The following is a list of notable foreign members of the Legion of Honor by their country of origin. The Legion of Honor is the highest decoration in France. and is divided into five degrees (lower to higher): Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), Commandeur (Commander), Grand Officier (Grand Officer) and Grand Croix (Grand Cross).
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Membership in the Legion of Honor is restricted to French nationals.[1] Foreign nationals who have served France or the ideals it upholds[2] may, however, receive a distinction of the Légion, which is nearly the same thing as membership in the Légion. Foreign nationals who live in France are submitted to the same requirements as Frenchmen. Foreign nationals who live abroad may be awarded a distinction of any rank or dignity in the Légion.
A complete, chronological list of the members of the Legion of Honor nominated from the very first ceremony in 1804 to now does not exist. The number is estimated at one million. Among them about 3,000 were decorated with the Grand Cross (including 1,200 French).[3]
Abdelkader El Djezairi (1860), religious and military leader who led a struggle against the French colonial invasion in the mid-19th century. In 1860, Abdelkader, who was living in exile in Syria, fought to save thousands of Christians in Damascus during the conflict between the Druze and Maronites. The French government then bestowed on him the Grand Cross of the Légion d'honneur[7][8]
Si Kaddour Benghabrit (1939), official and founder of the Muslim Institute of the Great Mosque of Paris[7][9]
Djelloul Ben Lakhdar[fr] (1856-1940), bachaga of the Larbaa[10]
Ernesto Sabato (1979, Chevalier; 1986 Commander), writer, humanist, former member of the CONADEP, founder and first President of the Fundación Ernesto Sabato.
Juan David Nasio (1999), psychoanalyst, psychiatric physician, writer.
Officier
Victoria Ocampo (1962), writer, critic; founder, publisher and director of Sur, philanthropist.
Tom Hughes, AO,QC (2005), prominent barrister and Attorney-General in the Gorton Government, appointed Chevalier for his contribution as an RAAF pilot in the D-Day landings
His Honour Judge Warren C Fagan, QC, former president of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal of Victoria, officier de Palmes Académiques, former president de L'alliance Francaise de Melbourne, chevalier de Légion d'Honneur (2012)[23]
Cr Noel D'Souza (October 2020), Mayor of Randwick (2015-2017)
Graham Russell "Russ" Godden (1920–), Stirling bomber pilot in RAF 196 Squadron from 1944 to 1945, 38 Group, who, as well as flying supplies to Arnhem during Operation Market Garden (23 September 1994) and being tug pilot during Operation Varsity (Crossing of the Rhine, 24 March 1945), also piloted a Stirling bomber during Special Operation Executive missions to France and Norway, as well as dropping French S.A.S paratroops into the Netherlands during Operation Amherst (7 April 1945).[28][29]
Donald Matheson was awarded the Knight in the National Order of the Legion of Honour by his Excellency Mr. Jean-Pierre Thébault, Ambassador of France to Australia, c/- Donald's son, Tesselaar Romanoff Matheson, on the 6th October 2022. This most prestigious distinction was awarded to Donald for his part during the Normandy Landings, on the 6th June 1944 aboard H.M.S Black Prince.[30]
Ivan Ceresnjes (1994), head of the Jewish community of Bosnia and Herzegovina, for non-sectarian humanitarian relief work during the Bosnian War.[43]
Jovan Divjak (2001), Bosnian general and philanthropist
Vahid Halilhodžić (2004), former Bosnian football player, now successful football manager, received his Légion d'Honneur on 23. July 2004, during his tenure as manager of PSG[44]
Norodom Suramarit, King of Cambodia, awarded the grade of Commander in 1939 and Grand Officer.
Norodom Sihamoni, current King of Cambodia, awarded grade of Grand Officer.
Cameroon
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Grand Officier
Jean Fochive (1971), Cameroon Director General of the Department of Documentation.
Canada
Leonard Brierley, one of the first Canadian soldiers to land on Juno Beach during the D-Day Invasion, awarded the rank of Chevalier (knight) on 30 May 2007, by French Ambassador Daniel Jouanneau.[53]
Jan de Vries, a Canadian paratrooper from the Second World War and veteran's advocate was named a Chevalier in 2004.
Harry De Wolf, Vice Admiral and Chief of the Naval Staff and former commanding officer of HMCS Haida
Céline Dion, international celebrity, Canadian singer, appointed Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur
Joseph Reginald Martin,[55] World War II Veteran, Royal Canadian Navy. Awarded the rank of Knight of the Legion of Honour in 2014 for aiding in the liberation of France.Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur
Beverly McLachlin, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, was made a Commander of the Legion of Honour by the Government of France in 2008[56]
Madeleine Meilleur, an Ontarian MPP and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs.[citation needed]
Brian Mulroney, former Prime Minister of Canada, was presented the Legion of Honour in the rank of Commander, on 6 December 2016 by the French ambassador Nicolas Chapuis in Ottawa[57]
Lance Corporal Joseph Novak, 98 years old WWII Veteran. Royal Canadian Army Service Corps served in France, Belgium, The Netherlands. He was honored as a Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur by the Grand Chancellor of the National Order of the Legion of Honour and the National Order of Merit, General Benoît Puga in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada on 21 October 2021. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/yukon-veteran-france-national-order-whitehorse-1.6218537
Lawson Arthur Walsh, 1899-2001 World War I 193rd Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force. Turned 18 in the trenches of France and fought in the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
Phillip Francis Vernon Wragg, from the Royal Regina Rifles was among the first Canadian soldiers to land on Juno Beach and reach and hold their final objective during the Operation Overload, D-Day Invasion, was awarded the rank of Knight (Chevalier) of the Legion of Honour on 10 June 2015 for aiding in the liberation of France.[62]
Sir Michael LaPlante, received the Legion of Honour in 2016, from the French Government and title of “Chevalier” (Knight); the highest French Order for military and civil merits. Michael was born to Hazel Tapaquon and Michael LaPlante Sr. on the Kawacatoose First Nation, where he resided until he attended the Lestock Residential School. He joined the army at a very young age and served with the Regina Rifle Regiment from 1943 to 1946. He was posted in England, France, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany. Sir Michael LaPlante began his Spiritual Journey on 27 December 2016 with daughter Celeste and niece Gloria by his side.[63]
Dr. Daniel Pauly received the title of Chevalier on July 14, 2017, from the Ambassador of France to Canada, Kareen Rispal.[64]
Donna Strickland, received the title of Chevalier on November 22, 2022, from the French ambassador to Canada, Mr. Michel Miraillet. Ref.
