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To encourage research and writing on naval and maritime subjects preserve documents, portraits and other records of prominent figures deeds and memories of our naval and maritime history and through fellowship of our members advance the Naval Order's unselfish service and worthy aims for the security and enduring well-being of our country. To foster, among all American citizens, informed interest in the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine, with the understanding that their efficiency is essential to national security and that readiness to make victory in war certain and speedy will deter aggression and minimize dangers to world peace.
On 4 July 1890, Mr. Charles Calhoun Philbrook, Mr. Charles Frederick Bacon Philbrook, and Mr. Franklin Senter Frisbie, descendants of New Hampshire families identified as mariners since 1636, and sharing a common interest in naval and maritime history, in support of the seagoing services based on their own and their ancestors' military maritime service, met in Boston, Massachusetts. By formal resolution, they established a temporary organization entitled the " Naval Commandery of the United States of America" to further those aims. A permanent organization was established on 10 November 1890, the 115th anniversary of the organization of the US Marine Corps.
Eligibility for membership was based upon service " in any of the wars or in any battle in which the United States Navy or Marine Corps has participated, or who served as above in connection with the Revenue or Privateer Services." (Founders' Formal Agreement, 4 July 1890.)
Seeking a national base, the new Naval Commandery soon established branches in several states. On 19 June 1893, the Naval Commandery entered into a provisional consolidation with the Naval Legion of the United States, a smaller society recently organized with similar aims. This merger was soon ratified under the name NAVAL ORDER of the UNITED STATES. The first Congress of the Naval Order was held on 15 August 1893 in Faneuil Hall. The General Commandery of the Order was formed at this meeting, and the constitution adopted with provision for local commanderies in the various states and " members" becoming " Companions."
One of the noteworthy early companions, not a naval officer himself, was Loyall Farragut, son of the famous David. Loyall was cabin boy in the admiral's flagship, USS Hartford, at Mobile Bay during the Civil War when his father gave the historic order " Damn the torpedoes...(mines) full speed ahead!" Another illustrious companion was Captain George Dewey, who was destined to gain international fame at Manila Bay and become the only officer to hold the rank of " Admiral of the Navy." Dewey later served as Commander General of the Naval Order, 1907 to 1917.
Historical records in the archives of the various states attest to the efforts of individual companions in the establishment and training of Naval Militia in the Eastern and Midwestern states during the 1890's. As a result, trained and ready Naval Militiamen were available to our nation to answer the call to the colors at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.
Companion Herbert Livingston Saterlee, having observed the operation of the civilian Navy League in England, recognized the value of civilians not directly affiliated with the US Navy, but dedicated to its support. The Naval Order through his efforts and guidance, and with the concurrent encouragement of President Theodore Roosevelt, became the prime mover in organizing the Navy League of the United States, which was chartered in New York in 1902. Saterlee became Commander General of the Naval Order in 1925.
DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS (Current and Former) The rolls of the Naval Order include the names of many who served as Secretaries of Defense and of the Navy, Chiefs of Naval Operations Commandants of the Marine Corps and of the Coast Guard, and admirals and generals, as well as many naval officers who distinguished themselves in the annals of our nation's naval history. They are the regular and reserve officers who served on, above, and below the surfaces of the seven seas, from Manila to Midway to Hormuz and the Persian Gulf in defense of those freedoms that are so cherished by the people of our nation.
" Any United States citizen who has served or is serving as an officer or enlisted member of the Navy, Marine Corps, the Coast Guard and any other federal military maritime service of the United States or its allies and their descendants over 18 years of age, who are US citizens, shall be eligible for Regular membership..."
" Spouses of present and deceased regular members, and those, other than United States citizens, who have served or are serving honorably as commissioned officers in an allied seagoing service, shall be eligible for Associate membership. Also, the Naval Order may confer either associate or honorary membership upon individuals who are not otherwise eligible for regular or associate membership, if they have distinguished themselves in the interest of naval service."
Membership in the Naval Order is by invitation. Interested parties may make application through any companion.
For additional information regarding Membership in the Naval Order, contact the Vice Commander General - Membership is Donald W. Schuld . He may be reached at: dschuld@juno.com or (W) 973-927-0242 (H) 973-584-9634. Mailing address: 3 Mildred Terrace, Flanders, NJ 07836-9249. The Naval Order may also be contacted at: info@NavalOrder.org or call 703-323-0929.
" History has proven too often and too recently that the nation which relaxes its defenses invites attack." -- Fleet Admiral Chester William Nimitz.
Responsibility for the operation and administration of the affairs of the Naval Order is vested nationally in the General Commandery. It conducts an Annual Congress, which all companions are encouraged to attend and which is the final authority in all matters affecting the Order. It also publishes a newsletter for all companions.
Local commanderies are established at various locations in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, DC Additional commanderies will be formed in other states as membership warrants.
Each commandery holds an annual meeting of its affiliated membership and is encouraged to sponsor a local Pearl Harbor Day observance. Other business and social meetings/functions are held as prescribed by local by-laws and tradition, and may include formal functions such as a " dining out" or a Navy Birthday dinner/ball. Several commanderies hold monthly or quarterly luncheons.
In furtherance of its mission, the Naval Order presents annual awards.
Mindful of the historic lesson of the need for eternal vigilance, and in gratitude for gallant service, the Naval Order sponsors the following annual observances through its local commanderies (others being added):
Naval records and artifacts can be found today in many repositories including the National Archives, Federal Records Center, Library of Congress, and the Naval Historical Center, all in Washington, DC in the service academies and graduate schools and in many state historical and maritime museum collections. The Naval Order has elected to place its own records, including all original copes of Applications for Membership with their detailed narrative of eligibility, in the custody of the Texas A&M Archives in College Station, Texas.
To give visual reminders of the events and the people who made them happen, the Naval Order sponsors the following national memorials through its local commanderies:
COMMANDERS
GENERAL
The Naval Order website is maintained under the direction of Kathleen McMains Mero |