Howard P. Savage

Howard Paul Savage (1884-1944) was the National Commander of the American Legion from 1926-1927, Director of the National Employment Commission (NEC), a delegate from Illinois to the Republican National Convention in 1928, and an Officer in the First World War.

Early life
Howard Savage was born in Boone, Iowa in 1884 to a family of 9 children. His family moved to Chicago in 1899. Savage attended the Lewis Institute and University of Wisconsin where he studied Engineering. In 1910, Savage became an engineer for the Chicago Elevated Train. He eventually worked his way up to General Manager of the Metropolitan Motor Coach company.

Armed Forces and American Legion Experience
In 1918 Savage joined the Army and was commissioned a First Lieutenant in the 55th Engineers in the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). He was deployed to France a month after joining. Savage became active in the American Legion after the war. He became Post, County, State and National commander of the American Legion. As Illinois Commander of the American Legion Savage focused on improving medical care and rehabilitation for veterans. An additional issue Savage strongly advocated for while Illinois Commander was to grant more independence to the Cook County branch of the American Legion. Savage felt it important to combat the Communist Party in the United States, beleving the Communist party to have more members than the American legion. Savage was followed by future Senator Scott Lucas as commander of the Illinois American Legion. Howard Savage became National commander in 1926 being elected on the 21st ballot. Howard Savage was the first commander from Illinois to lead to American Legion. In 1927, he led 20,000 members of the American legion on a goodwill tour of post war Europe. Savage conducted this tour with John Pershing, Supreme American Commander during the First World War. Howard Savage was a significant proponent of allowing reserve officer training in High Schools and Colleges stating, " Those who attack the military training in high schools and college as UnAmerican [sic], militaristic, and likely to breed war are cracked idealists who do not know what is it to face a blood-lusting enemy without training".

Political career
Howard Savage held many titles during his lifetime. His first elected title was President of the North Shore Park District in Chicago. He was President of the Alumni association of the Lewis Institute. In 1928, Savage served as the a Republican Delegate to the national convention from Illinois. Savage directed the National Employment Commission for the American Legion. In this role, he cooperated with the government's employment service, appointed state employment officers and planned for post-level activities aimed at easing the problem of unemployment in the towns of cities of the nation. In the 1930's, he used his legion connections to become business manager of the Chicago Public School system.

Special Recognition
Howard P. Savage was on the Cover of the September 27, 1927 edition of Time magazine. In addition, the Howard. P Savage Trophy is awarded to the winner of the American Legion World Series each year.