Legion of Merit
Encyclopedia
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration
of the United States armed forces
that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued both to United States military personnel and to military and political figures of foreign governments.
The Legion of Merit (Commander degree) is one of only two United States military decorations to be issued as a neck order
(the other being the Medal of Honor
) and the only United States decoration which may be issued in award degrees (much like an order of chivalry or certain Orders of Merit
).
The Legion of Merit is sixth in the order of precedence of U.S. military decorations, and is worn after the Defense Superior Service Medal
and before the Distinguished Flying Cross
. In contemporary use in the U.S. armed forces, the Legion of Merit is typically awarded to Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force general officers and colonel
s, and Navy and Coast Guard flag officers and captains occupying command or very senior staff positions in their respective services. It may also be awarded to officers of lesser rank and senior enlisted personnel, but these instances are less frequent and circumstances vary by service. As such, the medal can be considered as "points" in some enlisted promotion systems, such as the Air Force, where it is counted as 7 points (out of a possible 25 points for decorations).
were initiated as early as September 1937, no formal action was taken toward approval.
In a letter to the Quartermaster General (QMG) dated December 24, 1941, the Adjutant General formally requested action be initiated to create a Meritorious Service Medal and provide designs in the event the decoration was established. Proposed designs prepared by Bailey, Banks, and Biddle and the Office of the Quartermaster General were provided to Assistant Chief of Staff (G1) (Colonel Heard) by the QMG on January 5, 1942.
The Assistant Chief of Staff (G1) (BG Hilldring), in a response to the QMG on April 3, 1942, indicated the Secretary of War approved the design recommended by the QMG. The design of the Legion of Merit (change of name) would be ready for issue immediately after legislation authorizing it was enacted into law.
An Act of Congress (Public Law 671—77th Congress, Chapter 508, 2d Session) on July 20, 1942, established the Legion of Merit and provided that the medal "shall have suitable appurtenances and devices and not more than four degrees, and which the President, under such rules and regulations as he shall prescribe, may award to personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States and of the Government of the Commonwealth Philippines and 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."
The medal was announced in War Department Bulletin No. 40, dated August 5, 1942. Executive Order 9260, dated October 29, 1942, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
, established the rules for the Legion of Merit and required the President's approval for the award. However, in 1943, at the request of General George C. Marshall, approval authority for U.S. personnel was delegated to the War Department.
Executive Order 10600, dated March 15, 1955, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower
, revised approval authority. Current provisions are contained in Title 10, United States Code
1121.
The reverse of the medal has the motto taken from the Great Seal of the United States "ANNUIT COEPTIS" (He [God] Has Favored Our Undertakings) and the date "MDCCLXXXII" (1782) which is the date of America's first decoration, the Badge of Military Merit, now known as the Purple Heart
. The ribbon design also follows the pattern of the Purple Heart ribbon.
Awards and decorations of the United States military
Awards and decorations of the United States Military are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces...
of the United States armed forces
United States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued both to United States military personnel and to military and political figures of foreign governments.
The Legion of Merit (Commander degree) is one of only two United States military decorations to be issued as a neck order
Neck order
A neck order is a type of decoration which is designed to be worn and displayed around a person's neck, rather than hung from the chest as is the standard practice for displaying most decorations....
(the other being the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
) and the only United States decoration which may be issued in award degrees (much like an order of chivalry or certain Orders of Merit
Order of Merit (disambiguation)
Order of Merit may refer to:Extant national orders:* Order of Merit of Antigua and Barbuda, see Commonwealth realms orders and decorations* Order of Merit * Order of Merit of the Bahamas* Order of Merit of the Police Forces...
).
The Legion of Merit is sixth in the order of precedence of U.S. military decorations, and is worn after the Defense Superior Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
The Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."...
and before the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
. In contemporary use in the U.S. armed forces, the Legion of Merit is typically awarded to Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force general officers and colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
s, and Navy and Coast Guard flag officers and captains occupying command or very senior staff positions in their respective services. It may also be awarded to officers of lesser rank and senior enlisted personnel, but these instances are less frequent and circumstances vary by service. As such, the medal can be considered as "points" in some enlisted promotion systems, such as the Air Force, where it is counted as 7 points (out of a possible 25 points for decorations).
Criteria
- The degrees of Chief Commander, Commander, Officer, and Legionnaire are awarded only to members of armed forces of foreign nations under the criteria outlined in US Army Regulation 672-7 and is based on the relative rank or position of the recipient as follows:
- Chief Commander: Chief of State or Head of Government. However this degree was awarded by President Roosevelt to some Allied World War II theater commanders usually for joint amphibious landings or invasions. The President had this power under Executive Order 9260 of October 29, 1942 paragraph 3b.
- Commander: Equivalent of a U.S. military Chief of Staff or higher position but not to Chief of State.
- Officer: General or Flag Officer below the equivalent of a U.S. military Chief of Staff; Colonel or equivalent rank for service in assignments equivalent to those normally held by a General or Flag Officer in U.S. military service; or Military Attaches.
- Legionnaire: All recipients not included above.
- When the Legion of Merit is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States it is awarded without reference to degree. The criteria are "for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements". Additional awards of the Legion of Merit are denoted by oak leaf clusterOak leaf clusterAn oak leaf cluster is a common device which is placed on U.S. Army and Air Force awards and decorations to denote those who have received more than one bestowal of a particular decoration. The number of oak leaf clusters typically indicates the number of subsequent awards of the decoration...
s, in the Army and Air Force, and by award starAward starAn award star is a decoration issued to personnel of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard in lieu of multiple awards of the same award. An award star is very similar to an oak leaf cluster, which serves the same purpose in the United States Army and United States Air Force...
s in the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The sea services (i.e., USN, USMC, USCG) also permit the wearing of the Valor deviceValor deviceThe Valor device is an award of the United States military which is a bronze attachment to certain medals to indicate that it was received for valor...
on the Legion of Merit, while the Army and Air Force do not. - The performance must have been such as to merit recognition of key individuals for service rendered in a clearly exceptional manner.
- Performance of duties normal to the grade, branch, specialty or assignment, and experience of an individual is not an adequate basis for this award.
- For service not related to actual war the term “key individual” applies to a narrower range of positions than in time of war and requires evidence of significant achievement.
- In peacetime, service should be in the nature of a special requirement or of an extremely difficult duty performed in an unprecedented and clearly exceptional manner.
- However, justification of the award may accrue by virtue of exceptionally meritorious service in a succession of important positions.
- The degrees and the design of the decoration were clearly influenced by the French Légion d'honneurLégion d'honneurThe Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
.
History
Although recommendations for creation of a Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
were initiated as early as September 1937, no formal action was taken toward approval.
In a letter to the Quartermaster General (QMG) dated December 24, 1941, the Adjutant General formally requested action be initiated to create a Meritorious Service Medal and provide designs in the event the decoration was established. Proposed designs prepared by Bailey, Banks, and Biddle and the Office of the Quartermaster General were provided to Assistant Chief of Staff (G1) (Colonel Heard) by the QMG on January 5, 1942.
The Assistant Chief of Staff (G1) (BG Hilldring), in a response to the QMG on April 3, 1942, indicated the Secretary of War approved the design recommended by the QMG. The design of the Legion of Merit (change of name) would be ready for issue immediately after legislation authorizing it was enacted into law.
An Act of Congress (Public Law 671—77th Congress, Chapter 508, 2d Session) on July 20, 1942, established the Legion of Merit and provided that the medal "shall have suitable appurtenances and devices and not more than four degrees, and which the President, under such rules and regulations as he shall prescribe, may award to personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States and of the Government of the Commonwealth Philippines and 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."
The medal was announced in War Department Bulletin No. 40, dated August 5, 1942. Executive Order 9260, dated October 29, 1942, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
, established the rules for the Legion of Merit and required the President's approval for the award. However, in 1943, at the request of General George C. Marshall, approval authority for U.S. personnel was delegated to the War Department.
Executive Order 10600, dated March 15, 1955, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
, revised approval authority. Current provisions are contained in Title 10, United States Code
United States Code
The Code of Laws of the United States of America is a compilation and codification of the general and permanent federal laws of the United States...
1121.
The reverse of the medal has the motto taken from the Great Seal of the United States "ANNUIT COEPTIS" (He [God] Has Favored Our Undertakings) and the date "MDCCLXXXII" (1782) which is the date of America's first decoration, the Badge of Military Merit, now known as the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
. The ribbon design also follows the pattern of the Purple Heart ribbon.
Appearance
| Chief Commander | Commander | Officer | Legionnaire |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Ribbon | |||
 |
 |
 |
 |
- The Chief Commander Degree of the Legion of Merit Medal is, on a wreath of green laurel joined at the bottom by a gold bow-knot (rosette), a domed five-pointed white star bordered crimson, points reversed with v-shaped extremities tipped with a gold ball. In the center, a blue disk encircled by gold clouds, with 13 white stars arranged in the pattern that appears on the United States Coat of Arms. Between each point, within the wreath are crossed arrows pointing outwards. The overall width is 2 15/16 inches (75 mm). The words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" are engraved in the center of the reverse. A miniature of the decoration in gold on a horizontal gold bar is worn on the service ribbon.
