MOWW National Commander-in-Chief David Gibson presents LTC. Norman G. Wilson of Los Alamos with the prestigious Gold Patrick Henry Medallion Tuesday at the American Legion. From left, MOWW Commander LTC Gregg Giesler, Barbara Jean Wilson, LTC Norm Wilson and NCIC Gibson. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

MOWW National Commander-in-Chief David Gibson, right, presents LTC Norman G. Wilson with the Gold Patrick Henry Medallion Tuesday. His wife Barbara Jean Wilson is at his side for the presentation. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

National Commander-in-Chief David Gibson of the Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW) presented LTC. Norman G. Wilson of Los Alamos with the prestigious Gold Patrick Henry Medallion during a special ceremony Tuesday evening at the American Legion on Trinity Drive.

Gibson traveled with his wife Diane from Olympia, Wash., to present the award.

“This is our first time visiting Los Alamos … what a beautiful place … and it’s an honor to present this award to LTC Wilson,” Gibson said.

“This is the highest award the MOWW bestows on an individual and this puts Norm in a unique position … very few ever receive it,” MOWW Commander LTC. Gregg Giesler said.

Wilson told the group gathered at the ceremony that he was surprised and very honored to receive the Gold Patrick Henry Medallion.

Giesler explained that Wilson was honored for his years of dedicated service, adding that Wilson invited Giesler into the organization 15 years ago.

During Tuesday’s event, LTC. Giesler presented certificates of recognition to MOWW Adjutant Eleanor Pinyan for her longtime service and Girl Scout Serena Birnbaum who earned her Scouting Gold Award – the equivalent of the Eagle for Boy Scouts. Birnbaum’s project was building new choir risers at Los Alamos High School.

Officer elections also were held Tuesday evening and the membership re-elected LTC. Giesler as commander, Pinyan as adjutant and also retained Col. Jerry Bolme as treasurer.

The evening wrapped up with a presentation by Los Alamos National Laboratory Historian Alan Carr on “Beyond the Moon” … the story of the Rover Program, 1955 – 1973.

MOWW Background

MOWW was created in 1919 by General of the Armies John J. Pershing as a fraternity for American military officers coming out of the Great War. Two decades later, when the USA became involved in WWII the organization name was pluralized to its current title of Military Order of the World Wars. Though the Order’s title has not changed since 1945, it remains a current officer’s society welcoming new qualified members in current military service and has members from the Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, War in Afghanistan, War in Iraq, and peacetime service.

Membership in the MOWW is open to all commissioned and warrant officers who served honorably, or are serving, in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces regardless of length of service or status as a combat veteran dating back to April 6, 1917 when the USA entered WWI. Additionally, any direct lineal descendant from a qualifying officer may also join the order, which indicates that the order also serves as a genealogical society.

• To cherish the memories and associations of the World Wars waged for humanity;
• To inculcate and stimulate love of our country and flag;
• To promote and further patriotic education in our nation;
• Ever to maintain law and order, and to defend the honor, integrity, and supremacy of our national government and the Constitution of the United States;
• To foster fraternal relations among all branches of the armed forces;
• To promote the cultivation of military, naval, and air science and the adoption of a consistent and suitable policy of national security for the United States of America;
• To acquire and preserve records of individual services;
• To encourage and assist in the holding of commemorations and the establishment of memorials of the World Wars; and
• To transmit all these ideals to posterity; under God and for our country, we unite to establish…

MOWW Commander LTC. Gregg Giesler presents a Certificate of Recognition to MOWW Adjutant Eleanor Pinyan for her longtime service to the organization. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

MOWW Commander LTC. Gregg Giesler presents a Certificate of Recognition to MOWW Girl Scout Serena Birnbaum who earned her Scouting Gold Award. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

From left, LANL Historian Alan Carr, MOWW Commander LTC. Gregg Giesler and MOWW National Commander-in-Chief David Gibson. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

MOWW Commander LTC. Gregg Giesler leads the group, which honored all POW-MIA military personnel during the event. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

MOWW National Commander-in-Chief David Gibson with his wife Diane at Tuesday’s event. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Los Alamos MOWW members Robert Hull, left, and Fire Chief Troy Hughes speak with National Commander-in-Chief David Gibson at Tuesday’s event. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Scene from Tuesday’s event. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com