Original U.S. WWII Legion of Merit Awarded to Soviet Lieutenant Colonel Semen I. Popov with Citation Signed by President Truman Vietnam and is the later pattern

and is the later pattern with no securing strap

Because of its potential for the 'devastation of enemy lands and the destruction of industrial and populous centres on a vast scale'

Both have had the enamel top coat yellow and crack

The tsuka (handle) terminates with the usual unadorned black Kabuto-Gane (Pommel Cap)

Original U.S. WWII Legion of Merit Awarded to Soviet Lieutenant Colonel Semen I. Popov with Citation Signed by President Truman Vietnam and is the later patternOriginal Item. One of a Kind. The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued to members of the eight uniformed services of the United States as well as to military and political figures of foreign governments. This is an outstanding set consisting of an unengraved medal, War