Florida Veteran Elected Leader of The American Legion

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Aug. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A retired U.S. Navy
captain has been elected national commander of the nation's largest veterans
organization.

Delegates to The American Legion's 91st National Convention here chose
Clarence Hill of Jacksonville, Fla., to lead the 2.5 million-member
organization of wartime veterans for a one-year term.

The new national commander plans to increase The American Legion's outreach
efforts using social media networks and other technologies. His goals also
include diversifying The American Legion by recruiting more minorities and
increasing awareness of issues effecting women veterans. While veterans from
any war era will always be welcome in The American Legion, Hill plans to
expand outreach efforts to Vietnam era, post-Vietnam era and current War on
Terrorism veterans.

A native of Martin's Ferry, Ohio, Hill graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy
in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He served 19 of the next 24 years
on sea duty and retired in 1996. His afloat commands included
officer-in-charge of a PT boat, one frigate, two destroyers, two cruisers,
Cruiser-Destroyer Group 12 in Mayport, Fla., and the Sixth Fleet in Gaeta,
Italy. He commanded the Naval Communications Station United Kingdom in
Thurso, Scotland, for three years, and the guided missile frigate USS
MCINERNEY (FFG-8) for two years, including combat operations during Operation
Desert Storm. Ashore, he earned two masters degrees, one from the Naval
Postgraduate School in Monterey, Ca., and the other from the Naval War College
in Newport, R.I.

A 27-year Legionnaire, Hill is a Life Member and three-time Post Commander of
American Legion Post 316 in Atlantic Beach, Fla. He is a dual member belonging
to SAL Squadron 316. He attended the National American Legion College in 2000
and was an instructor in 2001. He was department commander for Florida from
July 2002 to July 2003, achieving an all-time-high in membership. Hill earned
eight "Gold Brigade Awards" for recruiting 50 or more members of The American
Legion in a single year. He served for three years as the national chairman of
The American Legion National and Homeland Security Commission and belongs to
The American Legion Riders.

Cmdr. Hill took the oath of office along with five other national officers.
Serving as national vice commanders are Eugene A. Schumacher of Aberdeen,
S.D.; James C. Morris of Cardington, Ohio; Dr. Gordon B. Browning of
Chestertown, Md., Mark A. Avis of Palmer, Mass., and Morris M. Bentley of
Grangeville, Idaho.

National Historian James T. Higuera of Arcadia, Calif., National Chaplain John
L. Beaver of Mobile, Ala., and Paul Martel of Pierson, Fla., were appointed to
their positions by Cmdr. Hill following the close of the national convention.

Media Contacts: Craig Roberts, (202) 406-0887. Joe March (317) 748-1926 or
John Raughter (317) 441-8847.

SOURCE American Legion

Craig Roberts, +1-202-406-0887, Joe March, +1-317-748-1926, or John Raughter,
+1-317-441-8847, all of The American Legion