List of recipients of the Legion of Merit

In culmination of his efforts, on 23 August 1944, although his capitol was still dominated by Germany troops, he personally, on his own initiative, and in complete disregard for his own safety, gave the signal for a coup d'etat by ordering his palace guards to arrest the dictator and his chief ministers.

However, the medal and ribbon of the fourth degree (Legionnaire) are used for members of the Armed Forces of the United States.

[126] The US Army and US Air Force do not authorize the "V" Device for the Legion of Merit.

The U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps,[127] and the United States Coast Guard do.

[128] The first U.S. Armed Forces recipient of the Legion of Merit medal was World War II combat veteran Lieutenant, junior grade, Ann Bernatitus, U.S.N., one of the "Angels of Bataan" and the only U.S. Navy nurse to escape from Bataan and Corregidor during the war.