]
Awards[]
AMVETS presents its annual Silver Helmet Awards to "recognize excellence and achievement in Americanism, defense, rehabilitation, congressional service and other fields."[3]
See also[]
References[]
- ^ "AMVETS, AVC Support MacArthur Ouster, Legion Head Shocked". The Gazette and Daily. York, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. 12 April 1951. p. 1. Retrieved 19 March 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Honoring John P. Brown, III". CapitolWords.org. May 13, 2003. Archived from the original on 2014-04-26. Retrieved 2014-04-26.
- ^ "Our History". Amvets. Archived from the original on 2007-06-07. Retrieved September 13, 2007.
External links[]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to AMVETS. |
- Official Website
- A film clip "Longines Chronoscope with Henry J. Mahady)" is available at the Internet Archive
- "Career Center". AMVETS.
- 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
- Organization stubs