| Award Criteria The Long Service Medal shall be awarded to all Brothers and Sisters Initiatii and Ordinarii upon the completion of ten years exemplary service with the Brotherhood. The said ten years may be consecutive or cumulative. The medal will be awarded only once to its holder. Each additional ten years service will be signified by a bronze star affixed to the medal's ribbon. The Long Service Medal may be awarded to Legionnaires as determined by the Sublime Grand Master Medal Obverse: Profile of Clifford T. Bell crowned with the Purple Fez. Inscribed "Clifford T. Bell" and the initials "N.A.O.B.P.F." Medal Reverse: Inscribed "For Long Service" Medal Ribbon: Three equal stripes - purple, green, purple Medal: The Secret Archives of The Noble & Antediluvian Order of The Brotherhood of the Purple Fez |
Like many better known secret societies and brotherhoods, the Noble & Antediluvian Oder of the Brotherhood of the Purple Fez
has established an series of orders, decorations and medals to hone the service of its members. Prior to the establishment of the
Brotherhood's honors system much consideration was given as the final form they should take. During the debates it was proposed
that the decorations and medals should follow in some way the various French honors that Clifford T. Bell had been awarded
during his fateful service in the Foreign Legion. While this seemed to make sense from a historical point of view it was deemed
impractical have due deliberations due the overly complex nature of French awards. After several contentious councils a system
similar to that used by the British military was finally adopted. Clifford's personal military career took place during World War
One with the United States Army and with the French Foreign Legion during the Rif War and while he had no connection with the
British military itself the system of awards used by the British was so versatile and elegant in its simplicity that its adoption seemed
to make perfect sense. To be sure although the outward structure of the awards system itself would follow the British system all of
the iconography used would reflect Clifford's service in the Legion or him being the discoverer and keeper of the Purple Fez.
has established an series of orders, decorations and medals to hone the service of its members. Prior to the establishment of the
Brotherhood's honors system much consideration was given as the final form they should take. During the debates it was proposed
that the decorations and medals should follow in some way the various French honors that Clifford T. Bell had been awarded
during his fateful service in the Foreign Legion. While this seemed to make sense from a historical point of view it was deemed
impractical have due deliberations due the overly complex nature of French awards. After several contentious councils a system
similar to that used by the British military was finally adopted. Clifford's personal military career took place during World War
One with the United States Army and with the French Foreign Legion during the Rif War and while he had no connection with the
British military itself the system of awards used by the British was so versatile and elegant in its simplicity that its adoption seemed
to make perfect sense. To be sure although the outward structure of the awards system itself would follow the British system all of
the iconography used would reflect Clifford's service in the Legion or him being the discoverer and keeper of the Purple Fez.
| Above: Clifford's medal group as it would have looked at the time of his discharged from the Legion. From left: United States Would War One Victory Medal awarded for Clifford's service in the US Army during the Great War with three campaign clasps for St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne abd Defensive Sector. The Médaille Militaire awarded for valor in battle, the Croix de Guerre des Théâtres d'Opérations Extérieures avec Plame awarded for combat citations in foreign countries, the French Médaille Coloniale with bars for service in the Sahara and Morocco. Medals: The Secret Archives of The Noble & Antediluvian Order of The Brotherhood of the Purple Fez |
When finalized the Brotherhood's approved and official series of orders, decorations and medals would consist of three medalic
presentations, two with a single class and one with two classes. The third in precedence would be called the Long Service Medal, the
second in precedence would be the Distinguished Service Medal and the first in precedence would be the Order of the Purple Fez
which would come in two classes. Each is described detail below along with criteria for its award.
presentations, two with a single class and one with two classes. The third in precedence would be called the Long Service Medal, the
second in precedence would be the Distinguished Service Medal and the first in precedence would be the Order of the Purple Fez
which would come in two classes. Each is described detail below along with criteria for its award.
