Légion d'honneur

Ordre de la Légion d'honneur
Officier medal of the French "Légion d'honneur"
Awarded by France
Type	Order with five degrees
Awarded for	Excellent civil or military conduct delivered, upon official investigation
Status	Open since 1802
Statistics
Established	19 May 1802
First awarded	14 July 1804
Distinct recipients	The maximum quotas: Knight: 125,000 Officer: 10,000 Commander: 1,250 Grand Officer: 250 Grand Cross: 75
Precedence
Next (higher)	None
Next (lower)	Ordre de la Libération
Ordre de la Légion d'honneur streamer

The Légion d'honneur or Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur (National Order of the Legion of Honour) is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the First Republic, on 19 May 1802.^[1] The Order is the highest decoration in France and is divided into five various degrees: Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), Commandeur (Commander), Grand Officier (Grand Officer) and Grand Croix (Grand Cross).

The order's motto is Honneur et Patrie (Honour and Fatherland), and its seat is the Palais de la Légion d'Honneur on the left bank of the River Seine in Paris.^[2]

History

Consulat

In the French Revolution all French orders of chivalry were abolished. It was the wish of Napoleon Bonaparte, the First Consul and de facto sole ruler, to create a reward to commend civilians and soldiers and from this wish was instituted a Légion d'Honneur,^[3] a body of men that was not an order of chivalry, for Napoleon did know that France did not want a new nobility system, but a recognition of merit. The Légion used however the organisation of old French Orders of Chivalry, like the Ordre de Saint-Louis. The badges of the legion do bear a resemblance to the Order of Saint Louis, which also used a red ribbon.

Napoleon, as emperor, always wore the cross and Grand Eagle of the Légion d'Honneur

The Légion was loosely patterned after a Roman Legion, with legionaries, officers, commanders, regional "cohorts" and a grand council; and the Emperor angrily rebuked anyone who called this institution an order. The highest rank was not a grand cross but a grand aigle (great eagle), a rank that wore all the insignia common to grand crosses. The members were paid, the highest of them extremely generously:

• 5,000 francs to a grand officier,
• 2,000 francs to a commandeur,
• 1,000 francs to an officier,
• And 250 francs to a légionnaire.

First remittance of the Légion d'Honneur, 15 July 1804, at Saint-Louis des Invalides, by Jean-Baptiste Debret (1812).

According to some sources Napoleon declared: On appelle ça des hochets, je sais, on l'a dit déjà. Et bien, j'ai répondu que c'est avec des hochets que l'on mène les hommes. — "We call these children's toys, I know, it's been said already. Well, I replied that it's with such toys that one leads men." (The French word hochet means a child's rattle.) This has been often quoted as "It is with such baubles that men are led."

The order was the first modern order of merit. The orders of the monarchy were often limited to Roman Catholics and all knights had to be noblemen. The military decorations were the perks of the officers. The Légion, however, was open to men of all ranks and professions. Only merit or bravery counted. The new legionnaire had to be sworn in the Légion.

It is noteworthy that all previous orders were crosses or shared a clear Christian background, whereas the Légion is a secular institution. The jewel of the legion has five arms.

First Empire

Napoleon Bonaparte awarding some of the first Légions d'honneur' on 16 August 1804 at the camp of Boulogne

In a decree issued on the tenth Pluviose XIII (30 January 1805) a grand decoration was instituted. This decoration, a cross on a large sash and a silver star with an eagle became known as the Grand Aigle, and later in 1814 as the grand cordon (French for "large sash"). After the reestablishment of the nobility in 1808, award of the Légion gave right to the title of "Knight of the Empire" (chevalier de l'empire). The title was made hereditary after three generations of grantees.

Napoleon had dispensed 15 golden collars of the legion among his kinsmen and the highest of his ministers. This collar was abolished in 1815.

Although research is made difficult by the loss of the archives, it is known that three women who fought with the army were decorated with the order: Virginie Ghesquière, Marie-Jeanne Schelling and a nun, Sister Anne Biget.^[4]

The Légion d'honneur was prominent and visible in the empire. The Emperor always wore it and the fashion of the time allowed for decorations to be worn most of the time. The king of Sweden therefore refused the order; it was too common in his eyes. Napoleon's own decorations were captured by the Prussians and were displayed in the Zeughaus (armory) in Berlin until 1945. Today, they are in Moscow.

