Grand Decoration of Chivalry

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The Grand Decoration of Chivalry is the highest award within the Order and is conferred by the General Military Council of the Patriarchs Militant for exceptional service to Odd Fellowship and distinguished civic contribution.

The decoration is limited in number, subject to strict qualification standards, and may only be awarded through formal recommendation, documentation review, and final approval by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the General Military Council.

Eligibility

It may be awarded only to a member in good standing of the Patriarchs Militant who meets all of the following conditions:

• Owns and wears a full dress uniform bearing proper insignia of rank.
• Has performed unusual, exceptional, meritorious, and outstanding service for Odd Fellowship.
• Has performed distinguished civic service in the community, demonstrating sustained devotion of time and effort to public causes or assistance to those in need outside of immediate family members.

Nomination Requirements

All recommendations must be supported by formal documentation, including:

• Letters and affidavits from individuals within or outside the Order detailing the facts supporting qualification.
• An affidavit from the Captain of the Canton stating that neither the member nor any family member paid any cost of the jewel.

The General Military Council is empowered to determine the minimum number of required letters and affidavits.

Recommendation Procedure

Recommendations must be made on official forms obtained from the Adjutant General.

Initiation

Recommendations may be initiated by:

• A Canton
• A Department Council
• The Aide of the General Commanding (if no Department Council exists)

All recommendations must first be presented to the Canton of which the nominee is a member.

Canton Action

When initiated in a Canton:

• The recommendation must be approved at a regular meeting.
• Voting shall be by written ballot requiring a three-fourths (3/4) affirmative vote.
• Upon approval, it is forwarded to the Department Council or supervising Aide.

Forwarding Requirements

After approval at the Canton or Department level:

• The recommendation must be forwarded to the Adjutant General.
• It must reach headquarters not later than thirty (30) days after approval.

Review and Approval

The approval process is conducted by the General Military Council.

• The recommendation is reviewed by the Committee on Grand Decoration of Chivalry.
• If the committee issues a favorable report, it proceeds to a vote of the General Military Council.
• A three-fourths (3/4) affirmative vote of members present is required for authorization.

If the committee issues an adverse report, any member of the General Military Council may move to grant the Grand Decoration of Chivalry notwithstanding the committee’s recommendation.

The General Military Council has final authority on all awards.

Limitations on Number

The Grand Decoration of Chivalry shall not, in any one year, be conferred upon more than:

• Five members in departments consisting of one or more divisions.
• Four members in departments consisting of a brigade.
• Three members in departments consisting of less than a brigade.

Conferment of the Decoration

Upon authorization:

• The Adjutant General verifies that proper payment has been made.
• A Paper Patent is issued to the Department Commander authorizing conferment.
• The decoration is conferred by the Department Commander or a designated representative.

The recipient must appear properly uniformed, with insignia of rank, and must present the Paper Patent at the time of conferment.

If an authorized recipient does not appear for conferment within two years, the authorization and Paper Patent become void.

An extension of not more than one additional year may be granted by the General Commanding where delay is due to incapacity or unavoidable cause.

If the decoration is not conferred for any reason, the fee for the jewel may be refunded at the discretion of the Department Council.

Legal Sources of the Jewel

Grand Decoration of Chivalry jewels may only be obtained through legal channels:

• Purchase through a Department Council or directly from the Adjutant General through The Sovereign Grand Lodge where no Department Council exists.
• Jewels previously willed or donated to a Department Council, upon payment of a ten dollar ($10.00) recording fee to the General Military Council.

No Grand Decoration of Chivalry may be conferred unless the jewel has been obtained from a legal source.

Posthumous Awards

The Grand Decoration of Chivalry may be awarded posthumously under the following conditions:

• Upon an Unknown Soldier interred in a National Cemetery.
• Upon a notable personage interred anywhere.

In such cases, service to mankind shall be the guiding principle of the award, whether the recommendation originates from a Canton, Department, or the General Military Council.

Upon adoption of a resolution to award the decoration posthumously by the General Military Council, the resolution shall be transmitted to the Sovereign Grand Lodge for consideration.

Trivia

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See Also

• Patriarchs Militant
• General Military Council
• Canton
• Sovereign Grand Lodge