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AOSB

ANCIENT ORDER OF SAINT BARBARA

The Ancient Order is reserved for an elite few whose long-term dedication to the Field Artillery has embodied the spirit, dignity and sense of sacrifice and commitment epitomized by Saint Barbara. It recognizes the select few who stand above their brethren of the Honorable Order in terms of conspicuous, lifetime service for or on behalf of the United States Army or Marine Corps Field Artillery. The Ancient Order is the more distinguished of the two levels of the Order of Saint Barbara.

HSB

HONORABLE ORDER OF SAINT BARBARA

The Honorable Order of Saint Barbara recognizes those individuals who have demonstrated the highest standards of integrity and moral character; displayed an outstanding degree of professional competence; served the United States Army or Marine Corps Field Artillery with selflessness; and contributed to the promotion of the Field Artillery in ways that stand out in the eyes of the recipient's seniors, subordinates and peers alike.

ESTEEMED ARTILLERY ORDER OF MOLLY PITCHER

The Esteemed Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher recognizes those individuals who have mentored other spouses and volunteers. The individual demonstrated a life-long commitment to the support of the Field Artillery Community. All spouses, civilians, and military personnel are eligible for this award via volunteer service.

EAOMP Procedures and Requirements

ARTILLERY ORDER OF MOLLY PITCHER

The Order of Molly Pitcher recognizes those individuals who have voluntarily contributed in significant and meaningful ways to the improvement of the Field Artillery Community. All spouses, civilians, and military personnel are eligible for this award via volunteer service.

History of Saint Barbara Awards

The earliest mention of artillery in conjunction with Saint Barbara happened on 14 Dec 1429 in a Papal Ordinance to Florence’s citizens. From there, adoption of the patron saint spread quickly among Italian Artillery units and Artillery Schools. The earliest reference in the United States is found an article in a 1920 issue of the FA Journal. However, her patronage was not secure because less than a year later, in 1921, Joseph Hanson petitioned for Joan of Arc as a better fit for the position in an article in the journal. Luckily, the petition was not taken into consideration, and St. Barbara was staying put for a little while.

On 4 Dec 1934, in Boston, the New England Association of Field Artillerymen held the first Saint Barbara’s Ball, but it was not until 1938 that the Michigan National Guard formed and received copyright approval for the first Military Order of Saint Barbara organization. The order’s objectives remain the same today, to promote professionalism, integrity, good fellowship, and esprit de corps. Sadly, the copyright was never renewed, and the badge (first medal) was never patented. The order disbanded and due to incomplete records the original designer of the award remains unknown. As WWII loomed on the horizon, the attention of the Artillery at large was focused elsewhere.

During WWII, the Korean Conflict, and even into the Vietnam War, commanders often created unit-centric certificates to award soldiers for their efforts contributing to the Artillery Branch. This practice was common because there was no clear and unified method of processing awards. The Association has seen several of these certificates come into the office as older veterans or family members of deceased service members want to validate their award.

It was Major General Thomas E. de Shazo, Commanding General of the Field Artillery School, and devout Christian who is credited with the resurgence of the Saint Barbara tradition at Fort Sill and across the Field Artillery. In 1956, he directed the first observance of the Feast of Saint Barbara at Fort Sill. He also commissioned the official image of Saint Barbara, had it crafted into a stained-glass window and installed in the Old Post Chapel in 1958. During this time, the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara Award was presented as a certificate to select Generals for service to the Field Artillery.

Due to growing concerns over the separation of church and state in 1959, the Adjunct General of the Army declared that any military activities with official religious connotations must be voluntary and unofficial. However, fate intervened on behalf of Saint Barbara once again, and ten years later, Pope Paul VI removed 30 saints from the official liturgical calendar. Saint Barbara was among them and was relegated from official saint to “holy helper.” Once Barbara ceased to be an official saint of the Catholic Church, the Artillery could continue to recognize St. Barbara in an official capacity. The medals continued using the “pray for us” motto along the bottom of the circle until the late 1980’s when the currently used version was designed.

Major General Charles P. Brown, Commandant of the USAFAS 1967-1970, awarded a small statues of Saint Barbara along with the certificate to each Ancient Order inductee. He awarded approximately 50 field artillerymen. However, the limited honor was only for those who served at Fort Sill. 1974 brought about significant changes for the award program when Major General David E. Ott brought the award under the Fort Sill Protocol Office’s control. He also created the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara to grant eligibility for those serving outside Fort Sill.

When the U.S. Field Artillery Association was revitalized in 1978, the program’s stewardship was passed to them. Finally, in 1983, the Commandant, Major General John W. Crosby modified the program to its current structure with the Honorable Order’s eligibility for anyone providing significant, professional contributions to the Field Artillery, regardless of service location. The Ancient Order was reserved for those select few who ascend to the FA branch’s top tiers and stand out above their peers. The Air Defense Artillery Association was formed at Fort Bliss in the late 1970’s and they too adopted Saint Barbara and Molly Pitcher in the later part of the 1980’s, since many of their senior leaders had received the award before the branches split.

The History of the Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher

This review would not be complete without a look back into the additional tradition of awarding spouses for their voluntary work. The Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher Award came about in 1965. The idea was first conceptualized by Colonel Bob Partridge and Mrs. Joyce Ott. The first awardees received a certificate initiated by the Commandant of the Field Artillery School. The Molly Pitcher Medal was not introduced until 1968 and was presented exclusively at Fort Sill. These medals were presented on a thin black cord and worn as a necklace. The new medal featured an image of Molly Pitcher on the front. A painting by John Ward Dunsmore titled Molly Pitcher - The Battle of Monmouth, 1778, inspired this version of Molly Pitcher. The original painting still hangs at the Fraunces Tavern Museum, New York City. On the reverse side of the early medals, the FA Branch’s insignia, the crossed cannons, was surrounded by the phrase, “for service to others, Fort Sill.” This award, like the Saint Barbara Award, was administered by the protocol office until 1984. At this time, the managerial duty of the Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher was passed to the U.S. Field Artillery Association and was presented to spouses throughout the branch. Today, the award is open to anyone who voluntarily serves the Artillery, both ADA and FA, regardless of family affiliation.

The Esteemed Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher was created in 2022 by Mrs. Connie McDonald, wife of former Fort Sill CG, MG Mark McDonald. It was established to celebrate those spouses who have given a career-length of volunteer work and mentored the younger volunteers. Often, these spouses engage in volunteer work that increases in visibility, as well as responsibility, moving from localized roles to military-wide or even nation-wide organizations. The Esteemed award is one way of saying thank-you for the countless hours of volunteerism.

Conclusion

Through her long and storied past, Saint Barbara continues to serve as a protector to Artillerymen everywhere. We have many individuals and organizations to thank for ensuring that her legend and her Order’s legacy endures for future generations. Additionally, Molly Pitcher still, and will continue to, represent the selfless service of those volunteers who aid the Artillery. Today, the staffs at the USFAA and ADAA are honored to serve as the protectors and administrators of distinguished awards for Artillerymen world-wide.