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List of recipients of the Legion of Merit

List of recipients of the US Legion of Merit From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

List of recipients of the Legion of Merit

The Legion of Merit is a decoration of the United States and is awarded to foreign military personnel in four grades and to U.S. military personnel without distinction of degree. The following are notable recipients within the award.

R. L. George awarded the Legion of Merit by General William Westmoreland

Chief Commander

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# Nationality Office/Position Rank Name Force Date Comments
1.  UK Lieutenant-General Sir Kenneth Anderson, KCB, MC British Armed Forces June 18, 1943
2.  Republic of China Chairman Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek Chinese Armed Forces July 1943
3.  Republic of China Commander of the 200th Division of the National Revolutionary Army Lieutenant-General Tai An-lan (Dai Anlan) Chinese Armed Forces 1943 In command of 200th Division, Chinese Expeditionary Force (Burma). KIA on May 26, 1942, in Burma.
4.  UK GOC-in-C, Eighth Army General Sir Bernard Montgomery, KCB, DSO British Armed Forces August 6, 1943 Later Field Marshal
5.  UK Air C-in-C Mediterranean Air Command Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder, GCB Royal Air Force August 27, 1943
6.  Soviet Union Chief of the Air Force of the Red Army Chief Marshal Of Aviation Alexander Alexandrovich Novikov Soviet Air Forces June 22, 1944
7.  Soviet Union Chief of the General Staff Marshal of the Soviet Union Aleksandr Vasilevsky Soviet Army 1944
8.  UK Rear Admiral Commanding HM Australian Squadron Rear-Admiral Sir Victor Crutchley, VC, KCB, DSC Royal Australian Naval Squadron September 1944 For exceptionally meritorious conduct 1942–44 in command of Task Force 44 in the Pacific.
9.  UK Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Bomber Command Air Marshal Arthur Harris, OBE, AFC Royal Air Force October 17, 1944 Known as "Bomber" Harris; he was the only major British commander who refused to receive a peerage after World War II (in protest in support of his men). He instituted "area bombing" of German cities.[1]
10.  UK King Commander-in-Chief (Admiral of the Fleet, Field Marshal, Marshal of the Royal Air Force) George VI British Armed Forces 1945
11.  UK First Sea Lord Admiral of the Fleet The 1st Baron Cunningham of Hyndhope, Bt, KT, GCB, DSO** Royal Navy
12.  UK Admiral Sir John Cunningham, KCB, MVO Royal Navy For gallant and distinguished service during the invasion operations in Northern Italy and the South of France.
13.  UK Acting Air Marshal Sir Arthur Coningham, KCB, KBE, DSO, MC, DFC, AFC Royal Air Force
14.  Romania King Supreme Commander-in-Chief
Marshal of Romania		 King Michael I Romanian Armed Forces 1945 "Rendered exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the cause of the Allied Nations in the struggle against Hitlerite Germany. In July and August, 1944, his Nation, under the dominance of a dictatorial regime over which the King had no control, have allied herself with the Germany aggressors, he, King Mihai I, succeeded in giving purpose, direction and inspiration to the theretofore uncoordinated internal forces of opposition to the ruling dictator.

In culmination of his efforts, on 23 August 1944, although his capitol was still dominated by Germany troops, he personally, on his own initiative, and in complete disregard for his own safety, gave the signal for a coup d'etat by ordering his palace guards to arrest the dictator and his chief ministers."[2]