- The Commander Degree of the Legion of Merit Medal is, on a wreath of green laurel joined at the bottom by a gold bow-knot (rosette), a five-pointed white star bordered crimson, points reversed with v-shaped extremities tipped with a gold ball. In the center, a blue disk encircled by gold clouds, with 13 white stars arranged in the pattern that appears on the United States Coat of Arms. Between each star point, within the wreath, are crossed arrows pointing outwards. The overall width is 2¼ inches (57 mm). A gold laurel wreath in the v-shaped angle at the top connects an oval suspension ring to the neck ribbon that is 1 15/16 inches (49 mm) in width. The reverse of the five-pointed star is enameled in white, and the border is crimson. In the center, a disk for engraving the name of the recipient surrounded by the words "ANNUIT COEPTIS MDCCLXXXII." An outer scroll contains the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." A miniature of the decoration in silver on a horizontal silver bar is worn on the service ribbon.
- The neck ribbon for the degree of Commander is 1 15/16 inches (49 mm) wide and consists of the following stripes: 1/16 inch (2 mm) white 67101; center 1 13/16 inches (46 mm) crimson and 1/16 inch (2 mm) white.
- The Officer Degree of the Legion of Merit Medal is similar to the degree of Commander except the overall width is 1 7/8 inches (48 mm) and the pendant has a suspension ring instead of the wreath for attaching the ribbon. A gold replica of the medal, 3/4 inch (19 mm) wide, is centered on the suspension ribbon.
- The Legionnaire Degree of the Legion of Merit Medal and the Legion of Merit Medal issued to U.S. personnel is the same as the degree of Officer, except the suspension ribbon does not have the medal replica.
- The ribbon for all of the decorations is 1 3/8 inches (35 mm) wide and consists of the following stripes: 1/16 inch (2 mm) white; center 1¼ inches (32 mm) crimson; and 1/16 inch (2 mm) white. The reverse of all of the medals has the motto taken from the Great Seal of the United States "ANNUIT COEPTIS" (He (GodGodGod is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
) Has Favored Our Undertakings) and the date "MDCCLXXXII" (1782), which is the date of America's first decoration, the Badge of Military MeritBadge of Military MeritThe Badge of Military Merit is considered the first military award of the United States Armed Forces. Although the Fidelity Medallion is older, after being issued to three soldiers for a specific event in 1780 it was never awarded again, so the Badge of Military Merit is often considered the oldest...
, now known as the Purple HeartPurple HeartThe Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
. The ribbon design also follows the pattern of the Purple Heart ribbon.
Chief Commander
Nationality |
Rank |
Name |
Force |
Date |
Comments |
| Lieutenant-General | Kenneth A.N. Anderson Kenneth Arthur Noel Anderson General Sir Kenneth Arthur Noel Anderson, KCB, MC was a British Army officer in both the First and Second World Wars. He is mainly remembered as the commander of the First Army during Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of Tunisia. He had an outwardly reserved character and did not court... , CB, MC |
British Army | June 18, 1943 | ||
 Republic of China |
Generalissimo Generalissimo Generalissimo and Generalissimus are military ranks of the highest degree, superior to Field Marshal and other five-star ranks.-Usage:... |
Chiang Kai-shek Chiang Kai-shek Chiang Kai-shek was a political and military leader of 20th century China. He is known as Jiǎng Jièshí or Jiǎng Zhōngzhèng in Mandarin.... |
Chinese Armed Forces | July 1943 | |
| General General (United Kingdom) General is currently the highest peace-time rank in the British Army and Royal Marines. It is subordinate to the Army rank of Field Marshal, has a NATO-code of OF-9, and is a four-star rank.... |
Bernard Law Montgomery, KCB, DSO | British Army | August 6, 1943 | ||
| Temporary Air Chief Marshal Air Chief Marshal Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force... |
Sir Arthur William Tedder, GCB | Royal Air Force | August 27, 1943 | ||
 Soviet Union |
Marshal of the Soviet Union Marshal of the Soviet Union Marshal of the Soviet Union was the de facto highest military rank of the Soviet Union. .... |
Aleksandr Mikhajlovich Vasilevskij Aleksandr Vasilevsky Aleksandr Mikhaylovich Vasilevsky was a Russian career officer in the Red Army, promoted to Marshal of the Soviet Union in 1943. He was the Chief of the General Staff of the Soviet Armed Forces and Deputy Minister of Defense during World War II, as well as Minister of Defense from 1949 to 1953... |
Red Army | June 22, 1944 | |
| Soviet Union |
Chief Marshal Of Aviation Chief Marshal The ranks of Marshal of a branch and Chief Marshal of a branch were senior military ranks of the Soviet Armed Forces. Immediately above the rank "Marshal of a branch" is the rank "Chief Marshal of a branch". Both ranks are immediately above the rank "Colonel General" and equal to Soviet General... |
Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Novikov Alexander Novikov Alexander Alexandrovich Novikov was the Chief Marshal of Aviation for the Soviet Air Force during Russia's involvement in the Second World War... |
Military Air Forces | June 22, 1944 | |
| Rear-Admiral | Sir Victor Crutchley Victor Alexander Charles Crutchley Admiral Sir Victor Alexander Charles Crutchley VC, KCB, DSC, DL, RN was a British admiral in World War II and a hero of the First World War... VC, KCB, DSC |
Royal Australian Naval Squadron | September 1944 | For exceptionally meritorious conduct 1942–44 in command of Task Force 44 in the Pacific. | |
| Air Marshal Air Marshal Air marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force... |
Arthur Travers Harris, OBE, AFC | Royal Air Force | October 17, 1944 | Known as "Bomber" Harris; because of moral qualms, he was the only major British commander not to receive a peerage Peerage The Peerage is a legal system of largely hereditary titles in the United Kingdom, which constitute the ranks of British nobility and is part of the British honours system... after World War II. He instituted "area bombing" of German cities. |
|
| King | George VI George VI of the United Kingdom George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death... |
Commonwealth armed forces | 1945 | ||
| Air Chief Marshal Air Chief Marshal Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force... |
William Sholto Douglas, GCB, MC, DFC | Royal Air Force | |||
| Admiral of the Fleet Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy) Admiral of the fleet is the highest rank of the British Royal Navy and other navies, which equates to the NATO rank code OF-10. The rank still exists in the Royal Navy but routine appointments ceased in 1996.... |
Sir Andrew Browne Cunningham Bt, GCB, DSO** | Royal Navy | First Sea Lord | ||
| Admiral | Sir John Henry Dacres Cunningham KCB | Royal Navy | For gallant and distinguished service during the invasion operations in Northern Italy and the South of France. | ||
| Admiral | Sir Bertram Home Ramsay Bertram Ramsay Admiral Sir Bertram Home Ramsay KCB, KBE, MVO was a British admiral during World War II. He was an important contributor in the field of amphibious warfare.-Early life:... KCB, KBE, MVO |
Royal Navy | January 15, 1945 | For gallant and distinguished service whilst in command of the invasion operations on Normandy. | |
| Acting Air Marshal Air Marshal Air marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force... |
Sir Arthur Coningham Arthur Coningham (RAF officer) Air Marshal Sir Arthur "Mary" Coningham KCB, KBE, DSO, MC, DFC, AFC, RAF was a senior officer in the Royal Air Force. During the First World War, he was at Gallipoli with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, where he became a flying ace... KCB, DSO, MC, DFC, AFC |
Royal Air Force | |||
 Sri Lanka |
Air Chief Marshal Air Chief Marshal Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force... |
Donald Perera VSV Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya The Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya medal and bar are presented to Sri Lankan senior military officers of three services, given that their loyal service is of not less than 25 years and possess a perfectly flawless record of moral and military conduct, will be appropriate for the award... , USP Uttama Seva Padakkama The Uttama Seva Padakkama is presented to all ranks of the Regular Forces of the Sri Lankan military for valuable service and dedication to duty with the outstanding ability, merit and excellent conduct, given that they count not less than 15 years continuous and uninterrupted service and possess... |
Sri Lanka Air Force | ||
 Iraq |
Commander-In-Chief | Crown Prince 'Abd al-Ilah 'Abd al-Ilah Crown Prince Abd al-Ilāh of Hejaz, GCB, GCMG, GCVO was a cousin and brother-in-law of King Ghazi of the Kingdom of Iraq. Abdul Ilah served as Regent for King Faisal II from April 4, 1939 to May 2, 1953, when Faisal came of age... |
Iraqi Armed Forces | June 1, 1945 | |
| Vice Admiral Vice Admiral (Royal Navy) Vice admiral is a flag officer rank of the British Royal Navy. It equates to the NATO rank code OF-8 and is immediately superior to rear admiral and is subordinate to the full admiral rank.The Royal Navy has had vice admirals since at least the 16th century... |
Sir Philip Vian Philip Vian Admiral of the Fleet Sir Philip Louis Vian, GCB, KBE, DSO & Two Bars was a British naval officer who served in both World Wars.... KBE, CMG |
Royal Navy | July 17, 1945 | ||
| Soviet Union |
Marshal of the Soviet Union Marshal of the Soviet Union Marshal of the Soviet Union was the de facto highest military rank of the Soviet Union. .... |
Georgy Zhukov Georgy Zhukov Marshal of the Soviet Union Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov , was a Russian career officer in the Red Army who, in the course of World War II, played a pivotal role in leading the Red Army through much of Eastern Europe to liberate the Soviet Union and other nations from the Axis Powers' occupation... |
Red Army | 1945 | |
| Soviet Union |
Marshal of the Soviet Union Marshal of the Soviet Union Marshal of the Soviet Union was the de facto highest military rank of the Soviet Union. .... |
Ivan Stepanovich Konev | Red Army | 1945 | |
| Soviet Union |
Marshal of the Soviet Union Marshal of the Soviet Union Marshal of the Soviet Union was the de facto highest military rank of the Soviet Union. .... |
