A tale of two active veterans agencies, Army Navy Union, MOWW
A look at medals of the Army Navy Union, MOWW.
In 2022, it was estimated that 16.2 million military veterans lived in the United States with 4.3 million estimated to be over 75 years of age — including about 120,000 WWII veterans who are still with us. The VFW, with about 1.6 million members and auxiliary, and the American Legion are the most prominent organizations serving these veterans, but hundreds of veteran organizations also exist exist to meet the needs of former servicemen and women. Among these are the Army & Navy Union, oldest active veteran’s organization in the United States organized in 1888; and the Military Order of the World Wars, devoted to the officers who served in multiple wars. Both organizations offer a variety of military awards of interest to collectors.
Army and Navy Union
The Grand Army of the Republic, the General Society of the War of 1812, and the Order of Indian Wars had the same philosophy and goals as the Army and Navy Union, but they would naturally become extinct due to the death of veterans. The Army and Navy Union decided it was necessary to restructure into an organization for all who served honorably in the armed forces of the United States. Initially, membership in the Army and Navy Union was open to all those who served honorably in the regular (not volunteer) armed forces of the United States, and by 1898 the group had 12,000 members. In 1899, membership was opened to those who volunteered in the Spanish American War.
The first membership medal was adopted in1891 and with slight differences to what is considered the type 2 medal. The type 1 medal would be extremely rare for the collector. The central motif of the pendant has a triangle inside a circle with the letters “A, N, M” (for Army, Navy, Marines) but using the same red, white, and blue ribbon as our type 2 example. The accompanying example also shows the type 2 with a different flag style later adopted from a style flag used by the United Spanish War Veterans. The type 2 medal is a five-armed Maltese cross with ball finials and a U.S shield in a circular center. Emblems are seen for the Infantry, Calvary, Engineers, Navy and Artillery clockwise on the arms of the type 2. A lucky collector may find an example with the Engineer emblem replaced by a Marine Corps symbol and the triangular center — a rare find indicating a type 1.
Type 2 membership medals can later be found showing the current membership ribbon of Red/Maroon/Green/Maroon/White center/Maroon/Yellow/Maroon/Blue.
In 1909, the standard membership medal was again changed to six armed cross flory in plain bronze. The emblems on the arms are (clockwise from top): Engineers, Calvary, Navy, Navy, Infantry, USMC, and Artillery. This new design is considered a type 3 and is most frequently found with a maker mark. An early type 3a is slightly smaller medal in diameter and marked “registered/C.M. Robbins Co./Attleboro Mass.” Later strikes are marked “The/Gustave Fox Co./Cin.O.” while examples have been found marked “V.H.S.” In 1937 a type 4 medal resulted from the order’s involvement with lobbying Congress for an expanded Air Corps to attract aviators to its ranks. This type 4 was a type 3 badge rotated about 30 degrees with a propeller added to the standard membership medal to recognize the Air Corps.
By the late 1930s and early 1940s, a type 5 was issued which was basically a reissue of the type III medal. These were made by Medal Arts Co., Rochester, N.Y. The main difference was the eagle at the top had pointed wings, rather than rounded as in the type 3. They have a square depression in the center of the reverse with the maker name.
A variety of officer’s medals can be found and are striking in appearance using the type 3 standard gilt membership badge with a larger eight-point silver rayed background. These are usually found with Rank Straps in white for National officers, red for Department officers, and purple for Garrison/Naval branch officers. A large variety of these officer straps may include stars for national officers, eagles for department officers and oak leaves for Garrison officers making for a large collecting variety.
An interesting collecting note: In 1886 the organization was called the Regular Army and Navy Union, but when volunteers were admitted in 1899 some members left and formed the Regular Veteran’s Association requiring service with the regular components of the armed forces. The group had a membership medal in the form of a four-arm pointed white enamel cross much different than the Army and Navy Union of the United States. The association was reorganized in 1950 and became the Regular Veteran’s Association, which is still active with some 35,000 members.
