United States – Officer Legion of Merit

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United States – Legion of Merit with Officer Degree. Instituted October 29, 1942, the Legion of Merit was awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. It is constructed out of a die struck bronze base that has been gold gilded and contains multi-colored enamel work. The obverse features 13 white stars, aligned in a star pattern, on a blue round background, surrounded by a wreath (similar to the Great Seal of the United States), on a white and crimson bordered five-pointed star (each ending in a V-shaped angle with ball tips), that has crossed arrows inside each arm, surrounded by an olive leaf wreath that is tied together at the bottom with a bow tie. The reverse is similar to obverse except it is all in gold, the 13 stars are missing, the inside wreath is replaced with “ANNUIT COEPTIS MDCCLXXXII” and the outside wreath is replaced with a banner that reads: “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”. To the top is a prong that has been folded over a ring. The ring holds a purple and white ribbon. To the front of the ribbon is a bronze Legion of merit pin denoting the Officers Degree. The reverse of the ribbon has a rectangular plate that is unmarked and has a soldered-on catch, in and hinge assembly. It measures 2 inches wide and tall.