Leonid Aleksandrovich Govorov Leonid Govorov Leonid Aleksandrovich Govorov was a Soviet military commander. An artillery officer, he joined the Red Army in 1920. He graduated from several Soviet military academies, including the Military Academy of Red Army General Staff. He participated in the Winter War as a senior artillery officer.In... |
Red Army | ||
| Soviet Union |
Army General Army General For the army rank of General, as opposed to the specific rank of Army General, see General officer.Army General is a title used in many countries to denote the rank of General nominally commanding an army in the field... |
Stanislav Giljarovich Poplavskij Stanislav Poplavsky Stanislav Gilyarovich Poplavsky was a general in the Soviet and Polish armies.-Biography:He was born in Imperial Russia, in the vicinity of Kiev. His family was ethnically Polish, and in his younger years he considered himself a Pole... |
Red Army | ||
| Soviet Union |
Marshal of the Soviet Union Marshal of the Soviet Union Marshal of the Soviet Union was the de facto highest military rank of the Soviet Union. .... |
Kirill Afanasievich Meretskov Kirill Meretskov Kirill Afanasievich Meretskov was a Soviet military commander. Having joined the Communist Party in 1917, he served in the Red Army from 1920. During the Winter War, he was responsible for penetrating the Mannerheim Line as commander of the 7th Army... |
Red Army | ||
| Soviet Union |
Marshal of the Soviet Union Marshal of the Soviet Union Marshal of the Soviet Union was the de facto highest military rank of the Soviet Union. .... |
Konstantin Konstantinovich Rokossovskij Konstantin Rokossovsky Konstantin Rokossovskiy was a Polish-origin Soviet career officer who was a Marshal of the Soviet Union, as well as Marshal of Poland and Polish Defence Minister, who was famously known for his service in the Eastern Front, where he received high esteem for his outstanding military skill... |
Red Army | ||
| Soviet Union |
General General A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given.... |
Andrey Ivanovich Yeryomenko | Red Army | ||
 Kingdom of Romania |
King | Michael I of Romania Michael I of Romania Michael was the last King of Romania. He reigned from 20 July 1927 to 8 June 1930, and again from 6 September 1940 until 30 December 1947 when he was forced, by the Communist Party of Romania , to abdicate to the Soviet armies of occupation... |
Romanian Armed Forces | 1945 | |
 Early Modern France |
General General A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given.... |
Charles De Gaulle Charles de Gaulle Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle was a French general and statesman who led the Free French Forces during World War II. He later founded the French Fifth Republic in 1958 and served as its first President from 1959 to 1969.... |
French Armed Forces | August 24, 1945 | |
 Ethiopia |
Emperor | Haile Selassie | Ethiopian Armed Forces | 1945 | |
| Vice Admiral Vice Admiral (Royal Navy) Vice admiral is a flag officer rank of the British Royal Navy. It equates to the NATO rank code OF-8 and is immediately superior to rear admiral and is subordinate to the full admiral rank.The Royal Navy has had vice admirals since at least the 16th century... |
Sir Geoffrey Blake Geoffrey Blake (Royal Navy officer) Vice Admiral Sir Geoffrey Blake, KCB, DSO was an officer in the Royal Navy who went on to be Fourth Sea Lord.-Naval career:... KCB, DSO |
Royal Navy | November 6, 1945 | ||
 Norway |
Chief of Defence of Norway Chief of Defence of Norway The Chief of Defence of Norway is the highest ranking officer of the Military of Norway, second only to the King of Norway. Even though he holds the same rank as the King of Norway, according to the Norwegian Constitution the King holds the highest command of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Home... |
Crown Prince Olav Olav V of Norway Olav V was the king of Norway from 1957 until his death. A member of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, Olav was born in the United Kingdom as the son of King Haakon VII of Norway and Queen Maud of Norway... |
Norwegian Armed Forces | November 23, 1945 | "exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services from August 1944 to July 1945." |
 India |
General General A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given.... |
Rajendrasinhji Jadeja Rajendrasinhji Jadeja General Maharaj Shri Rajendrasinhji Jadeja, DSO , also known as Kumar Sri Rajendrasinhji and K.S. Rajendrasinhji, was the first Chief of Army Staff of the Indian army, and the second Indian, after Field Marshal K. M... |
Indian Army Indian Army The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army... |
1946 | |
 Saudi Arabia |
King | Abdul Aziz Ibn Abdur Rahman al Faisal Al Saud | Saudi Arabian Armed Forces | February 18, 1947 | |
 Mexico |
President | Miguel Aleman Miguel Alemán Miguel Alemán may refer to:*Miguel Alemán González, general in the Mexican Revolution; father of:*Miguel Alemán Valdés , president of Mexico from 1946 to 1952; father of:*Miguel Alemán Velasco Miguel Alemán may refer to:*Miguel Alemán González, general in the Mexican Revolution; father of:*Miguel... |
Mexican Armed Forces | May 1, 1947 | |
 Iran |
Shah | Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi | Iranian Armed Forces | October 7, 1947 | |
 Kingdom of Yugoslavia |
General General A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given.... |
Dragoljub Mihailović | Yugoslav Royal Army | March 29, 1948 | |
| General General A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given.... |
Sir William Slim, GBE, KCB, DSO, MC, ADC | British Army | 1948 | ||
 Australia |
Prime Minister | The Rt Hon The Right Honourable The Right Honourable is an honorific prefix that is traditionally applied to certain people in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Anglophone Caribbean and other Commonwealth Realms, and occasionally elsewhere... Sir Robert Menzies Robert Menzies Sir Robert Gordon Menzies, , Australian politician, was the 12th and longest-serving Prime Minister of Australia.... , KT, AK, CH Order of the Companions of Honour The Order of the Companions of Honour is an order of the Commonwealth realms. It was founded by King George V in June 1917, as a reward for outstanding achievements in the arts, literature, music, science, politics, industry or religion.... , QC Queen's Counsel Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law... |
Australian Armed Forces | ||
| India |
Field Marshal Field Marshal (India) The rank of Field Marshal is the highest possible rank in the Indian Army. Only two Army appointments have been made by the Government of India since independence in 1947. An equivalent rank existed in the British Indian Army before 1947... |
Kodandera Madappa Cariappa Kodandera Madappa Cariappa Field Marshal Kodandera "Kipper" Madappa Cariappa OBE was the first Indian Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army and led the Indian forces on the Western Front during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1947.He is among only two Indian Army officers to hold the highest rank of Field Marshal Field Marshal... |
Indian Army | 1950 | |
 Greece |
King | Paul I | Greek Armed Forces | October 28, 1953 | |
 Turkey |
President | Celal Bayar Celal Bayar Celâl Bayar was a Turkish politician, statesman and the third President of Turkey. At the time of his death, he was the longest lived former head of state, living over 103 years .-Early years:He was born in 1883 at Umurbey, a village of Gemlik, Bursa as the son of a religious leader and teacher... |
Turkish Armed Forces | January 27, 1954 | |
 Thailand |
Field Marshal Chom Phon Chom Phon or Field Marshal of Thailand is a military rank of Thailand in the Royal Thai Army, considered the equivalent to a Field Marshal or General of the Army . Today it is ceremonially held by members of the Thai Royal family and exists only on paper in the actual Thai military... |
Luang Plaek Pibulsonggram Plaek Pibulsonggram Field Marshal Plaek Pibunsongkhram , often known as Phibun Songkhram or simply Phibun in English, was Prime Minister and virtual military dictator of Thailand from 1938 to 1944 and 1948 to 1957.- Early years :... |
Thai Royal Army | May 2, 1955 | |
| India |
General General A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given.... |
Satyawant Mallana Srinagesh | Indian Army Indian Army The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army... |
1955 | |
| Thailand |
King | Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX... (Rama IX) |
Thai Armed Forces | June 28, 1960 | |
 South Korea |
General General A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given.... |
Kim Yong-Bae | Republic Of Korea Army | February 14, 1968 | For service April 1965 to March 1966. The initial award of Commander degree was revoked and replaced with Chief Commander. |
| South Korea |
Minister of National Defense | Kim Sung-Eun | Republic Of Korea | December 9, 1968 | For service March 1963 to June 1966. |
| India |
Admiral Admiral Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"... |
Jal Cursetji Jal Cursetji Jal Cursetji is a retired Indian Navy admiral who served as the 10th Chief of the Naval Staff from March 1, 1976 until February 28, 1979. Cursetji's prior commands included those as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command and the commanding officer of and... |
Indian Navy Indian Navy The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. The Chief of Naval Staff , usually a four-star officer in the rank of Admiral, commands the Navy... |
1978 | |
| Turkey |
President | Kenan Evren Kenan Evren Ahmet Kenan Evren was the seventh President of Turkey; a post he assumed by leading the 1980 military coup. He was also the last president to be born in the Ottoman Empire.- Biography :... |
Turkish Armed Forces | June 27, 1988 | |
 Germany |
General General A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given.... |
Wolfgang Schneiderhan Wolfgang Schneiderhan (General) Wolfgang Schneiderhan is a German general who served as Chief of Staff of the Bundeswehr, the German armed forces, from 2002 to 2009.-Military career:... |
Bundeswehr Bundeswehr The Bundeswehr consists of the unified armed forces of Germany and their civil administration and procurement authorities... |
||
| Turkey |
General General A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given.... |
