The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), formally the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, is an organization of United States war veterans who fought in wars, campaigns, and expeditions on foreign land, waters, or airspace as military service members. Established on September 29, 1899, in Columbus, Ohio, the VFW is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. It was federally chartered in 1936.

History

75th Anniversary 10c postage stamp (1974)

The VFW resulted from the amalgamation of several societies formed immediately following the Spanish–American War. In 1899, little groups of veterans returning from campaigning in Cuba and the Philippine Islands, founded local societies upon a spirit of comradeship known only to those who faced the dangers of that war side by side. Similar experiences and a common language drew them together. The American Veterans of Foreign Service (predecessor to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States) was established in Columbus, Ohio, September 29, 1899, by Spanish‑American War veteran James C. Putnam. The Colorado Society, Army of the Philippines, was organized in Denver, Colorado, on December 12, 1899, by General Irving Hale of Denver, Colorado. Shortly thereafter, a society known as the Foreign Service Veterans was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in October 1901. The Ohio-based group and the Pittsburgh-based group held a joint convention in 1905, where the two groups merged. Merging the final two groups was talked about as early as 1908 but was not accomplished until 1913. In August 1913 an encampment was held in Denver and they merged their interests and identities in a national organization now known as the VFW.

Purpose

The purpose of the VFW is to speed rehabilitation of the nation's disabled and needy veterans, assist veterans' widows and orphans and the dependents of needy or disabled veterans, and promote Americanism by means of education in patriotism and by constructive service to local communities. The organization maintains both its legislative service and central office of its national rehabilitation service in Washington, D.C. The latter nationwide program serves disabled veterans of all wars, members and nonmembers alike, in matters of government compensation and pension claims, hospitalization, civil-service employment preference, etc."

Logo

Redesigned in November 2018, the official logo of the VFW includes an artistic representation of service stripes, easily recognizable insignia indicative of military service. Worn on most service uniforms, they denote length of service. As such, the first and leaner of the two service stripes represents the VFW's entry into its second century of service to America's veterans, service members and their families. The second, broader stripe represents its first century of service, spanning back to 1899.

Great Seal

The Cross of Malta is the VFW's official emblem. The cross, radiating rays, and Great Seal of the United States together symbolize the character, vows and purposes distinguishing VFW as an order of warriors who have traveled far from home to defend sacred principles. Its eight points represent the beatitudes prescribed in the Sermon on the Mount: Blessed are the poor in spirit, the meek, the pure, the merciful, the peacemakers; blessed are they who mourn, seek righteousness and are persecuted for righteousness' sake. The eight-pointed Cross of Malta harks back to the Crusades, launched during the 12th century.

Eligibility

Membership in the VFW is restricted to any active or honorably discharged officer or enlisted person who is a citizen of the United States and who has served in its armed forces "in any foreign war, insurrection or expedition, which service shall be recognized by the authorization or the issuance of a United States military campaign medal."

The following is a list of U.S. campaign medals, ribbons, and badges used by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States to determine membership eligibility.

