Candidate for National Executive Committeeman: Larry Leonardo

Larry Leonardo, Candidate for National Executive Committeeman

Larry Leonardo, Sr., is a native Californian. Larry joined the US Navy under the “Delayed Entry” Program, he reported to active duty one month later.

Upon graduating from Boot Camp in San Diego, California, Larry reported to Great Lakes for Engineman “A” School. Larry reported aboard the USS Mobile LKA-115, his duty station for the next 4 years.  While serving aboard the USS Mobile, an Amphibious Attack Cargo Ship (aka; Gator Freighter), Larry attended Amphibious Assault Craft Engineering School at NAB Coronado and training in JP5 Fuel System Management (a highly refined aviation, marine and shipboard generator fuel). Larry participated in numerous Amphibious exercises in CONUS and while on two Westpac Cruises to Southeast Asia. Larry continued his training and received a secondary MOS in Air Conditioning/Refrigeration. Larry obtained the rank of Engineman Petty Officer 2nd Class (E-5).

Larry participated in Operation Frequent Wind (evacuation of Saigon) before his enlistment was over. Larry was transferred to the Naval Reserve in 1976.

Larry joined Mission City in 1977, after his soon-to-be Father-in-Law invited him to a Post meeting. He’s been a member of Mission City Post 564 in Santa Clara, CA, since.

During those beginning years, Larry traveled with his Father-in-Law to visit the Posts within the District, where he learned more about the American Legion and Post operations. While raising a young family, it was a struggle to be an active Legionnaire while trying to be an active dad, however Larry became active in the Post’s operation and leadership, and eventually, “going-through-the-chairs”, finally becoming Post Commander in 1989, the youngest Post Commander up to that time and the fourth Viet Nam Veteran to become Post Commander.

In the late 70’s and early 80’s, Larry continued his college education through the GI Bill and also became an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-1), specializing in Auto and Motorcycle Racing and occasionally, High School Football Sports Trauma. In the mid 80’s Larry decided it would be beneficial to teach Motorcycle Safety, he became a certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation Instructor, teaching basic motorcycle safety skills and helped develop advanced Motorcycle and Motorcycle Touring Safety Classes at De Anza College in Cupertino and Sunnyvale Calif. Larry caught the mentoring bug when his students appreciated the instruction they received.

In 2002, Larry got involved in the District leadership, again “going-through-the-chairs” and becoming District Commander in 2007. During those years, he was active in Post leadership mentoring training, helping at the various VA Hospital Patient events, and the various Children and Youth programs and local University’s ROTC programs sponsored by Post 564.

Larry became active in the Dept. of California’s Aerospace Commission starting in 1985 until 2011, taking time off from the Commission while he was Post Commander then District Commander. When the Navy moved out of NAS Moffett Field, the Navy would have to leave behind their 3-week community Outreach program called The Moffett Field Aviation Summer School Program, a summer school program for public school children 10 through 13 years old. With the guidance of then Commission Chairman, Guy Marchner, also an Aerospace Educator, the commission convinced the Navy that the American Legion could continue the program utilizing their tried and true curriculum. Larry became the Program Coordinator and ran the program for 3 years until the arrival of the West Coast “Space Camp” program at Moffett Field. The mystic and lure of the famous “Space Camp” program was more than the Aerospace program volunteers could muster up. The program conceded to the famous program after three years.

Eventually, Larry became Area 2 Dept. Vice-Commander in 2011 and then ran for Dept. Sgt.-at-Arms in 2013 where he realized there was a large gap in protocol, ritual, and traditions. Larry still writes articles on those subjects as he realized an informed, educated membership is important and an integral part of a strong American Legion leadership foundation.

Having served as the Centennial, Department of California Commander in 2018-2019, Larry led the Department to an 11th place standings in membership with a 100.4% membership goal. Under Larry’s leadership the Department was awarded the prestigious “General Henri Gouraud” Trophy, a first for California since the Trophy’s inception in 1930, the “Culture of Growth” Award and the “One Hundred Percent Membership” Award.

In 2022, Larry campaigned and was elected the Alternate Executive Committeeman representing the Department of California. Larry has attended the numerous NEC meetings alongside California’s NEC Robert Heinisch at American Legion Headquarters, National Conventions and during Emergency Virtual Meetings. During his time as Alternate NEC, Larry continues to travel to make reports at various Post, District and Area meetings, on the proceedings of the last NEC meeting and discuss the resolutions that were adopted and were of concern and interest to the members of the Department of California.

In 2023, Larry was asked to run for the National Executive Committee position for 2024-2026. As Larry continues to visit Post, District and Area meetings, he discusses the importance of Membership, Communications and Mentoring. During these visits he has also campaigned for himself and for the Department Leadership Team endorsed be the Committee to Elect.

Before his retirement in 2016, Larry has been employed by Thermal Mechanical after 39 ½ years starting as a Service Technician and advancing all the way to Automation Control System Engineer.

Larry has been married to Pat 44 years and are the parents of two sons, Larry Jr. & Leonard, both Charter members of Squadron 564. Larry and Pat have two granddaughters, Carissa 25, and Alice 9.

“I would appreciate your support as you have given me in the past. Continued qualified leadership for the Department of California and the American Legion is vital for the growth of the organization, and continued support for our Veterans, their families, our communities and Nation. I ask for your vote this coming June at our Department Convention in Visalia.

Thank you.”

Other Affiliations

City of Los Banos Municipal Airport Commission
Los Banos Airport Advisory Committee
Airport Advisory Committee Chair, 2011, 2020

Los Banos Police Department
Police Dept. Volunteers, (VITAL) 2004 – present
VITAL President (14 years)
VITAL Volunteer Spokesperson

For additional candidate information, visit Officer Candidates.