Legion of Merit - Legionnaire (LoM)

This decoration was instituted by Congress on July 20, 1942.

Awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performanceof outstanding service. Superior performance of normal duties will not alone justify award of this decoration. It is not awarded for heroism but rather for service and achievement while performing duties in a key position of resposibility. It may be presented to foreign personnel but it is not authorized for presentation to civilian personnel.
There are four degrees of this decoration that are awarded to foreign personnel only (Chief Commander, Commander, Office rand Legionnaire).
For follow-up actions that qualify for this award, a bronze and/or silver oak cluster is awarded, to be worn on the ribbon.
The "C" Device, or "Combat Device" may be placed to denote meritorious service or achievement while in combat.
The "R" Device or "Remote Device," is for when a soldier contributes to a combat operation from a remote location.

The name and design of the Legion of Merit was strongly influenced by the French Legion of Honor.
The medal is a white enameled five-armed cross with ten points, each tipped with a gold bal land bordered in red enamel. In the center of the cross, thirteen stars on a blue field are surrounded by a circle of heraldic clouds. A green enameled laurel wreath circles behind the arms of the cross. Between the wreath and the center of the medal and in between the arms of the cross are two crossed arrows pointing outward and it represent protection of the nation.
The reverse of the cross is a gold colored copy of the front with blank space to be used for engraving.

The ribbon is a purple-red called American Beauty Red which is edged in white.