Sgt Grahame Clapp, WWII veteran, First Special Service Force.
Lance Corporal Frederick Henry West, (1899 - 2000) British Home Child and under age enlister, WW1 Veteran, 14th Bn. Canadian Infantry, MM & Bar, awarded the rank of Knight of the Legion of Honour in 1999.
Gong Li (2010). Actress, was appointed Commandeur for contributions to film[66]
Huai Jinpeng (2012). Scientist, academician and politician, was appointed Knight for contributions to education, science and technology development across China and France.[67]
Cuba
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Dr. Domingo Gomez de Gimeranez (1903-1978). Cuban biomedical engineer, physician and scientist. He rejected the distinction (1958) in protest of the awarding of the prize that year to Cuban dictator Batista.
Dr. José A. Presno Bastiony (1876-1953). Cuban physician.
Maria López Vigil (born 1944). Cuban writer.
Dr. Rodrigo Alvarez Cambras (1934-2023). Cuban physician.
Vicente G. Vérez Bencomo (born 1953). Cuban chemist and scientist.
Emeterio Santovenia (1889-1968). Cuban politician, historian and writer.
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Grand Cross
Wilhelm I, the only German ever awarded the Grand Cross before Angela Merkel was Wilhelm I,[citation needed] who received it for saving numerous soldiers' lives during the war with his decisive actions. On one occasion, Wilhelm decided to delay the bombardment in the German siege of Paris, which led to significantly less casualties than an earlier bombardment would have caused. Additionally, during the Paris Commune, Wilhelm led German troops to assist in suppressing the revolt and relayed German medical knowledge to French doctors, enabling them to treat otherwise mortal wounds.[citation needed]
Manfred Rommel, son of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel and Mayor of Stuttgart from 1974 to 1996. Worked hard to build and maintain good relations between France and Germany several decades after World War II.
Richard Strauss, conductor and leading composer of the early modern era, awarded the Croix d'Officier (Officer's Cross) on 14 June 1914. Previously awarded the Croix de Chevalier (Knight's Cross) in 1907.
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Janab JM Abdul Aziz of Saigon born in Koothanallur wears the Legion on his left among other Orders[citation needed]
Sivaji Ganesan, first Indian actor, Marlon Brando of India 1995
J. L. P. Roche Victoria. Chevalier John Ladislaus Pitchaiya Roche Victoria K. S. G (26 September 1894 – 15 October 1962)[1] was an Indian politician from Tuticorin belonging to the Indian National Congress. He was from a wealthy and eminent Paravar family and was also a businessman with ownership in several commercial ventures
Patrick James Smyth, Irish revolutionary and politician. Smyth was made a Chevalier in 1871 in recognition of his efforts organising an Irish ambulance service who aided the French Army during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870.[162]
Joseph O'Kelly (1828–1885), Franco-Irish composer and pianist, "Chevalier" in 1881[163]
Henri O'Kelly (1859–1938), Franco-Irish composer and church musician, "Chevalier" in 1931[164]
Mary Ryan (15 July 1935), Professor of French at University College Cork,[166] first woman professor on island of Ireland. Awarded the Légion d'Honneur for services to the French language.
Monsignor Professor Brendan Devlin (November 2001), scholar in the French and Irish languages and rector of the Irish College in Paris, was invested as an Officier de la Légion d'Honneur. [citation needed]
Alan Dukes (2004), former Irish minister and former leader of Fine Gael is an Officier de la Légion d'Honneur[167]
Mary Lawlor (3 July 2014), founder and executive director of human rights organisation Front Line Defenders was awarded the Insignia of Chevalier of the Legion of Honour on behalf of the French government by French Ambassador to Ireland Mr Jean-Pierre Thebault[169]
Martin Naughton, Irish businessman, founder of the Glen Dimplex group, and philanthropist was invested as an Officier de la Légion d'Honneur in November 2016[170]
Barbara Wright (25 September 2019), Professor Emerita of French at Trinity College, Dublin, eminent scholar of French literature and art history, was appointed Chevalier (Knight) de la Légion d'Honneur by French President Emmanuel Macron and awarded the medal by the French Ambassador to Ireland, Stéphane Crouzat.
Corrado Augias (born 1935), Chevalier, 2007. Augias returned[171] the title on 14 December 2020, deeply disappointed by French President Macron giving the same title to Egyptian dictator Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and in solidarity with Giulio Regeni, killed by the Egyptian regime in 2016.
Monica Bellucci (born 1964), Italian actress and model. She received the Knight of the Legion of Honour on 24 November 2016 by François Hollande.[172]
Emma Bonino (born 1948), National Order - Officer, 20 March 2009.
Luciana Castellina (born 1929), she returned the title in December 2020, deeply disappointed by French President Macron giving the same title to Egyptian dictator Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and in solidarity with Giulio Regeni, killed by the Egyptian regime in 2016.
Sergio Cofferati (born 1948), he returned the title in December 2020, deeply disappointed by French President Macron giving the same title to Egyptian dictator Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and in solidarity with Giulio Regeni, killed by the Egyptian regime in 2016.
Giovanna Melandri (born 1962), she received the title on 19 September 2003, and returned it in December 2020, deeply disappointed by French President Macron giving the same title to Egyptian dictator Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and in solidarity with Giulio Regeni, killed by the Egyptian regime in 2016.
Fusco Foresto Moggi (born 1900) Chevalier, anti fascist Grand Master of free masons received the title on 27 May 1935.