Restoration of the Bourbon Kings in 1814

Insignias with figure of Henry IV

Certificate

Louis XVIII changed the appearance of the order, but it was not abolished. This would have angered the 35-38,000 members. The images of Napoleon and his eagle were removed and replaced by the image of King Henry IV, the popular first king of the Bourbon line. Three Bourbon Lilies (fleur-de-lys) replaced the eagle on the reverse of the order. A king's crown replaced the imperial crown. In 1816 the grand cordons were renamed grand crosses and the legionnaires became knights. The king decreed that the commandants were now commanders. The legion became the second order of knighthood of the French monarchy, after the Order of the Holy Spirit.

July Monarchy

Louis-Philippe, King of the French, wearing the sash of the order

France's first constitutional monarch, King Louis-Philippe of the House of Orleans, restored the order of the Légion d'honneur in 1830 as the paramount decoration of the French nation. The insignia were drastically altered. The cross now displayed tricolor flags. Louis-Philippe abolished the other orders of the monarchy. In 1847, there were 47,000 members.

Second Republic

Yet another revolt in Paris (1848) brought a new republic and a new design to the Légion d'honneur. A nephew of the founder, Prince Napoleon was elected president and he restored the image of his uncle on the crosses of the order. In 1852 the first recorded woman, Angélique Duchemin an old revolutionary of the 1789 uprising against the absolute monarchy, was admitted into the order. President Napoleon staged a coup d'état and made himself emperor of the French in 1852.

Second Empire

An Imperial crown was added. During Napoleon III's reign the first American was admitted: Dr. Thomas Wiltberger Evans, dentist of Napoleon III.

Third Republic

In 1870 the defeat of the army in the Franco-Prussian war brought another Republic. As France changed, the Légion d'honneur changed as well. The crown was replaced by a laurel and oak wreath. In 1871, during the Paris Commune, the Hôtel de Salm, headquarters of the Légion, was burned to the ground in street fighting; the archives of the order were lost.

In the second term of Jules Grévy, newspaper journalists brought to light the trafficking of Grévy's son-in-law, Daniel Wilson, in the awarding of decorations of the Légion d'Honneur. Grévy was not accused of personal participation in these scandals, but he was slow to accept his indirect responsibility, which caused his eventual resignation on 2 December 1887.

During the First World War, some 55,000 decorations were conferred, 20,000 of which to foreigners. The large number of decorations results from the new posthumous awards authorised in 1918. Traditionally membership in the Légion could not be awarded posthumously.

Current organisation and officers

The President of the French Republic is the Grand Master of the Order and appoints all other members of the Order—by convention, on the advice of the Government. Its principal officers are the Chancellor and Secretary-General.

Current officers of the Order include:

• Grand Master: Nicolas Sarkozy
• Grand Chancellor: Army General (France) Jean-Louis Georgelin since the 9th of June 2010
• Secretary-General: Luc Fons since 2007

The Grand Master's insignia is the Grand Collar of the Legion. Only the President of the Republic, as Grand Master of the Order, wears a Grand Collar.

French nationals, men and women, can be received into the légion, for "eminent merit" (mérites éminents) in military or civil life. In practice, in current usage, the order is conferred, in addition to military recipients, to many entrepreneurs, high-level civil servants, sport champions^[5] in as well as other people with high connections in the executive. The members of the French Parliament cannot receive the order, except for valour in war, and ministers are not allowed to nominate their accountants.

French nationals initially always enter the légion at the class of chevalier (knight). To be promoted to a higher class, one must prove new services to France and a set number of years must pass between appointment and promotion. The only exception is the President of the Republic, who is made a grand cross de jure upon his accession to the presidency. Foreigners are not admitted in the légion as such, but may be decorated with the insignia of the légion. A foreigner can be decorated directly with the insignia of a higher class. Foreign heads of state and the wives or consorts of monarchs are made Grand Cross as a courtesy.

Another man awarded with the Légion d'honneur was Gustave Camoin- a reporter for Agence France Presse. His award was for reporting the scuttling of the French Fleet off Toulon against the wishes of the Gestapo and Germans. For this, he suffered an all night interrogation by the Gestapo, but they could not harm him as he was a public figure. Camille Papin Tissot a French radio pioneer, experimental physicist, Légion d’honneur en 1901, officier légion d’honneur en 1909.

The Order has a maximum quota of 75 Grand Cross, 250 Grand Officers, 1,250 Commanders, 10,000 Officers and 113,425 (ordinary) Knights. As of 2000 the actual membership was 61 Grand Cross, 321 Grand Officers, 3,626 Commanders, 22,401 Officers and 87,371 Knights.