The Army and Navy Union continues to bind its members together in fraternal comradeship of all comrades, shipmates, soldiers, sailors, marines, regular and volunteers, and veterans of all wars. With headquarters in Niles, Ohio and over 30 garrisons or chapters in the United States, it continues to protect and advance the civic, social, and economic welfare of all veterans. Among the organizations duties are helping veterans in sickness and distress, assisting in the burial and commemoration of their dead, and assisting widows and orphans. One final note, in 1897 Pacific Coast garrisons dedicated the Army & Navy Union monument in the Presidio of San Francisco on Memorial Day with a statue of a soldier defending the flag.
Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW)
The Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW) is still very active and currently has some 18,000 members. Founded in 1919, this men and women’s veteran organization requires service after April 5, 1917 as a Commissioned Officer in any of the armed services, or direct or collateral descent from an ancestor who saw such service. It was originally founded as the Military Order of the World War (singular), it eventually became plural. The MOW arose from General of the Armies John J. Pershing’s request that his officers continue serving America after their active military service ended after WWI. The MOWW members follow their motto, “It is nobler to serve than to be served”.
Membership in the MOWW is open to active duty, retired, or formerly commissioned or warrant officers. This includes the US Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, U.S Coast Guard, Public Health Service and the National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration. The MOWW also serves as a genealogical society by allowing any direct lineal descendant of the qualifying officer to join the order.
The standard membership medal is a 37mm x 45mm four-arm red enameled cross with flat ends imposed on a gold wreath surmounted by a gold eagle with outstretched wings. The bronze and enamel reverse is two-sided with the same red enamel cross, but with the central oval blank so an individual member can engrave their name and particular information. These medals are seldom found attributed, but early medals were struck by the Medallic Art Company.
Famous members of the MOWW include General Pershing, Douglas MacArthur, George C. Marshall, and General William Westmoreland. Even two presidents, Harry Truman and Ronald Reagan, were in the organization since both were former Army captains.
Officer’s medals from the MOWW are more common. They are easily recognized since they are mounted on a cravat. Examples are seen of two early MOWW officer medals (Military Order of the World War) showing obverse and reverse. The palm fronds on the ribbon indicate the rank held within the organization such, as commander or past commander. Occasionally examples are found with inscriptions in the reverse oval.
The MOWW is known for its service to America’s youth by hosting Youth Leadership Conference (YLC) programs throughout the United States promoting patriotic education and leadership in a free society, while also developing speaking, writing, and leadership skills that lead them to become future leaders. The MOWW also sponsors award programs for Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). It often honors outstanding cadets by issuing a variety of awards in the form of a bronze, silver, and gold Medal of Merit. The MOWW also issues a special medal to outstanding members of the Junior ROTC cadets at the high school level showing excellence.
All the chapters of the MOWW strongly support the Order’s program of encouraging and giving physical, moral, and financial assistance to both Senior and Junior ROTC.Top cadets from many of the JROTC units in schools are able to attend many of the leadership conferences made possible by supporting chapters. In addition to ROTC and JROTC, the MOWW works with the Boy Scouts of America as well as the Girl Scouts of the USA. They present a certificate to those who have earned the Eagle Scout rank. Similarly, they present a Gold Award Certificate to the Girl Scouts who have earned the Gold Award.
The MOWW national chapter also presents nine Gold Patrick Henry Awards for exceptional achievement. More frequently seen is the Silver Patrick Henry Award to companions at the local level for superior service, lifesaving, and more. It appears as a large 76mm silver plaque which can be displayed on a small stand on the recipient’s desk. Miniature medals of the award on a red, white, and blue ribbon also exist.
The Army and Navy Union as well as the Military Order of the World Wars continue to serve and honor the veterans of our great nation while promoting the ideals of freedom and fellowship with their many programs.
David Burrows is a retired educator and life long military collector. He started collecting as a teenager. David was a physics teacher for 37 years with the Pittsburgh Public schools. He is a frequent contributor to Military Trader as well as the OMSA Journal. His other passion with British cars has resulted in many feature stories both in US publications as well as international publications over the last 30 years.