Hilmi Özkök Hilmi Özkök General Hilmi Özkök was the 24th Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces. He took up that post on August 28, 2002 and served until August 30, 2006 when he retired and was succeeded by General Yaşar Büyükanıt.Özkök has expressed support for Turkey's alignment with the European Union,... |
Turkish Armed Forces | 2002 | |
 Pakistan |
Admiral Admiral Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"... |
Shahid Karimullah Shahid Karimullah Admiral Shahid Karimullah, TI, SI, HI, NI, SJ, L'd'H LM, is the former four-star naval officer who, as Chief of Naval Staff , commanded Pakistan Navy from 2002 to 2005. He is one of the most decorated military officer of the Pakistan Defense Forces who later served as Pakistan's ambassador to Saudi... |
Pakistan Navy Pakistan Navy The Pakistan Navy is the naval warfare/service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan's Navy is responsible for Pakistan's coastline along the Arabian Sea and the defense of important civilian harbors and military bases... |
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 |
| Pakistan |
Admiral Admiral Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"... |
Afzal Tahir Afzal Tahir Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir, NI, is the former Chief of Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy and the career naval officer, who retired on 7 October 2008 after completing the three-year service. He was succeeded by newly-appointed Admiral Noman Bashir... |
Pakistan Navy Pakistan Navy The Pakistan Navy is the naval warfare/service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan's Navy is responsible for Pakistan's coastline along the Arabian Sea and the defense of important civilian harbors and military bases... |
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 Admiral Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"... |
Mohammad Anwar Mohammad Nor | Malaysian Armed Forces | ||
 Israel |
General | Gabi Ashkenazi Gabi Ashkenazi Gavriel "Gabi" Ashkenazi , was the Chief of General Staff of the Israel Defence Forces from 2007 to 2011.- Background and early life :... |
Israeli Defence Forces | July 24, 2008 | |
| Pakistan |
General General A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given.... |
Ashfaq Parvez Kayani Ashfaq Parvez Kayani General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, NI, HI is a four-star general in the Pakistan Army, and the current Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army. He replaced General Pervez Musharraf as the Chief of Army Staff and the commandant of the army on November 29, 2007... |
Pakistani Army | January 1, 2009 | |
 Iraq |
General General A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given.... |
Babaker Shawkat B. Zebari Babaker Shawkat B. Zebari Babaker Baderkhan Shawkat Zebari is a General in the New Iraqi Army. He currently serves as the Chief of Staff, Iraqi Joint Forces.-Education:... |
Iraqi Army | January 7, 2010 | |
| Pakistan |
Admiral Admiral Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"... |
Noman Bashir Noman Bashir Admiral Noman Bashir, Admiral Noman Bashir, Admiral Noman Bashir, (NI(M), TI(MI, SI(M), HI(M), LM) was a 4-star rank Admiral who served as the 18th Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) of the Pakistan Navy, 7 October 2008 when Admiral Afzal Tahir retired from the navy, until 07 October 2011... |
Pakistan Navy Pakistan Navy The Pakistan Navy is the naval warfare/service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan's Navy is responsible for Pakistan's coastline along the Arabian Sea and the defense of important civilian harbors and military bases... |
March 18, 2010 | For distinguish service and strengthening the American-Pakistani relations. Also, for his role to established and strengthening the Pakistan Navy and U.S. Navy relations in Arabian sea. |
Commander
Nationality |
Rank |
Name |
Force |
Date |
Comments |
 Brazil |
Brigadier General Brigadier General Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000... |
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 Brigadier General Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000... |
Amaro Soares Bittencourt | Brazilian Army | 1942 | First recipient of this medal in any degree. |
 United Kingdom |
Wing Commander Wing Commander (rank) Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries... |
Guy Penrose Gibson Guy Gibson Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson VC, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar, RAF , was the first CO of the Royal Air Force's 617 Squadron, which he led in the "Dam Busters" raid in 1943, resulting in the destruction of two large dams in the Ruhr area... , VC, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar |
Royal Air Force Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world... |
December 3, 1943 | WWII leader of the Dams raid (Operation Chastise Operation Chastise Operation Chastise was an attack on German dams carried out on 16–17 May 1943 by Royal Air Force No. 617 Squadron, subsequently known as the "Dambusters", using a specially developed "bouncing bomb" invented and developed by Barnes Wallis... ) in 1943. |
 Poland |
Lieutenant General | Władysław Anders | 2nd Polish Corps | August 1, 1944 | |
| United Kingdom |
Admiral | Sir Gerald Charles Dickens Gerald Charles Dickens Admiral Sir Gerald Louis Charles Dickens, KCVO, CB, CMG, RN, was a senior Royal Navy officer and the grandson of Victorian novelist Charles Dickens.-Early career:... KCVO, CB, CMG |
Royal Navy Royal Navy The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service... |
1945 | WWII Commander |
| United Kingdom |
Air Commodore | Andrew James Wray Geddes Andrew James Wray Geddes Air Commodore Andrew James Wray Geddes CBE DSO RAF was the senior Royal Air Force officer during World War II who led the planning for Operation Manna, the air drop of food supplies to the starving population of the Netherlands.- External links :*... DSO, OBE |
Royal Air Force Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world... |
1945 | Responsible for the planning of Operations Manna and Chowhound |
 New Zealand |
Lieutenant General Lieutenant General Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General.... |
Sir Bernard Cyril Freyberg, VC, KCB, KBE, CMG, DSO | 2nd New Zealand Division, New Zealand Military Forces | August 2, 1945 | |
 South Africa |
Major General | William Henry Evered Poole Evered Poole Major General William Henry Evered Poole, CB, CBE, DSO, Commander of the US Legion of Merit, Commander of the French Légion d'honneur, Croix de Guerre avec Palme, Mentioned in Despatches, was a South African soldier before and during World War II and afterwards a diplomat.-Early life:In October... , CB, CBE, DSO |
6th South African Armored Division | Unit is part of the 5th US Army during the Italian Campaign Italian Campaign (World War II) The Italian Campaign of World War II was the name of Allied operations in and around Italy, from 1943 to the end of the war in Europe. Joint Allied Forces Headquarters AFHQ was operationally responsible for all Allied land forces in the Mediterranean theatre, and it planned and commanded the... in World War II World War II World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis... |
|
 Canada |
Major General | Georges Vanier Georges Vanier Major-General Georges-Philéas Vanier was a Canadian soldier and diplomat who served as Governor General of Canada, the 19th since Canadian Confederation.... |
1946 | Canadian representative to the United Nations and Ambassador to France, later Governor General of Canada Governor General of Canada The Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II... . |
|
| Canada |
Rear Admiral | Leonard W. Murray Leonard W. Murray Rear Admiral Leonard Warren Murray, CB, CBE was a officer of the Royal Canadian Navy who played a significant role in the Battle of the Atlantic. He commanded the Newfoundland Escort Force from 1941–1943, and from 1943 to the end of the war was Commander-in-Chief, Canadian Northwest Atlantic... |
Canadian Northwest Atlantic Canadian Northwest Atlantic Canadian Northwest Atlantic Command was the zone of operations during the Battle of the Atlantic that stretched from north of New York City to 47 degrees west. It was set up at the Atlantic Convoy Conference, held in Washington DC from 1-12 March 1943, and placed under the command of Rear-Admiral... |
1946 | Architect of the Battle of the Atlantic. |
| New Zealand |
Air Chief Marshal Air Chief Marshal Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force... |
Sir Keith Rodney Park Keith Park Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Rodney Park GCB, KBE, MC & Bar, DFC, RAF was a New Zealand soldier, First World War flying ace and Second World War Royal Air Force commander... |
Royal Air Force Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world... |
June 27, 1947 | WWII commander during the Battle of Britain Battle of Britain The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940... and later Allied Air Commander South East Asia |
 Philippines |
General | Alfredo M. Santos Alfredo M. Santos General Alfredo M. Santos was Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in 1962 to 1965, making him the first four-star general of the Philippines' armed forces.... |
Armed Forces of the Philippines Armed Forces of the Philippines The Armed Forces of the Philippines is composed of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force... |
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 |
Major General | Stefan Pawel Rowecki Stefan Rowecki Stefan Paweł Rowecki was a Polish general, journalist and the leader of the Armia Krajowa. He was murdered by the Gestapo in prison, probably on the direct order of Heinrich Himmler.-Life:Rowecki was born in Piotrków Trybunalski... |
Armia Krajowa | August 9, 1984 | Awarded by Ronald Reagan Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor.... posthumously forty years and one week after his death at the hands of the Gestapo Gestapo The Gestapo was the official secret police of Nazi Germany. Beginning on 20 April 1934, it was under the administration of the SS leader Heinrich Himmler in his position as Chief of German Police... . |
| Philippines |
General | Fidel Ramos | Armed Forces of the Philippines Armed Forces of the Philippines The Armed Forces of the Philippines is composed of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force... |
1990 | |
 Bangladesh |
