Mexico, United Mexican States. A Legion of Honour
(Condecoración de la Legión de Honor Mexicano). Instituted in 1951. Four-piece construction, in bronze gilt with red, orange, light blue and dark blue enamels, the base designed to resemble the Aztec calendar stone, suspended from the National eagle insignia, obverse centrepiece ring inscribed "LEGION DE HONOR", reverse inscribed "POR DECRETO PRESIDENCIAL DEL 3 DE MAYO DE 1951" on the cartouche, measuring 51.2 mm (w) x 67.7 mm (h), suspension loop affixed to the reverse of the eagle, missing its fourth piece, the gilt bust of Cuauhtémoc on the obverse centrepiece, chipping evident in the red enamels on the arm at 12 o'clock and in the light blue enamels where the bust of Cuauhtémoc once resided, near fine.
Footnote: 1. The Mexican Military Legion of Honour was originally created in 1836 and was rescinded in 1839. The present Legion of Honour was formed by decree on February 1, 1949. The decoration of the Legion of Honour was instituted by Presidential Decree on May 3, 1951. The decoration recognizes the sacrifices of Mexico's military in defending the country against internal and external enemies. It may be rewarded after completing thirty years of military service. Members of the armed forces who fought in the Pacific during the Second World War, who received the medal for naval operations between 1942 and 1945, or who received the medal for naval aviation were eligible to be admitted to the Legion of Honour.
2. Cuauhtémoc (AKA Cuauhtemotzín, Guatimozín or Guatémoc) was the Aztec ruler (tlatoani) of Tenochtitlan from 1520 to 1521, making him the last Aztec Emperor. The name Cuauhtemōc means "one who has descended like an eagle", and is commonly rendered in English as "Descending Eagle", as in the moment when an eagle folds its wings and plummets down to strike its prey. This is a name that implies aggressiveness and determination.