Miscellaneous Awards
Several of these awards, as noted, are given to one post in each of these membership categories:
- 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
Information for the following trophies is judged by the Trophies and Award Committee
LEMUEL M. STEVENS TROPHY
Awarded to the District submitting the greatest percentage of National Consolidated Reports by the date specified. Award is held by the Post within that District with the best National Consolidated Report.
This award was in honor of Department Commander Lemuel M. Stevens, who was elected in 1950. A career Naval Officer, he had retired twice from the Navy once in 1936 and again in 1945. During his term of office, a second volume was begun for the Department History. Cmdr. Stevens intensified the Hospital Visitation Program and had the Department join with the U.S. Marine Corps in the Toys for Tots Program.
ENSIGN C. MARKLAND KELLY, JR. MEMORIAL TROPHY
Awarded to the Post in each District that submits the best report form supplied by Department Headquarters based on attendance at meetings and renewals during the year.
The son of Baltimore City Council President Mark Kelly, Sr., he was one of the Naval Aviators of the ill-fated Torpedo Squadron # 8 during the Battle of Midway Island, June 2-7, 1942. The squadron, despite the overwhelming odds fought to stem the tide of the Japanese attack on Midway Island, suffered total losses. A leader of Maryland’s younger set, Mark Jr, joined the Navy immediately following the attack on the base at Pearl Harbor. It was in honor of his patriotism, character and leadership that the awards were named.
ENSIGN C. MARKLAND KELLY, JR. MEMORIAL BELL TROPHY
Awarded to the Post that filed the best reports. To compete for this trophy a Post must have filed their combined National Headquarters, Rehabilitation, C. Markland Kelly, Jr. Reports on the proper forms by the time specified. The Certificate of Election of Officers must also be filed for the coming year to provide eligibility.
WALTER W. BIEGEL MEMORIAL TROPHY
Awarded to the Post excelling in Post Activities. To compete for this trophy, Posts must file their National Consolidated Report on the proper form, by the time specified. Posts may attach additional evidence, claims, photos, exhibits, etc. to their report form. Posts must also have filed their Certificate of Election of Officers for the coming year and their Certificate of Delegates and Alternates to the Department Convention. All three of these must be on the proper forms and submitted by the time specified.
This award was done in the memory of Department Adjutant Walter W. Biegel, (1934 - 1936). During his term Adjutant Biegel worked hard on the campaign to name Armistice Day and Memorial Day as national holidays. Along with the Department Chaplain Rev. Ray Cooke they expanded the scope of the Child Welfare Program and the Disaster Relief Program in the State of Maryland. He was succeeded by J. Nelson Tribby in September 1936.
The award below will be judged by the Department Special Olympics Committee
CHARLES A. ST. CLAIR SPECIAL OLYMPICS MEMORIAL TROPHY
This award is made in the memory of Past Department Commander Charles A. St. Clair. The award will be made to a Post excelling in Special Olympic Programs based on reports submitted by the specified date. The award will be made to a Post in each of the membership categories.
This trophy was added in 1996 in memory of PDC Charles A. St. Clair, Jr. in honor of his work with the Maryland Special Olympics. Charlie was elected in 1975 in the first uncontested election in Department history. He had been the first vice commander under Clarence Bacon and had made a special effort to enroll the newly eligible Vietnam veterans. The Department under his command achieved “No Goose Egg” status in membership and he was awarded a wristwatch by then National Commander Harry Wiles. At the National Convention in Seattle, WA, the Bicentennial Year, Charlie presented the Departments of Missouri (for Harry S. Truman) and the Department of Texas (for Lyndon B. Johnson) Flags that had flown over the U.S. Capitol, Fort McHenry, our own Headquarters at the Baltimore War Memorial and at Maryland Boys State. Second only to his pride in athletes of the Special Olympics was Charlie’s pride in his service as National Sergeant-at Arms in 1984-85.