15.  Poland Commander-in-Chief Polish Armed Forces in the East Marshal Michał Rola-Żymierski Polish Armed Forces 1945
16.  Soviet Union Military Governor of the Soviet Occupation Zone of Germany Marshal of the Soviet Union Georgy Zhukov Soviet Army 1945
17.  UK Naval Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Naval Expeditionary Force Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay, KCB, KBE, MVO Royal Navy January 15, 1945 For gallant and distinguished service whilst in command of the invasion operations on Normandy.
18.  Iraq Crown Prince Commander-In-Chief 'Abd al-Ilah Iraqi Armed Forces June 1, 1945
19.  UK Flag Officer Commanding, 1st Aircraft Carrier Squadron, British Pacific Fleet and Second in Command, British Pacific Fleet Vice Admiral Sir Philip Vian, KCB, KBE, DSO** Royal Navy July 17, 1945
20.  France Chairman of the Provisional Government of the French Republic Brigadier general Charles de Gaulle French Armed Forces August 24, 1945
21.  UK Commander-in-Chief British Air Forces of Occupation Air Chief Marshal Sir William Douglas, KCB, MC, DFC Royal Air Force August 28, 1945 made Commander of the Legion 28 July 1944
22.  UK Flag Officer, Liaison to the United States Navy in Europe Vice Admiral Sir Geoffrey Blake, KCB, DSO Royal Navy November 6, 1945
23.  Norway Crown Prince Chief of Defence of Norway Crown Prince Olav Norwegian Armed Forces November 23, 1945 "exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services from August 1944 to July 1945."
24.  Soviet Union Commander, Transbaikal-Amur Military District Marshal of the Soviet Union Rodion Malinovsky Soviet Army 1946
25.  Soviet Union Commander, Northern Group of Forces Marshal of the Soviet Union Konstantin Rokossovsky Soviet Army 1946
26.    Nepal Commanding General Commanding General Sir Baber Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, GBE, KCSI, KCIE Nepali Army 1946[citation needed] Brother of Prime Minister Mohan Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana who was decorated in 1948.
28.  Saudi Arabia King Commander-in-Chief Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia February 18, 1947
29.  Mexico President Commander-in-Chief Miguel Alemán Valdés Mexican Armed Forces November 26, 1947 [3]
30.  Brazil President General (Commander-in-Chief) Eurico Gaspar Dutra Brazilian Armed Forces October 7, 1947 [4]
31.  Iran Shahanshah Commander-in-Chief Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi Iranian Armed Forces November 26, 1947 [3]
32.  Portugal Minister of War Fernando Santos Costa Portuguese Armed Forces March 11, 1948 [5]
33.  Kingdom of Yugoslavia Minister of the Army, Navy and Air Force General Dragoljub Mihailović Yugoslav Royal Army March 29, 1948 "General Mihailovich and his forces, although lacking adequate supplies, and fighting under extreme hardships, contributed materially to the allied cause, and were instrumental in obtaining a final Allied Victory." Recommended by Dwight D. Eisenhower. The award was kept secret until 1966.
34.  UK Field Marshal Sir William Slim, GBE, KCB, DSO, MC British Armed Forces 1948
35.  Italy Chief of Army Staff General Luigi Efisio Marras Italian Army January 4, 1949 [6]
36.    Nepal Maharaja, Prime Minister Commander-in-Chief (Field Marshal) Mohan Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, GBE, GCIE Royal Nepalese Army April 14, 1949 [7] Brother of Sir Baber Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana who was decorated in 1946.
37.  Venezuela President Commander-in-Chief Rómulo Gallegos Venezuelan Armed Forces April 14, 1949 [7]
38.  Cuba President Commander-in-Chief Carlos Prío Socarrás Cuban Armed Forces April 14, 1949 [7]
39.  India Chief of the Army Staff and Commander-in-Chief General Kodandera Madappa Cariappa, OBE Indian Army November 10, 1949 [8] Later Field Marshal
40.  France Chief of the Army Staff Army General Georges Revers French Army December 30, 1949 [9]
41.  Greece Commander-in-Chief of the Hellenic Armed Forces Field Marshal Alexandros Papagos Greek Armed Forces December 30, 1949 [9]
42.  Greece Chief of the General Staff General Dimitrios Yiadzis Greek Army December 30, 1949 [9]
43.  Argentina Minister of National Defense Divisional General Humberto Sosa Molina Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic May 24, 1950 [10]
44.  Mexico Secretary of National Defense Lieutenant General Gilberto Limón Mexican Armed Forces February 14, 1951 [11]
45.  France President Commander-in-Chief Vincent Auriol French Armed Forces April 4, 1951 [12]
46.  Ethiopia Emperor Commander-in-Chief Haile Selassie Ethiopian Armed Forces August 9, 1951 [13]
47.  Ecuador President Commander-in-Chief Galo Plaza Ecuadorian Armed Forces September 25, 1951 [14]
48.  Costa Rica President N/A Otilio Ulate Blanco N/A October 24, 1951 [15]
49.  Australia C-in-C British Commonwealth Forces Korea Lieutenant-General Sir Horace Robertson, KBE, DSO Australian Defence Force January 15, 1952 [16]
50.  Portugal Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces General Aníbal César Valdez de Passos e Sousa [pt] Portuguese Armed Forces March 13, 1952 [17]
51.  Netherlands Queen Commander-in-chief Queen Juliana I of the Netherlands Netherlands Armed Forces April 23, 1952 Was Commander-in-chief of the Netherlands Armed Forces; Invested with the Order “For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 1948 to 1952”.[18]
52.  Australia Prime Minister The Rt Hon Robert Menzies, KC Commonwealth of Australia May 29, 1952 [19]
53.  France Marshal of France Jean de Lattre de Tassigny French Armed Forces August 6, 1952 Posthumous.[20]
54.  Brazil Major General Cyro Espirito Santo Cardoso Brazilian Army October 4, 1952 [21]
55.  Iraq King Commander-In-Chief Faisal II of Iraq Iraqi Armed Forces November 28, 1952 [22]
56.  Peru President Commander-In-Chief Manuel Odria Peruvian Armed Forces August 4, 1953 [23]
57.  Greece King Commander-in-Chief King Paul I Greek Armed Forces November 3, 1953 [24]
58.  Pakistan Commander-in-Chief, Pakistan Army General Ayub Khan Pakistan Army November 3, 1953 [24]
59.  Turkey President Commander-in-Chief Celâl Bayar Turkish Armed Forces March 8, 1954 [25]
60.  Venezuela President Commander-in-Chief Marcos Pérez Jiménez Venezuelan Army November 12, 1954 [26][27]
61.  Thailand Minister of Defence Field Marshal Luang Plaek Pibulsonggram Royal Thai Army May 2, 1955 Supreme Commander
62.  India Chief of the Army Staff General Satyawant Mallana Srinagesh Indian Army September 2, 1955 Chief of the Army Staff[28]
63.  Thailand King Commander-in-Chief Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) Royal Thai Armed Forces June 28, 1960 Head of the Royal Thai Armed Forces
64.  Libya Chief of the Army Staff Major General Senussi Letaiwish Royal Libyan Army June 5, 1961 The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit, in the Degree of Commander to Major General Senussi Letaiwish, Libyan Army, "for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States", from October 1958 to June 1961.[29]
65.  Thailand Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn Royal Thai Army 1967
66.  South Korea General Kim Yong-Bae Republic of Korea Armed Forces February 14, 1968 For service April 1965 to March 1966. The initial award of Commander degree was revoked and replaced with Chief Commander.
