Military Order of the Loyal Legion of The United States

Membership in the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States

A Perpetuation of Service, Honor, and National Memory

The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States was founded in a time of great uncertainty by a group of brave Union officers to ensure that the United States would continue to be the land of the free. After it became certain that the Union would hold, the Loyal Legion transformed itself into the voice and arm of Civil War Union commissioned officers, influencing in many ways the very trajectory of the country. Transforming again to permit sons and nephews a few decades later, the organization permitted these close relatives to be part of the organization, not in a separate entity. After the death of the final Original Companion in 1949, MOLLUS officially became an hereditary society. In the 2010s, the Loyal Legion permitted 1^st cousin collateral descendants to attain Hereditary Companionship. Regardless of our relationships, we are the direct and collateral descendants of those brave men who, in a time of national trial, upheld the unity and authority of the United States.

Membership in the Order is conferred upon those duly qualified under the Constitution and By-Laws of the Loyal Legion and is held not merely as an honor, but as a trust—to be preserved and transmitted in perpetuity.

The Objects of the Order

To commemorate and perpetuate the services and sacrifices of those who defended the Union.

To inculcate and maintain the principles of patriotism, loyalty, and national unity.
To preserve the records, history, and traditions associated with that service.
To maintain a society of Companions, united by ties of lineage, service, and devotion to country.

To be admitted to the Order is to accept the charge of remembrance and the duty of preservation; that the service of those who came before shall not be forgotten, but faithfully commemorated in each succeeding generation.

Do You Think You Have A Qualifying Ancestor But Not Sure?

Do you know you have a Union Civil War ancestor, but you’re not sure how you are related?
Do you know how you are related to your ancestor, but cannot quite find all of the needed documents?
Did you hear stories from prior generations that talked about a Union officer in your family?

Do not be ashamed if you answered yes to any of the following questions! We stand ready to help you.

Believe it or not, most members of MOLLUS are not professional genealogists. They sought assistance in completing their applications. Our organization has a group of dedicated Companions who have volunteered to assist potential applicants in determining whether or not they have a Qualifying Ancestor. Please let either the National Membership Director or your Commandery contact that you would like some assistance in completing your application and proof documentation packet.

Application For Membership

Once you have determined that you believe you have a Qualifying Ancestor, the next step is to apply for Companionship to the Commandery of your choice. Eligibility for Companionship (membership) is determined in accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws of the Order. Currently, there are three categories of Companionship – Hereditary, Associate, and Honorary. Why even have hereditary membership in today’s world? Well, the principle of hereditary succession within our Order ensures that the memory of our ancestors’ service is perpetuated from generation to generation.

Hereditary Companions are men those who are descended directly or collaterally in the male or female line from a commissioned officer who served honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States during the War of the Rebellion. Collateral descendants are defined as applicants who are nephews (no matter how many greats) or first cousins (no matter how many times removed).
Associate Companions are those men who have an interest in the principles and objectives of our Order, but who do not qualify as Hereditary Companions.
Honorary Companions are men who have distinguished themselves in service to their community, vocation, or humanity and are deserving of such a distinction. This classification is either awarded by a Commandery or the Commander-in-Chief.

If you do not have a Qualifying Ancestor, do not be discouraged! Some of the most important and active members of the Loyal Legion are Associate Companions. If you do locate a Qualifying Ancestor after becoming an Associate Companion, you can migrate your status to Hereditary. Please follow this link to access the membership instruction and applications page.

Application Process

Those interested in applying for Companionship to the Loyal Legion should either contact the National Membership Director Paul Lader ([email protected]) or the Commander of the Commandery to which they are interested in applying. Please click here for the list of Commandery contacts.