Appointments of veterans of the Second World War, French military personnel involved in the North African Campaign and other foreign French military operations, as well as wounded soldiers, are made independently of the quota.

Frank Buckles the last surviving American soldier of the First World War is seen here wearing the chevalier's insignia

In 1998, all surviving veterans of the First World War from any allied country who had fought on French soil were made Knights of the Légion if they were not so already, as part of the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the war's end. In December 2004, on the occasion of his 110th birthday, France's oldest surviving veteran of the war, Maurice Floquet, was promoted to Officer. On 9 and 16 March 2009, Harry Patch and Henry Allingham were also promoted to Officer.

Members convicted of a felony (crime in French) are dismissed de jure from the order. Members convicted of a misdemeanor (délit in French) can be dismissed too.

Wearing the decoration of the Légion d'honneur without having the right to do so is an offence. Wearing the ribbon or rosette of a foreign order of knighthood is prohibited if that ribbon is mainly red, like the ribbon of the Légion.

French military members in uniform must salute other military members in uniform wearing the medal, whatever the Légion d'honneur rank and the military rank of the bearer. This is not mandatory with the ribbon. However, in practice, this is rarely done.

Collective appointments can also be made to cities, institutions, companies, or military units. In the case of a military unit, its flag is decorated with the insignia of a knight, which is a different award than the fourragère. Cities proudly display the decoration in their coat of arms.

Twenty-one schools, mainly higher educations schools providing the bulk of reserve officers during World Wars, were awarded the Légion d'honneur. They share this distinction with the Red Cross, the abbey of Our Lady of Dombes and the state-railway company SNCF.

Classes and insignia

The five classes wearing their respective insignia (gentlemen): 1 - Chevalier; 2 - Officier; 3 - Commandeur; 4 - Grand Officier; 5 - Grand Croix.

The order has five classes:

• Two dignities :
  • Grand'croix (Grand cross) formerly grande décoration, grand aigle or grand cordon: badge affixed to sash worn over the right shoulder, with star displayed on left breast.
  • Grand Officier (Grand Officer): badge worn on left breast suspended from a ribbon, with star displayed on right breast.
• Three ranks :
  • Commandeur (Commander) formerly commandant: badge around neck suspended from ribbon necklet.
  • Officier (Officer): badge worn on left breast suspended from a ribbon with a rosette.
  • Chevalier (Knight) formerly légionnaire: badge worn on left breast suspended from ribbon.

Ribbon bars of the Légion d'honneur

Chevalier

Officier

Commandeur

Grand Officier

Grand'croix

The sitting President of the Republic, as grand master of the order, wears the Grand Collar of the Légion, which is presented to him upon his investiture.

The badge of the Légion is a five-armed "Maltese Asterisk" (for want of a better description — see Maltese Cross) in gilt (in silver for chevalier) enameled white, with an enameled laurel and oak wreath between the arms. The obverse central disc is in gilt, featuring the head of Marianne, surrounded by the legend République Française on a blue enamel ring. The reverse central disc is also in gilt, with a set of crossed tricolores, surrounded by the Légion's motto Honneur et Patrie (Honour and Fatherland) and its foundation date on a blue enamel ring. The badge is suspended by an enameled laurel and oak wreath.

The star (or "plaque") is worn by the Grand Cross (in gilt on the left chest) and the Grand Officer (in silver on the right chest) respectively; it is similar to the badge, but without enamel, and with the wreath replaced by a cluster of rays in between each arm. The central disc features the head of Marianne, surrounded by the legend République Française (French Republic) and the motto Honneur et Patrie.

The ribbon for the medal is plain red.

The badge or star is not worn usually, except at the time of the decoration ceremony or on a dress uniform or formal wear. Instead, one normally wears the ribbon or rosette on one's suit.

Gallery

Original Légionnaire insignia (1804).	Late Empire Légionnaire insignia: the front feature Napoleon's profile and the rear, the imperial Eagle. An imperial crown joins the cross and the ribbon.	Louis XVIII era (1814) Knight insignia: the front features Henry IV's profile and the rear, the arms of the French Kingdom (three fleurs de lis). A royal crown joins the cross and the ribbon.	Rear of a Republican cross, with two crossed French flags.	Fifth Republic Knight insignia: the centre features Marianne's head. A crown of laurels joins the cross and the ribbon.
Current medal for the officer class, decorated with a rosette.	Chiang Kai-shek's Légion d'honneur plaque. In his days the plaque was made of silver.	Chiang Kai-shek's Légion d'honneur. This is the reverse of his Grand Cross.	The insignia of a Grand Cross. Nowadays the star of a Grand Cross is gilt. The silver star is the Grand Officer's badge.

