Martin B. McKneally, was elected National Commander of The American Legion by the unanimous vote of 3,062 delegates to the 41st National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul on August 27, 1959.
A second generation descendent of Irish immigrant stock, Commander McKneally is a native of the picturesque city of Newburgh, New York, located in the historic Hudson Valley. After graduation from public schools there, he attended Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts where he received a B.A. degree. Having chosen law for a career, he next earned an L.L.B. degree at the Law School at Fordham University.
He entered military service on March 17, 1941, and after basic training was assigned to the Field Artillery at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was selected for Officers Candidate School and in September, 1942 was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. He served on the staff of the Adjutant General of the Army. Transferred to overseas duty, he was assigned to the staff of Lieutenant General Robert C. Richardson, Commanding General, Mid Pacific Area, and rose to the rank of Major.
Soon after his release from active duty at the end of World War II, Martin McKneally began his long, devoted work with The American Legion, joining the Judson P. Galloway Post, No. 152 in his home city of Newburgh. His American Legion activities have been diversified and varied with great emphasis on Americanism and anti-Communism. He was elected Commander of his Post in 1955, and was chosen by the New York Legionnaires as Department Commander at the 38th annual convention in Rochester. The outstanding leadership which he gave his own Department and his vigorous application to the duties of that office brought him recognition not only in New York but in the nation as well as an able and articulate proponent of the cause of freedom.
On the local, state, and national levels, he served on many committees, including Legal, Americanism, Foreign Relations, un-American Activities, and Resolutions. At the time of his election to the Legion’s top position, he was serving as a member of the National Foreign Relations Commission.
In his professional life, has been appointed as confidential secretary to Supreme Court Justice for the Ninth Judicial District of New York. Elected President of the Newburgh Board of Education, where he had an opportunity to view problems of today’s youth. Appointed by Governor Rockefeller to the New York State Defense Council, with eleven other members functions as governing body for New York in case of war. Appointed by Basil O’Connor, chairman of the national foundation, to be New York State March of Dimes Chairman.
Martin is a member of the American Bar Association, Elks, Lodge, and a member of the Roman Catholic Church, he is unmarried.
