Executive Order 9260

By virtue of and pursuant to the authority vested in me by section 2 of the act of July 20, 1942 (Public Law 671−77th Congress) I hereby prescribe the following rules and regulations for the award of the decoration of the "Legion of Merit" created by said act:

 The decoration of the Legion of Merit shall be awarded by the President of the United States or at his direction to members of the armed forces of the United States and of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, and members of the armed forces of friendly foreign nations, who, after the proclamation of an emergency by the President on September 8, 1939, shall have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services.

Awards of the decoration of the Legion of Merit may be proposed to the President by the Secretary of War and by the Secretary of the Navy, each acting upon the recommendation of an officer of the armed forces of the United States who has personal knowledge of the services of the person recommended.

Recommendations for awards to members of the armed forces of friendly foreign nations shall be submitted to the President of the United States for his approval.

, November 6, 1942.