History of the Department of Maryland
Founding of the Department of Maryland
At the Paris Caucus which opened March 15, 1919, over six hundred men entered deliberations out of which was born The American Legion. At least eleven attendees have been positively identified as Marylanders. Following the Paris Caucus, a second caucus was held in St. Louis under Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. Maryland's delegation was led by H. Findlay French, J. Craig McLanahan, and Henry S. Barrett, organized by James A. Gary, Jr.
A Charter was issued to the Department of Maryland by National Headquarters on May 24, 1919. The Department now numbers nearly 42,000 members in 123 Posts throughout Maryland, ranging from 15 members to over 1,600 per Post.
James A. Gary, Jr.
First Commander, 1919
First Commander
James A. Gary, Jr. was named first State Chairman and recognized as the First Commander of the Department of Maryland. His leadership at the founding established the foundation for the Department's century of service to veterans and communities across Maryland.
Today
From its 1919 founding, the Department has grown to nearly 42,000 members in 123 Posts, serving Maryland through Veterans Affairs, Americanism, Children & Youth, and National Defense programs.
Current Officers