McNamara’s Legion of Merit Legionnaire medal awarded to him by the Department of Defense, measuring 1.75″ in diameter, featuring a beautiful design of gilt metal, an enamel wreath of green laurel joined at the bottom by a gold bow-knot, a five-pointed white enamel star bordered in crimson, and a blue enamel disk in the center with 13 white stars arranged in the pattern appearing on the Great Seal of the United States. The medal is suspended from a crimson ribbon edged in white, and presented in its original satin and velvet lined box, gilt stamped “Legion of Merit, Legionnaire” on the top. In fine condition. Accompanied by the tag from Sotheby’s sale of the McNamara estate held in October 2012, where this was acquired. The Legion of Merit, established to recognize ‘exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements,’ was awarded to McNamara in 1946 after leaving active duty in the Air Force. During World War II, he had conducted analysis on costs and operations of the air fleet, particularly with regard to B-29 bombers. A terrific, one-of-a-kind military award belonging to one of the most influential figures in the American defense and policy in the latter half of the 20th century. RR Auction COA.