67.  South Korea Minister of National Defense Kim Sung-Eun Republic of Korea Armed Forces December 9, 1968 For service March 1963 to June 1966.
68.  Turkey President Commander-in-Chief Kenan Evren Turkish Armed Forces June 27, 1988
69.  UK Commander British Forces Middle East General Sir Peter de la Billière, KCB, KBE, DSO, MC* British Armed Forces 8 June 1993 [30]
70.  Colombia Chief of Staff General Freddy Padilla de Leon Colombian Armed Forces 2008 After leading the Operation Jaque into success.
71.  Kuwait Emir Commander-in-Chief Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Kuwait Military Forces September 18, 2020 [31]
72.  India Prime Minister Narendra Modi India December 21, 2020 "President Donald Trump presented the Legion of Merit to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership in elevating the U.S.-India strategic partnership. Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu accepted the medal on behalf of Prime Minister Modi.” –NSA Robert C. O’Brien
73.  Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison Commonwealth of Australia December 21, 2020 “President @realDonaldTrump awarded the Legion of Merit to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison for his leadership in addressing global challenges and promoting collective security. Ambassador @A_Sinodinos accepted the medal on behalf of PM Morrison.” – NSA Robert C. O’Brien[32]
74.  Japan Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Japan Self-Defense Forces December 21, 2020 “President @realDonaldTrump awarded the Legion of Merit to Japanese Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for his leadership in addressing global challenges and promoting collective security. Ambassador Shinsuke Sugiyama accepted the medal on behalf of Former PM Abe.” – NSA Robert C. O’Brien
75.  Morocco King Commander-in-Chief Mohammed VI Royal Moroccan Armed Forces January 15, 2021 "His vision and personal courage — including his decision to resume ties with the State of Israel — have positively reshaped the landscape of the Middle East and North Africa and ushered in a new era of security and prosperity for both our countries and the world," a White House statement said.[33]
76.  Bahrain King Commander-in-Chief Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Bahrain Defence Force January 19, 2021 [34]
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More information Nationality, Rank ...
Nationality Rank Name Force Date Comments
 Brazil Brigadier General Alexandre Zacharias de Assumpção Brazilian Army 1942 General of Brigade Alexandre Zacharias de Assumpcao, Brazilian Army, was cited for service as Commanding General of the 8th Military Region, Brazil. The 8th Military Region was headquartered in Belem, which was a major support base for US aircraft transiting to North Africa and the Mediterranean. The Army made 31 awards of the Legion of Merit, commander grade, to Brazilian officers during World War II.
 Brazil Brigadier General Amaro Soares Bittencourt Brazilian Army 1942 First recipient of this medal in any degree.
 Australia Rear Admiral Harold Farncomb, CB, DSO, MVO, RAN Royal Australian Navy 1942 Commanded various International military units.
 Canada Major General George Pearkes VC PC CC CB DSO MC CD Canadian Army 1942 General Officer Commanding in Chief Pacific Command (Canadian Army)
 United Kingdom Major General Leslie Burtonshaw Nicholls, CBE British Army, Chief Signals Officer, Allied Force Headquarters, July 1, 1943[35] For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the United States and the Allied Nations. Assigned to Allied Force Headquarters 1 July 1943 when the planning for the Sicilan Campaign was in progress, and with great problems of communications and supply facing him, Major General Nicholls, with his sound knowledge and tireless energy, quickly overcame all difficulties. During the Sicilan and Italian Campaigns Major General Nicholls displayed the highest organizating ability, ensuring vital communications without which to many successful battles could not have been fought.
 United Kingdom Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson, VC, DSO*, DFC* Royal Air Force December 3, 1943[36] WWII leader of the Dams raid (Operation Chastise) in 1943.
 France Brigadier General Paul Devinck French Army 1943
 France Lieutenant General Louis Koeltz French Army 1943 Commander of XIXth Army Corps
 France Brigadier General François Le Clercq French Army 1943
 Soviet Union Colonel General Of Aviation Alexander Repin Soviet Air Force June 22, 1944[37] President Roosevelt presented the award for further delivery to Marshal Stalin on February 11, 1945, at the Yalta Conference.
 Soviet Union Lieutenant General Sarkis Martirosyan Soviet Army July 26, 1944
 Poland Lieutenant General Władysław Anders 2nd Polish Corps August 1, 1944
 France Major General Paul Bergeron French Army 1944
 France General Étienne Beynet French Army 1944 Head of the French Military Mission to Washington
 France General Georges Catroux French Army 1944 Governor General of French Algeria
 France General (later Maréchal de France) Jean de Lattre de Tassigny French Army 1944 Commander of the French Forces in Italy
 France Lieutenant General Henry Martin French Army 1944 Commander of the French Forces in Corsica
 France Brigadier General Louis Rivet French Army 1944 Former Head of French Military Intelligence
 United Kingdom Air Marshal Sir Francis John Linnell, KBE, CB Royal Air Force January 30, 1945[38] Deputy Commander-in-Chief (RAF MED ME) Mediterranean Allied Air Forces, 29 February 1944 – 29 June 1944. Awarded posthumously by Franklin D. Roosevelt.
 United Kingdom Admiral Sir Gerald Charles Dickens, KCVO, CB, CMG Royal Navy 1945 WWII Commander
 United Kingdom Air Commodore Andrew James Wray Geddes, CB, DSO, MVO, Royal Air Force 1945 Responsible for the planning of Operations Manna and Chowhound[3]
 United Kingdom Air vice-marshal Frank Inglis Royal Air Force December 3, 1947[39]
 United Kingdom Air vice-marshal Charles Edmonds Royal Air Force December 3, 1947[39]
 United Kingdom Air vice-marshal Arthur Sanders Royal Air Force December 3, 1947[39]
 Canada Air vice-marshal George Owen Johnson Royal Canadian Air Force December 3, 1947[39]
 United Kingdom Major General Sir Miles Graham, KBE, CB, MC British Army April 24, 1945 Responsible for organising and coordinating activities in connection with the invasion of Normandy in June 1944.
 New Zealand Lieutenant General Sir Bernard Cyril Freyberg, VC, KCB, KBE, CMG, DSO*** 2nd New Zealand Division, New Zealand Military Forces August 2, 1945
 Mexico Colonel Antonio Cárdenas Rodríguez Mexican Air Force 1945 Commander of the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force, which participated in the Battle of Luzon
 Czechoslovakia General Sergěj Ingr Czechoslovak Armed Forces 1945[40] Minister of National Defense of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile 1940-44
 South Africa Major General William Henry Evered Poole, CB, CBE, DSO 6th South African Armored Division Unit is part of the 5th US Army during the Italian Campaign in World War II