Brigadier General | Abdul Muneem Mansur Ahmed | Bangladesh Army Bangladesh Army The Bangladesh Army is the land forces branch and the largest of the three uniformed service of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. The primary mission of the Army is to provide necessary forces and capabilities in support of Bangladesh's security and defense strategies including defense of the nation's... |
January 16, 1991 | The first Bangladesh Bangladesh Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south... i General to receive this award for his outstanding service as the Defense Attache in the Bangladesh Embassy, United States. |
| Early Modern France |
General | Michel Roquejeoffre Michel Roquejeoffre Michel Roquejeoffre is a retired French Army General , who commanded Operation Daguet... |
French Army French Army The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in... |
July 14, 1991 | |
| United Kingdom |
General | Sir Peter de la Billière Peter de la Billière General Sir Peter Edgar de la Cour de la Billière, KCB, KBE, DSO, MC & Bar is a former British Army officer who was Director SAS during the Iranian Embassy Siege and Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in the 1990 Gulf War... KCB, KBE, DSO, MC & bar |
British Forces to the Middle East during Gulf War I | July 14, 1991 | |
| Israel |
General General A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given.... |
Ehud Barak Ehud Barak Ehud Barak is an Israeli politician who served as Prime Minister from 1999 until 2001. He was leader of the Labor Party until January 2011 and holds the posts of Minister of Defense and Deputy Prime Minister in Binyamin Netanyahu's government.... |
Israeli Defense Forces | 1992 | Later became Israeli Prime Minister from 1999 to 2001 |
 Canada |
General | Alfred John Gardyne Drummond de Chastelain, OC, CMM, CH, CD John de Chastelain Alfred John Gardyne Drummond de Chastelain is a retired Canadian soldier and diplomat.De Chastelain was born in Romania and educated in England and in Scotland before his family immigrated to Canada in 1954... |
Canadian Forces Canadian Forces The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."... |
1995 | In 1999, he was made a Companion of Honour by Queen Elizabeth II. He is the former Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada) Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada) The Chief of the Defence Staff is the second most senior member of the Canadian Forces, and heads the Armed Forces Council, having primary responsibility for command, control, and administration of the forces, as well as military strategy, plans, and requirements... for the Canadian Forces Canadian Forces The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."... and he is the Chairman of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning Independent International Commission on Decommissioning The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning was established to oversee the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons in Northern Ireland, as part of the peace process.-Legislation and organisation:... since November 1995 for the Northern Ireland Peace Process Northern Ireland peace process The peace process, when discussing the history of Northern Ireland, is often considered to cover the events leading up to the 1994 Provisional Irish Republican Army ceasefire, the end of most of the violence of the Troubles, the Belfast Agreement, and subsequent political developments.-Towards a... . |
 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. | |
 Ecuador |
General de Ejército (General of the Army) |
Paco Moncayo Paco Moncayo Paco Rosendo Moncayo Gallegos is a former Mayor of Quito, Ecuador and a retired General of the Army.During his military career, he was involved in the Alto Cenepa War between Ecuador and Perú. In 2000 Paco Moncayo was elected Mayor of Metropolitan Quito on behalf of the Party of the Democratic... |
Ecuadorian Armed Forces | For of his exceptionally superior performance as Chief of the Armed Forces Joint Command and his contribution to Ecuadorian history, politics and democracy. | |
| Australia |
General | Sir Phillip Bennett Phillip Bennett General Sir Phillip Harvey Bennett AC, KBE, DSO is a retired senior officer of the Australian Army who served as Chief of the Australian Defence Force from 1984 to 1987, and later as Governor of Tasmania from 1987 to 1995.... , AC, KBE, DSO, KStJ Venerable Order of Saint John The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem , is a royal order of chivalry established in 1831 and found today throughout the Commonwealth of Nations, Hong Kong, Ireland and the United States of America, with the world-wide mission "to prevent and relieve sickness and... John Baker John Baker (general) General John Stuart Baker, AC, DSM was an Australian army general. He was Chief of the Australian Defence Force from July 1995 to July 1998... , AC, DSM Distinguished Service Medal (Australia) The Distinguished Service Medal is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force for distinguished leadership in action. The DSM was introduced in 1991 and is the second highest distinguished service decoration in the Australian Honours System. Recipients of the... Peter Cosgrove Peter Cosgrove General Peter John Cosgrove AC, MC is a retired Australian Army officer. He was the Chief of the Defence Force from 3 July 2002 to 3 July 2005, when he retired from active service... , AC, MC Military Cross The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.... |
Australian Defence Force Australian Defence Force The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units... |
Chiefs of the Defence Force Chief of the Defence Force (Australia) Chief of the Defence Force is the most senior appointment in the Australian Defence Force . The CDF commands the ADF under the direction of the Minister of Defence, in a coequal arrangement with the Secretary of Defence, the most senior public servant in the Department of Defence.The position is a... |
|
| Germany |
General | Adolf Heusinger Adolf Heusinger Adolf Heusinger was a German General. He briefly served as Chief of the General Staff of the Army during World War II and served as the first Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, the West German armed forces, from 1957 to 1961... Klaus Naumann Klaus Naumann Klaus Naumann is a retired German General, who served as Chief of Staff of the Bundeswehr, the German armed fources, from 1991 to 1996, and as Chairman of the NATO Military Committee from 1996 to 1999, succeeding the British general Richard Frederick Vincent, Baron Vincent of Coleshill... Wolfgang Schneiderhan Wolfgang Schneiderhan (General) Wolfgang Schneiderhan is a German general who served as Chief of Staff of the Bundeswehr, the German armed forces, from 2002 to 2009.-Military career:... |
Bundeswehr Bundeswehr The Bundeswehr consists of the unified armed forces of Germany and their civil administration and procurement authorities... |
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| Early Modern France |
General | Edgard de Larminat Edgard de Larminat Edgard de Larminat was a French general, who fought in two World Wars. He was one of the most important military figures who rejoined the Free French forces in 1940... Alain de Boissieu Alain de Boissieu Alain de Boissieu was a French general, Free French, Compagnon de la Libération, Army chief of staff and son-in-law of general Charles de Gaulle.-Life:... Vincent Desportes Vincent Desportes Vincent Desportes is a retired French Army general and military theorist.Desportes graduated from the École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr, specialising in armour warfare. He also holds an engineer's degree, a diplôme d'études approfondies in sociology, a MBA, and graduated from the U.S... Jean-Louis Georgelin Jean-Louis Georgelin Jean-Louis Georgelin is an Army General . Great Chancellor of the French national order of the Legion of honnor from the 9 June 2010... |
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| Canada |
Lieutenant General Lieutenant General Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General.... |
Charles Bouchard Charles Bouchard Lieutenant General Joseph Jacques Charles "Charlie" Bouchard is a Royal Canadian Air Force general. He has served as Commander of 1 Canadian Air Division / Canadian NORAD Region, the Deputy Commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command and Deputy Commander of Allied Joint Force Command... |
Deputy Commander NORAD | 2004 | Commander of NATO forces enforcing "No Fly Zone" Libya 2011 |
| Australia |
Lieutenant General Lieutenant General (Australia) Lieutenant general is the second-highest active rank of the Australian Army and was created as a direct equivalent of the British military rank of lieutenant general. It is also considered a three-star rank.... |
Peter Leahy Peter Leahy Lieutenant General Peter Francis Leahy AC is a retired senior officer of the Australian Army, whose military career culminated with his appointment as Chief of the Army from 2002 until 2008.-Military career:... , AC Ken Gillespie Ken Gillespie Lieutenant General Kenneth James "Ken" Gillespie AC, DSC, CSM is a retired senior officer in the Australian Army. Gillespie served as Vice Chief of the Defence Force from 2005 until 2008, then Chief of Army from 2008 until 2011.... , AC, DSC Distinguished Service Cross (Australia) The Distinguished Service Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force. It is awarded for distinguished command and leadership in action. The DSC was introduced in 1991 and is the highest distinguished service decoration in the Australian Honours System... , CSM Conspicuous Service Medal The Conspicuous Service Medal is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force, it is awarded for meritorious achievement or dedication to duty in non-war like situations. The CSM was introduced in 1989 and is a distinct Australian military award. It is the second... |
Australian Army Australian Army The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army... |
2004 2009 |
Chief of Army |
| Bangladesh |
Lieutenant General Lieutenant General Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General.... |
Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury is a retired Bangladeshi army officer and Lieutenant General of the Bangladesh Army. He became the Chief of Army staff in 2002 and after retirement from the Army, became an adviser of the interim caretaker government in October 2006... |