Romano Prodi (born 1939), Chevalier, 13 February 2014.
Rossana Rummo (born 1953), former director of the Italian Cultural Institute of Paris[fr].She received the title in 2009 and returned it in December 2020, deeply disappointed by French President Macron giving the same title to Egyptian dictator Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and in solidarity with Giulio Regeni, killed by the Egyptian regime in 2016.
Abdullah Ensour, economist who was Prime Minister of Jordan between October 2012 and May 2016; has held various cabinet positions in Jordanian government in addition to being prime minister[183]
Dina Kawar, a binational Jordanian diplomat who was the ambassador of Jordan to France in 2003[184]
Lulwah Al-QatamiLulwah Al-Qatami, educator and activist, first woman from Kuwait to attend university overseas, Nobel Peace Prize nominee, former Director of the Women's College of Kuwait University.[186][187]
Nano Ružin (2012) Professor of political sciences, Macedonian Ambassador to NATO and presidential candidate of the Liberal Democratic Party of Macedonia (LDP) in 2009.[citation needed]
Michelle Yeoh (2007, 2012), a Hong Kong-based Malaysian actress, dancer, and model. Awarded Chevalier in 2007 for contributions of films and media,[198] and appointed Officer and Chevalier in 2012 and 2017 respectively[199]
Sharafuddin of Selangor (2012), 9th Sultan of Selangor, was appointed Commander of the National Order of the Legion of Honour.
Tony Fernandes (2013), co-founder of budget airline AirAsia, was appointed Commander of the National Order of the Legion of Honour[200]
Marina Mahathir (2016), Malaysian socio-political activist and writer, was conferred the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur by the French government for "her voice and charisma to many causes", citing her work with the Malaysian AIDS Council and with migrants[201]
1901 – Caballero – Légion d'honneur – Fernando Ferrari Pérez
Chevalier
Fernando Ferrari-Pérez (1901), naturalist, photographer, statesman. Ferrari Pérez took part in the effort to modernize his country based on a Positivist view of progress and society. His country's ideological, scientific and intellectual autonomy was tantamount to its objectives. He worked to promote Mexico's new image and status on the American continent and in Europe; particularly in France where, because of professional imperatives, he lived during intermittent periods in two different addresses, both in Paris (32, Rue de Chazelles and 43, Avenue de Saxe). Fernando Ferrari Pérez introduced the Frères Lumière cinématographe patent into México. The purchase document (in Frères Lumière paperhead) of the patent's franchise for México, is deposited in the 'Archivio Storico della città di Mantova' (Italy). [citation needed]
The precise reference for his award is: Republique Française – Ordre National de Légion d' Honneur – Président de la Republique Motivation: Ingegneur de Mines. Date: Decret du 3 July 1901. Vu, sélle et enregistré 19 April 1901. Décoration de Chevalier of 'Ordre National de Légion d' Honneur.[citation needed]
Thami El Glaoui (1925), better known in English-speaking countries as T'hami El Glaoui or Lord of the Atlas, was the Pasha of Marrakech from 1912 to 1956[217]
Mohammed Triki (1936–present), the first Vice Admiral of the modern Royal Moroccan Navy, who held the position as the Commander in Chief for 14 years from 1991 to 2005, and devoted 46 years of services to the Moroccan Navy. Studied at the École de Guerre of Paris and Newport, FL.
Nepal
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Professor John DunmoreCMNZ (2007), prominent New Zealand academic, author on French history in the Pacific and long-time president of the New Zealand Federation des Alliances Francaises[237]
Sir Carrick Hey Robertson (1938), Chief Medical Officer of the Mater Misericordiae Hospital of Auckland during the centenary of the Catholic Church in New Zealand[254]
Doctor William Marshall MacDonald CBE (1939), President of the Wellington French Club (subsequently the Alliance Française)[254]
Wing Commander Lloyd Julius Joel DFC & Bar (1945), RAF Operations Staff concerned with the Special Air operations that dropped agents and saboteurs into France during World War II[256]
Patrick Joseph Twomey (1956), New Zealand marist brother and Member Leper Trust Board, who devoted his life in service of Lepers and in the South West Pacific.
Doctor Roy Granville McElroyCMG (1970), Honorary Consular Agent of France in Auckland from 1948 to 1972.
Professor Darrell Tryon (2004), New Zealand born Professor of Linguistics Emeritus in the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies at the Australian National University in Canberra. [citation needed]
Eyvind Hellstrøm Norwegian chef and former owner of a two-Michelin-starred restaurant in the city of Oslo. He received the honor because he has been positive about France for a long time and promoted the country and its culture and been an advocate for French values through his work as chef and a number of books written. The award was handed out by word renowned chef Paul Bocuse in 2007[268]
Saeed Akhtar Malik, former Naval Officer, former Secretary to the President of Pakistan, former Director For Regional Bureau of Eastern Europe WFP (World Food Programme) current leader of Bright Star Mobile Library (BSML).[269][270]
Ahmad Hasan Dani, intellectual, archaeologist, historian, and linguist, awarded in 1998[271]
Tan Boon Teik (1998), former Attorney-General of Singapore, was appointed an Officer for contributions towards increasing commercial ties between France and Singapore as co-chairman of the France–Singapore Business Council[310]
Ng Eng Hen (2018), Minister of Defence of Singapore since 2011, appointed Officer[311]
Tan Chorh Chuan (2022), Chief Health Scientist, appointed Knight for outstanding contributions in health and science[312]
Leo Yee Sin (2022), executive director of the National Centre of Infectious Diseases, appointed Knight[312]
Laurient Rénia (2022), Director of the Respiratory and Infectious Diseases Programme at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine at Nanyang Technological University, appointed Knight[312]
Carlos Ibáñez e Ibáñez de Ibero, marquis of Mulhacén, geodesist, first president of the International Committee for Weights and Measures for his contribution in dissemination of the metric system among all nations[315]
Henry Allingham (2003, 2009), the world's oldest man at his death and the second oldest war veteran of all time; appointed Chevalier in 2003 and promoted to Officier in 2009[citation needed]
Lionel Barber, Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur, for European journalism[347]
Lt-Cdr Richard Bevan (1919), for services during the Gallipoli Campaign
Thomas A Bird, DSO, MC & Bar (2004), for leading a Rifle Brigade relief column through enemy lines into the desert citadel of Bir Hakeim, which enabled the 1st Free French Brigade to break out of the German encirclement on the night on 10/11 June 1942.
