The following American awards were made to soldiers of the Worcestershire Regiment for gallantry or meritorious service. They are recorded in the London Gazette, indicating the granting of the award or decoration by the President of the USA, and intimating the British sovereigns permission for it to be accepted and worn by the recipient.
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces which is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued both to United States military personnel and to military and political figures of foreign governments.
This award was established by an Act of Congress on 29th July 1942. It is probably the nearest thing the US has to a European style Order, in that it has four classes, namely:
Chief Commander
Commander
Officer
Legionnaire
Although members of the US armed forces are eligible to receive this, they normally only qualify for the lowest grade, Legionnaire. The upper grades (Chief Commander, Commander and Officer) are typically reserved for very senior officers or foreign nationals.
Legion of Merit
1. Chief Commander - Chief of State or Head of Government.
2. Commander - Equivalent of an U.S. military Chief of Staff or higher position but not to Chief of State.
3. Officer - General of Flag Officer below the equivalent of a U.S. military Chief of Staff; Colonel or equivalent rank for service in assignments equivalent to those normally held by a General or Flag Officer in U.S. military service; or Military Attaches.
4. Legionnaire - All recipients not included above.
The Legion of Merit is seventh in the order of precedence of U.S. military decorations, and is worn after the Defense Superior Service Medal and before the Distinguished Flying Cross.
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Legion of Merit (U.S.A.) |
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| Surname | Forename/s | Rank | Number | Award Class | Gazette Date |
| Glenn, O.B.E. | Maurice James | A/Lieut.-Col. | 53969 | Degree of Legionnaire | 15/08/1946 |
| Gale, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., M.C. | Richard Nelson | Lieut.-Gen. | 20116 | Degree of Commander | 16/01/1948 |
In 1943 and 1944 he commanded the 6th Airborne Division, and in 1945 he commanded the 1st Airborne Corps. Thus the responsibility for vital aspects of the campaign in Normandy and Belgium was upon his shoulders. After the war he commanded the 1st Infantry Division and later was G.O.C., British Troops, in Egypt. His services in France had won him the D.S.O., and he was created C.B. in 1945 and a Commander of the Legion of Merit, U.S.A., in 1948.
Sir Richard Nelson Gale
On the 19th July 1932, the U.S. Secretary of War approved the Silver Star medal to replace the Citation Star (which was established in 1918). This design placed the Citation Star on a bronze pendant suspended from the ribbon design. The star was no longer attached to a service or campaign ribbon.
The Silver Star Medal is awarded to a person for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force. The required gallantry, while of a lesser degree than that required for award of the Distinguished Service Cross, must nevertheless have been performed with marked distinction. Soldiers who received a citation for gallantry in action during World War 1 may apply to have the citation converted to the Silver Star Medal.
Silver Star Medal
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Silver Star Medal (U.S.A.) |
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| Surname | Forename/s | Rank | Number | Gazette Date |
| Miles | Oliver Bert | Sgt. | 5257801 | 17/10/1946 |