The Philippine Legion of Honor was established by President Manuel Roxas, through Philippine Army Circular No. 60 dated July 3, 1947. The Philippine Legion of Honor was patterned after the Legion of Merit of the United States of America, and was meant to honor both civilians and members of the military, Filipino or foreign. Originally, like the U.S. Legion of Merit, the Philippine Legion of Honor only had four classes, known as Degrees, with Legionnaire being the basic rank, and Chief Commander being the highest. With the reform of the Philippine system of orders and decorations in 2003, the Philippine Legion of Honor's classes were renamed "ranks" instead of "degrees," and the ranks expanded. PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES Manuel Roxas Manuel Acuña Roxas (January 1, 1892—April 15, 1948) was a Philippine political figure. ... Military branches  Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps and Coast Guard), Air Force Military manpower - military age  18 years of age (2001) Military manpower - availability  males age 15-49: 22,435,982 (2004 est. ... 1947 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Legion of Merit medal The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces which is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. ...

Criteria

Today, the Philippine Legion of Honor is conferred upon a Filipino or foreign citizen in recognition of valuable and meritorious service in relation to the military affairs of the Republic of the Philippines. It is thus the primary order of military merit of the Republic of the Philippines.

To signify the importance of the civil service in military affairs in the preservation of the honor of the Republic of the Philippines and in nation building, the Philippine Legion of Honor is conferred on the anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence.

The Philippine Legion of Honor may be awarded by the Secretary of National Defense in the name and by authority of the President of the Philippines. The President is the head of state and of the government of the Republic of the Philippines. ...

Ranks

The civilian division of the Philippine Legion of Honor is composed of the following ranks:

Chief Commander (Punong Komandante) - Conferred upon a civilian for life achievement in public service not otherwise qualifying for the Quezon Service Cross; or upon a former or incumbent head of State and/or of government The Quezon Service Cross is the highest national recognition of the Republic of the Philippines. ...

Grand Commander (Marangal na Komandante) – Conferred upon a civilian for singular acts of service with a tangible impact on the Philippine military sphere; or upon a Crown Prince, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House, Chief Justice or the equivalent, foreign minister or other official of cabinet rank; or upon an Ambassador, Undersecretary, Assistant Secretary, or other person of a rank similar or equivalent to the foregoing for life achievement in the military field

Grand Officer (Marangal na Pinuno) – Conferred upon a civilian for acts of exemplary merit benefiting the Republic of the Philippines; or upon a Charge d’affaires, e.p., Minister, Minister Counselor, Consul General heading a consular post, Executive Director, or other person of a rank similar or equivalent to the foregoing

Commander (Komandante) – Conferred upon a civilian for acts of conspicuous merit benefiting the Republic of the Philippines; or upon a Charge d’affaires, a.i., Counselor, First Secretary, Consul General in the consular section of an Embassy, Consular officer with a personal rank higher than Second Secretary, Director, or other person of a rank similar or equivalent to the foregoing

Officer (Pinuno) – Conferred upon a civilian for acts of commendable merit benefiting the Republic of the Philippines; or upon a Second Secretary, Consul, Assistant Director, or other person of a rank similar or equivalent to the foregoing

Legionnaire (Lehiyonaryo) – Conferred upon a civilian for acts of merit benefiting the Republic of the Philippines; or upon a Third Secretary, Vice Consul, Attaché, Principal Assistant, or other person of a rank similar or equivalent to the foregoing.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has its own regulations governing the conferment of the Philippine Legion of Honor. Military branches  Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps and Coast Guard), Air Force Military manpower - military age  18 years of age (2001) Military manpower - availability  males age 15-49: 22,435,982 (2004 est. ...

Famous recipients

Chief Commander: The first recipient of the rank (then known as degree) of Chief Commander was U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, given posthumously in 1947. Other recipients include General Douglas MacArthur and Emperor Akihito of Japan. Grand Commander: This rank was only established in 2003, and there have been no recipients of this rank to date. Grand Officer: This rank was only established in 2003, and there have been no recipients to date. Commander: Officer: Legionnaire: Order: 32nd President Vice President: John N. Garner Henry A. Wallace Harry S. Truman Term of office: March 4, 1933 – April 12, 1945 Preceded by: Herbert Hoover Succeeded by: Harry S. Truman Date of birth: January 30, 1882 Place of birth: Hyde Park, New York Date of death: April 12... MacArthur landing at Leyte Beach in 1944. ... His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito (明仁), tennō heika (天皇陛下), (born December 23, 1933) is the 125th, and current, Emperor (天皇 tennō) of Japan. ...