Eligibility guide
Campaign medal Start date End date Navy Expeditionary February 12, 1874 Open Marine Corps Expeditionary February 12, 1874 Open Spanish Campaign April 20, 1898 December 10, 1898 Army of Cuban Occupation July 18, 1898 May 20, 1902 Army of Puerto Rican Occupation August 14, 1898 December 10, 1898 Philippine Campaign February 4, 1899 December 31, 1913 China Relief Expedition April 5, 1900 May 27, 1901 Cuban Pacification September 12, 1906 April 1, 1909 Mexican Service April 12, 1911 June 16, 1919 First Nicaraguan Campaign July 29, 1912 November 14, 1912 Haitian Campaign April 9, 1915 June 15, 1920 Dominican Campaign May 4, 1916 December 5, 1916 World War I Victory (with battle or service clasp – including Siberia and European Russia) April 6, 1917 April 1, 1920 Army of Occupation of Germany November 12, 1918 July 11, 1923 Second Nicaraguan Campaign August 27, 1926 January 2, 1933 Yangtze Service September 3, 1926 December 31, 1932 China Service July 7, 1937 April 1, 1957 American Defense Service (with foreign service clasp) September 8, 1939 December 7, 1941 Combat Infantryman Badge December 6, 1941 Open Combat Medical Badge December 6, 1941 Open Navy Combat Action December 6, 1941 Open European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign December 7, 1941 November 8, 1945 American Campaign (30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days of duty outside continental limits of the U.S.) December 7, 1941 March 2, 1946 Asiatic–Pacific Campaign December 7, 1941 March 2, 1946 Navy Occupation Service May 8, 1945 October 25, 1955 Army of Occupation (30 consecutive days of duty) May 9, 1945 October 2, 1990 Korean Service June 27, 1950 July 27, 1954 Korea Defense Service July 28, 1954 Open Vietnam Service July 1, 1958 April 30, 1975 Armed Forces Expeditionary July 1, 1958 Open SSBN Deterrent Patrol insignia, in silver and gold January 21, 1961 Open Coast Guard Combat Action May 1, 1975 Open Southwest Asia Service August 2, 1990 November 30, 1995 Air Force Expeditionary Service (with gold border) October 1, 1999 Open Kosovo Campaign March 24, 1999 December 31, 2013 Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary September 11, 2001 Open Afghanistan Campaign September 11, 2001 August 31, 2021 Air Force Combat Action September 11, 2001 Open Combat Action Badge September 18, 2001 Open Iraq Campaign March 19, 2003 December 31, 2011 Inherent Resolve Campaign June 15, 2014 Open
Campaign medalStart dateEnd date
Navy ExpeditionaryFebruary 12, 1874Open
Marine Corps ExpeditionaryFebruary 12, 1874Open
Spanish CampaignApril 20, 1898December 10, 1898
Army of Cuban OccupationJuly 18, 1898May 20, 1902
Army of Puerto Rican OccupationAugust 14, 1898December 10, 1898
Philippine CampaignFebruary 4, 1899December 31, 1913
China Relief ExpeditionApril 5, 1900May 27, 1901
Cuban PacificationSeptember 12, 1906April 1, 1909
Mexican ServiceApril 12, 1911June 16, 1919
First Nicaraguan CampaignJuly 29, 1912November 14, 1912
Haitian CampaignApril 9, 1915June 15, 1920
Dominican CampaignMay 4, 1916December 5, 1916
World War I Victory (with battle or service clasp – including Siberia and European Russia)April 6, 1917April 1, 1920
Army of Occupation of GermanyNovember 12, 1918July 11, 1923
Second Nicaraguan CampaignAugust 27, 1926January 2, 1933
Yangtze ServiceSeptember 3, 1926December 31, 1932
China ServiceJuly 7, 1937April 1, 1957
American Defense Service (with foreign service clasp)September 8, 1939December 7, 1941
Combat Infantryman BadgeDecember 6, 1941Open
Combat Medical BadgeDecember 6, 1941Open
Navy Combat ActionDecember 6, 1941Open
European–African–Middle Eastern CampaignDecember 7, 1941November 8, 1945
American Campaign (30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days of duty outside continental limits of the U.S.)December 7, 1941March 2, 1946
Asiatic–Pacific CampaignDecember 7, 1941March 2, 1946
Navy Occupation ServiceMay 8, 1945October 25, 1955
Army of Occupation (30 consecutive days of duty)May 9, 1945October 2, 1990
Korean ServiceJune 27, 1950July 27, 1954
Korea Defense ServiceJuly 28, 1954Open
Vietnam ServiceJuly 1, 1958April 30, 1975
Armed Forces ExpeditionaryJuly 1, 1958Open
SSBN Deterrent Patrol insignia, in silver and goldJanuary 21, 1961Open
Coast Guard Combat ActionMay 1, 1975Open
Southwest Asia ServiceAugust 2, 1990November 30, 1995
Air Force Expeditionary Service (with gold border)October 1, 1999Open
Kosovo CampaignMarch 24, 1999December 31, 2013
Global War on Terrorism ExpeditionarySeptember 11, 2001Open
Afghanistan CampaignSeptember 11, 2001August 31, 2021
Air Force Combat ActionSeptember 11, 2001Open
Combat Action BadgeSeptember 18, 2001Open
Iraq CampaignMarch 19, 2003December 31, 2011
Inherent Resolve CampaignJune 15, 2014Open

Refusal to admit WWII Japanese American veterans

Despite their distinguished record, many posts and departments refused Japanese-American veterans entry into the VFW. In Chicago, white officers from the 442nd RCT advocated for a group's charter to form a segregated American Legion post in 1946. In Sacramento, California, another group found Alva Fleming, a sympathetic member in VFW district leadership who approved the charter of Nisei VFW Post 8985 on 7 February 1947. Fleming would go on to become State Commander for the Department of California, and considered to be the driving force in the founding of a total of 14 Nisei VFW posts throughout California, posts 8985 in Sacramento, Monterey post 1629, Gardena post 1961, Garden Grove post 3670, San Fernando post 4140, San Diego post 4851, Hanford post 5869, Oceanside post 6945, Fresno post 8499, Watsonville post 9446, San Francisco post 9879, East Los Angeles post 9902, Los Angeles post 9938, and San Jose post 9970, all still active today. Nisei veterans in the Pacific Northwest were not so lucky, unable to find anyone willing to do the same there despite letters of support from Colonel Virgil R. Miller and General Lucian Truscott. Although VFW national commanders Jean Brunner and Joseph Stack condemned the actions of local posts, their bylaws at the time promoted autonomy in individual posts and were powerless to prevent the discrimination. They could only offer them membership as members-at-large. Unwilling to be treated as a second class members, the PNW Nisei decided to form their own independent veterans organization when neither the VFW or the American Legion would accept them as members nor grant them charters for a segregated post.