The Order and Foreign recipients

`Abd al-Qādir al-Jazā'irī wearing the sash of the Légion d'honneur in 1860

Technically, membership in the Légion is restricted to French nationals.^[6] Foreign nationals who have served France or the ideals it upholds^[7] may, however, receive a distinction of the Légion, which is nearly the same thing as membership in the Légion. Foreign nationals who live in France are submitted to the same requirements as Frenchmen.

Foreign nationals who live abroad may be awarded a distinction of any rank or dignity in the Légion:

United States

• Julia Child, for her indelible contribution to the world of fine foods.
• Lieutenant General Frances C. Wilson, USMC
• James Deering, for work in promoting agricultural technology in France - 1906.
• Julia Catlin Park Taufflieb received the honour in 1921 for her efforts in the First World War at Chateau d'Annel.(Possibly the first American woman).
• Florence Meyer Blumenthal and George Blumenthal in 1929 for Philanthropy and the Prix Blumenthal
• Walt Disney received the honour in 1935.
• Generals of the Army Dwight Eisenhower and Douglas MacArthur are among the 10,000 Americans who have received the decoration, one of which was Stephen Galatti, Director of American Field Service (AFS) and another was the most decorated US soldier of WWII, Audie Murphy.
• In 1949, the Academies of West Point (Military) and Annapolis (Naval) were decorated.
• It is rare for an ambassador in Paris to be awarded, a posthumous exception was made for the United States Ambassador Pamela Harriman in 1997.
• The last surviving American World War I veteran, Frank Buckles, also received this honour.
• Elias Howe inventor of the sewing machine was awarded in 1867.
• George Frederick Kunz was awarded this honor in recogntion of his contributions to European mineralogy - 1889.
• Jerry Lewis was decorated as Chevalier in 1984 and then as a Commandeur in 2006.^[8][9]
• Dr. Alexander H. Rice, Jr. received the Award of Commandeur for his medical services in France during World War I.
• Former Rhode Island governor Bruce Sundlun was decorated in 1977 as Chevalier for his work with the French Resistance during World War II.
• Edward Peck Curtis for his part in the Allies during the North African Campaign in World War II
• Ralph L. Bourgeois MD, Captain U.S. Army 91st Medical Gas Treatment Battalion & Mobile Field Surgical Hospital, D-Day at Utah Beach contributions to the liberation of the French Republic in World War II.
• Wesley J Souliere for his heroism in defense of France during the Second World War.
• Virginia Portia Royall Inness-Brown patron of the arts, Commandeur - 1966
• David Petraeus
• Elias Zerhouni
• Miles Davis Jazz musician
• David Lynch Filmmaker

United Kingdom

• Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and the late Lord Mountbatten have been decorated with the Grand Cross.
• English actor Laurence Olivier became an Officer of the Légion d'Honneur.
• Wing Commander Forest Frederick Edward Yeo-Thomas, British Special Operations Executive (SOE) agent codenamed "The White Rabbit", was presented with the Commandeur of the Légion d'Honneur on the personal instructions of President Charles de Gaulle.^[10]
• Major Gerald Loxley, RAF, became a Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur.
• Brigadier James Hill DSO**, became a Officier of the Légion d'Honneur
• Alex Rowe, a British citizen who joined the French Foreign Legion
• J.K. Rowling was awarded the Légion d'honneur in 2009 by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Her maternal grandfather who was French also receiving the Légion d'honneur for his bravery during the Battle Of Verdun during the First World War.
• Dame Ninette de Valois, appointed Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur, 6 March 1950.^[11]
• Pauline Neville-Jones The British Security Minister, appointed Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur, 2009

Australia

• General Sir John Monash was decorated with the Grand Officer during the First World War.
• Nancy Wake was decorated Légion d’honneur (Chevalier 1970; Officier 1988), she is one of the most decorated Allied servicewomen of World War II serving as a Resistance commander in France.

Hong Kong

• Anson Chan, served as the former Chief Secretary, the second highest position in the Hong Kong Government, both before and after the transfer of sovereignty, recognized for her distinguished career and her major contribution to the promotion of gender equality, freedom of press and democratic debate, values of universal significance, in 2009.^[12]
• Sister Marie Jacqueline Ho, heading one of the oldest remarkable French institutions in Asia, the Provincial Superior of the Sisters of St. Paul De Chartres

Portugal and Brazil

José Paranhos, Viscount of Rio Branco. Wearing the sash of the Légion d'honneur and other orders in 1880.