Bill Cross (2015), British Army soldier who fought in Normandy in the days after D-Day
Ron Cross (2016), British Army soldier who was part of the 79th Armoured Division, one of the first to land on Juno Beach during the Normandy landings[351]
D–J
John Edward DavisBritish Army (1998), appointed Chevalier for service during the First World War alongside other remaining survivors including Harry Patch, was one of the last surviving combatants and the last Kitchener Volunteer to die.
Maurice EdelmanMP, promoted Officier of the Légion d'honneur in 1960, having been appointed Chevalier in 1954[352]
Albert Edward England (2015), appointed Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur for his role during the Normandy D-Day landings.
Captain Stanley Frederick English. Chevalier de la Legion d’honneur. 1947: for services to France 1940/1946.
Stoker/2nd Writer Clerk Eric Peter Molyneux (2021), Appointed Chevalier (Knight) de la Légion d'honneur on 1 April 2021, for his role on D-Day, serving on board HMS Prince Charles (1941) with the Merchant Navy. His ship took the US 2nd Rangers to Omaha on the morning of 6 June 1944.
Noble Frankland (2016), appointed Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur for his role in flying 27 sorties with 50 Squadron Bomber Command in support of the liberation of France, including two on D-Day[353]
Carey Henrietta Fraser, First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY), appointed Chevalier de la Legion d’honneur, July 1918 while serving with FANY Unit 9 attached to the French Army. Also awarded the Croix de Guerre.
Sir Douglas Haig, appointed Grand Officier in May 1915[355] and Grand Croix in February 1916[356]
Sir Amos Hirst (1953), Chairman of the Football Association (FA), awarded to celebrate the FA's 90th Anniversary[357]
Lance Corporal Donald Hunt who was part of the Kings Own Scottish Borderers during the Normandy landings, appointed Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur in 2017 for his steadfast involvement in the liberation of France during the Second World War.
Lieutenant Colonel Godfrey William Vanrenen Holdich. Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur.
Alan David Iles, Royal Navy, appointed to the rank of Chevalier in the Ordre national de la Legion d’honneur by the President of the Republic in recognition of his military engagement and steadfast involvement in the liberation of France during the Second World War.[359]
Sir Elton John (2019), was made Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur by French President Emmanuel Macron[360]
Sir Gladwyn Jebb (1957), 1st Baron Gladwyn, Grand Croix de la Légion d'honneur
K–P
Kenneth Wilson 1924–2021, Army number 2991806. Appointment the rank of Chevalier in the Ordre national de la Legion d’honneur by degree of 27 January 2018 by Jean-Pierre Jouyet. To recognise Kenneth's military engagement and steadfast involvement in the Liberation Of France during the Second World War.
Nasser David Khalili awarded the rank of Officier in the Légion d'honneur by President Francois Hollande for his work in the pursuit of peace, education and culture among nations[361]
Sir Paul McCartneyMBE (2012), was invested as Officier of the Légion d'honneur by President François Hollande[365]
John McIntosh (2016), Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur, appointed for his part in the liberation of France.[366]
Admiral Francis Mitchell, in recognition of military service during WWI
Lord Monks (2014), former General-Secretary of the Trades Union Congress 1993–2003, Secretary-General of the European Trade Union Confederation 2003–2011[367]
Harry Patch (1998, 2009), Britain's last surviving First World War Veteran, appointed Chevalier 1998 and promoted Officier in 2009[372]
Q–V
Jim Radford, appointed Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur in October 2015 "in recognition of his steadfast involvement in the Liberation of France during the Second World War" (Britain's youngest Normandy Veteran was a fifteen year old seaman on the Empire Larch; one of the Deep Sea Tugs that built the breakwater for the Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches)[373]
Paul Richey, Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur in 1980;
J. K. Rowling, awarded the Légion d'honneur by French President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2009;
Air Chief Marshal Sir Augustus Walker, WWII Pilot, also awarded also the Croix de Guerre. Played Rugby for England. He held the post of Inspector-General of the RAF from 1964 to 1966 when he became Deputy Commander-in-Chief Allied Forces Central Europe.
Arthur Wallis-Myers, English tennis correspondent, editor, author and player. Appointed Chevalier of the Legion of Honour by French President Paul Doumer on 29 April 1932 for his service to the game of tennis.
The individuals listed below are among the approximately 10,000 Americans who have been so honored:
A–B
Brett August (2015), founder French-American Chamber of Commerce Chicago; chair, Chicago-Paris Sister Cities Committee; founder, Chicago chapter of l'Ordre des Canardiers.
James Baldwin (1986), African-American author and commentator who expatriated to France in 1948 where he remained for the rest of his life. He died at his home in Saint-Paul-de-Vence in 1987.
Arnaud de Borchgrave (2014), journalist specializing in international politics and former editor in chief of The Washington Times. He was awarded in July 2014 with French Ambassador Francois Delattre saying that Borchgrave is "a World War II hero to whom France is eternally grateful, and one of the most remarkable journalists of our lifetime who is also a great friend of France and an exceptional individual."[citation needed]
Gregory Bradford Retired U. S. Air Force pilot/navigator, President/CEO Aerospatiale, CEO EADS North America, member French American Chamber of Commerce.
Herbert Brill (2005) downed WW II B-17 navigator (1944), member of the French Resistance during escape and evasion (battle of Javerlhac and liberation of Angouleme).
