Legion of Merit: USA

• 23 Dec 2020

Why in News

Recently, the USA has awarded the ‘Legion of Merit’ to the Prime Ministers of India, Japan and Australia.

• All these four countries were key to reviving the Quadrilateral grouping since 2017, which is part of the Indo-Pacific strategy and is aimed at countering the growing dominance of China in the region.

Key Points

• About the Award:
  
  • One of the USA’s highest military decorations, the award was instituted in 1942 by former President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
  • It is awarded to members of the USA armed forces and also members of foreign (i.e. non-USA) armed forces and sometimes heads of state or government.
  • The award is presented to foreign recipients in four categories: Chief Commander, Commander, Officer and Legionnaire.
  • There have been two Indian recipients of the honour in the past: Field Marshal K M Cariappa in 1950, and Gen S M Srinagesh in 1955.
• Current Receivers:
  
  • Indian PM has been given this award for his role in “advancing the India-USA relationship”.
    
    • The award recognises the efforts of the people of India and the USA to improve bilateral ties, reflected in the bipartisan consensus in both countries about the Indo-USA Strategic Partnership.
  • Australian PM was presented the award for “addressing global challenges and promoting collective security”.
  • Japanese PM for his “leadership and vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific”.

Source: TH