• Senator Rodrigo Augusto da Silva Brazilian foreign minister in 1889, decorated with the Grand Cross.^[13]
• Emperor Dom Pedro II of Brazil.
• Dom Joao VI, King of Portugal and Brazil.
• Epitácio Lindolfo da Silva Pessoa, Brazilian President, he was decorated with the Grand Cross.
• José Paranhos, Viscount of Rio Branco, was decorated with the Grand Cross.^[14]
• Pedro de Araújo Lima, Marquis of Olinda, was decorated with the Grand Cross.^[15]

Turkey

• Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Founder of Turkey, while he was in The Members of the Mediterranean Forces Command Director of Operations in 11.03.1914. Because of its success at the rank of lieutenant colonel, was honored with the rank of Chevalier.

• Hicri Fişek (Turkey), professor of international Law, received Chevalier 1964; Officier 1975.

• Güler Sabancı, businesswoman, Officier 2010

Other Countries

• Canadian Rear Admiral Leonard W. Murray, Commander in Chief of the Northwest Atlantic and architect of the Battle of the Atlantic, Commandeur with Military Cross and Palm in 1945
• King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, decorated with the Grand Cross.
• J. M. Abdul Aziz (India and Saigon), Tamil businessman and philanthropist, received the title of Chevalier in August 1953.
• Josip Broz Tito (SFR Yugoslavia), President of former SFR Yugoslavia, decorated with the Grand Cross in 1956 for contributions to peace struggles.
• Major General Mian Hayaud Din (Pakistan), Chief of the General Staff of the Pakistan Army, later Dean of the Corps of Military Attaches in the United States, received the award of Commandeur in 1958 for his services in Indo-China in 1945-1946.
• General Manuel Noriega, commander of the Panamanian Defense Force, received the award of Commandeur in 1987 by President François Mitterrand.

JM Abdul Aziz

• Dr. Rilwanu Lukman (Nigeria), Former Secretary General of OPEC (1995–2000), Minister of Petroleum Resources.
• Gong Li, Chinese actress. Received the Commander in 2010 for contributions to film.
• Tobia Aun, Maronite Catholic archbishop who played role in the 1860 Lebanon conflict.
• Manuel Amador Guerrero. 1st President of Panama. Received the Commander in 1907.
• Jagatjit Singh of Kapurthala, Maharaja of Kapurthala
• Edward Westby Donovan, Irishman who fought in the Crimean War, received Chevalier

By year

• 1964

• Hicri Fişek (Turkey), professor of international Law, received Chevalier 1964; Officier 1975.

• 1984

• Akira Kurosawa (Japan), Japanese film director, film producer, and screenwriter, awarded in 1984.

• 1987

• Rand Araskog (U.S.), American executive.^[16]
• Satyajit Ray (India), President François Mitterrand went to Calcutta to give the award to Indian film director.
• Manuel Noriega (Panama), General commander of the Panamanian Defense Force ^[17]

• 1990

• Erik Reitzel (Denmark), a Danish engineer and professor of structural design, received Chevalier.
• Sir Anerood Jugnauth (Mauritius), awarded Grand Officier as Prime Minister.

• 1995

• Sivaji Ganesan (India), a legendary Tamil film actor, received the title of Chevalier.

• 1996

• Richard Jenrette (U.S.) investment banker.^[18]
• Ross Steele (Australia), author and academic, received the title of Chevalier.^[19][20]

• 1997

• Pete Goss (U.K.), MBE, yachtsman who rescued fellow competitor Raphaël Dinelli in the 1996 Vendée Globe sailing race.^[21]
• Pedro Almodóvar (Spain), Spanish film director, who received two Oscar's, in 1999 (All about my mother) and 2001 (Talk to her).

• 1999

• Shaji N. Karun (India), an film director and cinematographer.

• 2000

• Péter Medgyessy (Hungary).
• Julia Child (U.S.), introduced French cuisine and cooking to 'mainstream Americans' 1960s, Cordon-Bleu Chef, cookbooks author, and media personality-celebrity.
• Ravi Shankar (India), composer, musician, Sitar maestro, artist.

• 2001

• Quincy Jones (U.S.), the American record producer and musician.^[22]
• Toomas Hendrik Ilves, president of Estonia, Commander of the Légion d'Honneur.

