Military Order of Foreign Wars - History

History

The Order was founded on December 13, 1894 in the office of Frank M. Avery in the Tribune Building in New York City. The first signer of the Order's "Institution" (founding document) was Major General Fitz John Porter who was a veteran of both the Mexican War and the Civil War. Eighteen others signed the Institution of which five were Mexican War veterans, 9 were descendants of American Revolutionary War officers and four who were descendants of officers who served in the War of 1812.

The resultant Order was initially known as the Military and Naval Order of the United States and was organized and later incorporated under that name. Its hereditary line of descent spans the period of American history since national independence during the Revolutionary War. Initially membership in the Order was limited to officer veterans (and their hereditary descendants) of the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Mexican War and for the first two years of its existence membership categories were limited to Veteran and Hereditary Companions. In April 1895, the name of the Order was officially changed to its present name, The Military Order of Foreign Wars of the United States.

The influence of the Order spread rapidly and soon commanderies were formed in other States. It was deemed advisable to form a National Commandery to centralize and coordinate the activities of the various State Commanderies, and which would have general supervision and control over the policies and activities of the Order. The National Commandery was founded at a joint meeting of the individual State Commanderies in March 1896.

In 1896 the membership category of Honorary Companion was created. President William McKinley, President Grover Cleveland and Lieutenant General John M. Schofield were some of the earliest Honorary Companions. In 1928, a fourth membership status (Junior Companion) was created. In 1969, Companionship was extended to officer veterans and their descendants who served during a foreign war or expedition and to those who served in an enlisted status and were later commissioned.

The membership of the Order and the number of state commanderies over the 100 years of the Order's existence has fluctuated typically increasing after the end of a war and declining during times of peace. The Order's stringent and high eligibility requirements make it difficult for the Order to recruit members in large numbers. However, this selectivity has enabled the Order to sustain itself for over 100 years because it continues to fill its ranks with individuals of the highest caliber, patriotism, loyalty, and character.

The motto of the Military Order of Foreign Wars is the Latin phrase, Deus et Libertas meaning God and Liberty.

The War and Navy Departments, and later the Department of Defense, under various resolutions of Congress, gave recognition to the Order and permitted the wearing of its insignia on uniforms.