"The Fraternal Order of St. Crispin" was formed by U.N.C.L.E.'s original
thirteen field agents in January 1946. The name was derived from the
king's famous soliloquy
in Shakespeare's "Henry V." When female agents
were accepted into the ranks of Enforcement in 1965, the name was changed
to the "St. Crispin's Day Society," by which it is still known today.
"The St. Crispin's Day Society has no formal internal structure. No
officers are elected. No dues are levied. No meetings are held. However,
there are local groups of retired agents who get together regularly,
usually about once a year. Favored dates are the second weekend in
January; October 25, the feast of the martyred saints, Crispin and
Crispian, and the Wednesday before Easter, commonly known as "Spy
Wednesday," the day Judas betrayed Christ. The Society also maintains
several charitable funds for disabled field agents and for the widows and
children of agents killed in the line of duty. Contributions are strictly
voluntary.
Although the existence of the society is well-known within the espionage
community, the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement officially
disavows any recognition, association or approval. Indeed, over the years,
the Command's administration has actively tried to discourage membership,
with extremely limited success.
All enforcement agents who work in the field are automatically eligible to
join the society. (Agents from other sections of the organization must be
invited.) With rare exceptions, membership among operatives in Sections
Two and Three is universal.
Induction traditionally occurs on the eve of graduation, at the
U.N.C.L.E. survival school. While the details of the initiation ceremony
are a closely-guarded secret, society members can be recognized by a
hair-line scar that parallels the lifeline of their right hand.