• 2002

• Joe Walsh (Ireland), former Irish Minister for Agriculture and Food, received the Grand Cross.

• 2003

• Indian film director Adoor Gopalakrishnan.
• Guadalupe Loaeza, a Mexican writer.^[23]
• Dame Shirley Bassey, Welsh singer.

• 2004

• Alice Schwarzer, a German feminist was made Knight.

• 2005

• Robert Parker (U.S.), the American pre-eminent wine critic, received the title of Officier.
• E. Sreedharan Indian Technocrat known for Konkan Rail and Delhi Metro Rail Projects.
• Franco Venturini, Italian journalist and expert in international politics.

• 2006

• Valentino Garavani (Italy),'Valentino,' the Italian fashion designer.
• Vladimir Putin (Russia), former President of Russian Federation.^[24]
• R.K. Pachauri, international Environmentalist.
• Lt. Col. Herbert E. Carter (U.S.), Tuskegee Airman, for his outstanding service during the liberation of France during World War II; presented by former French President Jacques Chirac.^[25]
• Sir Stuart Bell, MP for Middlesbrough, UK, appointed Chevalier

• 2007

• Harold Pinter, British playwright and 2005 Nobel Laureate in literature, received the award from Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin.
• Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Chief of the Australian Defence Force, received the degree of Commander.
• Amitabh Bachchan, the actor and Bollywood star of India.^[26]
• Lata Mangeshkar, singer of India.^[27]
• Clint Eastwood (U.S.), the American film actor and director.^[28]
• David Lynch (U.S.), the American film director.^[29]
• Professors Lap-Chee Tsui and Malik Peiris from Hong Kong and Sri Lanka, respectively, were decorated as Knights.
• US Senator Daniel Ken Inouye (U.S.), from Hawai'i, a highly decorated World War II combat veteran, was personally inducted as Chevalier by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
• Charles Norman Shay of the Penobscot Indian Nation, Maine, a recipient of the Silver Star for valour in action at Omaha Beach, D-Day, 6 June 1944, was personally inducted as Chevalier by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
• Michael Maglaras businessman and filmmaker, of Connecticut in the United States, for services to cultural understanding, the arts, and music
• Leo Apotheker, co-CEO of German software company SAP.
• South Korean film director Im Kwon-taek.^[30]
• HRH Galyani Vadhana, Her Royal Highness of Thailand, was decorated with the Grand Officer.^[31][32]

• 2008

• Miriam Were, Kenyan health advocate.^[33]
• Shimon Peres, the President of Israel.^[34]
• Festus Mogae, the President of Botswana, received the award in March 2008.^[35]
• Quebec premier Jean Charest entered The Order as a Commander.
• Dame Ellen MacArthur, an English sailor who previously held the record for the fastest solo circumnavigation of the globe in a yacht.^[36]
• Charles Durning (U.S.), the American actor, in recognition of his service with distinction during World War II in France.^[37]
• Steven Spielberg (U.S.), American film director, studio executive, and producer.^[38]
• Mamadou Moustapha Sall, Secretary General of Cams
• Céline Dion (Canada), international celebrity, Canadian singer.
• Randa Habib (Lebanon), the Lebanese-French director of Agence France Presse's office in Amman, Jordan.^[39]
• Íngrid Betancourt (Colombia), a Colombian-French politician, released after six years of captivity under the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).^[39]
• Simon Serfaty, Professor of International Studies at Old Dominion University and the inaugural holder of the Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

• Giorgio Armani (Italy), internationally renowned Italian fashion, furniture, and accessories designer.^[40]
• David Petraeus (U.S.), American Commander of CENTCOM.
• Kutateladze Samson Brigade General Member of Parlament Georgia: http://www.parliament.ge

liment.ge

• Alain Frecon (U.S.), Honorary Consul of France, Minnesota.^[41]

