Title 10 — Armed ForcesRelease 119-73
§1121 Legion of Merit: award
Title 10 › Subtitle Subtitle A— - General Military Law › Part PART II— - PERSONNEL › Chapter CHAPTER 57— - DECORATIONS AND AWARDS › § 1121
Summary
The President can, under rules he sets, award the Legion of Merit (≤4 degrees) to U.S. or friendly-nation members after September 8, 1939, for exceptional service.
Full Legal Text
Title 10, §1121
Armed Forces — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The President, under regulations to be prescribed by him, may award a decoration called the “Legion of Merit”, having suitable appurtenances and devices and not more than four degrees, to any member of the armed forces of the United States or of any friendly foreign nation who, after September 8, 1939, has distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in performing outstanding services.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised sectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 112110:1408b(1).July 20, 1942, ch. 508, § 2(1), 56 Stat. 662. The words “Government of the Philippines” are omitted as covered by the words “any friendly foreign nation”. The words “There is created”, “rules and”, and “the proclamation of an emergency by the President on” are omitted as surplusage.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
10 U.S.C. § 1121
Title 10 — Armed Forces
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73