The Order of Lafayette

[KevinBeyer]

 

THE ORDER OF LAFAYETTE

 

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 inspiration is General Lafayette, the French officer who served alongside General George Washington during the American Revolution. The Order’s principles are “God, Unity, Peace, Honor.”

 

MEMBERSHIP

American enlisted men who served in France or in French possessions during World War I or World War II, and who were commissioned later are also 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 Medaille Militaire who served in France or French possessions during World War I or World War II, 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 twenty-one years. Membership is also extended to all American military personnel who served in close conjunction with French forces in Operation Desert Storm, Kosovo, Afghanistan, or the Somali coast. Service may include liaison officers, translators, training, special operations, as well as combat.

 

Anyone interested in membership can contact The Order of Lafayette at [email protected]