Steven Clemons, Chevalier (October 2021) American journalist, editor, foreign policy expert for his contributions in the field of foreign affairs and international diplomacy.[386]
Lambert P. Elbert (2010) Corydon, Indiana Veteran[396]
Charles William Eliot (1903, Officer and 1924, Commander) Longest-serving President of Harvard University, transformed it into the research powerhouse that it is known as today.
Muriel Engelman (born Muriel Phillips, 12 January 1921, Meriden CT), second lieutenant, U.S. Army Nurse Corps in World War II, spending several months of her two-year service near the front lines at the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) treating American and Allied soldiers. Appointed the Legion of Honor by President Emmanuel Macron in July 2018 and received her medal at the age of 97 in a ceremony in Los Angeles, 20 September 2018, from the Consul General of France for the State of California.[397]
Ralph Gibson, American Photographer, appointed Knight of the Order of the Legion of Honor (2018).
Grace Gassette, American artist who designed orthopedic devices for wounded soldiers in World War I
Rick Goings, Chairman Emeritus Tupperware Brands, for his dedication to the role of women and children in developing countries (2010)[401]
John Gojermac, (2023), assigned to 3rd Infantry Division, 7th Infantry Regiment, Fought in Italy and France, awarded Silver Star, Bronze Star, wounded three times.
Bart Gordon, Officer (2012), US Representative from Tennessee[402]
Maurice R. “Hank” Greenberg (2014), American business executive, for military service in the European Theater during World War II
Philip Habib, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, special envoy to the Middle East[405]
Edward Smith Hamilton (2005) Retired Army (Infantry) and CIA officer, West Point Class of 1939, D-Day invasion (90th Infantry Division), Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart (2 OLC).
[Charles Hardy] (2023) TSgt, U. S. Army Combat Engineer WW II, captured 68 German POWs Port of Brest, fought Battle of the Bulge.
Jeong H. Kim (2013), President of Bell Labs (2005–2013), in recognition of his exceptional accomplishments and exemplary commitment to French-American friendship[413]
Young-Oak Kim, Officier (2005), US Army Colonel; Battalion Operation Officer of the 100th bn/442nd RCT during the campaigns for Bruyères and Biffontaine[414]
Brian Warner Kittrell (Commandeur 1988) Given due to the extraordinary valor displayed while rescuing American and French government officials from a terrorist car bombing near the embassy in 1988. He was working as an intern at the Paris American Embassy at the age of 16, making him is the youngest American to be given the honor.
William A. McNulty, Chevalier (1945), colonel (US Army), WWII field commander
Samuel Meyer (awarded 27 February 2024), b. 1924, awarded the Légion d'honneur by Ambassador Laurent Bili for his service in the 485 Fighter Squadron of the 370th Fighter Group of the United States Army Air Force during the Second World War.[434]
John Mierzejewski, Chevalier, (2016), private first class (US Army), 29th infantry division, 16th infantry regiment, heavy artillery gunner. Landed on Omaha Beach as part of the second wave of the invasion of Normandy.
Russell Miller, took part in the D-Day invasion. He was wounded in combat in Normandy in 1944 and in Germany in 1945. Awards include the Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf Cluster. In 2015, Russell was awarded the Legion of Honor by the French Government.
Thomas Volney Munson, In 1888 he received decorations of the Legion of Honor with the title "Chevalier du Merite Agricole" for aid to France in viticulture.
Myron H. Murley (2013), Colonel, Infantry (retired), United States Army (b. 4 June 1923, d. 2 September 2013) for his gallant conduct in the liberation of France, 1944.
Walter Miller, (2015) U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne for combat service on D-Day at St. Mere Eglise where he earned the first of his two Purple Hearts at the age of 17.
James Mynatt (2017) Army Air Corps, 848th Bomb Squadron, 490th Bombardment Group, ultimately flew 35 missions, his first piloting a B-24 bomber over Normandy on D-Day[438]
Robert O'Brien (2022) former National Security Advisor, helped free two French hostages[441]
George Kenichi Ōide "Chevalier" (Knight) (2019) - US Army Private, for his contribution to liberating France from Nazi occupation.
Edgar dePue Osgood, Officer (2006) honorary consul of Côte d'Ivoire, for military service in WWII and keeping the French Language a vibrant entity in the State of California for 50 years.[citation needed]
William "Bill" Bruce Overstreet Jr. (2009) (US), USAAF, WWII Fighter Pilot, with the 357th FG, 363rd FS. The "Yoxford Boys". Flew a P-51 Mustang named "Berlin Express". Only known Allied fighter pilot to turn in a kill while flying under the "Eiffel Tower" in Paris chasing a German Messerschmitt Bf 109. Chevalier medal, presented by Ambassador to the US Pierre Vimont at the D-Day Memorial 8 December 2009 in Bedford, VA US. Vimont said of Bill Overstreet in his speech that the Legion of Honour is "The sign of my country's exceptional recognition of Captain Overstreet's heroic contribution to the liberation of France."[442][443][444][445]
Ernest C. Peixotto, captain/artist, US Army Corps of Engineers – WWI (presented 1921 Chevalier raised to Officer 1926)
Mary Hutchinson Peixotto, artist/American Red Cross – WWI (presented 1921 Chevalier)
Donald A. Peltier (2013) corporal US Army 8th Armored Division, Allied Invasion World War II, Normandy, Belgium, Holland, Germany (Bronze Star for Valor).
