Légion d'honneur

The Légion d'honneur (Legion of Honor (AmE) or Legion of Honour (ComE)) is an Order of Chivalry awarded by the President of France. First instituted by Napoléon Bonaparte, First Consul of the French Republic, on May 19, 1802, it is one of the most prestigious French awards and the country's highest civilian honour. This Order replaces the previous Orders of Saint Michael, The Holy Spirit, Saint Louis, Saint Lazarus and Mount Carmel.

Composition

The President of France is the Grand Master of the Order and appoints all other members of the Order—by convention, on the advice of the Government. Following Continental practice (unlike the British orders), the Legion of Honour has no Sovereign. Its principal officers are the Chancellor and Secretary-General.

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The Legion has five classes:

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• Grand Cross - wears the badge on a sash on the right shoulder, plus the star on the left chest;
• Grand Officer - wears the badge on a ribbon with rosette on the left chest, plus the star on the right chest;
• Commander - wears the badge on a necklet;
• Officer - wears the badge on a ribbon with rosette on the left chest;
• Chevalier - wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.

The Order has a maximum quota of 75 Commanders Grand Cross, 250 Grand Officers, 1,250 Commanders, 10,000 Officers and 113,425 (ordinary) Chevaliers. As of 2000 the actual membership was 61 Commanders Grand Cross, 321 Grand Officers, 3,626 Commanders, 22,401 Officers and 87,371 Chevaliers. Appointments of veterans of World War II, French military personnel involved in the North African Campaign and other foreign French military operations, as well as wounded soldiers, are made independently of the quota.

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In 1998, all surviving veterans of World War I from any country who had fought on French soil were made Chevaliers of the Legion if they were not so already, as part of the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the war's end. In December 2004, on the occasion of his 110th birthday, France's oldest surviving veteran of the war, Maurice Flocquet, was promoted to Officer.

Related Topics:
1998 - World War I - 2004 - 110th birthday

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Members convicted of severe crimes (crimes in French) are dismissed de jure from the order. Members convicted of lesser felonies (délits in French) can be dismissed too.

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Wearing the decoration of the Legion of Honour without having the right to do so is an offence.

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