Bangladesh Army Bangladesh Army The Bangladesh Army is the land forces branch and the largest of the three uniformed service of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. The primary mission of the Army is to provide necessary forces and capabilities in support of Bangladesh's security and defense strategies including defense of the nation's... |
2005 | Former Chief of Army Staff (Bangladesh) |
| Turkey |
Commander-in-Chief | Mehmet Yaşar Büyükanıt | Turkish Armed Forces Turkish Armed Forces The Turkish Armed Forces are the military forces of the Republic of Turkey. They consist of the Army, the Navy , and the Air Force... |
December 12, 2005 | |
| United Kingdom |
General | Michael John Dawson Walker, Baron Walker of Aldringham GCB, CMG, CBE, ADC, DL | Implementation Force IFOR The Implementation Force was a NATO-led multinational peacekeeping force in Bosnia and Herzegovina under a one-year mandate from 20 December 1995 to 20 December 1996 under the codename Operation Joint Endeavour. Its task was to implement the military Annexes of The General Framework Agreement for... in Bosnia Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the... |
May 13, 1997 | Former Chief of the Defence Staff Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom) The Chief of the Defence Staff is the professional head of the British Armed Forces, a senior official within the Ministry of Defence, and the most senior uniformed military adviser to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Prime Minister... (CDS) in the United Kingdom United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... |
 Italy |
Admiral | Giampaolo Di Paola Giampaolo Di Paola Admiral Giampaolo di Paola is an Italian naval officer who has served in the government of Italy as Minister of Defense since November 2011... |
Italian Navy Italian Navy Italian Navy may refer to:* Pre-unitarian navies of the Italian states* Regia Marina, the Royal Navy of the Kingdom of Italy * Italian Navy , the navy of the Italian Republic... |
Incumbent Minister of Defence in the Monti Cabinet Monti Cabinet The Monti cabinet is the incumbent cabinet of the government of Italy and was announced on 16 November 2011. The cabinet is composed of technocrats, three of whom are women. It includes 12 ministers with portfolio, and five without portfolio.-References:... |
|
 Russia |
Admiral of the Fleet Admiral of the Fleet An admiral of the fleet is a military naval officer of the highest rank. In many nations the rank is reserved for wartime or ceremonial appointments... |
Vladimir Vasilyevich Masorin Vladimir Masorin Admiral of the Fleet Vladimir Vasilyevich Masorin is a retired Russian admiral who commanded the Caspian Flotilla in 1996-2002 and the Black Sea Fleet in 2002-2005... |
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 Sept. 2005 – Aug. 2007. |
| Poland |
General | Franciszek Gągor Franciszek Gągor Franciszek Gągor was a Polish general, Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces between 2006 and 2010.... |
Polish Armed Forces Polish Armed Forces Siły Zbrojne Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej are the national defense forces of Poland... |
May 22, 2008 | For exceptionally meritorious service as the Chief of Staff of the Polish Armed Forces from February 2006 to May 2008. |
 Japan |
General | Toshio Tamogami Toshio Tamogami was the chief of staff of Japan's Air Self-Defense Force from March 2007 to November 2008.-Career and retirement:Tamogami was dismissed with a 60 million yen allowance due to an essay he published on October 31, 2008, arguing that "it is a false accusation to say was an aggressor nation" during... |
Air Self-Defense Force | August 19, 2008 | |
 Sweden |
Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces | Sverker Göranson Sverker Göranson Sverker John Olof Göranson, born 3 May 1954 in Lund, is a General of the Swedish Army with an armoured forces background and is the Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces since 25 March 2009, when he succeeded Håkan Syrén. Göranson was Inspector General of the Swedish Army from 2005 to... |
Swedish Armed Forces Swedish Armed Forces The Swedish Armed Forces is a Swedish Government Agency responsible for the operation of the armed forces of the Realm. The primary task of the agency is to train, organize and to deploy military forces, domestically and abroad, while maintaining the long-term ability to defend the Realm in the... |
2010 | For dedication and professionalism as supreme commander led the continuing transformation of the Swedish Armed Forces Swedish Armed Forces The Swedish Armed Forces is a Swedish Government Agency responsible for the operation of the armed forces of the Realm. The primary task of the agency is to train, organize and to deploy military forces, domestically and abroad, while maintaining the long-term ability to defend the Realm in the... and the Swedish international operations. |
| Sri Lanka |
General General A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given.... |
Rohan de S. Daluwatte RWP Rana Wickrama Padakkama The Rana Wickrama Padakkama medal and bar are presented to Sri Lankan military officers and other ranks as a reward for individual or allied acts of heroism in facing the enemy and performed of their own accord.-How medal awarded:It is ordained that the decoration shall be granted to all ranks of... , RSP Rana Sura Padakkama The Rana Sura Padakkama is a medal presented to members of all ranks of the Military of Sri Lanka for individual and/or associated acts of heroism in facing the enemy and performed of their own accord. The decoration is presented by the President of Sri Lanka... , VSV Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya The Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya medal and bar are presented to Sri Lankan senior military officers of three services, given that their loyal service is of not less than 25 years and possess a perfectly flawless record of moral and military conduct, will be appropriate for the award... , USP Uttama Seva Padakkama The Uttama Seva Padakkama is presented to all ranks of the Regular Forces of the Sri Lankan military for valuable service and dedication to duty with the outstanding ability, merit and excellent conduct, given that they count not less than 15 years continuous and uninterrupted service and possess... |
Sri Lanka Army | For service as Military attaché to the Sri Lankan Embassy in the United States | |
| Sri Lanka |
Major General Major General Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general... |
Milinda Peiris Milinda Peiris Major General Milinda Peiris, RWP, RSP, USP, ndc, psc, is a Sri Lankan Army officer who commanded the 5th Regiment of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps with distinction.... RWP Rana Wickrama Padakkama The Rana Wickrama Padakkama medal and bar are presented to Sri Lankan military officers and other ranks as a reward for individual or allied acts of heroism in facing the enemy and performed of their own accord.-How medal awarded:It is ordained that the decoration shall be granted to all ranks of... , RSP Rana Sura Padakkama The Rana Sura Padakkama is a medal presented to members of all ranks of the Military of Sri Lanka for individual and/or associated acts of heroism in facing the enemy and performed of their own accord. The decoration is presented by the President of Sri Lanka... , USP Uttama Seva Padakkama The Uttama Seva Padakkama is presented to all ranks of the Regular Forces of the Sri Lankan military for valuable service and dedication to duty with the outstanding ability, merit and excellent conduct, given that they count not less than 15 years continuous and uninterrupted service and possess... |
Sri Lanka Army | For service as Military attaché to the Sri Lankan Embassy in the United States | |
| Australia |
Vice Admiral Vice Admiral (Australia) Vice admiral is the second-highest active rank of the Royal Australian Navy and was created as a direct equivalent of the British rank of vice admiral. It is a three-star rank... |
David Shackleton, AO, RAN Royal Australian Navy The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces... Chris Ritchie Chris Ritchie Vice Admiral Christopher Angus Ritchie AO is a retired Vice Admiral of the Royal Australian Navy, and was Chief of Navy from 2002 to 2005.-Service history:Ritchie graduated from the RAN College at Jervis Bay in 1968... , AO, RAN Royal Australian Navy The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces... Russ Crane, AO, CSM Conspicuous Service Medal The Conspicuous Service Medal is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force, it is awarded for meritorious achievement or dedication to duty in non-war like situations. The CSM was introduced in 1989 and is a distinct Australian military award. It is the second... , RAN Royal Australian Navy The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces... |
Royal Australian Navy Royal Australian Navy The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces... |
Chief of Navy Chief of Navy (Australia) The Chief of Navy is the most senior appointment in the Royal Australian Navy, responsible to the Chief of the Defence Force and the Secretary of Defence... |
|
| Japan |
General | Yoshifumi Hibako Yoshifumi Hibako is a member of the Japan Self-Defense Forces who currently serves as the 32nd Chief of Staff of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. A graduate of the National Defense Academy of Japan, he later returned to serve as vice-president of the Academy... |
Ground Self-Defense Force | June 8, 2011 | Chief of Staff |
Officer
- At the beginning of the North African campaign, General Lyman L. Lemnitzer accompanied General Mark Wayne ClarkMark Wayne ClarkMark Wayne Clark was an American general during World War II and the Korean War and was the youngest lieutenant general in the U.S. Army...
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. - Group CaptainGroup CaptainGroup captain is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks above wing commander and immediately below air commodore...
Harry Day, senior Officer at numerous POW camps during World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and significantly helped American POWs endure the captivity, as well as organizing escape operations. He received the award on July 5, 1946. - 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’.
