Do American Presidents accept foreign Orders

[Herr General]

Do American presidents accept and receive foreign decorations and orders during for example state visits?

[Hauptmann]

Yes. If you go here you will see some examples of same as well as one to the VP as well as many others:

http://www.jeanpaulleblanc.com/USForeignAwardsToUSCitizens.html

U.S. citizens can be awarded Orders including those of Knighthood... but only in an honorary capacity... in other words if an American is awarded an Order of Knighthood by the British for example... they cannot use the title Sir (or Dame) but they can put the initials of the Order at the end of their name. They also generally cannot accept any benefits of said awards such as payments, pensions, etc. This was the case with Soviet awards received during WW2, some of which came with payments, free travel, etc. Such things can only be accepted with the special permission of the U.S. Congress.

Hope this helps.

Dan

[JBFloyd]

Yes, they do. Usually with little fanfare and press coverage (in the US, at least). The awards normally wind up in the presidential library.

The awards are often delayed until after the president leaves office. Ronald Reagan received a civil Order of the Bath after he left office. That got press coverage, with the explanation that he could not call himseld "Sir Ronald", etc.

Protocol says you accept such awards when offered. Law says you can't accept them. The compromise is quietly accepting them.

[IrishGunner]

Actually, the law is the same for the President as it is for all government employees and military service members. One may accept a foreign award, but it is the property of the US Government until you make an official request to wear the decoration. This is how US military are allowed to wear foreign decorations. Ethics laws also limit to dollar value of a gift that an executive branch employee may receive. The rules are different for Congress (no surprise there!).

As mentioned by JBFloyd, Reagan received an honorary Order of the Bath. So, did George Bush - the father. I wouldn't be surprised to see that Roosevelt received something from the King; will have to do a Google on that one. George Bush - the son - was decorated by Afghan President Karzai.