U.S. ARMED FORCES-ISSUED CHIEF COMMANDER LEGION OF MERIT MEDAL SET 

U.S. Armed Forces Chief Commander Legion of Merit breast star. Gold-plated brass and multi-color enamel. Horizontal kick pin with locking swivel catch. Obverse features blue medallion with 13 white stars on a domed five-pointed star atop a green laurel wreath with gold decals. Reverse engraved with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "12C." Diam. approx. 3 in. With blue informational plaque, approx. 2 x 1/4 in. 

WITH U.S. Armed Forces Chief Commander Legion of Merit ribbon bar. Gold enamel Legion of Merit on a burgundy and white ribbon. Secured to brass horizontal kick pin with locking swivel catch. Approx. 1 1/4 x 1/4 in. 

WITH U.S. Armed Forces Chief Commander Legion of Merit lapel pin. Gold enamel Legion of Merit on enamel burgundy and white ribbon. Secured to brass butterfly clasp pinback. Approx. 3/4 x 1/4 in. 

A U.S. Armed Forces-issued Chief Commander Legion of Merit medal set. In addition to the breast star, this lot also includes the small ribbon badge and lapel pin. To be awarded the Chief Commander rank of the Legion of Merit, which is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements, the recipient must be the head of state or government. The only time this rule wasn't followed was during World War II when President Franklin D. Roosevelt awarded this degree to some Allied theater commanders. 

Inspired by the French Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur (National Order of the Legion of Honour), the U.S.'s Legion of Merit was introduced on 20 July 1942, the date that's noted on this lot's small informational plaque. It was through an act of Congress that this medal could be awarded to: 

"(a) personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States and of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and
(b) personnel of the armed forces of friendly foreign nations who, since the proclamation of an emergency by the President on 1939-09-08, shall have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services."

After World War II, the Legion of Merit was awarded primarily to senior officers with the ranks of lieutenant colonel or commander and above. Starting in the 1980s, it became an award designated more for officers who were retiring; however, it is also given to officers in pay grades O-6 and higher. 

The Legion of Merit can also be awarded to foreign nationals, including foreign heads of state. Some of the most famous recipients of the Legion of Merit in this latter category include King George VI, Charles de Gaulle and Shinzo Abe. 

[Relics, Militaria] [Medals, Corps Badges, Badges, Ribbons] [World War II, WWII,  FDR, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt,Dwight D. Eisenhower, Adolf Hitler, Allied, Axis, George S. Patton, Air Force]