A veteran from East Boothbay was elected as a National Vice Commander of The American Legion by delegates at the organization’s 97th National Convention in Baltimore Sept. 3.

John W. Hargreaves, a member of American Legion Post 132 in Richmond, served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army in 1968 and 1969. He also served as American Legion Department (state) Commander of Maine (2013-2014) and has held offices at every level of The American Legion.

Hargreaves, a 33-year-member of The American Legion, is self-employed as a public accountant, tax preparer and business advisor. He is married to Jennifer Briggs Hargreaves and has three children.

He will serve a one-year term in the Legion’s second-highest elective office. He took the oath of office along with National Commander Dale Barnett of Douglasville, Georgia. Hargreaves is one of 12 national officers.