Claiborne Pell, United States Senator
Alvin Houston Perry (2019), 331st Infantry Regiment of the 83rd Infantry Division, Prisoner of War (Stalag VII-A in Moosburg Germany), Purple Heart
Joseph Petrucci Chevalier (2016), US Army Engineer 294th Joint Assault Signal Company (JASCO) World War II, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars and Arrowhead, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and Croix de Guerre. Petrucci was wounded in action on D-Day but refused the Purple Heart because he felt accepting it would dishonor those who sacrificed their lives on that historic day. He was awarded this medal for services to France during World War II. Legion of Honor: Ceremony in San FranciscoWWII D-Day veteran, Truckee resident awarded France's Legion of Honor
Lafayette G. Pool, S/Sgt, US Army 3rd Armored Division, US tank ace credited with over 1,000 kills, 250 German prisoners of war taken, 12 confirmed tank kills and 258 total armored vehicle and self-propelled gun kills[449]
Raj Reddy (1984) for his work on artificial intelligence and computer literacy[452]
James Cooper Rhea (1918) Brigadier General, United States Army. Received the Officer Class of the award, for actions in World War One. Also received the French Croix de Guerre, with palm.[453]
Russell M. "Russ", "Buddy" Robinson, Roanoke, VA USA (b. 6 April 1923) 2nd and 1st Lt US Army Air Forces WWII bomber pilot. Captain US Army National Guard 30th Division, North Carolina, helicopter pilot until 1964. In WWII, Russell was a combat B-24 Liberator Bomber pilot of the ship "Arrowhead". He flew with the 453rd BG (Heavy), 732nd BS (31 missions); 93rd BG (Heavy), 329th BS (3 missions). French President Emmanuel Macron of France signed to have the Rank of Chevalier (Knight) of the Legion de Honour bestowed upon Mr. Robinson for missions of a humanitarian nature. Russell and crew flew some missions not carrying bombs, but food stuffs/medicine/blankets for the French refugees returning from Denmark/Holland/Belgium. Missions were as dangerous as carrying bombs, as there was still German fighters and anti aircraft fire. In his absence, French President Emmanuel Macron sent the French Military Attache General, and his delegation from the French Consulate in Washington, DC USA to the annual Bernard Marie WWII Dinner to Honor WWII Veterans, Roanoke, VA USA. 5 June 2019 AD.;.[461][462]
Charles Schepens Belgian-born American ophthalmologist, who helped more than 100 people escape Nazi-occupied France via the Spanish Pyrenees. Inventor of the indirect binocular ophthalmoscope, considered the father of modern retinal surgery. Immigrated to the USA in 1947, founder of the Schepens Eye Research Institute.
Raymond F. Schinazi (2018) professor, researcher, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and a world-renowned leader in the field of nucleoside chemistry and antiviral drug research awarded for his pioneering work on HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.[465]
Fred A. Schubert (1999) Chevalier of the Legion of Honor; served as a Private in the US 100th Aero Squadron as one of the last of the living veterans of World War I[466]
Sully SullenbergerOfficier (2011) US Airways Pilot who successfully landed on the Hudson River, preserving the lives of all 155 individuals on board[474]
Greggory Swarz (2015) USAF staff sergeant of the 492nd Aircraft Maintenance Unit, for saving three French Airmen from a fiery crash by pulling them from the wreckage and using a tourniquet to save the third airman whose hand was lost in the crash during a NATO training exercise at Los Llanos Air Base, Spain, where he also earned the USAF Airman's Medal[476][477]
T
Tetsuo Tateishi (2017), US Army, 442nd Regimental Combat Team; presented posthumously on 21 September 2017 by Guillaume Maman, honorary consul of France in Hawaii at the Hawaii State House of Representatives[478]
Futao Terashima (2017), US Army, 442nd Regimental Combat Team; presented on 21 September 2017 by Guillaume Maman, honorary consul of France in Hawaii at the Hawaii State House of Representatives[478]
Joseph R. Thompson (2012) Army veteran, for World War II combat service in France [citation needed]
Edward Tierney (2012) Army Air Force C-47 aeromedical evacuation pilot D-Day.
Jean Foley Tierney (2012) Army Air Force C-47 aeromedical evacuation flight nurse D-Day.
William Timlin (1991) Air Force veteran for service in France [citation needed]
Edward Tuck (1929) financier, diplomat, and philanthropist. Awarded the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor.[480][481]
U–W
Buchenwald concentration camp, photo taken 16 April 1945, five days after liberation of the camp. Wiesel is in the second row from the bottom, seventh from the left, next to the bunk post.[482]
Malvin E. Walker (2012) Army veteran, for World War II combat service in France [citation needed]
Robert Weber (2013) for his participation in the liberation of France in WWII as a member 54th Armored Infantry Battalion of the 10th Armored Division[485]
Harvey Weinstein (2012) American film producer and film studio executive[486] The French government said in October 2017 that it had started the process of revoking Mr. Weinstein's medal (see also Weinstein sexual abuse allegations)
Elie WieselCommandeur (1984) Grand-Officier (1990) Grand-Croix (2000), Holocaust survivor and author, Nobel Laureate
Paul Willis (2017) Tech Sergeant, Company G, 2nd Battalion, 329th Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division, U.S. Army, for service in Normandy, Brittany and Loire Valley campaigns in France[438]
Daniel J. Winograd (2016) Army veteran, Chevalier for World War II combat service in France
Greg Wyler (2018) for entrepreneurship in satellite networking to close the digital divide.[490]
X–Z
Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager, brigadier general, USAF (ret.) (2003) for his service fighting with the Maquis in 1944, flying combat in World War II and his entire career of service, duty including, but not limited to, Korea, Vietnam, Pakistan, German breaking the sound barrier and other test work (www.chuckyeager.com)
James E. Yeatts, Chevalier (2014) Veteran of U.S. Army 188th Artillery Battalion, served in numerous operations in Northern France, Belgium and Germany during World War II
Steven C. Yevich (2004) of Berwick, Pennsylvania, for his service in the 35th Infantry Division in World War II; wounded at St. Lo. [citation needed]
This section needs additional citations for verification. (May 2023)
Luis Hernandez Rodriguez (1912–2011), Soldier of the Spanish Republic, member of the French Resistance and Venezuelan Linotypist. Awarded in September 2006 for commanding Battalion Libertad and freeing Fort De La Pointe de Graves from German Occupation in 1945, which impeded the entrance to the French city of Bordeaux during World War 2 Entrega de la Legión de Honor a un antiguo combatiente
Simon Planas (1937), Venezuelan lawyer and politician
Jacinto Convit (2011), Venezuelan physician and scientist, known for developing a vaccine in an attempt to fight leprosy and his studies to cure different types of cancer. He was nominated for a Nobel Prize in Medicine for his experimental anti-leprosy vaccine.