 Czechoslovakia General Ludvík Svoboda Czechoslovak Army 1946[41] Minister of Defence of Czechoslovakia
 UK Major General Sir Donald Banks, KCB, DSO, MC, TD Petroleum Warfare Department January 24, 1946[42] For his role in the production and manufacture of an improved American flamethrower fuel, and other work of Petroleum Warfare Department employed during the liberation of Europe which "contributed substantially to the successful prosecution of the war".[43]
 Canada Brigadier General John Ernest Genet, CBE MC Canadian Army March 30, 1946 Chief Signal Officer, First Canadian Army.[44]
 Canada Major General Georges Vanier, DSO MC* Canadian Army 1946 Canadian representative to the United Nations and Ambassador to France, later Governor General of Canada.
 Canada Rear Admiral Leonard W. Murray, CB CBE Canadian Northwest Atlantic 1946 Architect of the Battle of the Atlantic.
 Sweden Lieutenant General Bengt Nordenskiöld Swedish Air Force July 9, 1946[45] Chief of the Air Force
 New Zealand Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park, GCB, KBE, MC*, DFC Royal Air Force June 27, 1947 WWII commander during the Battle of Britain and later Allied Air Commander South East Asia
 India General Rajendrasinhji Jadeja, DSO Indian Army 1946 Chief of the Army Staff[28]
 Sweden Commander 2nd Class Prince Bertil, Duke of Halland Swedish Navy June 4, 1948 On June 4, 1948, President Harry S. Truman awarded Prince Bertil of Sweden the Legion of Merit, Degree of Commander, "In exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the U.S."[46]
 Philippines General Alfredo M. Santos Armed Forces of the Philippines
 Netherlands General
Lieutenant admiral		 Prince Bernhard, Prince Consort of the Netherlands Netherlands Armed Forces Husband of the Commander-in-Chief of the Netherlands Armed Forces; Was a General in the Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands East Indies Army and the Royal Netherlands Air Force and was a Lieutenant admiral in the Royal Netherlands Navy. Appointed an Honorary Air commodore in the Royal Air Force in 1941 and later appointed to the honorary rank of Air marshal by Queen Elizabeth II on 15 September 1964.[47] Was also an Honorary Air commodore in the Royal New Zealand Air Force since 1948.
 Thailand General Sarit Thanarat Royal Thai Army September 14, 1954
 Sweden Rear Admiral Moje Östberg Swedish Navy January 1955[48] Naval attaché in Washington, D.C. from 1951 to 1954.
 Thailand Marshal of the Air Force Fuen Ronnaphagrad Ritthakhanee Royal Thai Air Force May 17, 1955
 Cuba Colonel Ramon Barquin Armed Forces of the Republic of Cuba 1955 Military Attaché to the United States, Mexico, and Canada; Cuba Delegate to the Inter-American Defense Board; Vice-director and Joint Chiefs of Staff Commander of the Inter-American Defense Board. For his organizing and coordinating activities to eliminate coups d'état in the Americas. Barquin later became the last Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and de facto Head of State of the Republic of Cuba in January 1959, before the Revolutionary government established by Fidel Castro. Barquin served as Chief of the Army and was later named Ambassador-at-Large to Europe in April 1959 and resigned in 1960.
 Thailand Police General Phao Siyanon Royal Thai Police September 2, 1955
 Japan General Keizō Hayashi Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) November 10, 1955 Chairman of the Joint Staff Council, JSDF. First Japanese recipient of this medal.[49]
 Thailand Field Marshal Phin Choonhavan Royal Thai Army May 4, 1957 Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army
 Thailand Major General Wan Waithayakon Royal Thai Army January 3, 1958
 Sweden Lieutenant General Thord Bonde Swedish Army December 4, 1959 Chief of the Army. For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States, from July 1943 to September 1945 and October 1957 to March 1958.[50]
 Thailand Air Chief Marshal Dawee Chullasapya Royal Thai Air Force July 27, 1967
 Netherlands Major General Willem J.I. van Breukelen Netherlands Armed Forces 1962
 Thailand General Praphas Charusathien Royal Thai Force 1962
 Sweden Vice Admiral Åke Lindemalm Swedish Navy 1963 Chief of the Navy. Awarded by the United States Secretary of the Navy Fred Korth.[51]
 Germany Lieutenant-General Ulrich de Maizière Bundeswehr March 9, 1965
 Sweden General Torsten Rapp Swedish Air Force April 12, 1965 Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces. "General Rapp has shown outstanding and exemplary leadership, and that he has meritoriously contributed to the friendly relations between Sweden and the United States." Awarded by General Earle Wheeler.[52][53]
 Jordan Lieutenant-General Amer Khammash Jordanian Armed Forces April 3, 1969 Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Jordanian Armed Forces from 9 October 1967 till 30 June 1969. Awarded by President Richard Nixon for Exceptionally Meritorious Conduct in the Performance of Outstanding Services throughout his entire military career with the Arab Army.
 Greece General Odysseus Aggelis Greek Armed Forces April 5, 1971 Chief of the Greek Armed Forces from April 1967 till August 1973. Awarded by order of the US President Richard Nixon for Exceptionally Meritorious Conduct in the Performance of Outstanding Services from December 1968 to March 1971.
 Thailand Admiral Sangad Chaloryu Chief of Defence Forces 1975
 India Admiral Jal Cursetji Indian Navy 1978 Chief of the Naval Staff[54]
 Sweden General Lennart Ljung Swedish Army 1980 Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces. Awarded by General David C. Jones.[55][56]
 Sudan Major General Mohamed Mirgani Eltahir Sudanese Air Force August 11, 1981 Chief of Sudanese Air Force Major Gen. Mohamed was conferred with the US Legion of Merit Medal for his exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services from August 1978 to August 1981.
 Poland Lieutenant-General Stefan Grot-Rowecki Polish Armed Forces (Armia Krajowa) August 9, 1984 Awarded by Ronald Reagan posthumously forty years and one week after his death at the hands of the Gestapo.
 Thailand General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh Royal Thai Army January 15, 1988 Chief of Defence Forces
 Thailand Air Chief Marshal Kaset Rojananil Royal Thai Air Force June 1, 1990June 1, 1990 Commanders-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force
 Philippines General Fidel Ramos Armed Forces of the Philippines 1990
 Bangladesh Brigadier General Abdul Muneem Mansur Ahmed Bangladesh Army January 16, 1991 The first Bangladeshi General to receive this award for his outstanding service as the Defense Attaché in the Bangladesh Embassy, United States
 France Lieutenant General Michel Roquejeoffre French Army July 14, 1991
 Israel General Ehud Barak Israeli Defense Forces 1992 Later became Israeli Prime Minister from 1999 to 2001
 Argentina Teniente General Martín Balza Argentine Army 1994 Chief of Argentine Armed Forces 1991 to 1999
 Canada General Alfred John Gardyne Drummond de Chastelain, OC, CMM, CH, CD Canadian Forces 1995 In 1999, he was made a Companion of Honour by Queen Elizabeth II. He is the former Chief of the Defence Staff for the Canadian Forces and he is the Chairman of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning since November 1995 for the Northern Ireland Peace Process.
