Legion of Merit Medal

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Legion of Merit Medal

The Legion of Merit was established by Act of Congress 20 July 1942 (Public Law 671-77th Congress). Executive Order 9260, 29 October 1942 prescribed the criteria for the award and was amended by Executive Order 10600, 15 March 1955.

Criteria: The Legion of Merit is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or a friendly foreign nation who has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.

Criteria for members of the Armed Forces of the United States are as follows:

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, assignment, or experience of an individual is not an adequate basis for this award.

For service not related to actual war, the term "key individuals" 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.

Award will be made without reference to degree.

Criteria for member of Armed Forces of foreign nations:
Awards to members of foreign armed forces are made in the degree of Chief Commander, Commander, Officer, and Legionnaire. The first two degrees are comparable in rank to the Distinguished Service Medal and are usually awarded to heads of state and to commanders of armed forces, respectively. The last two degrees are comparable in rank to the award of the Legion of Merit to U.S. Service members.

Description: The medal has a five-rayed white enamel pronged star on a green wreath with crossed arrows. The cloud and stars of the coat of arms of the United States are layered in the center.
The ribbon is red-purple with white edges.

Category of Award: Personal Performance Award

Authorized: Act of Congress, 20 July 1942 (Public Law 671-77th Congress). Executive Order 9260, 29 October 1942 prescribed the criteria for the award and amended by Executive Order 10600, 15 March 1955. Authorized by Congress through Stat. 743, July 20, 1942 and subsequently by Executive Order 9260

Device(s): Bronze and/or Silver Oak Leaf Clusters, (if applicable). The Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard authorize the letter "V" on the Legion of Merit. (The Navy did not authorize the letter "V" between April 1974 and August 1990.)

References:
AR 600-8-22, Army Regulation, Military Awards; Pages 12 and 13, Page 41, and Page 80 in paragraph 6-20 Miniature decorations.
AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Programs; Attachment 2 - Table A2.3., Page 24 - Table 1.1, and Pages 75 to 79.
SECNAVINST 1650.1H, Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual; Page 1-4, Page 1-18, Page 2-13, Page 2-24, Pages 6-2 and 6-3, and Page 6-6.
COMDTINST M1650.25E, Coast Guard Military Medals and Awards Manual; Pages 2-4 and 2-5.
DoD Manual 1348.33-M, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards; Page 78 and 79, and Page 100.
DoD Manual 1348.33, Volume 3, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards: DoD-Wide Performance and Valor Awards; Enclosure 3, Pages 14 to 17, and APPENDIX 2 TO ENCLOSURE 3, Pages 74 and 75.