The awards below to be selected by Department Committee
RAYMOND F. GANNON MEMORIAL TROPHY
Awarded to the Post with the best Blood Donor Program in the Department.
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Recipient to be selected by the Law Officer of the Year Committee. A nomination for this prestigious award should include all members of the Law Enforcement Community from local jurisdictions throughout the State of Maryland. This award is given to better insure the men and women who daily work to safeguard America’s children, and our communities; receive the thanks and appreciation of The American Legion, Department of Maryland for their efforts. This award will promote better understanding and communications between The American Legion members and men and women who wear the badge to serve and protect us.
At the appropriate time, detailed information will be forwarded to all Post Commanders, District Commanders, and Region Commanders by the Chairman of the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Committee.
ROBERT W. NEAL MEMORIAL TROPHY (BEST SAL PROGRAM)
This award will be given to the Post in each District with the Best SAL Program. Award was instituted during the 2007-08 administrative year.
The trophies below will be judged by the Department Americanism Commission and Foundation.
JOSEPH A. O'GRADY MEMORIAL TROPHY
Awarded to Posts excelling in Community Service - To compete Posts are to file the National Consolidated Reports by the specified date. Supplementary activities reports may be attached to the National Consolidated Report. Posts compete in the membership categories.
ROBERT E. GRIEASHAMER MEMORIAL TROPHY
Awarded to the Post sponsoring the Department Oratorical winner.
WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST AMERICANISM TROPHY
Awarded to Posts excelling in Americanism. To compete, the National Consolidated Report must be filed by the specified date. Additional exhibits may be included with the report. Awards to Posts in each membership category.
In memory of William Randolph Hearst, Sr.; a newspaper publisher who gave considerable publicity to The American Legion. The Department of Maryland had until the late 60’s a Post named for him, The William R. Hearst Post # 144, an occupational post for printed press, radio and television veterans in the Baltimore area.
GEORGE HARMAN MEMORIAL TROPHY (BOY SCOUT TROPHY)
Awarded to the Post in each District giving the most help and support to the Scouting Program the Boy Scout Committee shall select the winner.
In honor of PDC George Harman serving as Department Commander in 1940-41, he worked to enhance the role of Maryland in the pre-war preparations. In persuading the VA to move the hospital facility to Fort Howard from Fort McHenry an expansion of services were provided to the veterans. The increased number of service personnel in Maryland prompted then Commander Harman to encourage Posts to open their Post Homes to these servicemen. Throughout his Legion career George Harman expanded The American Legion’s role in the Boy Scouts.
THE REVEREND ANTHONY DRANGINIS MEMORIAL TROPHY
"Father Tony Award"
Awarded to the Post with the best Chaplains Report on the prescribed form by the specified date. Awarded to a Post in each of membership category.
ROTC AWARD OF DISTINCTION
First Place, Second Place and Third Place awards are presented to Posts who:
- Are in good standing within the Department.
- Participate in the ROTC program by awarding medals with certificates to JROTC and ROTC Cadets for academic and military excellence.
- Have the highest levels of supplementary participation/involvement a Post has with ROTC and JROTC units, in the support of unit activities such as color guards, marksmanship events, drill teams, scholarships etc.
PAST DEPARTMENT COMMANDER D. JOHN MARKEY MEMORIAL TROPHY
Awarded to Posts reporting the best Memorial program on form provided by Department Headquarters. Awarded to Posts in each membership category.
In memory of D. John Markey, a World War I Brigadier General in the U.S. Army, the Department Commander in 1923-24. He headed a successful campaign to enact the Adjusted Compensation Bill into law. It was passed over a presidential veto. Through his leadership in 1924 the Maryland General Assembly enacted a Veterans Relief Funds Act into state law. During his term and through his auspices The American Legion moved to their present office in the War Memorial Building. He completed his public service as a member of the U.S Battle Monuments Commission, responsible for cemeteries and monuments all over the world.