Early days in New York City
Before the organization decided on a permanent location for its national headquarters, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., set up temporary offices in New York City with his brother-in-law Richard Derby and Franklin D’Olier, who later served as The American Legion’s first national commander.
From this first headquarters office at 19 W. 44th St., Roosevelt, Derby, and D’Olier sent out memos and forms to department headquarters, started the first membership campaign, organized a speaker’s bureau to disseminate the Legion’s talking points across the nation, gathered support and delegates for the second caucus and the first national convention, and more.
“A series of clearly defined tasks awaited the staff of National Headquarters. There was State organization to be promoted, guided and coordinated; direct service to be rendered to the disabled, and to returning veterans in need of employment and assistance in the adjustment of their final affairs with the Government; legislative work to be carried on in Congress; speakers and publicity provided to spread the aims of the organization; measures of finance determined to tide over the organization until sufficient revenue should be forthcoming from dues; an official publication started to interest the veteran and assist the work of organization.”
Marquis James, A history of the American Legion
By October 1919 national staff had issued 4,480 post charters, distributed hundreds of thousands of publications, bulletins, and membership buttons, and laid plans for The American Legion's first national convention in Minneapolis.