- In 1947, ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Valentine Patrick Terrel VivianValentine VivianColonel Valentine Patrick Terrell Vivian CMG CBE was the vice-chief of the SIS or MI6 and was the first head of its counter-espionage unit, Section V...
head of counter-espionageCounter-Espionage-Cast:* Warren William as Michael Lanyard* Eric Blore as Jamison* Hillary Brooke as Pamela Hart* Thurston Hall as Insp. Crane* Fred Kelsey as Detective Wesley Dickens* Forrest Tucker as Anton Schugg* Matthew Boulton as Inspector J...
, Section V, and Vice-Chief of the S.I.S. or MI6Secret Intelligence ServiceThe Secret Intelligence Service is responsible for supplying the British Government with foreign intelligence. Alongside the internal Security Service , the Government Communications Headquarters and the Defence Intelligence , it operates under the formal direction of the Joint Intelligence...
. 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. - In 1948, then Brigadier General John Frederick Boyce CombeJohn Frederick Boyce CombeMajor-General John Frederick Boyce Combe CB DSO & Bar was a British Army officer before and during World War II. He was twice awarded the DSO for his service in the Western Desert Campaign before being captured in April 1941 and spending nearly two and a half years as a prisoner of war in Italy...
was made an Officer of the Legion for his contribution "to the over-all success Allied forces in Italy" during World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. - In 1952, then Commander Emilio S. LiwanagEmilio S. LiwanagCaptain Emilio S. Liwanag was an officer in the Philippine Navy during the Second World War and the Korean War....
of the Philippine NavyPhilippine NavyThe Philippine Navy is the naval arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Filipino is Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas, literally, "Sea Force of the Philippines"....
was made an Officer of the Legion of Merit. His award was conferred by Major General Blackshear M. Bryan, deputy chief of staff, HQ Far East Command, for services in the Philippine liaison office with the United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Command during the Korean WarKorean WarThe Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. - 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.
- In 1996, Lieutenant General Roméo DallaireRoméo DallaireLieutenant-General Roméo Antonius Dallaire, is a Canadian senator, humanitarian, author and retired general...
of the Canadian Army was made an Officer of the Legion for his role as Commander of the United Nations peacekeepingPeacekeepingPeacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
force in RwandaRwandaRwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
during the civil war and subsequent genocide. - In 1990, Colonel Stanisław Wożniak from Poland was made an Officer of the Legion of Merit for his exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services.
- Lieutenant General Tariq Khan became the fourth PakistanPakistanPakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
i Officer to receive the award for meritorious services as a liaison officer at CENTCOM during Operations Enduring Freedom. He received the award on December 9, 2007. - In 2008, Air Chief MarshalAir Chief MarshalAir chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Sir Glenn TorpyGlenn TorpyAir Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Lester Torpy, GCB, CBE, DSO, ADC is a retired senior Royal Air Force commander. He was a fast jet pilot in the late 1970s and 1980s, a senior officer in the early 1990s and a senior commander in the late 1990s and 2000s...
Head of the Royal Air Force, for his part in Operation Telic / Operation Iraqi Freedom. - Lieutenant General Sir James Dutton, Royal MarinesRoyal MarinesThe Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
, "in recognition of meritorious, gallant and distinguished services during coalition operations in Afghanistan". - Major General Colin BoagColin BoagMajor General Colin James Boag CBE is a senior British Army officer.-Military career:Boag graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and was commissioned at the rank of second lieutenant in the Corps of Royal Engineers on 6 August 1983, with seniority from 3 May 1981, and immediately ...
, British ArmyBritish ArmyThe British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
, "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services during coalition operations in Iraq", March 2008. - Lieutenant General James BucknallJames BucknallLieutenant General James Jeffrey Corfield Bucknall, CBE, OW is a British Army officer and currently Deputy Commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.-Military career:...
, British ArmyBritish ArmyThe British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
, "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services during coalition operations in Iraq, July 2009".
Legionnaire
When the Legion of Merit is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States it is awarded without reference to degree.
- First award to Lieutenant Ann A. BernatitusAnn A. BernatitusAnn Agnes Bernatitus was a United States Navy nurse who served during World War II. In October 1942, she became the first American recipient of the Legion of Merit for her heroism during the siege of Bataan and Corregidor from December 1941 through April 1942...
, heroic Navy NurseUnited States Navy Nurse CorpsThe United States Navy Nurse Corps was officially established by Congress in 1908; however, unofficially, women had been working as nurses aboard Navy ships and in Navy hospitals for nearly 100 years.-Pre-1908:...
who served at BataanBataanBataan is a province of the Philippines occupying the whole of the Bataan Peninsula on Luzon. The province is part of the Central Luzon region. The capital of Bataan is Balanga City and it is bordered by the provinces of Zambales and Pampanga to the north...
and CorregidorCorregidorCorregidor Island, locally called Isla ng Corregidor, is a lofty island located at the entrance of Manila Bay in southwestern part of Luzon Island in the Philippines. Due to this location, Corregidor was fortified with several coastal artillery and ammunition magazines to defend the entrance of...
, in October 1942. - Francis GrevembergFrancis GrevembergFrancis Carroll Grevemberg , was the superintendent of the Louisiana State Police from 1952 to 1955, best remembered for his fight against organized crime....
, for outstanding performance at AnzioAnzioAnzio is a city and comune on the coast of the Lazio region of Italy, about south of Rome.Well known for its seaside harbour setting, it is a fishing port and a departure point for ferries and hydroplanes to the Pontine Islands of Ponza, Palmarola and Ventotene...
, ItalyItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, during World War II. - Colonel Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Tuskegee Airman of 99th Squadron was awarded in 1944.
- Jerauld WrightJerauld WrightAdmiral Jerauld Wright, USN, served as the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Atlantic Command and the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S...
, U.S. Navy, two awards, during WWII. - Radioman First Class George Ray TweedGeorge Ray TweedGeorge Ray Tweed was a radioman in the United States Navy at the outbreak of World War II.A sixteen year veteran of the Navy, Tweed was the chief radioman on Guam when the Japanese invaded the island on December 10, 1941...
for surviving thirty-one months on GuamGuamGuam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
while hunted by Japanese forces. Upon rescue he brought valuable information on enemy dispositions in 1944. - David NivenDavid NivenJames David Graham Niven , known as David Niven, was a British actor and novelist, best known for his roles as Phileas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days and Sir Charles Lytton, a.k.a. "the Phantom", in The Pink Panther...
, Lt-Col, British Commando for his services during WWII, awarded in 1945. - Captain John BirchJohn Birch (missionary)John Morrison Birch was an American military intelligence officer and a Baptist missionary in World War II who was shot by armed supporters of the Communist Party of China. Some politically conservative groups in the United States consider him to be a martyr and the first victim of the Cold War...
, US Army, Missionary and Intelligence Officer killed by Chinese Communist soldiers in 1945; The John Birch SocietyJohn Birch SocietyThe John Birch Society is an American political advocacy group that supports anti-communism, limited government, a Constitutional Republic and personal freedom. It has been described as radical right-wing....
is named after him; awarded in 1944. - Captain Kay SummersbyKay SummersbyKay Summersby was a member of the British Mechanised Transport Corps during World War II, who served as chauffeur to Supreme Commander Allied Expeditionary Force Dwight D. Eisenhower, later as his secretary and, it is alleged, his mistress.-Biography:Summersby was born Kathleen Helen...
, driver and secretary to General Eisenhower during the Second World War. - Audie MurphyAudie MurphyAudie Leon Murphy was a highly decorated and famous soldier. Through LIFE magazine's July 16, 1945 issue , he became one the most famous soldiers of World War II and widely regarded as the most decorated American soldier of the war...
, most highly decorated US soldier of WWII. Also received Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
, Distinguished Service CrossDistinguished Service Cross (United States)The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
, 2 Silver Stars, 2 Bronze Stars w/V Device, 3 Purple Hearts and many others (33 total awards, U.S. and Foreign). - George StevensGeorge StevensGeorge Stevens was an American film director, producer, screenwriter and cinematographer.Among his most notable films were Diary of Anne Frank , nominated for Best Director, Giant , winner of Oscar for Best Director, Shane , Oscar nominated, and A Place in the Sun , winner of Oscar for Best...
, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army; the two-time Oscar-winning film director headed the U.S. Army Signal Corps unit that filmed the Normandy landings and the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp. - Edwin HubbleEdwin HubbleEdwin Powell Hubble was an American astronomer who profoundly changed the understanding of the universe by confirming the existence of galaxies other than the Milky Way - our own galaxy...
, American astronomer, for his outstanding contribution to ballistics research in 1946 at the Aberdeen Proving GroundAberdeen Proving GroundAberdeen Proving Ground is a United States Army facility located near Aberdeen, Maryland, . Part of the facility is a census-designated place , which had a population of 3,116 at the 2000 census.- History :...
. - Commander Laurence George DurlacherLaurence DurlacherAdmiral Sir Laurence George Durlacher KCB OBE DSC was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Fifth Sea Lord.-Naval career:Durlacher joined the Royal Navy and chose to specialise in signals...
(later Admiral and fifth Sea Lord), Royal Navy 1946 "... and contributed in large measure to the successes achieved by the Allied forces in [the invasions of Sicily and the Italian mainland]." - Sergeant First Class Modesto CartagenaModesto CartagenaSergeant First Class Modesto Cartagena , was a member of the United States Army who served in the 65th Infantry Regiment, an all-Puerto Rican regiment also known as "The Borinqueneers," during World War II and the Korean War...