 Colombia General I. M. Elias Nino Herrera Colombian Marine Corps For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as Commandant of the Colombian Marine Corps. General Nino's cooperation and understanding have been a significant contribution to the mutual friendship between Colombia and the United States.
 United Kingdom Lieutenant General Michael Walker, KCB, CMG, CBE Implementation Force in Bosnia May 13, 1997[57] Former Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) in the United Kingdom
 Ecuador General de Ejército
(General of the Army)		 Paco Moncayo Ecuadorian Armed Forces January 1998 For of his exceptionally superior performance as Chief of the Armed Forces Joint Command and his contribution to Ecuadorian history, politics and democracy.
 Australia Vice Admiral Donald Chalmers, AO, RAN Royal Australian Navy 1998[58] Chief of Navy
 Australia General Sir Phillip Bennett, AC, KBE, DSO
John Baker, AC, DSM
Sir Peter Cosgrove, AK, MC		 Australian Defence Force Chiefs of the Defence Force
 Germany General Adolf Heusinger
Klaus Naumann
Wolfgang Schneiderhan
Carl-Hubertus von Butler[59]		 Bundeswehr
 France General Edgard de Larminat
Alain de Boissieu
Vincent Desportes
Jean-Louis Georgelin
 Thailand General Mongkol Amphonpisit Royal Thai Army December 1, 1999 Chief of Defence Forces
 Thailand General Surayud Chulanont Royal Thai Army December 20, 2000 Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army
 Thailand Air Chief Marshal Sanan Thuathip Royal Thai Air Force February 8, 2001 Commanders-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force
 Australia Vice Admiral David Shackleton AO, RAN Royal Australian Navy 2001 Chief of Navy
 Malaysia General Md Hashim bin Hussein Royal Malaysia Army 2001 Chief of Army
 Germany General Wolfgang Schneiderhan Bundeswehr
 Turkey General Hilmi Özkök Turkish Armed Forces 2002
 Australia Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie AO, RAN Royal Australian Navy Chief of Navy
 Israel Major General Yedidya Ya'ari Israeli Navy December 4, 2003[60] Commander in Chief, Israel Navy
 Canada Lieutenant General Charles Bouchard OC CMM MSC CD Deputy Commander NORAD 2004 Commander of NATO forces enforcing "No Fly Zone" Libya 2011
 Pakistan Admiral Shahid Karimullah Pakistan Navy July 21, 2004 For his steadfast support of American-Pakistan cooperation in regional maritime, security affairs, demonstrated superb resolve and unwavering dedication to the Global War on terrorism
 Australia Lieutenant General Peter Leahy AC Australian Army 2004 Chief of Army
 Argentina Admiral Jorge Godoy Argentine Navy October 1, 2004 Chief of Staff, Argentine Navy
 Japan General Yoshimitsu Tsumagari Japan Air Self-Defense Force October 19, 2004 Chief of Staff, Air Self Defense Force
 Turkey Commander-in-Chief Mehmet Yaşar Büyükanıt Turkish Armed Forces December 12, 2005
 Bangladesh Lieutenant General Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury Bangladesh Army 2005 Former Chief of Army Staff (Bangladesh)
 Italy Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola Italian Navy Incumbent Minister of Defence in the Monti Cabinet
 Pakistan Admiral Afzal Tahir Pakistan Navy January 23, 2006 Legion of Merit in recognition of his efforts in conducting maritime security operations and strengthening of cooperation between the two navies in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
 Malaysia Admiral Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor Malaysian Armed Forces 2006
 Japan General Tadashi Yoshida Japan Air Self-Defense Force October 24, 2006 Chief of Staff, Air Self Defense Force
 Canada Lieutenant General Andrew Leslie Canadian Army December 8, 2006
 Russia Admiral of the Fleet Vladimir Vasilyevich Masorin Russian Navy August 24, 2007 The first Russian recipient for meritorious conduct of the Russian Federation Navy to increase cooperation and interoperability with the U.S. Navy and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization from September 2005 to August 2007.
 Japan General Ryoichi Oriki Ground Self-Defense Force October 1, 2007 Chief of Staff
 Pakistan Lt General Tariq Khan Pakistani Army December 9, 2007 Legion of Merit for meritorious services as a liaison officer at CENTCOM during Operations Enduring Freedom (December 9, 2007).
 Poland General Franciszek Gągor Polish Armed Forces May 22, 2008 For exceptionally meritorious service as the Chief of Staff of the Polish Armed Forces from February 2006 to May 2008.
 Israel Lieutenant General Hebrew: Rav Aluf Gabi Ashkenazi Israeli Defence Forces July 24, 2008 Chief of Staff – Israeli Defence Forces
 South Africa Vice Admiral Refiloe Johannes Mudimu South African Navy 2008 For role in strengthening ties with US Navy[61]
 Japan General Toshio Tamogami Air Self-Defense Force August 19, 2008 [62]
 Pakistan General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani Pakistani Army January 1, 2009
 Australia Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie AC, DSC, CSM Australian Army 2009 Chief of Army
 Sweden General Sverker Göranson Swedish Armed Forces 2010 Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces. For dedication and professionalism as supreme commander led the continuing transformation of the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish international operations.
 Japan General Kenichiro Hokazono Japan Air Self-Defense Force January 22, 2010 Chief of Staff, Air Self Defense Force
 Iraq General Babaker Shawkat B. Zebari Iraqi Army January 7, 2010
 Pakistan Admiral Noman Bashir Pakistan Navy March 18, 2010 For distinguished service and strengthening American-Pakistani relations. Also, for his role in establishing and strengthening the Pakistan Navy and U.S. Navy relations in Arabian Sea.
 Sri Lanka Major General Milinda Peiris RWP, RSP, USP Sri Lanka Army For service as military attaché to the Sri Lankan Embassy in the United States
 South Africa General Godfrey Ngwenya South African Army May 20, 2010 for his leadership during a time of transition in the South African military and his country's support of vital NATO peacekeeping operations in Sudan, Burundi and Congo
 Australia Vice Admiral Russ Crane AO, CSM, RAN Royal Australian Navy Chief of Navy
 Pakistan Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman Pakistan Air Force August 5, 2010 For the performance of outstanding services March 2009 to August 2010.
 Japan General Yoshifumi Hibako Ground Self-Defense Force June 8, 2011 Chief of Staff
 Austria General Edmund Entacher Austrian Armed Forces November 22, 2011[63] Chief of Staff
 Thailand Air Chief Marshal Itthaporn Subhawong Royal Thai Air Force December 21, 2011 Commanders-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force
 Israel Major General Ido Nehoshtan Israeli Air Force April 15, 2012[64] Chief of IAF
 Thailand Admiral Surasak Runroengrom Royal Thai Navy April 19, 2012 Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy
 Estonia General Ants Laaneots Estonian Defence Forces July 4, 2012 Former Commander-in-Chief
 Australia Lieutenant General David Morrison AO Australian Army 2012 Chief of Army
