Legion of Merit to Greek Officers

[jeffskea]

Hello,

I am researching a Greek recipient of an Officer of the Legion of Merit, presumably during WW2 but possibly sometime after the War.

I cannot seem to find any resources online, even to indicate numbers awarded to Greek recipients, would anyone have any ideas on where to find information?

Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

Jeff

[Gordon Craig]

Jeff,

We meet again.  Interesting question.  Here is a list of recipients of the Legion of Merit that I found on line but it does not include any senior Greek officers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recipients_of_the_Legion_of_Merit 

1. Officer: General or flag officer below the equivalent of a U.S. military chief of staff; colonel or equivalent rank (e.g., Navy or Coast Guard captain) for service in assignments equivalent to those normally held by a general or flag officer in U.S. military service; or military attachés.  This list of those who would receive this level of the award indicates that your Greek officer would be at least a Colonel.  You probably know this info already and it doesn't answer your question but I have included it anyway.  I would suggest that you contact the Athens War Museum with your question.  http://warmuseum.gr/en 

Regards,

Gordon

 

[jeffskea]

Thanks again Gordon, I suppose I could have kept the posts together but figured I'd post the US decoration here

That is a good idea to contact the War museum in Athens - from what I have found, none of the very senior Greek officers received American decorations, seems surprising to me, but I wouldn't imagine too many recipients if that is the case. Perhaps it was a post-War award as I believe Greece shifted from British military influence to American after 1945.

Thanks again for your input.

Jeff

[Sampo]

Hi Jeff,

There where at least 3 Greek officers who received a Legion of Merit, most likely for the Korean war.

In the third picture, I think to recognize the legion of merit in the Greek commanders ribbon group. (second form the right at the bottom)

Regards

Sampo

[Gunner 1]

All three bars appear to have US medals for the Korean War.  In the photo the man presenting the award is President Singman Rhee of South Korea and the United States General to his left is General James Van Fleet, General Commanding, US Eighth Army in Korea.