LEGION OF MERIT

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. 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.

First recipient was Lieutenant General Sir Kenneth Arthur Noel Anderson,
commander of the British First Army during the invasion of North Africa.
Followed closely by:
General Chiang Kai-shek, of Nationalist China, for his leadership against the Japanese;
General Bernard Law Montgomery, commander of the British Eighth Army, for his victory in the Battle of El Alamein; and
Air Marshal Sir Arthur William Tedder whose build-up of the desert air arm made that victory possible.

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 2-1/4 inches. 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 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." The service ribbon is the same as the ribbon for the degree of Commander, except the ribbon attachment is Silver.

Brazil's Brigadier General Amaro Soares Bittencourt was first to receive this or any of the degrees.
Followed closely by:
Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson, leader of RAF 617 Squadron on the Dam Busters Raid and
Lieutenant General Wladyslaw Anders, commander of the 2nd Polish Corps, who captured Monte Cassino.

Legion of Merit Officer

The design is the same as the degree of Commander except overall width is 1-7/8 inches and the pendant has a suspension ring instead of the wreath for attaching the ribbon. A Gold replica of the medal, 3/4 inch wide, is centered on the suspension ribbon.

First to receive the Officer degree were Colonel Johanes K. Meijer of the Royal Netherlands Army,
Major Herbert J. Thompson of the British Army, and Major Stephan M. Dobrowalski of the Polish Army.

(At the beginning of the North African Campaign, General Lyman L. Lemnitzer accompanied General Mark Clark by submarine to North Africa. Upon arrival, about 60 officers were awarded the Legion of Merit and were among the first awarded the medal. By some misunderstanding as to the rules governing the awards, these 60 American Officers were awarded the degree of Officer. According to General Lemnitzer, President Roosevelt was annoyed, however, he did not rescind the awards. Accordingly, these were the only American Officers awarded the Legion of Merit with a degree.)

Chief Commander - First recipient was Lieutenant General Sir Kenneth Arthur Noel Anderson, commander of the British First Army during the invasion of North Africa. Followed closely by: General Chiang Kai-shek, of Nationalist China, for his leadership against the Japanese; General Bernard Law Montgomery, commander of the British Eighth Army, for his victory in the Battle of El Alamein; and Air Marshal Sir Arthur William Tedder whose build-up of the desert air arm made that victory possible.

Commander - Brazil's Brigadier General Amaro Soares Bittencourt was first to receive this or any of the degrees. Followed closely by: Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson, leader of RAF 617 Squadron on the Dam Busters Raid and Lieutenant General Wladyslaw Anders, commander of the 2nd Polish Corps, who captured Monte Cassino.

Officer - First to receive the Officer degree were Colonel Johanes K. Meijer of the Royal Netherlands Army, Major Herbert J. Thompson of the British Army, and Major Stephan M. Dobrowalski of the Polish Army.

Legionnaire/Legion of Merit - First awarded to Lieutenant Anna A. Bernatitus, USN; heroic Navy Nurse who served at Bataan and Corregidor.

(At the beginning of the North African Campaign, General Lyman L. Lemnitzer accompanied General Mark Clark by submarine to North Africa. Upon arrival, about 60 officers were awarded the Legion of Merit and were among the first awarded the medal. By some misunderstanding as to the rules governing the awards, these 60 American Officers were awarded the degree of Officer. According to General Lemnitzer, President Roosevelt was annoyed, however, he did not rescind the awards. Accordingly, these were the only American Officers awarded the Legion of Merit with a degree.)