Order of Saint Maurice
Encyclopedia
Order of Saint Maurice is awarded by the National Infantry Association
and the certificate is signed by the Chief of Infantry
of the United States Army
. It is named after Saint Maurice
, the leader of the Roman Theban Legion
in the 3rd century.
The five levels of the Order of Saint Maurice are:
The Shield of Sparta
is an award for spouses who have contributed in some way to the infantry.
National Infantry Association
The National Infantry Association was established in 1994 as a professional association for Infantrymen and Infantry supporters. It was chartered as a private, non-profit, fraternal organization, to support the Infantry's role in the security of the United States, to assist Infantrymen in building...
and the certificate is signed by the Chief of Infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
of the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. It is named after Saint Maurice
Saint Maurice
Saint Maurice was the leader of the legendary Roman Theban Legion in the 3rd century, and one of the favorite and most widely venerated saints of that group. He was the patron saint of several professions, locales, and kingdoms...
, the leader of the Roman Theban Legion
Theban Legion
The Theban Legion figures in Christian hagiography as an entire Roman legion — of "six thousand six hundred and sixty-six men" — who had converted en masse to Christianity and were martyred together, in 286, according to the hagiographies of Saint Maurice, the chief among the Legion's...
in the 3rd century.
The five levels of the Order of Saint Maurice are:
- Primicerius - the highest level, for those who have made a significant contribution to the infantry. The most significant awardees receive the Doughboy Award. Must be or have been Infantry Branch
- Centurion - for middle level, brigade and battalion officers and NCOs and special nominees who have made an outstanding contribution to the infantry. Must be or have been Infantry Branch
- Legionnaire - for outstanding or conspicuous contribution to the Infantry. Non-infantry branch personnel are eligible
- Peregrinus - for foreign military personnel who have served in or supported the U.S. Army infantry
- Civis - for civilian who have made significant or outstanding contributions to the infantry
The Shield of Sparta
Sparta
Sparta or Lacedaemon, was a prominent city-state in ancient Greece, situated on the banks of the River Eurotas in Laconia, in south-eastern Peloponnese. It emerged as a political entity around the 10th century BC, when the invading Dorians subjugated the local, non-Dorian population. From c...
is an award for spouses who have contributed in some way to the infantry.
Notable recipients
- Matthew RidgwayMatthew RidgwayMatthew Bunker Ridgway was a United States Army General. He held several major commands and was most famous for resurrecting the United Nations war effort during the Korean War. Several historians have credited Ridgway for turning around the war in favor of the UN side...
- Colin PowellColin PowellColin Luther Powell is an American statesman and a retired four-star general in the United States Army. He was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005. He was the first African American to serve in that position. During his military...
- former GeneralGeneralA general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
and ecretary of State of the United States] - Edward C. MeyerEdward C. MeyerEdward Charles "Shy" Meyer was a United States Army general and Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army.-Early Life and Career:...
- former U.S. Army Chief of Staff - Basil L. PlumleyBasil L. PlumleyBasil L. Plumley was born January 1, 1920 in Shady Spring, West Virginia, the second son and fifth child of coal miner Clay Plumley and his wife Georgia , both of West Virginian stock. He is most famous for his actions as a Sergeant-Major of the US Army's 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, at...
- retired Command Sergeant Major - H. Ross Perot - awarded for sponsoring Operation Eagle ClawOperation Eagle ClawOperation Eagle Claw was an American military operation ordered by President Jimmy Carter to attempt to put an end to the Iran hostage crisis by rescuing 52 Americans held captive at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran on 24 April 1980...
- Hal MooreHal MooreHarold Gregory "Hal" Moore, Jr. is a retired lieutenant general in the United States Army and author. Moore is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, which is the second highest military decoration of the United States Army, and was the first of his West Point class to be promoted to...
- retired Lt. General