The origins of the Knights of Dunamis date to April 19, 1925. It was not a sanctioned program by the Boy Scouts of America.

It was an organization devoted to service and upholding the Eagle Badge. It was founded in San Francisco. The name, Knights of Dunamis, was after the Greek word for power or spirit. As time went on, many young men felt conflicts between the Knights of Dunamis, with their ceremonies, and their own local scout troop activities. In 1970, the Knights of Dunamis were merged into the Boy Scouts of America, and would soon become the National Eagle Scout Association.

The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award

The Knights of Dunamis gave way to the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) which produced the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, or DESA. The DESA was presented to Eagle Scouts who significantly distinguished themselves in later life.The award itself was a gold eagle suspended on a red, white and blue neck ribbon. Two distinct varieties produced. 

Knights of Dunamis

The Knights of Dunamis is a now defunct service organization for Eagle Scouts willing to continue their service to the community beyond their Eagle Badge. Many of the various regalia of the Knights are very collectible. This page illustrates some of this memorabilia.

 

The Knights of Dunamis hold a meeting in this early photograph. (above)

 Early felt patch        Ribbon

  Lapel Pins 

 Decal     Ring

  Blazer Patch    Key Chain

   Arm Band