The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans.

Hundreds of local American Legion programs and activities strengthen the nation one community at a time. American Legion Baseball is one of the nation’s most successful amateur athletic programs, educating young people about the importance of sportsmanship, citizenship and fitness. The Heroes to Hometowns program connects local Legionnaires with recovering wounded warriors and their families, providing a variety of support activities. The Legion raises millions of dollars in donations at the local, state and national levels to help veterans and their families and to provide college scholarship opportunities.

The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization with great political influence perpetuated by its grass-roots involvement in the legislation process from local districts to Capitol Hill. Legionnaires’ sense of obligation to community, state and nation drives an honest advocacy for veterans in Washington. The Legion stands behind the issues most important to the nation's veterans community, backed by resolutions passed by volunteer leadership.

The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.

Find out more information about our organization on https://legion.org.

Richard L Crumm was born December 5, 1953, son of Jack and Janet Polinsky Crumm. He has 5 siblings, 3 brothers and 3 sisters, with Rich being the eldest boy. He attended Elementary School at St Francis Xavier Catholic School in Moundsville, West Virginia.

Rich graduated from John Marshall High School in 1971, a member of the first class to go all three years at the school. He enlisted in the US Navy in February 1972 during the Vietnam War.

He married Linda Hamric in July of 1972. They have two sons; David, 51, and Rick, 50. They have 6 grandchildren. The oldest is a 2023 Graduate ofWVU, and the youngest a Junior at John Marshall High School.

Rich attended Electronics Class "A" and Class "C" Schools in Great Lakes, Illinois and then served as an Electronics Technician in Communications aboard the USS Farragut, DLG 6, The USS Columbus, CG 12, and the USS Richmond K Turner, CG 20. His final Duty Station was the Naval Air Training Center in Lakehurst, New Jersey. He attained the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class, E 5 and was Honorably Discharged in 1978.

He spent most of his Civilian Career working in the Radio Communications Field with Mobile Telephone Service in Wheeling, WV, and with Lauttamus Communications in Weirton.

Rich was approached on the street by one of his customers, John Nanny, while walking back from lunch to his office one day. Rich had a Navy ball cap on, and John asked him ifhe was a member of the American Legion. That was in July of 1983. He spent 5 years as a member of Post # 1 in Wheeling before Mike Smith asked if he would like to transfer to Post #46. He is a 40-year member of the American Legion.

Rich has served as the 2nd Vice-Commander for two years and the Adjutant for 14 years at Post #46. He has also served as Vice-Commander, Commander, and Adjutant of the 1st District, and as the Sergeant of Arms for the American Legion Department of West Virginia, Department Vice Commander, and Department Membership Chair. He is currently a Candidate for Commander for the Department.