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Legion of Merit Award and Letter to Soviet Soldier, Signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt |
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Summary: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Two Documents Signed (“Franklin D. Roosevelt”) as President, comprising a Certificate awarding the Legion of Merit to Major Nikolai Zakharvovich, of the U.S.S.R. Red Army (for liquidating an enemy group at Korsun Shevechenkovski under hostile fire), counter-signed by Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, Washington, June 26, 1944, and a Typed Document Signed Citation on White House letterhead, approving the award. Both in a 18" x 26" frame with a photo of the President. Inventory # 20591 $5,000 Partial Transcript:
“This is to Certify that the President of the United States… in Accordance with the order issued by General George Washington… August 7, 1782, and Pursuant to Act of Congress, has awarded the Legion of Merit…” The Certificate is printed in multiple typefaces, with embossed design of the Legion of Merit medallion at top center, and embossed seal of the War Office at bottom edge. Historical Background: Major Zakharovich joined distinguished company upon receiving this honor, the first American decoration awarded to foreign nationals. FDR created the medal in July 1942 for American soldiers and “personnel of the armed forces of friendly nations who…shall have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services.” Chiang Kai-shek was the first recipient, and another included the Soviet commander, Marshal Zhukov. Roosevelt clearly saw the medal as a device for cementing the unity of the multi-national Allied fighting coalition, and no member of that coalition was more important than Stalin’s Red Army, which bore the brunt of the fighting against Hitler until the U.S. landed in France in 1944.
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