
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 10USC1122]

 
                         TITLE 10--ARMED FORCES
 
                    Subtitle A--General Military Law
 
                           PART II--PERSONNEL
 
                   CHAPTER 57--DECORATIONS AND AWARDS
 
Sec. 1122. Medal for Merit: award

    The President, under regulations to be prescribed by him, may award 
a decoration called the ``Medal for Merit'', having distinctive 
appurtenances and devices and only one degree, to any civilian of any 
nation prosecuting the war in existence on July 20, 1942, under the 
joint declaration of the United Nations, as then constituted, or of any 
other friendly foreign nation, who, after September 8, 1939, has 
distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in performing 
outstanding services. The Medal for Merit may be awarded to a civilian 
of a foreign nation but only for performing an exceptionally meritorious 
or courageous act in the furtherance of the war efforts of the United 
Nations as then constituted.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 88.)

                                          Historical and Revision Notes
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            Revised section                      Source (U.S. Code)            
   Source (Statutes at Large)
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1122..................................  10:1408b (less (1)).                 Ju
ly 20, 1942, ch. 508, Sec.  2
                                                                              (
less (1)), 56 Stat. 663.
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    The words ``in existence on July 20, 1942'' are inserted for clarity 
and refer to the war in existence on the date of enactment of the source 
statute. The words ``as then constituted'' are inserted for clarity, 
since the United Nations organization in existence on July 20, 1942, was 
not the present United Nations organization. The words ``There is 
created'', ``rules and'', and ``the proclamation of an emergency by the 
President on'' are omitted as surplusage.

                   Ex. Ord. No. 9637. Medal for Merit

    Ex. Ord. No. 9637, Oct. 3, 1945, 10 F.R. 12543, as amended by Ex. 
Ord. No. 9857A, May 27, 1947, 12 F.R. 3583, provided:
    1. The decoration of the Medal for Merit shall be awarded only by 
the President of the United States or at his direction. Awards of the 
Medal for Merit may be made to such civilians of the nations prosecuting 
the war under the joint declaration of the United Nations and of other 
friendly foreign nations as have distinguished themselves by 
exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding 
services since the proclamation of an emergency by the President on 
September 8, 1939. Awards of the Medal for Merit made to civilians of 
foreign nations shall be for the performance of an exceptionally 
meritorious or courageous act or acts in furtherance of the war efforts 
of the United Nations.
    2. There is hereby established the Medal for Merit Board, which 
shall be composed of three members appointed by the President, one of 
whom shall be designated by the President to act as Chairman of the 
Board.
    3. The Medal for Merit Board shall receive and consider proposals 
for the award of the decoration of the Medal for Merit and submit to the 
President the recommendations of the Board with respect thereto. In the 
case of proposed awards to civilians of foreign nations, such 
recommendations shall include the recommendations of the Secretary of 
State.
    4. The Medal for Merit Board is authorized to prescribe, with the 
approval of the President, such rules and regulations not inconsistent 
with the provisions of this order as may be necessary to accomplish its 
purposes.
    5. Executive Order 9331 of April 19, 1943 and the Medal for Merit 
Board created thereby, are superseded by this order.
    6. The Medal for Merit shall not be awarded for any services 
relating to the prosecution of World War II performed subsequent to the 
cessation of hostilities, as proclaimed by Proclamation No. 2714 of 
December 31, 1946, and no proposal for an award for such services 
submitted after June 30, 1947, shall be considered by the Medal for 
Merit Board.
