Carol Whitmore was elected Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars of the U.S. on Aug. 13, 2025, at the 126th VFW National Convention in Columbus, Ohio.

Carol served in the United States Army from 1977 to 2013, earning her VFW eligibility
by serving in Iraq. In recognition of her service, she
received the Legion of Merit Medal, Bronze Star Medal,
Army Commendation Medal (six), Army Achievement
Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve
Components Achievement Medal (two), National
Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Non-
Commissioned Professional Development Ribbon
(three), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon (three),
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M” device, and the
She joined the VFW in 2012 at Post 9127 in Des
Moines, Iowa, where she maintains her Gold Legacy
Life membership. She has served in elected and
appointed positions at the Post, District and Department
levels, culminating with her election as the VFW
Department of Iowa Commander from 2018 to 2019, in which she achieved All-
American status. On the national level, she served on the Legislative Committee, the
General Resolutions Committee, and on the National Council of Administration from
where she received her nursing certification. She is retired. 

She is a life member of the Military Order of the Cootie, the VFW National Home, and the
Carol and her husband, Brad, reside in Des Moines, Iowa.