This item is part of A Fine Collection of American Society & Association Membership Badges. Click Here to view all items in this collection.
In silver gilt with red, white and blue enamels, number engraved "1038" on the edge of the arm at 12 o'clock, measuring 36.2 mm (w) x 55.5 mm (h) inclusive of its eagle suspension, intact enamels, scattered gilt wear, original ribbon with brooch pinback, near extremely fine.
Footnote: The Naval and Military Order of the Spanish War (NMOSW) was a short lived military society formed by American officers who had served during the Spanish-American War. It was founded on February 2, 1899 in New York City by Lieutenant Walter J. Sears, United States Navy. There were 98 charter members. Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, then Governor of New York, was elected as the Order's first president. By 1908, theOrder had over 1,200 members and was active in the era prior to the First World War. It seems to have ceased to exist prior to 1920. Unlike, similar organizations, such as the Society of the Cincinnati, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and the Military Order of Foreign Wars, it was unable to attract thedescendants of it original members in order to perpetuate its existence. This was probably due to the relatively few individuals eligible to join the organization.