Vice Commanders

James W. Davis
National Vice Commander
The American Legion
2008-2009

James W. Davis was elected National Vice Commander of The American Legion on August 28, 2008 during the closing session of the 90th National Convention in Phoenix.

A U.S. Marine Corps veteran with combat service in Vietnam, Davis is a Machine Trades Instructor for the Belmont-Harrison Joint Vocational School in Ohio.

A member of Post 46 in Benwood, W.Va., Davis has held many leadership positions at the post, department (state) and national levels. He is a past department commander for West Virginia and has served on the national Education and Scholarship Committee. He has been a member of The American Legion since 1975 and is a 1964 graduate of Union High School in Benwood.

Davis and his wife, Carol, have four children and 10 grandchildren.

James A. LaCoursiere, Jr.
National Vice Commander
The American Legion
2008-2009

James A. LaCoursiere, Jr., was elected National Vice Commander of The American Legion on August 28, 2008 during the closing session of the 90th National Convention in Phoenix.

An Air Force veteran of the Grenada and Lebanon eras, LaCoursiere works as a Logistics Manager of the Gilman Brothers Company of Gilman, Conn., a manufacturer of foam board products. He is also co-owner of J&J Trucking and Brokerage.

LaCoursiere has held many leadership positions at The American Legion post, department (state) and national levels. He is a member and past commander of American Legion Post 128 in Niantic, Conn. He has also served as the Connecticut state commander of The American Legion and as a member of the Legion’s National Americanism Council, Distinguished Guest Committee and Military Affairs Committee.

LaCoursiere is married to Old Lyme, Conn., native Christine LaCoursiere. They have four children.

Michael J. Landkamer
National Vice Commander
The American Legion
2008-2009

Michael J. Landkamer was elected National Vice Commander of The American Legion on August 28, 2008 during the closing session of the 90th National Convention in Phoenix.

A former Navy petty officer, Landkamer served aboard the USS Ranger with Fighter Squadron 154 (VF-154) in the Gulf of Tonkin. He works as a comfort advisor for Total Comfort Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc.

Landkamer has held many leadership positions at The American Legion post, department (state) and national levels. He is a member and past commander of Post 84 in Columbus, Neb. A former Nebraska state commander, he has served on The American Legion’s National Foreign Relations Commission, National Legislative Council, National Executive Committee (NEC) Liaison to Public Relations Commission, and the NEC Subcommittee on Committees.

Landkamer is married to Columbus native Patricia A. Landkamer. He has three children and two stepchildren. He is the chairman of the Platte County Nebraska Veterans Service Committee and a 33-year-member of The American Legion.

Harley W. Ray
National Vice Commander
The American Legion
2008-2009

Harley W. Ray was elected National Vice Commander of The American Legion on August 28, 2008 during the closing session of the 90th National Convention in Phoenix.

A retired Army colonel with service in Vietnam, Harley has held many leadership positions at The American Legion post, state and national levels. He is a retired insurance salesman from Kelso, Wash.

A member of Post 10 in Albany, Ore., Harley served as the Department of Oregon commander in 1999 and 2000. He has also served on The American Legion’s National Counter-Subversive Activities Committee and National Economic Committee. He graduated from Kelso High School in 1956 and attended the University of Puget Sound and Lower Columbia Junior College.

Harley and his wife, Marjorie, have four children.

Tracy D. Simmons
National Vice Commander
The American Legion
2008-2009

Tracy D. “Shorty” Simmons was elected National Vice Commander of The American Legion on August 28, 2008 during the closing session of the 90th National Convention in Phoenix.

A U.S. Army veteran with service during the Vietnam War era, Simmons is a retired Texaco official from Vidor, Texas. He is also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Masons, Scottish Rite and El Mina Shrine.

A member of Post 493 in Neederland, Texas, Simmons has held many leadership positions at the post, department and national levels. He served as Texas Department Commander from 2004-2005, a Texas District Commander 1988-1990 and is currently serving on the National Americanism Commission.

Simmons graduated from Fairview High School in Grant, La., in 1957. Simmons and his wife, Donita, have three children; Troy, Todd and Tiffini.