Kiwiussr's fabulous claim.

[slava1stclass]

desantnik,

The Legion of Merit struck me as particularly unusual given that the earned British decorations (DCM, MM) are awarded exclusively to the enlisted ranks.

Regards,

slava1stclass

I can't imagine a LOM being awarded to either a U.S. or more importantly, foreign servicemember under those conditions. Again, the LOM is an award reserved for senior recipients in combat or peacetime. I invite anyone to look here, but among foreign recipients, there are plenty of generals, admirals, marshals, etc.

Legion of Merit - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gents,

As further evidence of the Legion of Merit's relative rarity as a combat zone decoration, one need only look at the number awarded to date to U.S. Army personnel for service in the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters (after some 11 years of persistent conflict). The total number is in the very low double digits.

I will post the exact number when the U.S. Army publishes its next theater awards update.

Regards,

slava1stclass