• 2009

• Milva (Maria Ilva Biolcati) (Italy), Italian singer and actress, received the title of Chevalier of the Legion of Honour on 11 September 2009 for her contributions to French culture.^[42]
• Raymond Farrell (U.S.), Highly decorated World War II & Korean War Veteran.
• John Galliano (U.K.), Gibraltarian British couture designer, creative director of Christian Dior.^[43]
• J. K. Rowling (U.K.), British Author, writer of the acclaimed Harry Potter series.^[44][45]
• Software innovator, Francois Bourdoncle, co-founder of Exalead
• Robert O. Paxton, Historian recognised for his expertise on the Vichy regime in France during World War II.^[46]
• Dame Carol Kidu (Papua New Guinea), received the title of Chevalier, for her efforts on promoting human rights. She was the first Papua New Guinean citizen to receive the award.^[47][48]
• Riyoko Ikeda (Japan), Japanese manga artist, for the manga "Lady Oscar" which takes place during the French Revolution.
• Settimeo Tiberio, decorated World War II Veteran recognised for his valour during the D-Day invasion.
• Jim Bittermann (U.S.), CNN Senior Correspondent for his service in U.S./France understanding over his almost 30 years resident in Paris.
• Veran Matić (Serbia), Serbian journalist and editor-in-chief of B92 "for the fight he has always led for independence and freedom of the media".^[49]
• Ružica Đinđić (Serbia), Serbian humanitarian, widow of the late Prime Minister of Serbia Zoran Đinđić "because of her active work at the foundation she heads".^[49]
• Sgt. Lee M. Brown (U.S.), World War II U. S. Army 5th Ranger Battalion "for his valour on Omaha Beach during the D-Day landing".
• Asha Pande (India), Foreign Language Department, University of Rajasthan, India, for encouraging the teaching and cultural activities of France.
• Sir David King (U.K.), Former Chief Scientific Advisor to the British Government
• Wynton Marsalis (U.S.), an American trumpeter and composer was awarded the level of the insignia of chevalier of the Legion of Honor on Nov 6, 2009
• John Harry Kellers (U.S.), Navy veteran of World War II- LCT 539- for valour on Omaha Beach during the D-Day landings.
• Jacob Noah Cutler (U.S.), Army veteran of World War II - V Corps Patton's 3rd. Army; for valour on Omaha Beach during the D-Day landings.
• Peter Sloboda (U.S.), Army veteran of World War II - for valour and bravery during the D-Day landings, Chevalier of the Legion of Honour 2009.
• Clint Eastwood (U.S.), American actor, film director, film producer and composer.
• Ralph L. Bourgeois MD (U.S.), Captain U.S. Army 91st Medical Gas Treatment Battalion & Mobile Field Surgical Hospital, WW II D-Day at Utah Beach contributions to the liberation of the French Republic; and French language preservation via 'Council for Development of French in Louisiana' (CODOFIL).^[50]
• General James T. Conway (U.S.), United States Marine Corps Commandant.^[51]
• William "Bill" Bruce Overstreet, Jr. USAAF, WWII Fighter Pilot, with the 357th FG, 363rd FS. The "Yoxford Boys". Flew a P-51 "Mustang", named "Berlin Express". Only known Allied fighter pilot to turn in a kill while flying under the "Eiffel Tower" in Paris chasing a German Me-109. Chevalier medal, presented by Ambassador to the US Pierre Vimont at the D-Day Memorial December 8, 2009AD, Bedford, VA USA. Vimont said of Bill Overstreet in his speech that the Legion of Honor is "The sign of my country's exceptional recognition of Captain Overstreet's heroic contribution to the liberation of France." ^{[52][53][54][55]}
• Steve Pisanos (U.S.), Colonel, World War II fighter pilot, after shot down participated with the French Resistance.^[56]
• Pat Nash, General, Operational Commander of Eufor TCHAD & CAR, awarded Officer Grade.
• Mikhail Zlatkovsky, artist, cartoonist, Russia
• Violette Verdy (France), a legendary ballerina who performed under choreographer George Balanchine, director of the Paris Opera Ballet, and teaches ballet at Indiana University.

• 2010

• Tony Fernandes, AirAsia and Lotus F1 director, Officier of the Legion d'Honneur for contribution to the aviation industry.
• Michael Schumacher, seven-time Formula One World Champion Mercedes GP driver, Officier of the Legion d'Honneur.
• Ralph Lauren, founder of Polo Ralph Lauren, Chevalier of the Legion d'Honneur.
• Wesley J. Souliere, (U.S.) Second Lieutenant, 26th Yankee Division, awarded for his "...Courage and devotion to freedom".
• Violette Verdy (France), Serbian humanitarian, widow of the late Prime Minister of Serbia Zoran Đinđić "because of her active work at the foundation she heads".^[49]
• Sergey Viktorovich Chemezov, General Director of Russian Technologies State Corporation, Rostekhnologii (the company about the company) , Officer of the Legion d'Honneur for a hefty contribution to Russian-French cooperation in high-tech production.

Locations associated with the Order

A grand total of 68 cities and villages, amongst them Liège in 1914, Belgrade in 1920, Luxembourg in 1957 and Stalingrad (today's Volgograd) in 1984 were decorated, as were 51 regiments and the Military School of Autun.

