http://www.oiwus.org/

 

From the website:

"During the spring of 1896, Colonel B.J.D. Irwin, Assistant Surgeon General, U.S. Army Retired, gathered together and organized a group of fellow officers in Chicago and at Fort Sheridan all of whom had participated in the Plains Indian Wars. The purpose of this gathering was to organize “ a Society that should stand related to the Indian Wars of the United States”. The Society would be called "The Order of Indian Wars of the United States" (OIWUS) and would use as its paradigm other extant military lineage sodalities such as the Society of the Cincinnati (War of Independence), The Aztec Club of 1847 (Mexican War) and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (Union Army, War Between the States). All of these hallowed societies were formed by veteran participants with provisions for descendants. Ab initio the Order was to be a society of veteran officer participants in the Indian Wars and their male descendants. As with those stated organizations, the first qualification for any prospective member of the Order was that he be a patriotic gentleman of impeccable character. The second qualification was military service in any of the myriad conflicts, battles or actual field service against hostile Indians within the jurisdiction of the United States. Providentially, the OIWUS also provided for hereditary male membership. Today the entire membership is hereditary since the last officer participants died many decades ago.

The purpose of the OIWUS was to perpetuate the history of the services rendered by the American military forces during the various conflicts and wars within the territory of the United States. Furthermore, the Order was committed to collecting and publishing historical data pertaining to “the brave deeds and personal devotion” of those involved in Indian warfare."

 

In reading some of their website it looks like "normally" only the membership number is engraved on the back. Am I correct? Richard

I have seen several examples of these medals with member names engraved on the reverse. From their appearance, they were privately engraved; most likely this was done at the owner's expense.

Here's the founder of the Order, Col. Irwin.

Colonel Irwin's medal group. (Unfortunately this group is NOT part of my collection.)

Here's an example of the membership certificate.

Page from 1907 Bailey, Banks & Biddle sales catalog.

Reverse of badge, showing engraving.

This is very cool items for that part of our history. Thanks for posting.

Those older Society medals are beautiful.

Note that this organization was NOT open to the enlisted soldier, only officers.

One of the most beautiful military fraternal medals of the U.S. if THE most beautiful. Bobgee