Dawn "Dusty” Napier was  installed as the 101st Commander of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars, Department of California on June 25, 2021 in Sacramento, California.

Dusty is a 20 year U. S. Navy retiree, serving from 1974 to 1994. She earned her eligibility for the VFW while deployed to the Persian Gulf. Napier is the recipient of the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Good Conduct Medal (4), Humanitarian Service Medal, Coast Guard Special Operations ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service ribbon (4 stars), and Sea Service Deployment ribbon.

She joined the VFW in 1997 at VFW Post 1872 in Eureka, California. Dusty now maintains her Bronze Legacy Life membership at VFW Post 9561 in Willow Creek, California. She has served in elected and appointed positions at the Post, District, and Department levels. On the National level she has served on the National Legislative Committee.

After her retirement from the service, she worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Land Management. She is currently an Executive Director for a nonprofit transportation service in Willow Creek, California.

Dusty is also a life member of the American Legion, VFW National Home for Children, and Native American Veterans Association.

A Navy family, her father, brother and husband all retired from naval service. She enjoys photography, painting and is an advocate for animal rescue. She has two sons, three step daughters, and 9 grandchildren. Dusty and her husband Jack reside in Hoopa, California.