United States. A Legion of Merit, Legionnaire Grade, c.1943

A wartime produced, English made award in bronze gilt with red, white, blue and green enamels, maker marked with an ""I"" within a diamond-shaped frame on the integral loop, 47 mm (w) x 45 mm (h), original ribbon with an English-style pinback, intact enamels, extremely fine. Accompanied by its 4 mm x 17 mm ribbon bar, in its hardshelled case of issue, unmarked, lightly soiled medal bed, scuffing evident on the lid, weakened back panel exposing its wooden frame, case fine.

Footnote: The Decoration was instituted by Act of Congress on July 20, 1942, to be awarded to "personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States and of the Government of the Commonwealth Philippines and personnel of the armed forces of friendly foreign nations who, since the proclamation of an emergency by the President on 8 August 1939, shall have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services".

This offering is a part of the "Dr. Albert Goodwin Collection", a preeminent assemblage of world Orders, Medals, and Decorations composed solely by Dr.Goodwin between 1946-1967. Dr. Goodwin had a successful career as an educator and prominent physician in New York as well as actively serving in both World Wars with the United States Medical Corps. He acted as both President and Vice-President of the Orders and Medals Society of America (OMSA) and is responsible for organizing their first convention in 1960. He maintained further membership with the American Society of Military Collectors, the International Orders Research Society, and the American Numismatic Society. His knowledge and passion for history and awards is evident in this meticulously compiled collection that is now available in its entirety for the first time exclusively on eMedals.com.