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Order of Saint Maurice was established in 1996 in the pattern of the Cavalry & Armor Association's Order of St. George Medallion and is awarded by the National Infantry Association and the certificate is signed by the Chief of Infantry of the
United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, ...
. It is named after
Saint Maurice Saint Maurice (also Moritz, Morris, or Mauritius; ) was an Egyptian military leader who headed the legendary Theban Legion of Rome in the 3rd century, and is one of the favorite and most widely venerated saints of that martyred group. He is the ...
, the leader of the Roman
Theban Legion The Theban Legion (also known as the Martyrs of Agaunum) figures in Christian hagiography as a Roman legion from Egypt—"six thousand six hundred and sixty-six men"—who converted en masse to Christianity and were martyred together in 286, acc ...
in the 3rd century. The five levels of the Order of Saint Maurice are: ''"The Order of Saint Maurice'' has five levels. A nominee for the Order of Saint Maurice must have served the Infantry community with distinction; must have demonstrated a significant contribution in support of the Infantry; and must represent the highest standards of integrity, moral character, professional competence, and dedication to duty. The same medallion is used for each level, with an attachment that identifies the level." *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 (Doric Greek: Σπάρτα, ''Spártā''; Attic Greek: Σπάρτη, ''Spártē'') was a prominent city-state in Laconia, in ancient Greece. In antiquity, the city-state was known as Lacedaemon (, ), while the name Sparta referred t ...
is an award for spouses who have contributed, in some way, to the Infantry. The Order of Saint Maurice and the Shield of Sparta are awarded by the National Infantry Association and the U.S. Army’s Chief of Infantry (Commanding General of Fort Benning).


Namesake

Saint Maurice was Primicerius of the Theban Legion. In 287 AD it marched in service of the Roman Empire fighting against the revolt in the Berguadae Gauls. His men were composed entirely of Christians recruited from upper Egypt, near the Valley of the Kings. The Legion marched to the Mediterranean Sea, was transported across, and traveled across Italy to an area in Switzerland. Serving under Augustus Maximian Hercules, better known to history as
Maximian Maximian ( la, Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus; c. 250 – c. July 310), nicknamed ''Herculius'', was Roman emperor from 286 to 305. He was '' Caesar'' from 285 to 286, then ''Augustus'' from 286 to 305. He shared the latter title with his ...
, Maurice was ordered to have his legionnaires offer pagan sacrifices before battle near the Rhone at Martigny. The Theban Legion refused to participate, and also refused to kill innocent civilians in the conduct of their duty, and withdrew to the town of Agaunum. Enraged, Maximian ordered every tenth man killed, yet they still refused. A second time the General ordered Maurice’s men to participate and again they refused. Maurice declared his earnest desire to obey every order lawful in the eyes of God. “We have seen our comrades killed,” came the reply. “Rather than sorrow, we rejoice at the honor done to them.” At this Maximian ordered the butchery of the Thebans and the martyrdom of Saint Maurice. September 22 is the traditional feast day."


