It is the only major American Veterans' association formed overseas by fighting men and women. It includes more combat veterans' more recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, and other decorations than all other veterans' organizations combined. 

While formed by combat veterans', however, it is realized that service men and women have no choice as to where they serve, in service to the United States, i.e., stateside or overseas.  Membership in The American Legion is open to all veterens who have served honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States in WWI and WWII, during the period of the Korean Campain and during the Vietnam conflict, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, and the Gulf War/War on Terrorism until cessation of hostilities as determined by the U.S. Government. The American Legion was chartered by an Act of Congress, September 16, 1919.