MOWW is a IRS 501c19 patriotic Veterans Service Organization (VSO) founded in 1919 by officers who had served under General of the Armies John J. “Black Jack” Pershing, during the "Great War" (World War I).  The purpose of the Order, then and now, is to promote patriotism, civic responsibility and leadership. The Order was originally named the American Officers of the Great War, later changed to the Military Order of the World War, and still later to the Military Order of the World Wars. It was incorporated by an act of Congress on 27 January 1919. The Order was intended to be the successor to the Society of the Cincinnati established by George Washington's Officers of the Continental Army and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of Federal Officers who served in the American Civil War.