United States: Fraternal Patriotic Americans World War Tribute Medal for the American Expeditionary Force 1917-1918

The Fraternal Patriotic Americans were a Masonic secret, fraternal, and patriotic order domiciled in, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The original (worn) silk medal riband suspended from a slot brooch. The latter retaining the its long hinged pin and clasp fittings

Reverse legend: On 7 x lines. Presented by the / fraternal patriotic / Americans / to their gallant brothers / in grateful recognition / of their services in the / World War

The reverse including 'Square & Compass' Free Mason emblem

Fraternal Patriotic Americans: A secret, fraternal, and patriotic Order, founded in 1913. The qualifications for membership are : "Members must be , . . born in America, of good character, and believers in a Supreme Being. They must be . . . opposed to the union of Church and State, and will uphold our public school system as well as the reading of the Holy Bible therein." This Order seems to operate only in Pennsylvania. It claims about 140 "Councils" with a combined membership of nearly 30,000 (21,500, according to the Fraternal Monitor).

Declaration of Principles, etc., of the Fraternal Patriotic Americans, published for propaganda purposes by the State Council Secretary, Geo. S. Ford, 608 Franklin Bldg., Philadelphia, Pa., 192-3. — Statistics Fraternal Societies, 1923, p. 236.

A scarce Great War 'Fraternal Secret Society' medal

Condition: GVF

Code: 23674