The Order has its own élite boarding schools in Saint-Denis and Les Loges in the forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. A thousand children and grandchildren of the members of the order are educated there. Study there is restricted to daughters, grand-daughters, and great-grand-daughters of members of the order, the Médaille militaire or the Ordre national du Mérite.^[57]

See also

• List of Légion d'honneur recipients by name
• List of prizes, medals, and awards
• Musée national de la Légion d'Honneur et des Ordres de Chevalerie
• Order (decoration)
• Order of the Garter
• Order of the Golden Fleece
• Ordre de la Libération
• Ordre National du Mérite
• Ribbons of the French military and civil awards
• State decoration

References

External links

• Legiondhonneur.fr (French)
• French Embassy in Canada article, ambafrance-ca.org

Military awards and decorations of France National Orders Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur Ordre national de la Libération (no longer awarded) Ordre national du Mérite Ministry Orders Ordre des Palmes académiques Ordre du Mérite agricole Ordre du Mérite Maritime Ordre des Arts et des Lettres Other civilian distinctions Insigne des blessés civils Médaille d'honneur de la Police nationale Médaille d'honneur des Sapeurs Pompiers Médaille d’honneur pour acte de courage et de dévouement Médaille de la Famille Française Military medals Médaille militaire Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (no living recipient) Croix de guerre 1939–1945 Croix de guerre des TOE Croix de la Valeur militaire Médaille de la Gendarmerie nationale Médaille de la Résistance Médaille des Évadés Croix du combattant volontaire 1914–1918 (no living recipient) Croix du combattant volontaire Croix du combattant volontaire de la Résistance Croix du combattant Médaille de l'Aéronautique Médaille d'Outre-Mer Médaille de la Défense nationale Médaille des services militaires volontaires Médaille de reconnaissance de la Nation Other military distinctions Médaille d'honneur du service de santé des armées Insigne des blessés militaires Commemorative medals 19th century Médaille de Sainte-Hélène Médaille commémorative de la campagne d'Italie 1859 Médaille commémorative de l'expédition du Mexique Médaille commémorative de la guerre 1870–1871 Médaille commémorative de l'expédition du Tonkin 1885 Médaille commémorative de l'expédition du Dahomey (1892) Médaille commémorative de Madagascar (1883–1896) Médaille coloniale 1900–1914 Médaille commémorative de l'expédition de Chine (1901) Médaille commémorative du Maroc (1909) First World War 1914–1918 Médaille Interalliée 1914–1918 Médaille commémorative de la bataille de Verdun Médaille de la Marne Médaille commémorative de la bataille de la Somme Médaille commémorative de la guerre 1914–1918 Médaille de la Reconnaissance française Entre-deux guerres 1918–1939 Médaille commémorative de Syrie-Cilicie Médaille commémorative des Dardanelles Médaille de la Fidélité Française Médaille des victimes de l'invasion Médaille des prisonniers civils, déportés et otages de la Grande Guerre 1914–1918 Second World War 1939–1945 Médaille commémorative de la bataille de la Somme Médaille commémorative des services volontaires dans la France Libre Médaille commémorative de la campagne d'Italie 1943–1944 Médaille de la déportation et de l'internement pour faits de résistance Médaille de la déportation et de l'internement politique Médaille commémorative de la guerre 1939–1945 Médaille de la France libérée Insigne du réfractaire au STO Since 1945 Médaille commémorative des opérations de l'ONU en Corée 1952 Médaille commémorative de la campagne d'Indochine Médaille commémorative des opérations du Moyen-Orient (1956) Médaille commémorative des opérations de sécurité et de maintien de l'ordre en Afrique du Nord Médaille commémorative de la FINUL Médaille commémorative française Extinguished Orders Ministry Orders Ordre du Mérite combattant Ordre du Mérite militaire Ordre du Mérite civil Ordre du Mérite social Ordre du Mérite du Travail Ordre du Mérite touristique Ordre de l'Économie nationale Ordre du Mérite commercial et industriel Ordre du Mérite artisanal Ordre de la Santé publique Ordre du Mérite postal Ordre du Mérite sportif Colonial Orders Ordre du Mérite indochinois Ordre du Mérite saharien Ordre de l'Étoile Noire Ordre de l'Étoile d'Anjouan Ordre du Nichan el Anouar Ordre du Dragon d'Annam Ordre royal du Cambodge Ordre de Tahiti Nui