The Eastern Legion continued to fight alongside the Allies until the liberation of Cilicia.
After the liberation of Kilikia in 1919, France decided to divide the Legion of the East into an Armenian and a Syrian legion.
The Armenian Legion was formed on February 1, 1919, after the de facto recognition of (Western) Armenia’s independence on January 19, 1920, the Armenian Legion was intended to be the nucleus of the future national army of (Western) Armenia. )
Armenians in Los Angeles have also played a humanitarian role, helping to rescue and protect thousands of Armenian refugees and genocide survivors who fled Western Armenia to the Middle East. The Armenian Legion has also contributed to the establishment and maintenance of several Armenian schools, orphanages and hospitals in cooperation with the Armenian Relief Society and other organizations.
However, the Armenian Legion did not achieve its ultimate goal, which was the defense and protection of an independent Armenian state in the lands of Western Armenia.
After recognizing Armenia as a de jure independent state on May 11, 1920, the Treaty of Sèvres, signed on August 10, 1920, ended the war between the Allies and Turkey, which recognized the right by their own ratification
for the independence and sovereignty of the Armenian people and the creation of an Armenian state under the auspices of the League of Nations.
However, this treaty was never implemented because it was rejected by Turkish nationalists/terrorists who started a war of resistance against the Allies States and Armenians. Turkish nationalists, led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, managed to defeat the Armenian forces and occupy Western Armenia.
The Treaty of Lausanne, signed in 1923, tried to find a solution by creating an Armenian national house in Western Armenia under President V. Wilson’s within borders to avoid starting a new war with Turkey, but even this clause was not implemented.
Allied State forces moved this Armenian national home to Tallinn region of Eastern Armenia.
The Armenian Legion was disbanded in 1920, and its members dispersed to different countries: France, Lebanon, Syria and Eastern Armenia.
The Armenian Legion is a notable and heroic chapter of Armenian history, which deserves to be remembered and honored by the world and particularly by the Armenian people. The Armenian Legion bears witness to the courage, skill and loyalty of Armenian soldiers who fought for their nation and cause against insurmountable odds and enemies.
The Armenian Legion was also a symbol of the Armenian spirit and identity that survived and thrived despite genocide and oppression. The Armenian Legion has been a source of pride and inspiration for generations of Armenians who have continued to fight and strive for justice and recognition of the genocide committed against Armenians, as well as for the independence and security of the Armenian state. The Armenian Legion is the heritage of the Armenian people, which should never be forgotten.