DAV Membership Eligibility

Any man or woman, wounded, gassed, injured or disabled in the line of duty during time of war as substantiated by official medical records of the armed forces, by notation on discharge certificate or Adjutant General's office record, or by United States Department of Veterans Affairs records, while in the service of either the military or naval forces of the United States of America, and who has not been dishonorably discharged or separated from such service, or who may still be in active service in the armed forces of the United States of America is eligible. Others, who were disabled while serving with any of the armed forces of any nations associated with the United States as allies during any of its war periods, who are American citizens and who are honorably discharged, are also eligible for membership.

THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE ALSO INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO

THE FOLLOWING:

• 1. All persons awarded the Purple Heart.
• 2. All persons with an SCD or CDD (medical discharge).
• 3. All persons who are receiving or ever did receive compensation from the Veterans Administration for a war-time service-connected disability.
• 4. All persons with a war-time service-connected disability of ANY degree (including those with a rating of less than 10 percent) officially so rated by the Veterans Administration.
• 5. All persons awarded vocational training because of injury or disability resulting from war-time service.
• 6. All persons retired for disability incurred during time of war.
• 7. All persons drawing the statutory award for arrested or cured tuberculosis of war-time service origin.
• 8. All persons suffering from an apparent disability of war-time service origin, for which there is a hospitalization record or other proof satisfactory to the DAV.
• 9. All persons who were prisoners-of-war.
  
  
                                       ELIGIBILITY: TIME OF WAR

"During time of war," shall include the following periods of service:

World War 1: April 6, 1917 to July 2, 1921

World War II & Korea: September 16, 1940 to January 31, 1955

Vietnam and other engagements: January 31, 1955 to October 14, 1976

• Iranian Crisis, Lebanon Crisis, Invasion of Grenada, Invasion of Panama and other engagements:November 4, 1979 to January 31, 1990
• Persian Gulf Crisis & subsequent engagements:  August 2, 1990 until terminated by Presidential Proclamation or Congressional Resolution.
• However, the requirement "During time of war" will also be met if it is determined that the applicant's wound, injury or disability was incurred at any time (1) as a direct result of armed conflict, or (2) while engaged in extra-hazardous service under conditions simulating war, or (3) while the United States was engaged in any war.