President's Certificate of Merit
Encyclopedia
The President's Certificate of Merit was created June 6, 1946 by Executive Order 9734 signed by US President Harry Truman, "for award by the President or at his direction to any civilian who on or after December 7, 1941 (see Attack on Pearl Harbor
), has performed a meritorious act or service which has aided the United States
or any nation engaged with the United States in the prosecution of World War II
, and for which there is no other suitable award or recognition."
The award was for an act or service that was of high degree, but not sufficiently extraordinary or meritorious enough to warrant the Medal for Merit. The Certificate of Merit is generally awarded at the recommendation of the Medal for Merit Board, and its design must be approved by the Board. No person can receive more than one award, and the certificates may be awarded posthumously.
In 1948 324 Certificates were awarded, 67 for people that served in various capacities in connection with production of aircraft
or aircraft components, or in connection with air carrier operations under contract to the Army Air Forces
or the Air Transport Command
. The remaining 257 served in some capacity with or for the Office of Scientific Research and Development
.
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
), has performed a meritorious act or service which has aided the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
or any nation engaged with the United States in the prosecution of 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...
, and for which there is no other suitable award or recognition."
The award was for an act or service that was of high degree, but not sufficiently extraordinary or meritorious enough to warrant the Medal for Merit. The Certificate of Merit is generally awarded at the recommendation of the Medal for Merit Board, and its design must be approved by the Board. No person can receive more than one award, and the certificates may be awarded posthumously.
In 1948 324 Certificates were awarded, 67 for people that served in various capacities in connection with production of aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
or aircraft components, or in connection with air carrier operations under contract to the Army Air Forces
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
or the Air Transport Command
Air Transport Command
Air Transport Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its mission was to meet the urgent demand for the speedy reinforcement of the United States' military bases worldwide during World War II, using an air supply system to supplement surface transport...
. The remaining 257 served in some capacity with or for the Office of Scientific Research and Development
Office of Scientific Research and Development
The Office of Scientific Research and Development was an agency of the United States federal government created to coordinate scientific research for military purposes during World War II. Arrangements were made for its creation during May 1941, and it was created formally by on June 28, 1941...
.
Further reading
- March 31, 1948 Medal for Merit Board memo from Richmond B. Keech to President Harry Truman.