Dr. Charles W. Swan awarded by President H. W. Bush
Legion of Merit was created in 1942.
The Legion of Merit is a medal that is awarded to foreign services for exceptional service. There are no NCO's who have been awarded the medal.
Try http://www.culture.gouv.fr/documentation/leonore/leonore.htm
You would be hardput to find such a list, because there is no such thing as a "Congressional Medal of Merit".
Yes. It is a higher award.
Like the medal of honor, the legion of merit is awarded by the president. There are entire military departments that vet/review the nominees qualifications. After which a recommendation is made for or against. If for, it follows up the chain finally reaching the president.
The Legion of Merit (Naval Service only), the Bronze Star, Commendation Medals.
Legion of Honor originated in the European country of France. It rewards civilians and soldiers based on a system of merit rather than a system of nobility.
There IS such a thing as the Congressional Medal of Merit, it's just not a military award. It is an award that may be made by any US Congressman at his/her own discretion to anyone he/she deems fit for the award. Examples: http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/photo-gallery/ileana-presents-congressional-medal-merit-outstanding-young-man-district There is no master list of the recipients.
Legion of Merit
It could mean that they were awarded the Legion of Merit. See the link to the right for a memo on the meaning of the award published by the Department of the Army.
Become a legion? A legion was a section of a Roman army. A legion is about 6 thousand soldiers.