INDIANA – Robert “Bob” Oeth has been elected the 2023-2024 Indiana Legion Department Commander.
Robert “Bob” Oeth of Elberfeld, Indiana was elected Commander of the 70,000-member Indiana American Legion by acclimation in the closing session of the 104th annual Department Convention on July 8, 2023, in Indianapolis.
Oeth, a 52-year member of The American Legion, is a Vietnam Era veteran who served in the United States Army from 1972 to 1975. During his three-year tour, he received three citations for his outstanding job performance and leadership qualities, one of which was his selection as Soldier of the Year candidate for the Third Army and European Forces.
A member of American Legion Post 351 in Elberfeld, Indiana, Commander Oeth has held the position of Post Commander, Vice-Commander, Finance Officer, and Post Adjutant and has given a life membership to the post for exceptional service. In 1988, he was elected Commander of Indiana’s Eighth District and has served terms of service as District Vice-Commander, Membership Chairman, and a member of many committees.Â
Commander Oeth has served in a variety of positions at the Department level. He served as a Commission Chair, 2000-2001 Department Southern Vice-Commander, Hoosier Boys State Board of Directors, and was the Hoosier Boys State Director from 2013 to 2017. In 2007, he was honored with the Department Distinguished Service Award.Â
On the American Legion National level, he has been appointed to serve on the Legislative Council and the National Security Commission, Military Benefits, and Quality of Life Committee.Â
He and his wife Debby have been married for 46 years. Together they raised three children and have six grandchildren and one great-grandson. His son-in-law, Brandon Cross, is the 2023-2024 Department Sergeant-at-Arms. He has served his church as President of the Zion United Church of Christ, retired from the Elberfeld Volunteer Fire Department, is a life member of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, and a SAL member of his post.
The main goal of his 2023-2024 Commander’s Project is to increase awareness and participation in Indiana Legion Programs. He believes our Youth Programs are our future and are instrumental in maintaining ourselves as pillars of our communities. These programs not only develop our future leaders but also function as a way to reverse the membership decline of the past few years.
TO VETERANS
- $388 million paid to Hoosier vets last year alone through free VA claims processing and advocacy by the Indiana Legion Veterans Services Office.
TO FAMILIES
- $171,000 in emergency grants and funds provided to veterans and their families by the Indiana Legion.
- $270,000 given in scholarships to Indiana high school students every year by the Indiana Legion.​
TO COMMUNITIES
- 11,000 hours of volunteer service provided by Legionnaires to their local communities.
- American values taught through in-school education programs