Vietnam veterans membership controversy

The VFW initially refused membership for Vietnam War veterans. At the time, most incumbent VFW members were World War II and Korean War veterans. Many of these WWII veterans were of the opinion that the conflict in Vietnam was a "police action" and in their minds did not qualify as a war, despite the Korean War also being a "police action" with no formal declaration of war. This rationale was used to deny membership to many Vietnam War veterans across the country. Many of these WWII veterans blamed Vietnam War veterans for losing the war. In the years since, many veterans of the Vietnam War have refused to join the VFW due to this, and many older posts now find themselves struggling to survive as WWII and Korea vets have either died or are no longer active, and younger Iraq and Afghanistan veterans do not feel comfortable joining a dying post.

Membership and structure

The VFW attained a peak membership of 2.1 million between 1991-1993. In 2023, the VFW had 957,000 members. In 2024, the VFW combined auxiliary members into their membership totals. In December 2025, membership including the auxiliary stood at 1.3 million located at 5,556 posts worldwide.

Support and assistance programs

The VFW offers a wide range of assistance programs aimed at helping veterans of every generation. This includes providing free, professional help filing or appealing a VA claim, offering scholarships for post-secondary education or providing emergency financial relief.

VA claims and separation assistance

The VFW's National Veterans Service program consists of a nationwide network of VA accredited service officers and pre-discharge representatives who are experts in dealing with the VA and are the key to your success. The VA reports veterans represented by the VFW have recouped $8.3 billion in earned benefits, including $1.4 billion in new claims in 2018 alone.

Pre-discharge

With offices located on or near major military installations across the country, VFW Pre-Discharge representatives guide military personnel through the veterans claims process and conduct physical examinations prior to their separation from active duty. They are also ready to answer questions about education and medical benefits, as well as VA home loans.

Student veteran support

M60 Main Battle Tank on display in front of C. Robert Arvin Post No. 2408, Veterans of Foreign Wars, at Ypsilanti, Michigan (2010)

Help A Hero Scholarship

Established in 2014, the VFW's Help A Hero Scholarship provides service members and veterans with financial assistance they need to complete their educational goals without incurring excessive U.S. student loan debt.

1 Student Veteran

To help ensure student veterans receive their benefits in a timely manner and have a place to turn to if they need help, the VFW, in conjunction with the Student Veterans of America (SVA), have developed the 1 Student Veteran program. 1 Student Veteran offers direct assistance to student veterans who have questions or are experiencing problems accessing their VA benefits.

VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship

The VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship grants ten exemplary student veterans (fellows) the chance to join the VFW legislative team on Capitol Hill during the VFW Legislative Conference. The fellows will walk the halls of Congress, educating their legislators on the issues facing today's student veterans and have the opportunity to meet with policy-makers from federal agencies responsible for implementing veterans' policy.

Veterans and Military Support Programs

The VFW's Veterans & Military Support Programs is the umbrella for three successful, long-standing programs; Operation Uplink, Unmet Needs, and the Military Assistance Program (MAP). These initiatives focus on troop support.

Military Assistance Program

MAP is the link between the VFW and the community. MAP is designed to promote VFW interaction within the local military community through the Adopt-A-Unit Program. MAP Grants are available to posts, districts, and departments who participate in a variety of morale boosting functions such as farewell and welcome home events.

Operation Uplink

Operation Uplink keeps military members in contact with their loved ones by allowing deployed troops to call home at no charge from MWR internet cafés in Afghanistan, Kuwait and other locations all around the world. Operation Uplink also distributes "virtual pins" which enable wounded warriors and veterans in Veterans Affairs facilities to call from home at no cost.

Unmet Needs

Unmet Needs assists military service members and their families who run into unexpected financial difficulties as a result of deployment or other hardships directly related to military service. Assistance is in the form of a grant of up to US$1,500. Unmet Needs assists with basic life needs such as: mortgage and rent, home and auto repairs, insurance, utilities, food and clothing.

Programs

The VFW promotes civic responsibility, patriotism, and supports youth and local programs in communities across America.

Voice of Democracy

Voice of Democracy logo

Each year, nearly 40,000 high school students from across the country enter to win a share of the US$2.1 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the VFW's Voice of Democracy audio-essay competition. The national first-place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship.

Patriot's Pen

Patriot's Pen challenges students from grades 6-8, to enter to win one of 46 national awards totaling US$55,000, as well as $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for the national first-place winner. Students draft a 300-400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic, annual theme chosen by the VFW Commander in Chief.

Scout of the Year

Scout of the Year selects three young people – of the Boy or Girl Scouts, Sea Scouts or Venturing Crew – who have demonstrated practical citizenship in school, scouting and the community. The first-place winner receives a US$5,000 award, the second-place winner receives a US$3,000 award and the third-place winner receives US$1,000.

Teacher of the Year

Teacher of the Year recognizes three exceptional teachers for their outstanding commitment to teach Americanism and patriotism to their students. The VFW recognizes the nation's top classroom elementary, junior high and high school teachers who teach citizenship education topics – at least half of the school day in a classroom environment – and promote America's history, traditions and institutions effectively.

Community service

The VFW host events across America, as well as giving grants and helping at large-scale volunteer events.

Publications

The VFW has published the monthly VFW Magazine since January 1951. It was known as Foreign Service from 1914 to 50.

Notable commanders

Notable national commanders of the Veterans of Foreign Wars have included:

Notable members

Notable members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States include:

See also

Further reading

External links