Who are the MUSTANG PONIES?
Tom Brokaw has written about the “Greatest Generation”. In recent years there have been many books and articles written about the experiences of our forefathers before and during World War II. One of the reasons there has been resurgence in interest in that generation is the reality that they are dying by the thousands daily. With their passing, goes a wealth of information.
One of the projects of the National Order of Battlefield Commissions is to record the experiences of their members in books that can be shared with their families and their neighbors. True, others have similar objectives, but this is a unique organization.
Members of the National Order of Battlefield Commissions have received commissions in the armed forces of the United States on the battlefield. In other words, they were enlisted members of their respective service, either drafted or volunteered, when they distinguished themselves through valor and leadership. For some, that valor and courage was recognized by the President with the presentation of the Medal of Honor. Although some had formal education beyond secondary school, but most did not. Some had not finished high school when they entered military service. Most likely, very few would have qualified for Officers Candidate School let alone The Military Academy. It should be noted that after the war most of these officers did obtain academic degrees and all achieved great things for themselves, their families, and their country.
Throughout the history of the United States there have been many military actions; from policing and patrolling to all out war. In many of these actions the need for personnel has exceeded the availability of the trained professional military. One of the ways to meet the need has been to appoint selected members for temporary, or Brevet, commissions. Among the better-known personages of U.S. military history are Arthur MacArthur and Audie Murphy. The father of General of the Army Douglas MacArthur was a volunteer with the Wisconsin Militia on Missionary Ridge during our Civil War when he distinguished himself with courage and valor by rallying the troops to win the battle and save the day for the Union. He received a commission of Brevet Lieutenant and a Medal of Honor. After the war, he continued to serve in the Army and received a regular commission and rose to Lieutenant General. By the time his youngest son, Douglas, entered the U.S. Military Academy, he was the highest-ranking general in the U.S. Army in command of its largest department, the Army of the West, headquartered at the Presidio of San Francisco, which included the Pacific areas Hawaii and Philippines. Audie Murphy was the most decorated soldier in World War II, who also, received a Medal of Honor and a commission as a Second Lieutenant.
During World War II the graduates of OCS were called “90-day wonders” by their troops, while the recipients of a battlefield commission were called “Mustangs”. Mustang is Spanish for a particularly aggressive horse. The members of the NOBC wear the moniker “Mustangs” with pride, so their newsletter is named the Mustang News. Now there is a companion organization to the NOBC organized by and for the descendents of battlefield commissionees. Although the offspring of a horse is called a colt, the descendents of the Mustangs call themselves the “Mustang Ponies”. Their newsletter is called “The Pony Express”.
Although World War II veterans organized the NOBC, membership includes veterans of World War I, the Korean United Nations Police Action, and the Vietnam Conflict. To our knowledge, no one has been battlefield commissioned during any subsequent military action.
The members of the NOBC are an elite group, as their numbers are few when compared to the number of combatants through all the military actions of the United States. Their lives are a constant reminder that freedom isn’t free. Ponies will help keep the message, even after the Mustangs are gone. The members of the Ponies are direct descendents and interested family and friends of battlefield commissioned veterans. The battlefield commissionee need not be a member of the NOBC in order for his descendents to belong to the Ponies. Membership may be obtained by application and payment of dues. Direct descendents (defined as sons, daughters, stepsons, stepdaughters, and adopted sons and daughters) pay $10.00 per year and have full voting privilege. Interested family and friends may become Associate Members at $10.00 per year and have full voting privilege. Persons under the age of 18 may become Junior Members for $5.00 per year.
Ponies have biannual conventions that meet at the same time and facility as the NOBC. The corporation is chartered with the state of North Carolina and registered with the federal IRS as a 501c(3) non-profit corporation. It’s constitution provides no compensation for officers which include: president, 1st vice president (recruiting), 2nd vice president (conventions), secretary, treasurer, and at least three directors (who serve 6 year terms), and by appointment: an editor, a chaplain, a legal advisor and any other position or skill as deemed appropriate for the support of the Ponies.