, the most decorated Hispanic of the Korean War. - Admiral Hyman G. RickoverHyman G. RickoverHyman George Rickover was a four-star admiral of the United States Navy who directed the original development of naval nuclear propulsion and controlled its operations for three decades as director of Naval Reactors...
, the "Father of the Nuclear Navy", 2 awards. - Lieutenant Colonel Charles E. RichardsonCharles E. RichardsonCharles E. Richardson was a publisher of the Rock Springs Daily Rocket-Miner in Rock Springs, Wyoming. He worked in his family newspaper business throughout his youth before attending the University of Wyoming at Laramie and entering the United States Army...
United States Army ca. 1958. - Rear Admiral Nicholas GoodhartNicholas GoodhartRear Admiral Hilary Charles Nicholas 'Nick' Goodhart CB Legion of Merit FRAeS RN rtd was an engineer and aviator who invented the mirror-sight deck landing system for aircraft carriers. He was also a world champion and record breaker in gliding.-Early life:He was born at Inkpen, Berkshire, the son...
, Royal NavyRoyal NavyThe Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, for the invention of the mirror-sight deck landing systemOptical Landing SystemAn optical landing system is used to give glidepath information to pilots in the terminal phase of landing on an aircraft carrier...
. Awarded in 1958. - Edward L. Beach, Jr.Edward L. Beach, Jr.Edward Latimer Beach, Jr. was a highly-decorated United States Navy submarine officer and best-selling author....
, commanding officer of USS Triton (SSRN-586)USS Triton (SSRN-586)USS Triton , a United States Navy nuclear-powered radar picket submarine, was the first vessel to execute a submerged circumnavigation of the Earth , doing so in early 1960. Triton accomplished this objective during her shakedown cruise while under the command of Captain Edward L. "Ned" Beach, Jr...
for the first submerged circumnavigationCircumnavigationCircumnavigation – literally, "navigation of a circumference" – refers to travelling all the way around an island, a continent, or the entire planet Earth.- Global circumnavigation :...
of the world. Awarded in 1960. - Senator John McCainJohn McCainJohn Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
, Naval aviator and Vietnam prisoner of war. - Colonel David H. HackworthDavid H. HackworthColonel David Haskell Hackworth also known as "Hack", was the most highly decorated soldier in United States military history having received 24 decorations for heroism in combat from the Distinguished Service Cross to the Army Commendation Medal. He was also a prominent military journalist...
, four awards, highly decorated Vietnam veteran who was awarded several Silver StarSilver StarThe Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
s and 2 Distinguished Service CrossesDistinguished Service Cross (United States)The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
. - Sergeant Major William "Billy" WaughBilly WaughSergeant Major William "Billy" Waugh , is a highly decorated American Special Forces soldier and a Central Intelligence Agency Paramilitary Operations Officer who served in the United States military and CIA special operations for more than fifty years. SGM Waugh served in the U.S...
, for Special Forces service during the Vietnam WarVietnam WarThe Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. - Colonel John BoydJohn Boyd (military strategist)Colonel John Boyd was a United States Air Force fighter pilot and Pentagon consultant of the late 20th century, whose theories have been highly influential in the military, sports, and business.-Biography:...
, USAF, important military strategist, creator of the OODA LoopOODA LoopThe OODA loop is a concept originally applied to the combat operations process, often at the strategic level in military operations. It is now also often applied to understand commercial operations and learning processes...
, 4 awards. - William C. Rogers IIIWilliam C. Rogers IIIWilliam C. Rogers III, is a former officer in the United States Navy, most notable as the captain of USS Vincennes, a Ticonderoga class Aegis cruiser...
, former commanding officer of the USS Vincennes (CG-49)USS Vincennes (CG-49)The fourth USS Vincennes is a U.S. Navy Ticonderoga class Aegis guided missile cruiser. On July 3, 1988, the ship shot down Iran Air Flight 655 over the Persian Gulf, killing all 290 civilian passengers on board, including 38 non-Iranians and 66 children.The ship was launched 14 April 1984 and...
, which shot down an Iranian jetlinerIran Air Flight 655Iran Air Flight 655 was a civilian jet airliner shot down by U.S. missiles on 3 July 1988, over the Strait of Hormuz, toward the end of the Iran–Iraq War...
in 1988. - Paul X. RinnPaul X. RinnCaptain Paul X. Rinn, USN , was the first Commanding officer of the and was in command when the ship struck a mine in the Persian Gulf on April 14, 1988.-Background:...
, commanding officer of the USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58)USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58)USS Samuel B. Roberts is one of the final ships in the United States Navy's Oliver Hazard Perry class of guided missile frigates . The ship was severely damaged by an Iranian mine in 1988, leading U.S. forces to respond with Operation Praying Mantis.-Commissioning and namesake:The frigate was...
, who led his crew to save their mineNaval mineA naval mine is a self-contained explosive device placed in water to destroy surface ships or submarines. Unlike depth charges, mines are deposited and left to wait until they are triggered by the approach of, or contact with, an enemy vessel...
-damaged warship in the Persian GulfPersian GulfThe Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
in 1988. - Kirk LippoldKirk LippoldCommander Kirk S. Lippold, USN , was the Commanding Officer of the USS Cole on October 12, 2000 when the ship was attacked and bombed by Al-Qaeda terrorists during a refueling stop in the Yemeni port of Aden, killing 17 U.S. sailors...
, CDR, Commanding officer of the USS Cole (DDG-67)USS Cole (DDG-67)The second USS Cole is an Arleigh Burke-class Aegis-equipped guided missile destroyer homeported in NS Norfolk, Virginia. The Cole is named in honor of Marine Sergeant Darrell S. Cole, a machine-gunner killed in action on Iwo Jima on 19 February 1945, during World War II...
which was attacked by suicide bombers in the port of Aden, Yemen on October 12, 2000. 2 awards (2nd while aboard USS Cole). - Carlton W. KentCarlton W. KentSergeant Major Carlton Wayne Kent was the 16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, assuming the post on April 25, 2007. He succeeded John L. Estrada, who had been serving in that capacity since June 2003. He was replaced by Micheal Barrett on June 9, 2011.-Biography:Carlton Kent was born in...
, the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps from 2007, 2 awards. - John KlineJohn Kline (politician)John Paul Kline is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. The district includes most of the southern suburbs of the Twin Cities, including Apple Valley, Inver Grove Heights, Burnsville and Eagan. He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education and career:Kline was born...
, United States Congressman (2003–present), 4 awards. - James G. StavridisJames G. StavridisJames G. Stavridis is a United States Navy admiral who serves as the current Commander, U.S. European Command and NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe . The first Navy officer to hold these positions, he assumed command in early summer 2009. He previously served as Commander, U.S...
, U.S. Admiral, Southern Command, 5 awards. - AdmiralAdmiralAdmiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
John C. Harvey, Jr.John C. Harvey, Jr.John Collins Harvey, Jr. is a United States Navy four-star admiral who serves as the 40th and current Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. He previously served as Director, Navy Staff from March 24, 2008 to July 23, 2009...
, United States Navy, 5 awards. - Michael MullenMichael MullenMichael Glenn "Mike" Mullen is a retired United States Navy four-star admiral, who served as the 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2011. Mullen previously served as the Navy's 28th Chief of Naval Operations from July 22, 2005 to September 29, 2007...
, six awards, Chief of Naval Operations, later Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. - John P. Abizaid, six awards, former commander of U.S. Central Command.
- Major General Michael S. TuckerMichael S. TuckerMajor General Michael S. Tucker is a United States Army General currently serving as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army's 2nd Infantry Division. On March 9, 2007, The Washington Post reported Army Vice Chief of Staff General Richard A...
, US Army, Commanding General, Second Infantry Division, 3 awards. - AdmiralAdmiralAdmiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
Patrick M. WalshPatrick M. WalshAdmiral Patrick M. Walsh, USN is the 59th Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. He served as the 35th Vice Chief of Naval Operations from April 2007 to August 13, 2009, and as Commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet from October 2005 to February 27, 2007...
, Commander of the U.S. Pacific FleetUnited States Pacific FleetThe United States Pacific Fleet is a Pacific Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources under the operational control of the United States Pacific Command. Its home port is at Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hawaii. It is commanded by Admiral Patrick M...
, former Vice Chief of Naval OperationsVice Chief of Naval OperationsThe Vice Chief of Naval Operations is the second highest ranking officer in the United States Navy. In the event that the Chief of Naval Operations is absent or is unable to perform his duties, the VCNO assumes the duties and responsibilities of the CNO. The VCNO may also perform other duties...
, US Navy, 3 awards. - General Walter L. SharpWalter L. SharpWalter L. "Skip" Sharp , is a retired United States Army four-star general, who last served as the Commander, United Nations Command, Commander, ROK-US Combined Forces Command and Commander, U.S. Forces Korea from June 3, 2008 to July 14, 2011. He previously served as the Director of the Joint...
, Commanding General, US Forces Korea (USFK) and Combined Forces Command (CFC).