United States. An Order of Lafayette with Miniature, c.1965

Fullsize: in bronze gilt with red, white, blue and green enamels, measuring 39 mm (w) x 44.2 mm (h) inclusive of its laterally-pierced ball suspension, original ribbon with dual prong pinback, extremely fine; and Miniature: in bronze gilt with red, white, blue and green enamels, measuring 14.3 mm (w) x 16.5 mm (h) inclusive of its laterally-pierced ball suspension, original ribbon, chipping and crazing evident in the white enamels on the arm at 6 o'clock on the obverse, better than very fine. In their cardboard box of issue, stamped "REC'D JUN 12 1963 . C. WHITNEY CARPENTER, II / 503 DALTON DRIVE / ETHAN ALLEN AIR FORCE BASE / WINOOSKI, VERMONT" on the underside of the lid, inscribed in pencil "The Order of Lafayette" on the bottom, box extremely fine.

Footnote: The Order of Lafayette is a patriotic, hereditary, nonpartisan, and fraternal organization established in New York City in 1958 by Colonel Hamilton Fish III (1888-1991), a former Congressman from New York and decorated veteran of the First World War. The Order's patron is the Marquis de Lafayette, the French officer who was commissioned a general in the Continental Army, and who served with George Washington during the American Revolution. The Order's principles are "God, Unity, Peace, Honor." A serving officer of the famed 369th Regiment (The Harlem Hellfighters), New York Army National Guard, Colonel Fish founded the Order of Lafayette as a society to give recognition to all commissioned officers of the United States Armed Forces, male or female, who served in France during the First World War, or in France or French possessions during the Second World War. It also includes United States officers who served in France during the First World War in the Lafayette Escadrille Flying Corps, the American Field Service, or with the Allies of the First World War. Military service in France includes participating in an invasion or flight within the coastal areas of France or French possessions. American commissioned officers (and enlisted men who were later commissioned) who served in France or in French possessions during the First World War or the Second World War, are eligible for membership in the Order of Lafayette, as well as commissioned officers and non-commissioned officers of the French Foreign Legion. Membership in the order is also open to all recipients, regardless of rank, of the Medal of Honor or the French Médaille Militaire who served in France or French possessions during the First World War of the Second World War, and are admitted as members without having to pay dues to the Order. All lineal descendants, male or female, of original members, or those who would have qualified as original members, are eligible for full membership in the Order on reaching the age of 21.