Numbered Member Badge of The Naval and Military Order of the Spanish-American War

The medal was created in silver gilt with red, white and blue enamels, and with the number engraved “1042” on the side edge of the top arm. The badge has a split brooch suspension. There is a chip to the white enamel on the reverse side of the lower center arm. The reverse of the eagle suspension device is marked “Silver” and bears a patent date of “6-6-99”.

The Naval and Military Order of the Spanish-American War (NMOSAW) was founded on February 2, 1899 in New York City by Lieutenant Walter J. Sears, USN. There were 98 charter members. Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, then Governor of New York, was elected as the Order’s first president. By 1908 the Order had over 1,200 members and was active in the era prior to World War I. It seems to have ceased to exist prior to 1936, as the last National Bulletin of the Order was published in 1935. 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 the descendants of its original members in order to perpetuate its existence. This was probably due to the relatively few individuals eligible to join the organization and, thus, to hold this member badge.