The Order of the Indian Wars of the United States (OIWUS) is a military society founded in 1896 by officers of the United States Army who served in campaigns against Native Americans from the American Revolution to the late 19th century.
[2] Its primary purpose is to provide fellowship to is members and preserve the history of the Indian Wars.
According to its constitution the objects of the OIWUS are to ... perpetuate the memories of the services rendered by the military forces of the United States in their conflicts and wars against hostile Indians within the territory or jurisdiction of the United States, and to collect and secure for publication historical data relating to the instances of heroic service and personal devotion by which Indian warfare has been illustrated.Membership originally consisted of veteran officers (termed Original Companions) and their male descendants (termed Hereditary Companions).
More recently, membership was expanded to include descendants of soldiers who served in wars with Native Americans dating back to the early 1600s.
Membership may also be considered for gentlemen who are lineally descended from persons, of any rank, who engaged in combat against Native Americans serving in a military unit under the British Crown, prior to June 14, 1776.