Carlos Cruz-Diez (2012), Venezuelan kinetic and op artist. He lives in Paris. He has spent his professional career working and teaching between both Paris and Caracas. His work is represented in museums and public art sites internationally
Yemen
Amat Al Alim Alsoswa, the United Nations assistant secretary general, assistant administrator of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and director of its regional bureau for Arab states. She was awarded officier in the Order of the Légion d'Honneur[497]
Colombia - Freddy Padilla de Leon, Colombian Army, General chief of staff of the Colombian Armed Forces, appointed Commandeur on 21 August 2008
Colombia – José Luis Esparza Guerrero, Colombian Army, alumnus of the French Ecole de Guerre, appointed Chevalier on 10 November 2015[500]
Czechoslovakia – Milan Rastislav Štefánik (1914) Czechoslovak politician, diplomat, astronomer and General in French Army[501]Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, President of Czechoslovakia, Edvard Beneš, President of Czechoslovakia, Antonín Hasal, Czechoslovak Army general, Ludvík Svoboda, President of Czechoslovakia (1947), Václav Havel, President of Czechoslovakia
Indonesia – Suharto, president of his country during 1967–1998[502]
Mauritius – Edharow Rama, first Indo-Mauritian doctor, awarded the Croix de la Legion d’Honneur for saving the lives of a French ship's crew suffering from smallpox and cholera and quarantined on Plate island.
Mauritania – Moulaye Boukhreiss, first General of army, awarded the Officer (1984) and Knight (1996) de la Legion d’Honneur respectively for his work as minister of Justice and then as head state of army for over 11 years maintaining the stability and peace in Mauritania and regionally in the Western Africa which enhanced ties with France.
Moldova – Maia Sandu, President of Moldova since 2020, Grand Cross[503]
Nigeria - Sunny A. Oluseyi Jegede, prominent petroleum industry executive, and past Chairman of the Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, awarded Chevalier in 2010, for esteemed contributions to business and French/Nigerian relations.
Paraguay – Francisco Solano López, Grand Marshal and President of his country during 1862–1870, received in 1854 the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour in the degree of Commandeur for military service[505][506]
Sudan – Garo Vanian, entrepreneur, awarded Chevalier as President Director General of Ararat International for grand merits.[citation needed]
Tunisia - Abdessalem ben Mohamed El Mohammedi (1877-1919) Leader & Caid of the Fraichiche[fr] tribe, Thala, Tunisia, Knight of the Order of Glory, Tunisia, 1901, Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor, France, 1907, Knight of the Order of Glory, Tunisia, 1910[citation needed]
Wattell Michel and Béatrice, Les Grand'Croix de la Légion d'honneur. De 1805 à nos jours, titulaires français et étrangers, Archives et Culture, 2009, pp.408–410
"A la dignité de grand'croix. M. Si Kaddour ben Ghabrit, ministre plénipotentiaire honoraire, président de la Société des Habous des Lieux Saints de l'Islam, directeur de l'institut musulman et de la mosquée de Paris" in Journal officiel de la République française, 1939, p.2975
Jiang, Hongbing (10 October 2004). 马承源，这样一位"文物人". People's Daily (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
Michael Custodis, Friedrich Geiger (musicologist), Netzwerke der Entnazifizierung: Kontinuitäten im deutschen Musikleben am Beispiel von Werner Egk, Hilde und Heinrich Strobel (Waxmann Verlag, Münster/New York/Münich/Berlin 2013). ISBN3-8309-7843-X, 9783830978435, p. 188 & Note 516.
Trivedi, Ketan (October 2016). "સ્વાતંત્ર્ય સંગ્રામના આ સરદારને ઓળખો છો?" [Do You Know This Sardar of Independence Movement?]. Chitralekha (in Gujarati).
"Commandeur Légion D'honneur Siassi"[Commander Legion of Honor Siassi](PDF). Grande chancellerie de l'ordre de la Légion d'honneur (in French). 16 March 2018. Archived from the original(PDF) on 8 April 2019.
Wattell Michel and Béatrice, Les Grand'Croix de la Légion d'honneur. De 1805 à nos jours, titulaires français et étrangers, Archives et Culture, 2009, p.492
Brewer, Mark, 'New Zealand and the Legion d'honneur: Officiers, Commandeurs and Dignites', The Volunteers: The Journal of the New Zealand Military Historical Society, 35(3), March 2010, p. 136.
Brewer, Mark, 'New Zealand and the Legion d'honneur: The Great War, Part Two', The Volunteers: The Journal of the New Zealand Military Historical Society, 37(3), March 2012, p. 179.
Brewer, Mark, 'New Zealand and the Legion d'honneur: Officiers, Commandeurs and Dignites', The Volunteers: The Journal of the New Zealand Military Historical Society, 35(3), March 2010, p. 132.
Brewer, Mark, 'New Zealand and the Legion d'honneur: Officiers, Commandeurs and Dignites', The Volunteers: The Journal of the New Zealand Military Historical Society, 35(3), March 2010, p. 133.
Brewer, Mark, 'New Zealand and the Legion d'honneur: Officiers, Commandeurs and Dignites', The Volunteers: The Journal of the New Zealand Military Historical Society, 35(3), March 2010, pp. 137–138.
Brewer, Mark, 'New Zealand and the Legion d'honneur: Officiers, Commandeurs and Dignites', The Volunteers: The Journal of the New Zealand Military Historical Society, 35(3), March 2010, p. 138.
Brewer, Mark, 'New Zealand and the Legion d'honneur: Officiers, Commandeurs and Dignites', The Volunteers: The Journal of the New Zealand Military Historical Society, 35(3), March 2010, p. 139.
Brewer, Mark, 'New Zealand and the Legion d'honneur: Officiers, Commandeurs and Dignites', The Volunteers: The Journal of the New Zealand Military Historical Society, 35(3), March 2010, pp. 134–135.
