After the Revolutionary War, our nation organized a new military force known as the Legion of the United States, the precursor to the modern-day U.S. Army. Its first commander was Brig. General Anthony Wayne. In honor of General Wayne, and those who fought under his command, our Organization each year bestows the "Legion of the United States Award", primarily for community service. Previous Winners include Robert "Bob" Jones; and Dr. Jerome Adams. The 2023 winner will receive the award on Sunday, July 16, during a ceremony beginning at 3:00 p.m. at Freimann Square. Stay tuned for the announcement of the winner later today. (Pictured: GMAWO past-president Michael Skeens; 2022 recipient Dr. Jerome Adams; reenactor David "Mad Anthony Wayne" Rousculp.)
GMAWO pointing out the link between General "Mad" Anthony Wayne and THE OLD GUARD (the 3rd Infantry Regiment) at...
GMAWO pointing out the link between General "Mad" Anthony Wayne and THE OLD GUARD (the 3rd Infantry Regiment) at Arlington National Cemetery. Fort Wayne, the namesake of General Wayne, has much to be proud of with respect to General Wayne being the First Commander of the Legion of the United States.
July 16 was selected for the date in memory of the Battle at Stony Point, New York on July 16, 1779 rather than General Anthony Wayne's arrival at the three rivers on September 17, 1794, or the day the fort was dedicated five weeks later on October 22, 1794 as Fort Wayne.
For 98 years, the community has entrusted the Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society (The History Center) with serving present and future generations by collecting, preserving and sharing artifacts, documents and images that describe the people, places and events that define Fort Wayne and Allen County history. The organization adheres to a rigorous code of professional standards and ethics that requires historical interpretations to reflect thorough research, sound scholarship, temporal context and cultural inclusiveness. The History Center was not consulted in the creation of the “Mad Anthony Wayne Day” resolution; however, if City Council wishes to address the concerns regarding the accuracy of the history included in R-19-02-12, the organization would eagerly consider such a request.
Historical fiction Resolution perpetuates long-debunked Native American stereotypes by Stephen Warren published April 26, 2019 in The Journal Gazette newspaper.
July 16, 1779. The day Anthony Wayne and his fighting patriots defeated the British at the Battle of Stony Point on the Hudson River in New York. A nighttime sneak attack. The battle that made Anthony Wayne a national hero. A pivotal point in the Revolution.
With this victory came the battle cry "Remember Paoli," payback for the Paoli Massacre and loss of 53 patriots in September 1777.
Congratulations William Gregory ("Greg") Shipley for the work you have done as an archeologist, earning you our Organization's 2024 "Legion of the United States" Award!
Congratulations William Gregory ("Greg") Shipley for the work you have done as an archeologist, earning you our Organization's 2024 "Legion of the United States" Award!
I was in Fort Wayne, Indiana, yesterday, to receive the 2024 "Legion of the United States" award, during that city's...
I was in Fort Wayne, Indiana, yesterday, to receive the 2024 "Legion of the United States" award, during that city's General Mad Anthony Wayne Day events. I'd been notified of this recognition, by the General "Mad" Anthony Wayne Organization, Inc, a few months ago. I was most honored to accept this award... on behalf of our Wayne's Legion Research Group, and I was pleased that many of my project colleagues, along with the Fleckenstein family (owners of the Ft Loramie site), had made the trip from Ohio to be there, also. Thank you, Judi Loomis (President of the General Mad Anthony Wayne Organization) and to everyone that took part in this Freimann Square celebration, which honors General Anthony Wayne, annually. Had it not been for the determined leadership that Anthony Wayne provided to those 1792~1796 era United States military forces, known as: "The Legion of the United States" (aka Wayne's Legion), during a time of intense difficulties with the native tribes of the Ohio region... made even more difficult by the meddling of the British government and the British North American Indian Department, an abrupt halt could have been dealt to the American settlement of the Northwest Territory and to America's westward expansion. General Wayne constructed the fort at this Three Rivers location, (today's Fort Wayne, Indiana), in 1794, so it is fitting that he should be recognized as the original founder of this American city. My thanks go out to the "Settlers" organization ladies, also, who arranged for me to present a program, on our Fort Loramie/Wayne's Legion projects, at their historic Swinney Homestead facility. While there, it was a pleasure to have another opportunity to speak with Alan Gaff, author of "Bayonets in the Wilderness - Anthony Wayne's Legion in the Old Northwest". I had a most enjoyable day!
President Judi Loomis; 2024 Legion of the United States Award winner, Greg Shipley; and, Founder/Chairman Mike Loomis at the statue in Freimann Square
