Membership Awards
Information for the following trophies is provided by Department Headquarters
ABB0TT CUP TROPHY
Awarded to the Post having the largest percentage of increase over the previous year membership. For Posts of 100 members or less.
This award was done in memory of James F. Abbott who was elected Department Commander at the 1924 Department Convention in Havre de Grace, Maryland. Until his administration our Department had three Vice Commanders with no specific duties. Commander Abbott had the number increased to four and assigned each one to a District which he created. The Districts were Western Maryland, Baltimore, Eastern Shore and Southern Maryland. Eventually the Perry Point District was added by splitting Harford and Cecil counties off the Eastern Shore District. The division of responsibilities for the vice commanders and of the state worked so well a Constitutional Amendment was proposed to make it a permanent part of the Department of Maryland.
PERSHING MEMORIAL TROPHY
Awarded to the Post having the largest percentage of increase over the previous year membership. For Posts of over 100 to 200 members inclusive.
In commemoration of General John J. Pershing, U.S. Army, Commander of the American Expeditionary Force in World War I. Gen. Pershing gave an order to his staff to plan for the demobilization and return of the troops to the United States in February 1919. He also charged them with stemming the decaying morale now that the war was over. One of the twenty officers on his staff was the son of President Theodore Roosevelt. Teddy, Junior with the approval of the Commanding General took the lead and over dinner proposed to the other nineteen an organization that would later become The American Legion. General Pershing’s approval of this plan and authorized the attendance of both officers and enlisted men at the Paris Caucus, March 15-17, 1919, where The American Legion was born.
ARCHER MEMBERSHIP TROPHY
Awarded to the Post having the largest percentage of increase over the previous year membership. For Posts of over 201 to 500 members inclusive.
The award is in memory of Past Department Commander (PDC) Robert H. Archer elected at the Department Convention in Frostburg in 1931. Commander Archer gave immediate attention to the critical unemployment situation of veterans within the state. With the Adjutant Arthur McGee he set up a special employment committee. It successfully placed over 3800 veterans with employment. During his term the Department of Maryland increased by eleven new Posts.
JOHN WARRICK, SR. TROPHY
Awarded to the Post having the largest percentage of increase over the previous year membership. For Posts of over 500 to 700 members inclusive.
ROBERT E. L. EATON MEMORIAL TROPHY
Awarded to the Post having the largest percentage of increase over the previous year membership. For Posts of over 700 members.
This award was added in 1996 in honor of PDC Robert E. L. Eaton of Fitzgerald- Cantrel Post # 105.
SPAFFORD MEMORIAL TROPHY
Awarded to the first District to reach quota (membership goal). To be held by the first Post within that District to reach quota. If no District reaches quota by the Department Convention deadline, then the District, with the highest percentage of membership by the deadline, is the winner.
This award is in memory of Edward E. Spafford of New York. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, he served in the Navy during World War I. On the 22nd of September 1927 he was elected as National Commander at the Convention held in Paris, France. This gave him the unique distinction of being the only National Commander of The American Legion to be elected outside the United States of America (this honor still holds and is unlikely to be changed). During his year he established the special Membership Trophy which Maryland won permanently. He is also known for the huge effort he made during his administration to seek the repeal of Prohibition. It was unsuccessful at that time but he started the process which led to its repeal in 1932.
WILLIAM S. McBRIDE TROPHY
Awarded to the Post with the largest membership as of the close of membership prior to the Department Convention.
PAST DEPARTMENT COMMANDER EDWARD L. WALMSLEY MEMBERSHIP TROPHY
Awarded to the District that has the highest percentage of quota by National Headquarters date (near January 1st of the award year). District Commander to determine which Post to hold plaque within District.
In honor of Department Commander Edward L. Walmsley, elected in July 1960, this award is a fitting tribute. It was Commander “Bob’s” desire to see his home district, the North Eastern Shore, excel in membership that lead to that district’s world record successive all-time high membership. During his term special training classes were held for Post Service Officers by The Department Service Officer, Charles Michael. He was also instrumental in providing a fishing pier for the Perry Point VA Hospital and a Christmas party for underprivileged children in Baltimore.
JOHN J. DEVLIN MEMORIAL TROPHY
Awarded to the Post of the District Commander who reaches the highest total of points for the year in membership on a monthly basis. The points are determined from the last Friday of each month membership statement. The following scale applies to the District totals:
7 points for being in first place any month.
6 points for second place
5 points for third place
4 points for fourth place
3 points for fifth place
2 points for sixth place
1 point for seventh place
In memory of the Past Department Historian John J. Devlin. He had served as a Department Vice Commander from Mountain District in 1949, was Department Executive Committee until being elected Department Historian in 1961. He remained Historian until his death in 1973. Under his supervision a second volume was completed of the Department History, 1934 - 1969. In the eleven years of compiling the companion history to the 1919 - 1933 first volume, John J. Devlin maintained a constant editorial quality
SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP AWARDS
These awards must be recommended and approved by the Department Executive Committee each year.
OUTSTANDING COMMANDER'S CAP
Awarded to the Commander of the Post that achieves a membership goal by a date as set by the Department Membership Chairman.
100% MEMBERSHIP PLAQUES
Awarded to the Post that achieves 100% status by the Convention membership deadline as set by the Department By-Laws.
OVER 100% SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Awarded to the Post that achieves 100% status by the Convention membership deadline as set by the Department By-Laws
Posts with 15 to 150 members
Posts with 151 to 300 members
Posts with 301 to 500 members
Posts with 501 to 750 members
Posts with 751 to 1000 members
Posts with 1001 and over members
DEPARTMENT COMMANDER’S CHALLENGE COIN (THIS AWARD WILL BE GIVEN OUT DURING THE YEAR).