 Australia General David Hurley AC, DSC Australian Army 2012 Chief of the Defence Force
 Canada Colonel Todd Balfe Royal Canadian Air Force June 5, 2012[65] For his exceptional devotion to duty, and his significant contributions both to the maintenance of North American air security as well as to the close relationship between United States and Canadian Forces in NORAD.
 Hungary Colonel General Tibor Benkő Hungarian Ground Forces September 4, 2012[66] Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces
 Sweden Major General Berndt Grundevik Swedish Army September 2012[67]
29 April 2015[68]		 Inspector of the Swedish Army
Head of Swedish delegation to NNSC
   Nepal Brigadier General Shamsher Thakurathi Nepal Army January 29, 2013
 Italy Lieutenant General Claudio Graziano Italian Army February 11, 2013 Chief of the General Staff of the Italian Army
 Canada Vice Admiral Paul Maddison CMM MSM CD Royal Canadian Navy April 26, 2013 Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy
 Australia Vice Admiral Ray Griggs AO, CSC, RAN Royal Australian Navy May 2013 Chief of Navy
 Thailand General Prayut Chan-o-cha Royal Thai Army September 20, 2013[69] Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army
 India General Bikram Singh[70][71] Indian Army December 5, 2013[72] Chief of the Army Staff
 Denmark General Knud Bartels Danish Army October 2014 During his visit at the Pentagon General Bartels was awarded the Legion of Merit by General Dempsey in recognition of his exceptional conduct while serving as Chief of Defence of the Danish Armed Forces (2009–2011) and as Chairman of the NATO Military Committee.[73]
 Pakistan General Raheel Sharif Pakistan Army November 19, 2014 Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif on November 19, 2014, was conferred with the US Legion of Merit Medal in recognition of his brave leadership and efforts to ensure peace in the region.
 Turkey General Hulusi Akar Turkish Armed Forces January 27, 2015 For his outstanding contributions to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
 Tunisia General Ismail Fathalli Tunisian Army April 13, 2015 Chief of Army Staff General Ismail Fathalli was presented with the United States Legion of Merit.[74]
 Canada Vice Admiral Mark Norman CMM CD Royal Canadian Navy April 21, 2015 VAdm Mark G. Norman received the award in honor of his leadership of the Royal Canadian Navy's successful anti-drug operations in and around Central America.[75]
 Georgia Lieutenant General Devi Chankotadze Georgian Armed Forces May 2, 2015[76] Chief of Joint Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces
 Bangladesh Brigadier General Mohammad Abdul Moeen Bangladesh Army July 31, 2015 Brigadier General Moeen received this prestigious medal for his exceptional meritorious service as the Bangladesh Defense, Military, Naval and Air Attache to the United States, from May 2010 to July 2013. Brigadier General Moeen facilitated cooperation between the United States and Bangladesh Armies in numerous events through United States Pacific Command, to include those focused on peacekeeping operations, disaster management and counter terrorism.
 Israel Lieutenant General Gadi Eizenkot Israel Defense Forces August 2016 Chief of General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces
 New Zealand Lieutenant General Timothy James Keating, CNZM New Zealand Army November 1, 2016 Chief of Defence Force
 Pakistan Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah Pakistan Navy March 17, 2017 Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah was presented with the United States Legion of Merit.[77]
 Australia Lieutenant General Angus Campbell, AO, DSC Australian Army June 13, 2017 Chief of Army
 Jordan Lieutenant General Mahmoud Freihat Jordanian Armed Forces July 2017 Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Jordanian Armed Forces[78]
 Kuwait Major General Khalid Saleh Al-Sabah Kuwaiti Armed Forces April 2017 Commander, Kuwait Land Forces[79]
 Israel Major General Amir Eshel Israeli Air Force August 2017 On change of command of the Israeli Air Force, awarded as outgoing commander.
 UK Major General Robert Magowan, CB, CBE Royal Marines October 10, 2017 Third Sea Lord
 Czech Republic General Petr Pavel Army of the Czech Republic March 8, 2018 Presented by General Joseph Dunford for service as Chairman of NATO Military Committee.[80]
 Pakistan Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman Pakistan Air Force March 12, 2018 Chief of Pakistan Air Force Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman was presented with the United States Legion of Merit.[81]
 Canada Lieutenant General Michael Hood, CMM, CD Royal Canadian Air Force May 4, 2018 Commander, Royal Canadian Air Force
 UK General Sir Nicholas Carter, KCB, CBE, DSO, ADC Gen British Army May 14, 2018 Chief of the General Staff
 Lithuania Lieutenant General Jonas Vytautas Žukas[82] Lithuanian Armed Forces August 15, 2018 Chief of Defence of Lithuanian Armed Forces[83]
 India General Dalbir Singh Suhag Indian Army August 17, 2018[84] Chief of the Army Staff
 Georgia Major General Vladimer Chachibaia Georgian Armed Forces August 29, 2018[76] Chief of General Staff of Georgian Armed Forces
 UK Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, GBE, KCB, ADC, DL Royal Air Force October 2018 Chairman of the NATO Military Committee
 Spain General Fernando Alejandre Martínez Spanish Army October 18, 2018 Chief of the Defence Staff
 Estonia General Riho Terras Estonian Defence Forces November 13, 2018[85] Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces
 Mexico Secretary of National Defense Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda Mexican Armed Forces November 16, 2018[86] Presented to Cienfuegos for his "extraordinary contributions in strengthening the relationships between the militaries of Mexico and the United States."[86]
 Japan Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano Japan Self-Defense Forces(JSDF) March 21, 2019 Chief of Staff, Joint Staff[87]
 Australia Air Marshal Leo Davies, AO, CSC Royal Australian Air Force April 12, 2019 Chief of Air Force (Australia)
 UK Admiral Sir Philip Jones, KCB, ADC, DL Royal Navy May 1, 2019 First Sea Lord
 Netherlands Brigadier General Jeff Mac Mootry Royal Netherlands Marine Corps June 4, 2019[88] Commandant Royal Netherlands Marine Corps
 Thailand General Pornpipat Benyasri Royal Thai Army June 18, 2019[89] Chief of Defence Forces
 Iraq General Othman al-Ghanmi Iraqi Armed Forces July 30, 2019 Chief of the General Staff during the War in Iraq (2013-2017), for his role in the Coalition to defeat Daesh[90]
 Indonesia General Andika Perkasa Indonesian Army February 3, 2020 General Andika Perkasa was conferred the award for his initiative in strengthening relations between the Indonesian Army and US Army and also for his contribution for the security stability in the Indo-Pacific region.[91] As per September 2021, he is the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army.
 Singapore Major General Mervyn Tan Republic of Singapore Air Force February 11, 2020 Major General Mervyn Tan (Ret) was conferred the award for strengthening defence relations between the United States and Singapore.