| Award Criteria The Distinguished Conduct Medal may be awarded to those Brothers or Sisters Initiatii or Ordinarii for the performance of some noted and distinguished act while in actual service of the Brotherhood. Determination of the award is made by the Sublime Grand Master in council with the Brothers and Sisters Initiatii. The medal will be awarded only once to any given holder with additional awards signified by a bronze star affixed to the medal's ribbon. Holders are entitled to the use of post-nominal letters "D.C.M" The Distinguished Conduct Medal may, under strict limitations, be awarded to members of the Brotherhood holding Legionnaire rank at the discretion of the Sublime Grand Master with consent of the members Initiatii. Medal Obverse: Profile of Clifford T. Bell crowned with the Kepi Blanc of the Foreign Legion. Inscribed "Clifford T. Bell" and the initials "N.A.O.B.P.F." Medal Reverse: Inscribed "For Distinguished Conduct" Medal Ribbon: Two narrow green outside stripes with one wide center strips of purple divided by a thin center gold stripe. Medal: The Secret Archives of The Noble & Antediluvian Order of The Brotherhood of the Purple Fez |
| The Order of the Purple Fez may be awarded to Brothers and Sisters Initiatii for a single act of selfless and exemplary devotion to duty while in service of the Brotherhood. Award determination is made by the Sublime Grand Master with consent of the Initiatii. The Order shall be awarded only once to any holder and with the advent of a second qualifying act the Order may be upgraded to the Order of the Purple Fez, First Class with Palme and the original Order shall be returned to the Brotherhood. Under no circumstances shall the Order of the Purple Fez and the Order of the Purple Fez, First Class with Palme be held by any member. Holders of the Order are entitled to the use of the post-nominal letters "O.P.F." Under strict limitations the Order may be awarded to Brothers and Sisters of Ordinarii rank at the discretion of the Sublime Grand Master with consent of the Initiatii. Medal Obverse: Profile of Clifford T. Bell crowned with the Purple Fez. Inscribed "Clifford T. Bell" and the initials "N.A.O.B.P.F." Medal Reverse: Inscribed "Order of the Purple Fez" Medal Ribbon: Three equal stripes - white, purple white. Medal: The Secret Archives of The Noble & Antediluvian Order of The Brotherhood of the Purple Fez |
| THE LONG SERVICE MEDAL |
| THE DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL |
| Order of the Purple Fez |
| Order of the Purple Fez, First Class with Palme |
| The Order of the Purple Fez, First Class with Palme may be awarded only to Brothers and Sisters Initiatii for repeated acts of selfless and extraordinary devotion to duty while in service of the Brotherhood. Award determination is made by the Sublime Grand Master with consent of the Initiatii. The Order shall be awarded only once to holder. The Order is awarded to the Sublime Grand Master upon his assumption of office. Holders of the Order are entitled to the use of the post-nominal letters "O.P.F." Medal Obverse: Profile of Clifford T. Bell crowned with the Purple Fez. Inscribed "Clifford T. Bell" and the initials "N.A.O.B.P.F." Medal Reverse: Inscribed "Order of the Purple Fez, First Class" Medal Ribbon: Three equal stripes - white, purple white. Bronze palme device affixed to the ribbon is taken from and is in honor of Clifford T. Bell's Croix de Guerre T.O.E. won for gallantry at the Battle of Jebel al Sharif during the Rif War. Medal: The Secret Archives of The Noble & Antediluvian Order of The Brotherhood of the Purple Fez |
From time to time it has been find necessary to create special awards and recognitions for members of the Brotherhood outside of
the above listed medalic honors. These awards may take the form of emblems, badges, special titles or commissions and are often
unique and of a one time nature. They can also transcend the three classed of the Brotherhood with members of Legionnaire rank
being eligible for awards not available to even the those of Initiatii rank.
the above listed medalic honors. These awards may take the form of emblems, badges, special titles or commissions and are often
unique and of a one time nature. They can also transcend the three classed of the Brotherhood with members of Legionnaire rank
being eligible for awards not available to even the those of Initiatii rank.
