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Executive Order on the Delegation of Authority to Approve Certain Military Decorations
National Security & Defense Issued on: April 20, 201
For the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of sections 1121, 3742, 3743, 3746, 3749, 3750, 6242, 6243, 6244, 6245, 6246, 8742, 8743, 8746, 8749, and 8750 of title 10, and sections 491a, 492, 492a, 492b, and 493 of title 14, United States Code, the following rules and regulations pertaining to the award of the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, Coast Guard Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Soldier’s Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Medal, Airman’s Medal, and Coast Guard Medal are promulgated:
Section 1. Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, and Coast Guard Cross. The Secretary of the military department concerned, or the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, may award the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, and Coast Guard Cross in the name of the President to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard, as the case may be, distinguishes himself or herself by extraordinary heroism not justifying award of the Medal of Honor:
(a) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
(b) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force or, with respect to the Coast Guard, an international terrorist organization; or
(c) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
Sec. 2. Distinguished Service Medal. The Secretary of the military department concerned, or the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, may award the Distinguished Service Medal of each of the respective Armed Forces of the United States in the name of the President to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard, as the case may be, distinguishes himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious service to the United States in a duty of great responsibility.
Sec. 3. Silver Star Medal. The Secretary of the military department concerned, or the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, may award the Silver Star Medal in the name of the President to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard, as the case may be, is cited for gallantry in action that does not warrant award of the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, or Coast Guard Cross:
(a) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
(b) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force or, with respect to the Coast Guard, an international terrorist organization; or
(c) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
Sec. 4. Legion of Merit.
(a) The Secretary of the military department concerned, or the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, may award the Legion of Merit, without degree, in the name of the President to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States, who, after September 8, 1939, has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in performing outstanding services.
(b) The Secretary of Defense, after concurrence by the Secretary of State, may award the Legion of Merit, in the degrees of Commander, Officer, and Legionnaire, to a member of the armed forces of friendly foreign nations.
(c) The Secretary of Defense, after concurrence by the Secretary of State, shall submit to the President for his approval, recommendations for award of the Legion of Merit, in the degree of Chief Commander, to a member of the armed forces of friendly foreign nations.