Notable recipients

* Abizaid, John P. – retired
general A general officer is an officer of high rank in the armies, and in some nations' air forces, space forces, and marines or naval infantry. In some usages the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colonel."general, adj. and n.". OED On ...
(2000) * Anderson, Mark E.
major general Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of a ...
(2004) * Bolger, Daniel P. – retired
lieutenant general Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a three-star military rank (NATO code OF-8) used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the ...
(2013) * Connelly, William A., 6th
sergeant major of the army The Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) is a unique non-commissioned rank and position of office in the United States Army. The holder of this rank and position is the most senior enlisted soldier in the Army, unless an enlisted soldier is servi ...
(1979), OSM Primicerius (Doughboy Award, 2004) * Dailey, Daniel A., 15th
sergeant major of the army The Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) is a unique non-commissioned rank and position of office in the United States Army. The holder of this rank and position is the most senior enlisted soldier in the Army, unless an enlisted soldier is servi ...
(Ret), (2015) * Dye, Dale A. Jr., retired
USMC The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through co ...
captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...
and actor * Estes, Herbert J., SFC (Ret) U.S. Army Infantry (1998) * Forbes James G. retired –
command sergeant major A command sergeant major (CSM) is a non-commissioned rank and position of office in the United States Army. The holder of this rank and position is the most senior enlisted member of a color-bearing Army unit (battalion or higher). The CSM is ap ...
(2015) * Gailliard, Amos M. Jr. – served in the
Korean War {{Infobox military conflict , conflict = Korean War , partof = the Cold War and the Korean conflict , image = Korean War Montage 2.png , image_size = 300px , caption = Clockwise from top:{{ ...
and was a brigadier general in the
New York National Guard The New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs (NYS DMNA) is responsible for the state's New York Army National Guard, New York Air National Guard, New York Guard and the New York Naval Militia. It is headed by Adjutant General of Ne ...
(2008) * Houtsma, Gary – mechanical engineer for the
United States Department of Defense The United States Department of Defense (DoD, USDOD or DOD) is an executive branch department of the federal government charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government directly related to national secur ...
, awarded for leading the team that developed the
Picatinny rail The Picatinny rail ( or ), or Pic rail for short, also known as a MIL-STD-1913 rail, 1913 rail or STANAG 2324 rail (cancelled), is a military standard rail interface system that provides a mounting platform for firearm accessories. It was or ...
(2014) * Kristoffersen, EirikChief of Defence, Norway (2015) * Meyer, Edward C. – former U.S. Army Chief of Staff (1983) * Moore, Harold G. – retired
lieutenant general Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a three-star military rank (NATO code OF-8) used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the ...
(1977) * Perot, Ross H.
U.S. Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage of ...
lieutenant A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations. The meaning of lieutenant differs in different militaries (see comparative military ranks), but it is often sub ...
, awarded for sponsoring
Operation Eagle Claw Operation Eagle Claw, known as Operation Tabas ( fa, عملیات طبس) in Iran, was a failed operation by the United States Armed Forces ordered by U.S. President Jimmy Carter to attempt the rescue of 52 embassy staff held captive at the ...
(1980) * Petry, Leroy A., retired master sergeant and
Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor ...
recipient (2011) * Plumley, Basil L. – retired
command sergeant major A command sergeant major (CSM) is a non-commissioned rank and position of office in the United States Army. The holder of this rank and position is the most senior enlisted member of a color-bearing Army unit (battalion or higher). The CSM is ap ...
(1974) * Powell, Colin L. – retired general and former
Secretary of State of the United States The United States secretary of state is a member of the executive branch of the federal government of the United States and the head of the U.S. Department of State. The office holder is one of the highest ranking members of the president's C ...
(1993) * Puckett, Ralph Jr. – retired
colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...
and
Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor ...
recipient (1971) * Ridgway, Matthew B. – retired
general A general officer is an officer of high rank in the armies, and in some nations' air forces, space forces, and marines or naval infantry. In some usages the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colonel."general, adj. and n.". OED On ...
(1955)


Gallery

File:John Abizaid.jpg , John P. Abizaid, general, U.S. Army (2007) File:Mark E. Anderson.jpg, Mark E. Anderson, major general, U.S. Army (2007) File:Lt.Gen.Daniel P. Bolger.jpg , Daniel P. Bolger, lieutenant general, U.S. Army (2013) File:William_A_Connelly.jpg, William A. Connelly, 6th sergeant major of the army (1979) File:MatthewBRidgway.jpg , Matthew Ridgway, general, U.S. Army (1955) File:RossPerotColor.jpg , Ross Perot, lieutenant, U.S. Navy (1957) File:CSM(R) Basil L. Plumley at West Point 10 May 2010.JPG , Basil L. Plumley, command sergeant major, U.S. Army (1974) File:LTG(R) Hal Moore at West Point 10 May 2010.JPG , Harold Gregory Moore, Jr., lieutenant general, U.S. Army (1977) File:GEN Meyer, Edward C USA.JPEG , Edward Charles Meyer, general, U.S. Army (1983) File:GEN Colin Powell.JPG , Colin Powell, general, U.S. Army (1993) File:Leroy A Petry.jpg , Leroy Arthur Petry, master sergeant, U.S. Army (2011) File:John Russell. British Army Major-army.mil-2008-07-09-171517.jpg , John Russell, major, U.K. Army, chief of operations, 1st Cav. Div. (2014) File:Daniel A. Dailey.jpg , Daniel A. Dailey, 15th sergeant major of the army (2015) File:Dale Dye.jpg , Dale A. Dye Jr., captain, U.S. Marine Corps


References


External links


Infantry AssociationA complete list of awardees
PDF {{DEFAULTSORT:Order Of Saint Maurice 1996 establishments in the United States Awards established in 1996 National Infantry Association Orders, decorations, and medals