| Left: The Order of the Golden Tassel. This award was created specifically for and presented to Brother Carl P. by the ranks of the Initiatii in recognition of repeated supreme self sacrifice on behalf of the Brotherhood. When tassels are worn on member's fezzes they are always black as prescribed below in the Regalia section. A golden tassel was purchased by the Initiatii through a special fund and presented to Brother Carl in a closed ceremony. While at the time a simple recognition the award has since been upgraded to that of an Order by special edict by the Most Sublime Grand Master and has also been ordered to be singular in nature and not to be repeated. As an Order of the Brotherhood, Brother Carl was also granted the use of the post-nominal letters: O.G.T. Fez & Tassel: The Secret Archives of The Noble & Antediluvian Order of The Brotherhood of the Purple Fez |
| Right: Brevet & Commission Warrant All brevet commissions are issued at the sole authority of the Most Sublime Grand Master and are valid until terminated by the Grand Master or surrendered by the brevet holder. These brevet commissions can be issued without reservation members of the Brotherhood regardless of rank be they members Initiatii, Ordinarii or Legionnaire. While there is no stated limit to the number of brevet commissions that may be issued by the Most Sublime Grand Master the number will always be conservative in nature so that the value of said brevet commissions be maintained. With the creation of the Brevet & Commission Warrant pictured here in November 2014 all previous commissions and brevet ranks were withdrawn and canceled. Certain of the previously issued brevets and commission have been or will be reauthorized and issued by the Most Sublime Grand Master. Currently only one warrant is in effect with Brother Initiatii Dick B. holding the brevet of Most High Sayer of Sooth. Warrant: The Secret Archives of The Noble & Antediluvian Order of The Brotherhood of the Purple Fez |
Many secret or semi-secret fraternal societies weigh down their memberships with all sorts of expensive and oft times outlandish
elements of costume, uniforms and regalia ranging form things as divers as aprons to sashes and swords. The Noble & Antediluvian
Order of the Brotherhood of the Purple Fez goes against these overt extravagances and maintains only a very few elements of regalia.
None of these items are required for membership in the Brotherhood as all items must be purchased by the
individual members at their discretion and expense.
Naturally the foremost of all elements of regalia worn in the Brotherhood in the purple fez. It is symbolic of the original Purple Fez
that was once worn by the king Narmur-Ra in the deeps of time and which was subsequently rediscovered by Clifford T. Bell while
lost in the Sahara Desert.
elements of costume, uniforms and regalia ranging form things as divers as aprons to sashes and swords. The Noble & Antediluvian
Order of the Brotherhood of the Purple Fez goes against these overt extravagances and maintains only a very few elements of regalia.
None of these items are required for membership in the Brotherhood as all items must be purchased by the
individual members at their discretion and expense.
Naturally the foremost of all elements of regalia worn in the Brotherhood in the purple fez. It is symbolic of the original Purple Fez
that was once worn by the king Narmur-Ra in the deeps of time and which was subsequently rediscovered by Clifford T. Bell while
lost in the Sahara Desert.
| Right: The Purple Fez The purple fez pictured at right is by no means the "Purple Fez" which disappeared with Clifford in 1940 but is in fact that which belongs to the Most Sublime Grand Master. Governing rules regarding the purple fezzes worn by the membership of the Brotherhood state that all fezzes should remain plain and unadorned as was the original Purple Fez. The only exception to this rule is the addition of a fez tassel pin should a tassel be worn. This pin may be a necessity to keep the tassel in good order and should be of the simplest pattern available. At various times decorative devices have been worn on members fezzes. These are now unauthorized for wear at any time. Fezzes may be worn by members of the Brotherhood at any time although proper decorum should be exhibit on those occasions out of deference of and to both the original Purple Fez and Clifford T. Bell Tassels may be worn by all brothers and sisters of Initiatii and Ordinarii rank and should be black in color. The only exception to this rule in the Golden Tassel awarded to Brother Initiatii Carl P. in special recognition of services to the Brotherhood. Members of the Legionnaire rank should only wear un-tasseled fezzes unless granted right to do so by special authority of the Sublime Grand Master. Fez: The Most Sublime Grand Master of The Noble & Antediluvian Order of The Brotherhood of the Purple Fez |
| The Médaille Kepi Blanc may be awarded to Brothers and Sisters Initiatii for meritorious conduct while in service of the Brotherhood. Award determination is made by the sole discretion Sublime Grand Master . The Médaille Kepi Blanc shall be awarded only once to any holder and with the advent of a second qualifying act a bronze Palme will be attached to the ribbon. Holders of the Médaille are entitled to the use of the post-nominal letters "M.K.B." The pure white ribbon signifies fidelity and is reminiscent of the white kepi (kepi blanc) worn by the Foreign Legion. Under strict limitations the Order may be awarded to Brothers and Sisters of Ordinarii rank at the sole discretion of the Sublime Grand Master. Medal Obverse: Profile of Clifford T. Bell crowned with the Kepi Blanc of the Foreign Legion. Inscribed "Clifford T. Bell" and the initials "N.A.O.B.P.F." Medal Reverse: Inscribed "Order of the Purple Fez" Medal Ribbon: Watered White Medal: The Secret Archives of The Noble & Antediluvian Order of The Brotherhood of the Purple Fez |
| Médaille Kepi Blanc |
