Edward Elwell Spafford of New York State was elected National Commander, of The American Legion, at the 9h National Convention, being held in Paris France on September 22, 1927.
Edward was born March 12, 1878, in Springfield, Vermont. His parents were Hiram Duncan and Georgiana Fowler Spafford. He attended Public schools in Springfield, VT. Graduated U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, 1901. Columbia Law School, 1915-1916. His Military Service was, Rose to Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy; resigned December, 1914. To study law. Returned to Navy and his commission in the Reserve upon U.S. entry into war. Served in the Mediterranean. Promoted to Commander and received Distinguished Service Medal. Awarded, Commander, Legion of Honor of France, Commander, Order of the Crown of Italy, Commander, Order of Phoenix of Greece.
He was a member and Commander of Lexington Post, No. 108, New York City. Mr. Spafford of New York County was unanimously elected Commander of The American Legion, Department of New York at the 5th Annual Department Convention at Saratoga Springs, New York, September 15, 1923.
Other duties in The American Legion. Board of Directors, Legion Publishing Corp., 1928 - 1931. Overseas Grave Decorations Trust, 1929. Chairman, French Veterans Visit Committee, 1929-1930, 1932. Endowment Fund Corporation, 1931. 1933. Chairman, National Italian Pilgrimage Committee, 1932-1933. National Veterans Legislative Committee, 1932-1933. Alternate, FIDAC Executive Committee, 1934, 1936. FIDAC Executive Committee, 1936-1937. American Legion Pershing Hall Committee from May, 1936. National Distinguished Guests Committee, 1936-1938. Chairman, National Naval Affairs Committee, 1921 - 1925.
He is a retired farmer, at his home at Eight Bells Farms, Brewster, New York. Edward Elwall Spafford, died at the Naval Academy Hospital, Annapolis Maryland, November 13, 1941. He was 63 years old.
