Honorable Order of Molly Pitcher
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The Honorable Order of Molly Pitcher is bestowed by the U.S. Field Artillery Association (USFAA) and the Air Defense Artillery Association (ADAA) to recognize women who have voluntarily contributed in a significant way to the improvement of the U.S. Field Artillery or Air Defense Artillery Communities.
USFAA and ADAA awards background
The USFAA and ADAA processes three awards for worthy artillery men and their supportive spouses: The Ancient Order of Saint Barbara, the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara, and the Honorable Order of Molly Pitcher (ADAA) or the Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher (USFAA). Each award has specific requirements for induction.
Nomination Process - Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher
The award authority for the Artillery Order of Molly pitcher is decentralized to the Field Artillery commanders, Lieutenant Colonel or above. Such commanders may approve the award for individuals in their communities. When there is no such Field Artillery commander available, the Commanding General of the United States Army Field Artillery Center at Fort Sill is the approving authority for the Artillery Order of Molly pitcher. The Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher recognizes individuals who have voluntarily contributed in a significant way to the improvement of the Field Artillery Community.
Nomination Process - Honorable Order of Molly Pitcher
The nominating and approving authority for the Order of Molly Pitcher is the first FA or ADA Battalion or FA Brigade Commander in the chain of command. If no FA of ADA Battalion or Brigade Commander exists, the senior FA or ADA commander in the organization will forward the nomination to the ADA Association at Fort Bliss or the United States Field Artillery Association at Fort Sill. The packet will be forwarded to the Commanding General for review and final decision.
The Order of Molly Pitcher Medallion
The Order of Molly Pitcher Medallion represents the award and induction of the woman honored. It is worn as the recipient deems appropriate and may hang from either a ribbon or a chain.
Who was Molly Pitcher?
Mary Ludwig Hays was born in 1744 to a German dairy farmer in Pennsylvania. She began her career as a maid to Dr. William Irvine at age 13. She later retired to marry John Casper Mc Cauly, a barber. In 1775 he enlisted in the Colonial Artillery and Mary was there every step of the way. At the Battle of Monmouth she used a pitcher to carry water from a nearby spring to thirsty and dying soldiers, even to her former employer, Dr. Irvine. After her husband was wounded, she took over his cannon. These deeds earned her recognition from George Washington and her nickname, Molly Pitcher.