For sale is an early vintage 1936 AMERICAN LEGION MEDAL & RIBBON. Medal is in excellent condition. The front is engraved “1938 Cleveland” and features a steam boat and city landscape. The back of the medal is engraved “Past National Commander John R. McQuigg” with his portrait. Medal & Ribbon measures about 3 1/2 inches by 1 1/2 inches. A great veteran or military collectible.
A group of 20 officers who served in the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I were asked to suggest ideas on how to improve troop morale. One officer, Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt Jr., proposed an organization of veterans, which we know today as The American Legion. Eligibility for American Legion membership is limited to those honorably discharged veterans and current personnel of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard or Air Force who served at least one day of active duty during a time of armed conflict.
By vocation General McQuigg was a lawyer; but by avocation he was a soldier. General McQuigg commanded the 112th Engineers 37th Division, in France during WWI. He was also the mayor of East Cleveland for three terms. During 1925, he served as national commander of the American Legion. Given his Cleveland roots, it’s not surprising an American Legion Medal from Cleveland gives homage to General McQuigg.
