On June 21, during its annual State Convention, the North Carolina Department of The American Legion elected its new Commander for the 2025-2026 term. Johnston County resident Devell “Bo” Durham Jr. of Clayton was unanimously chosen to lead the 32,000-member statewide veteran organization.
In November 2024, the Johnston County Commissioners issued a proclamation endorsing Durham as Commander, recognizing his leadership in the nation’s largest veteran organization—comprising Legionnaires, the Auxiliary, and The Sons of The American Legion.
In his letter to the Legion family, Durham expressed his vision and commitment. “As I assume the duties as the one hundred and sixth Commander of our Department, I want every Legionnaire to share with our entire family—Auxiliary, Sons of The American Legion, Legion Riders, Cruisers, and their families—an understanding of my broad objectives and intent.”
“With deep gratitude and unwavering dedication, I embrace the duties and responsibilities entrusted to me. I vow to be your voice, your hands, and your feet—leading with integrity, strength, and a steadfast commitment to serve all 32,000 members of this great department and to partner with our entire family toward a successful year. My guiding reminder will be: ‘Be The One’—To Inspire, To Engage, Towards NC Win.”
Mr. Durham served honorably on active duty in the United States Marine Corps from 1980 to 2010 and has served as a member of the Johnston County Veterans Services Advisory Board to the Johnston County Board of Commissioners from 2016 to 2023. He has served on the Johnston County Hospice team since 2016.
Mr. Durham is a National American Legion College Graduate and has been a member of the American Legion for 14 years and has served as Post 71 Scholarship Committee Chairman, Post Oratorical Committee Chairman, Post 1st Vice-Commander, Post Honor & Color Guard 2011-2018, and Post 71 Commander 2014-2016.
Durham served as District 11 Vice Commanders from 2018-2019 and Commander 2019-2021 for Johnston and Wake County and also Division III Department Vice Commander from 2022 to 2023.
Durham is the recipient of the 2020 Johnston County NOW Veteran of the Year, National District Commanders Race-To-The-Top Category III Winner 2020, 2024 NC Daughters of The American Revolution Veteran of the Year. He currently serves on the National Security Commission & Security Council, National Veterans Education, Other Benefits & Homeless Committee, National Foreign and Relation Committee, and National Resolutions Screening Committee.
Congratulations, Sir! Did you know that the country music singer, John Rich, wrote a country music Diddy, “THom, THom, THom,?” See it on Truth Social.com at John Rich. It is a pretty catchy tune, :-), and many of the military veterans seem to like it. It is for Thom Tillis, current U.S. Senator from N.C.
This guy is a role model to all. Congratulations! Excited to see how God uses you.
Congratulations sir. Thanks for what you do (and have done).
We were next door neighbors for many years. Great guy. Congratulations