Military Order of Foreign Wars

Founding: The MOFW was founded on December 13, 1894, in New York City. It was formed out of a perceived need for a military order comprising both veteran and hereditary members, unlike other societies that focused only on one specific conflict (like the Civil War).

Initial Scope: The Order’s initial membership was limited to officers (and their descendants) who served in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Mexican War.

Name Change: Initially known as the Military and Naval Order of the United States, the name was officially changed in April 1895 to its present form: The Military Order of Foreign Wars of the United States.

Motto: The organization’s motto is the Latin phrase Deus et Libertas, meaning “God and Liberty.”