Military Order of the Dragon

The Military Order of the Dragon. The purpose was to record the history and conserve the memory of the military campaign in China in the year 1900. Provision being made for admitting to honorary membership the officers of foreign armies on service in China between June 15 and October 1, 1900.

Following custom, the officers of the China Relief Expedition assembled in Peking just prior to the reduction of the expeditionary force, an organization of a society to perpetuate the associations formed during the expedition was created. Meetings of officers were held October 1, 2, and 3, 1900, resulting in the adoption of a name for the society, a constitution, officers, etc.

It was expected that this society would, in years to come, have a standing and historical interest similar to the well-known Aztec Society and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion. Its alliance with other kindred societies of other nations would undoubtedly tend to preserve acquaintance and friendships, which might otherwise be lost, and keep open the door for very desirable friendly exchanges, of a social and professional nature, with foreign officers.

CONSTITUTION OF THE MILITARY ORDER OF THE DRAGON

Article I. This association shall be known as the "Military Order of the Dragon."

Article II. The purpose of the Order shall be to record the history and conserve the memory of the military campaign in China in the year 1900.

Article III. The membership of the Order shall consist of four classes:

Section 1. ACTIVE MEMBERS: All regular and volunteer commissioned officers of the United States Army, Navy and Marine Corps, Acting Assistant Surgeons and authorized Volunteer Staff Officers, who served as such, or as an enlisted man, in North China or in the Gulf of Pechili in connection with or as a part of any military operation and under the orders of the respective Army and Navy Commanders thereof between June 15 and December 31, 1900, and all members of the Diplomatic and Consular services of the United States in Tientsin and Peking during said period shall be eligible as Active Members in the Order, and shall become such upon payment of the fees and dues hereinafter provided.

Section 2. HEREDITARY MEMBERS: The nearest male descendant, twenty-one years of age or over, of Active Members, may become Hereditary Members upon election by the Executive Committee and the payment of the fees and dues hereinafter provided. Hereditary Members shall not be entitled to vote or hold office. Upon the death of the Active Member from whom the Hereditary Member derives eligibility, such Hereditary Member shall become an Active Member by heredity, and shall be transferred to the active list, with all its rights and privileges.

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