On his long train ride to Detroit in 1920, he recalled General Pershing’s final letter to the American Expeditionary Force as it departed Europe in 1919. Frank noted his ideas on the back of an envelope, and then crafted them into a set of guiding principles for the new Order. When presented to the Convention on September 8, 1920 they became the Order’s Preamble and were readily accepted by the Charter Convention. The Preamble of the Military Order of the World Wars is substantially the same today, over 100 years since that historic train ride.
Captain Grevemberg was specially honored at the 1945 Silver Anniversary Convention in Washington, D.C. Surely no Companion has contributed more to the ideals, the endeavors, and the achievements of the Military Order of the World Wars. Companion Grevemberg lived to see his Preamble respected and honored, and it is recited as guidance at every meeting of the MOWW.
Captain Francis Bartholomew Grevemberg was an active member of the Order throughout his life. He died in New Orleans on March 13, 1966 at age 79. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.