He is now currently serving as the Deputy Secretary of Technology in MINDEF.

 Canada Vice Admiral Maurice Frank Ronald "Ron" Lloyd Ron Lloyd Royal Canadian Navy February 29, 2020 Commander Royal Canadian Navy (Ret)
 Thailand Air Chief Marshal Johm Rungsawang September 16, 2020[92]
 Colombia Admiral Evelio Ramírez Gáfaro Colombian Navy September 17, 2020[93] Commander-in-chief of the Navy. For exceptionally meritorious service as Commander, Colombian Navy, from December 2018 to August 2020. Admiral Ramirez led the Colombian Navy and Coast Guard efforts to interdict illicit drug shipments destined for the United States, significantly contributing to Hemispheric security. Admiral Ramírez's superior effort, outstanding leadership, and personal initiative reflect great credit upon himself, the Colombian Navy, and his country.
 Australia Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, AO, RAN Royal Australian Navy March 28, 2022 Chief of Navy
 Thailand General Narongpan Jitkaewthae Royal Thai Army May 22, 2022[94] Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army
 Ecuador Rear Admiral Brúmel Vázquez Bermúdez Ecuadorian Navy December 6, 2022[95] Chief of Navy. Exceptionally meritorious service as Commanding General of the Ecuadorian Navy, from May 2021 to July 2022. He led the Ecuadorian Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps efforts to advance the partnership with the United States. His superior effort, outstanding leadership, and personal initiative reflect great credit upon himself, the Ecuadorian Navy, and his country.
 Sweden Major General Karl Engelbrektson Swedish Army December 19, 2022[96] Chief of Army. Awarded by the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, General James C. McConville
 Singapore Major General Kelvin Khong Republic of Singapore Air Force May 10, 2023 Major General Kelvin Khong was conferred the award in recognition for his meritorious service as Chief of Air Force since 2019, in deepening long-standing bilateral ties between the United States Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force, and his contributions to enhance interoperability and trust between the two Air Forces through professional exchanges and participation in exercises.
 Singapore Rear Admiral Aaron Beng Republic of Singapore Navy May 26, 2023 Rear Admiral Aaron Beng was presented the medal in recognition of his leadership and contributions as Chief of Navy, where he had deepened the longstanding bilateral ties between the United States Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy in spite of the pandemic, and contributed to the quick resumption of engagements to enhance interoperability between the two navies.
 Singapore Lieutenant General (RET) Melvyn Ong Singapore Armed Forces June 1, 2023 Lieutenant General (RET) Melvyn Ong was presented the medal in recognition of his leadership and contributions as Chief of Defence Force, when he deepened longstanding bilateral ties between the US Military and Singapore Armed Forces. This included regular bilateral exchanges between both Armed Forces through professional engagements and participation in exercises.
 United Kingdom Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, KCB ADC Royal Navy September 10, 2023 Chief of the Defence Staff[97]
 Thailand General Chalermpol Srisawat Royal Thai Army January 18, 2024[98] Chief of Defence Forces
 New Zealand Air Marshal Kevin Ronald Short, AO Royal New Zealand Air Force April 6, 2024 Chief of Defence Force
 Sweden General Micael Bydén Swedish Armed Forces May 1, 2024 General Charles Q. Brown Jr. presented the Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces General Micael Bydén the Legion of Merit, Degree of Commander. General Bydén was recognized for his visionary leadership in championing Sweden's accession to NATO and transforming the Swedish Armed Forces.[99]
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Officer