Brewer, Mark, 'New Zealand and the Legion d'honneur: The Great War, Part One', The Volunteers: The Journal of the New Zealand Military Historical Society, 37(2), November 2011, p. 118.
Brewer, Mark, 'New Zealand and the Legion d'honneur: Officiers, Commandeurs and Dignites', The Volunteers: The Journal of the New Zealand Military Historical Society, 35(3), March 2010, p. 135.
Brewer, Mark, 'New Zealand and the Legion d'honneur: The Great War, Part One', The Volunteers: The Journal of the New Zealand Military Historical Society, 37(2), November 2011, p. 119.
Brewer, Mark, 'New Zealand and the Legion d'honneur: The Great War, Part One', The Volunteers: The Journal of the New Zealand Military Historical Society, 37(2), November 2011, p. 120.
Brewer, Mark, 'New Zealand and the Legion d'honneur: Officiers, Commandeurs and Dignites', The Volunteers: The Journal of the New Zealand Military Historical Society, 35(3), March 2010, p. 137.
Brewer, Mark, 'New Zealand and the Legion d'honneur: Officiers, Commandeurs and Dignites', The Volunteers: The Journal of the New Zealand Military Historical Society, 35(3), March 2010, p. 140.
Brewer, Mark, 'New Zealand and the Legion d'honneur: The Great War, Part One', The Volunteers: The Journal of the New Zealand Military Historical Society, 37(2), November 2011, p. 114.
Brewer, Mark, 'New Zealand and the Legion d'honneur: The Great War, Part One', The Volunteers: The Journal of the New Zealand Military Historical Society, 37(2), November 2011, p. 115.
Brewer, Mark, 'New Zealand and the Legion d'honneur: The Great War, Part One', The Volunteers: The Journal of the New Zealand Military Historical Society, 37(2), November 2011, pp. 119–120.
Brewer, Mark, 'New Zealand and the Legion d'honneur: The Great War, Part One', The Volunteers: The Journal of the New Zealand Military Historical Society, 37(3), March 2012, p. 172.
Brewer, Mark, 'New Zealand and the Legion d'honneur: The Great War, Part One', The Volunteers: The Journal of the New Zealand Military Historical Society, 37(3), March 2012, p. 171.
Brewer, Mark, 'New Zealand and the Legion d'honneur: The Great War, Part One', The Volunteers: The Journal of the New Zealand Military Historical Society, 37(2), November 2011, p. 121.
Brewer, Mark, 'New Zealand and the Legion d'honneur: The Great War, Part One', The Volunteers: The Journal of the New Zealand Military Historical Society, 37(2), November 2011, p. 113.
Brewer, Mark, 'New Zealand and the Legion d'honneur: The Great War, Part Two', The Volunteers: The Journal of the New Zealand Military Historical Society, 37(3), March 2012, p. 178.
Brewer, Mark, 'New Zealand and the Legion d'honneur: The Mid-War period', The Volunteers: The Journal of the New Zealand Military Historical Society, awaiting publication.
Brewer, Mark, 'New Zealand and the Legion d'honneur: The Great War, Part Two', The Volunteers: The Journal of the New Zealand Military Historical Society, 38(1), July 2012.
Fjeld, Odd T. (1999). Klar til strid – Kystartilleriet gjennom århundrene (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kystartilleriets Offisersforening. p.410. ISBN82-995208-0-0.
"Americans Named To Legion of Honor: Slemp and Associates to Get Ranks for Assistance at Colonial Exposition". The Washington Post. 22 September 1932. p.7.
Torres, João Romano. "Ficalho (Francisco Manuel de Melo, 3.° conde de)". Portugal – Dicionário Histórico, Corográfico, Heráldico, Biográfico, Bibliográfico, Numismático e Artístico, Volume IV. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
Bodas de Oiro Científicas de António Cabreira e VII Centenário da Tomada de Tavira: Dupla Celebração pelo Instituto António Cabreira[Golden Scientific Jubilee of António Cabreira and 7th Centennial of the Conquest of Tavira: A Double Celebration by Institute António Cabreira] (in Portuguese). Lisbon: Instituto António Cabreira. 1942. pp.5–59.
Bénézit, Emmanuel. "BARKER (Thomas-Jones)" in Dictionnaire des peintres, sculpteurs, dessinateurs et graveurs, Paris: Librairie Gründ, 1939, vol. I, p. 368.
Letter offering Edelman the rank of officer of the French Légion d'honneur, 1960, included in a file of "Miscellaneous official correspondence" [MSS.125/1/3/60] from the archives of Maurice Edelman, Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick
William Lupton and Co. – 150 years (21 May 1927ed.). Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. p.10. Retrieved 12 April 2019. Napolean III, seeking a trade treaty with England, made him (Darnton Lupton) a Chevalier (Knight) of the Legion of Honour for the.....in 1855.
Government Art Collection. "CRW Nevinson in London". Government Art Collection. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
Atwood, Kathryn J. (6 August 2019). Women Heroes of World War II: 32 Stories of Espionage, Sabotage, Resistance, and Rescue. Chicago Review Press. ISBN978-1641600064.
Batra, Ravi (2005); Greenspan's Fraud: How Two Decades of His Policies Have Undermined the Global Economy. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN1-4039-6859-4. OCLC 57169884. See p. 3.
"Statement of Senator John Warner"(PDF). Nominations of Adm. Michael G. Mullen, USN, for reappointment to the grade of Admiral and to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Gen. James E. Cartwright, USMC, for reappointment to the grade of General and to be Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Committee on Armed Services, US Senate. 31 July 2007. pp.903–905. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
TIME Magazine, "Business: From Fifth Avenue to Greenwich." 4 April 1932. "France made Franklin Simon a chevalier of the Legion of Honor for having done more than any other person to put U.S. women into French clothes."
Peter Schmitt – 'Paraguay und Europa. Die diplomatischen Beziehungen unter Carlos Antonio Lopez und Francisco Solano Lopez 1841–1870' – Colloquium Verlag, Berlin (1963)
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