Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 56 Part 1.djvu/691

 56 STAT.] 77TH CONG. , 2D SESS.-CHS. 508, 509-JULY 20, 1942 forces of friendly foreign nations who, since the proclamation of an emergency by the President on September 8, 1939, shall have distin- guished themselves by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. (2) That there is hereby created a decoration to be known as the "Medal for Merit", which shall have distinctive appurtenances and devices and only one degree, and which the President, under such rules and regulations as he shall prescribe, may award to such civilians of the nations prosecuting the war under the joint declara- tion of the United Nations and of other friendly foreign nations as have, since the proclamation of an emergency by the President on September 8, 1939, distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services: Provided, That awards to civilians of foreign nations shall be only for the performance of an exceptionally meritorious or courageous act or acts in furtherance of the war efforts of the United Nations. SEC. 3. There is hereby authorized to be appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as may be necessary for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act. Approved, July 20, 1942. [CHAPTER 509] AN ACT 663 54 Stat. 2643. 60 U.. C., app., prec. i1 note. "Medal for Merit. " Creation of decora- tion. 54 Stat. 2643. 0U. . C., app., prec. § 1 note. Proeiso. Appropriation au- thorized. July 20, 1942 To authorize temporary appointments in the Army of the United States of officers [H. B. 7242] on duty with the Medical Administrative Corps. [Public Law 672] Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That in time of war or national emergency determined by the President any officer of the Medical Administrative Corps, commissioned in the Army of the United States or any component thereof, may be appointed by the President to higher temporary grade, not above the grade of colonel, without vacating any appointment held by him at the time of such temporary appointment. All officers so appointed shall be commis- sioned in the Army of the United States and shall receive the pay and allowances of the grade to which temporarily appointed: Provided, That any appointment made under the provisions of this Act may be vacated at any time by the President and, if not sooner vacated, shall continue for the duration of such national emergency or for the duration of the war and six months thereafter. SEC. 2. All appointments and payments which would have been valid had this Act been in effect on and after September 9, 1940, are hereby ratified and validated, and officers appointed to a higher tempo- rary grade whose appointments are ratified and validated by this Act shall be entitled to pay and allowances of such grade for the period during which they served in said grade to be paid out of any funds available for pay of the Army: Provided, That credit for payments heretofore made to such officers shall be allowed by the Comptroller General of the United States in the accounts of disbursing officers: Provided further, That any amounts collected from any person on account of payments made by reason of an appointment to a higher temporary grade which is ratified and validated by this Act shall be refunded to such person upon presentation of claim therefor to the Comptroller General of the United States who is authorized and directed to certify such claim to the Secretary of the Treasury for payment out of any funds available for pay of the Army. Approved, July 20, 1942. Army of the U.8. Temporary promo- tions of Medical Ad- ministrative Corps officers. Commission, pay, and allowances. Proviso. Validation of previ- ous appointments. Pay and allowance for period served. Provisos. Creditforpayments. Refunds.

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