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Ehud Barak, later Prime Minister of Israel, with the Legion of Merit in 1993
  • At the beginning of the North African campaign, Brigadier General Lyman L. Lemnitzer accompanied Major General Mark Wayne Clark by submarine to North Africa. Upon arrival, about 60 officers were awarded the Legion of Merit and were among the first awarded the medal. By some misunderstanding as to the rules governing the awards, these 60 American officers were awarded the degree of Officer. According to Lemnitzer, President Roosevelt was quite annoyed but did not rescind the awards. These were the only U.S. officers (or service personnel of any rank) awarded the Legion of Merit with a degree.
  • In 1943 Willem Jan Kruys received the Legion of Merit (Officer) in Australia as captain of the Dutch destroyer HMNS Tjerk Hiddes for the three rescue trips to Timor in December 1942 during which 1100 people were saved from the beaches of Timor under Japanese occupation. The certificate was signed by President Roosevelt personally. In 1960 Kruys received the Legion of Merit again when retired as vice-admiral of the Royal Dutch Navy, this time with gold star and combat V.
  • In March 1945, Colonel Hsieh Mang, of the Chinese Army was awarded the Legion of Merit for his work with the First American Volunteer Group "Flying Tigers".
  • In 1945, Lieutenant Colonel William E. Fairbairn, a former British General Service Corps who transferred to United States as "officer in rent" to train SOE agents and later the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), for his achievements in training OSS personnel. Fairbairn eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel by the end of the war, and received the U.S. Legion of Merit (officer grade) at the specific request of "Wild Bill" Donovan, founder of the OSS. Known as the teacher of close combat fighting in Camp X and teaching defendu, a special forces close combat system. Following his instruction at Camp X, Fairbairn was rejoined by his pupil Col. Applegate to form the United States "School for Spies and Assassins", then called "Camp B", now known as Camp David. Not well known by the public because his techniques were often brutal, and were considered too dangerous to be widely publicly known. Some people considered him as a British agent in disguise and a prototype of Ian Fleming's character of James Bond. Fairbairn was also the teacher of Lt. Colonel Robert T. Frederick, the designer of Army Special Unit knife V-42 stiletto which was based on Fairbairn–Sykes commando knife. Fairbairn also a friend of Captain Dermot Michael "Pat" O'Neill, the First Special Service Force's close-combat instructor.[100][101]
  • In 1945, Colonel Movlid Visaitov, commander of the 255th Separate Chechen-Ingush Cavalry Regiment and the 28th Guards Regiment. Visaitov was the first Soviet officer to shake hands with General Bolling at the Elbe River.[citation needed]
  • On 27 September 1945, General Alois Liška of the Czechoslovak Army under former U.S. command, was awarded by General Ernest N. Harmon in Prague
  • Group Captain Harry Day, Senior Officer at numerous POW camps during World War II, and significantly helped American POWs endure the captivity, as well as organizing escape operations. He received the award on July 5, 1946.[102]
  • In 1946, Commodore Alfred Victor Knight of the Royal Australian Navy was awarded the commendation for honorary services. The citation described him as a 'forceful leader' who, by his 'splendid co-operation in the conduct of a vital training programme, aggressive determination and untiring energies ... contributed materially to combined large-scale operations'.[103]
  • On 3 September 1946, Vice Admiral Henry George Harry DeWolf CBE, DSO, DSC, CD of the Royal Canadian Navy was awarded the legion of Merit officer level for honorary services. The citation description "For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service while serving as Chief Staff Officer to Rear-Admiral G.C. Jones, RCN. He frequently conferred with Commander Task Force Twenty-four and his staff in connection with planning and the operational control of the surface forces under Commander Task Force Twenty-four. His excellent professional grasp of strategic and tactical situations, together with his intelligent and co-operative attitude, contributed materially to the success of operations conducted by Commander Task force Twenty-four."
  • In 1947, Colonel Valentine Patrick Terrel Vivian head of counter-espionage, Section V, and Vice-Chief of the S.I.S. or MI6. The citation reads, as deputy director of a special British agency in the European Theater of Operations from January 1943 to June 1945, rendered exceptionally devoted and meritorious service to the Allied armies, by American forces in a special province of military operations, and continuing it through the long period of preparation for the Normandy invasion and during the march into Germany, Colonel Vivian made an outstanding contribution to Allied military and to the enemy's defeat.[104][105]
  • On 30 January 1948, Captain J. Alberto Sánchez López Commander-in-Chief of the Ecuadorian Navy, was awarded the legion of Merit officer level. The citation description "For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from June 1944 to August 1945. He has made an essential contribution to Pan-American Solidarity in further strengthening the bond and understanding between the United States of America and Ecuador. Under his able guidance and direction, the Navy of Ecuador, cooperating with the Armed Forces of the United States, assisted in consolidating Western Hemispheric Defense during the critical period of the war."
  • In 1948, then Brigadier General John Frederick Boyce Combe was made an Officer of the Legion for his contribution "to the over-all success Allied forces in Italy" during World War II.[106]
  • In 1948, Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera VSV, USP, Sri Lanka Air Force.
  • In 1950 Air Commodore Leonard Birchall (Royal Canadian Air Force) was made an officer of the Legion for his life imperiling heroic actions as a Japanese POW in WWII: "His exploits became legendary throughout Japan and brought renewed faith and strength to many hundreds of ill and disheartened prisoners." – U.S. President Harry S. Truman.[107]
  • In 1953, The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit, in the Degree of Officer to Major General [then Brigadier General] Ham Byong Sun, Republic of Korea Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 28 April 1951 to 3 April 1952.[108]
  • In 1953, Major General [then Brigadier General] Kim Chum Kon, Republic of Korea Army, was made an Officer of the Legion for service 25 October 1952 – 14 February 1953.[109]
  • For service 10 September 1952 – 27 April 1954, Brigadier General Shim On Bong of the Republic of Korea Army[110]
  • For service August 1953 – March 1955, Major General Chang Kuk Chang of the Republic of Korea Army[110]
  • In 1957, Colonel Stig Wennerström was made an Officer of the Legion for serving as an air attaché in Washington, D.C. from 1952 to 1957.[111]
  • In 1959, Major General Mian Ghulam Jilani was made an Officer of the Legion for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States, from October 1952 to June 1955.[112]
  • In 1960 Major General Mian Hayaud Din was made an Officer of the Legion for his role as Chief of the Pakistan Military Mission to the United States from 1955 to 1960.[113]
  • In 1973 "by Direction of the President, Major General Liu Wan-Tsai, Chinese Air Force, [was] awarded the Legion of Merit (Degree of Officer) for exceptionally meritorious service as Air Attache, Embassy of the Republic of China, Washington, D.C., from 4 April 1969 to 27 July 1972."
  • In 1996, Lieutenant General Roméo Dallaire of the Canadian Army was made an Officer of the Legion for his role as Commander of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Rwanda during the civil war and subsequent genocide.[114]
  • On 18 December 1980 Major General Shlomo Inbar, Israel Army, was made an Officer of the Legion of Merit for his exceptionally meritorious conduct in the outstanding performance of duties as Defense and Armed Forces Attache, Embassy of Israel to the United States of America, from July 1977 to August 1980.
  • In 2000, Lieutenant General Danfer G. Suarez was made an Officer of the Legion "Exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services as the Peruvian Air Attache from 1997 to 1998.
  • In 2006, Lieutenant General Nick Houghton, British Army, "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services during coalition operations in Iraq."[115]
  • In 2007, Lieutenant General Sir Robert Fry, Royal Marines, "in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during coalition operations in Iraq.
  • Lieutenant General Tariq Khan became the fourth Pakistani officer to receive the award for meritorious services as a liaison officer at CENTCOM during Operations Enduring Freedom (December 9, 2007).
  • In 2008, Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy Head of the Royal Air Force, for his part in Operation Telic / Operation Iraqi Freedom.[116]
  • Lieutenant General Sir James Dutton, Royal Marines, "in recognition of meritorious, gallant and distinguished services during coalition operations in Afghanistan".[117]
  • Major General Colin Boag, British Army, "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services during coalition operations in Iraq" (March 2008).[118]
  • Lieutenant General James Bucknall, British Army, "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services during coalition operations in Iraq" (July 2009).[119]
  • Major General Mohamed Elkeshky, Egyptian Army Defense, Military, Naval and Air Attaché to the United States. (2013).[120]
  • In 2011, Vice Admiral Tomohisa Takei, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, "as recognition for Takei's exceptional leadership and expertise in maturing and expanding the JMSDF and U.S. Navy partnership during his role as director of operations and plans department, JMSDF Maritime Staff Office from April 2008 to July 2010".[121]
  • In 2013, Lieutenant General Walter Souza Braga Netto, Brazilian Army, Military Attaché to the United States of America. "For exceptionally meritous conduct in the performance of outstanding services from March 2011 to May 2013.
  • In 2014, Air Commodore David Best, United Kingdom Royal Air Force. "For exceptionally meritorious service as Director of Air Operations, International Security Assistance Force, from December 2010 to December 2011".
  • In 2014, Major General Brett Cairns, Canadian Air Force, NORAD J3. "For exceptionally meritorious service as Director of Operations, Headquarters North American Aerospace Defense Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, from May 2005 to August 2008."[122]
  • In 2016, Brigadier General Paul Rutherford, Canadian Army, United States Central Command. "For exceptionally meritorious service as Deputy Director, Strategy, Plans and Policy Military to Military, Strategy, Plans and Policy Directorate, United States Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, from August 2013 to August 2015."[123]
  • in 2018, Commodore Alok Bhatnagar, NSM, Indian Navy. "For Exceptionally Meritorious Conduct in the Performance of Outstanding Service as the Indian Naval Attache to United States of America from August 2011 to December 2014.
  • In 2018, Air Commodore A. P. T. Smith (UK).[124]
  • In 2018, Air Commodore Stephen Lushington (UK). For exceptionally meritorious service, NATO Forces, Afghanistan.[125]
  • In 2019, Brigadier General Suzanne Melotte, For exceptionally meritorious service NATO Forces, Afghanistan.
  • In 2023, Brigadier General Anoop Shinghal, Sena Medal, (India). "For exceptionally meritorious service as Indian Defense and Military Attache to United States from 29 July 2019 to 17 Oct 2022".
  • In 2023, Commodore Adrian C Fryer Royal Navy (UK). For exceptionally meritorious service and leadership as Deputy Commander and Commander, Combined Maritime Forces.

Legionnaire

Summarize
Perspective

When the Legion of Merit is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States, it is awarded without reference to degree. However, the medal and ribbon of the fourth degree (Legionnaire) are used for members of the Armed Forces of the United States.[126]

The US Army and US Air Force do not authorize the "V" Device for the Legion of Merit. The U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps,[127] and the United States Coast Guard do.[128]

The first U.S. Armed Forces recipient of the Legion of Merit medal was World War II combat veteran Lieutenant, junior grade, Ann Bernatitus, U.S.N., one of the "Angels of Bataan" and the only U.S. Navy nurse to escape from Bataan and Corregidor during the war.[129][130] She was also the first person authorized to wear the "V" Device with the award.[131] Her medal is now housed at the Smithsonian Institution.

References

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