MEMBERSHIP: History

The influx of millions of veterans returning home from "the War" with no nationally organized assistance provided the impetus forming of AMVETS. Many of these veterans belonged to older established veterans groups and veterans' clubs on college campuses but none of these organizations could provide the assistance that these veterans felt they warranted. On December 10th, 1944 eighteen Veterans met in Kansas City, Missouri and founded The American Veterans of World War II. Less than three years later on July 23rd, 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed Public Law 216, making AMVETS the first World War II organization to be chartered by congress.

Less than a year after that initial meeting in Kansas City, on October 20th, 1945 the American Veterans of World War II National Commander Harold Keats signed a State Department Charter to recognize AMVETS Department of California as an official State Department of AMVETS. This was just the beginning of a journey assisting veterans and sponsoring numerous programs that serve our country and its citizens. Since those first years AMVETS Department of California has grown to be one of the largest Departments in AMVETS. With approximately 12,000 members and just over 50 Posts AMVETS Department of California has been at the forefront of community and veterans' service for the State of California. With the AMVETS organizations' open door policy to any veteran who is Honorably Discharged, we hope to continue to grow and provide service for the veterans and their surrounding communities.