Order of the Indian Wars of the United States

The Order of the Indian Wars of the United States (OIWUS) is a military society founded in 1896 by officers of the United States Army who served in campaigns against Native Americans from the American Revolution to the late 19th Century.

History

The OIWUS was founded by Colonel B.J.D. Irwin at Fort Sheridan near Chicago. It was patterned after other American military societies such as the Society of the Cincinnati, the Aztec Club of 1847 and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.[1] Its primary purpose is to provide fellowship to is members and preserve the history of the Indian Wars. The correct name of the OIWUS is the "Order of Indian Wars," not "Order of THE Indian Wars." The latter name belongs to a Colorado-based group of Indian wars enthusiasts. Earlier references here to the "Order of the Indian Wars" are incorrect.

Objects

According to its constitution the objects of the OIWUS are to ... perpetuate the memories of the services rendered by the military forces of the United States in their conflicts and wars against hostile Indians within the territory or jurisdiction of the United States, and to collect and secure for publication historical data relating to the instances of heroic service and personal devotion by which Indian warfare has been illustrated.

Membership

Membership originally consisted of veteran officers (termed Original Companions) and their male descendants (termed Hereditary Companions). Over the first fifty years of the Order's existence its membership included 300 Original Companions, 275 Hereditary Companions and 75 Junior Companions.[1] In time, the Original Companions died out and the only members were hereditary companions. More recently, membership was expanded to include descendants of soldiers who served in wars with Native Americans dating back to the early 1600s.

Currently, Hereditary Companions can be either (1) the direct lineal or collateral descendants of Original Companions of the Order, or (2) Commissioned Officers of the United States Armed Forces, who are direct lineal descendants of honorably discharged enlisted men who had the qualifications requisite for eligibility for membership as Original Companions, save that of having been commissioned.

Membership may also be considered for gentlemen who are lineally descended from persons, of any rank, who engaged in combat against Native Americans serving in a military unit under the British Crown, prior to June 14, 1776. Membership is by invitation only.

Companions

References
  1. "The Order of the Indian Wars of the United States". Oiwus.org. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
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