The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, mutual-help, war-time veterans organization. A community-service organization which now numbers nearly 3 million members -- men and women -- in nearly 15,000 American Legion Posts worldwide. These Posts are organized into 55 Departments -- one each for the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico, and the Philippines.

Mishawaka Post No. 161 was Chartered in 1920, the Post Home is now located at 133 East Mishawaka Avenue, Mishawaka, Indiana, 46545.

On September 11, 2007, Mishawaka Post No. 161 was issued a new charter, thereby becoming Ryan A. Balmer Post No. 161. The official dedication ceremony was held on November 11, 2007, Veterans Day, with various dignitaries and members of the Balmer Family present.