Editing Legion of Honour (section)

==Organisation==
{{More citations needed|section|date=September 2021}}

===Legal status and leadership===
The Legion of Honour is a national order of France, meaning a public incorporated body. The Legion is regulated by a [[code (law)|civil law code]], the "Code of the Legion of Honour and of the Military Medal". While the [[President of France|President of the French Republic]] is the Grand Master of the order, day-to-day running is entrusted to the Grand Chancery (''{{lang|fr|Grande Chancellerie de la Légion d'honneur}}'').

====Grand Master====
[[File:GrandCollier.jpg|thumb|Current [[Collar (order)|collar]] of the Fifth Republic, which is the insignia of the [[President of France|Grand Master]] at the [[Élysée Palace]] during a presidential inauguration. The collar is usually kept in the [[Musée de la Légion d'honneur|Musée de la Legion d'Honneur]].]]

Since the establishment of the Legion, the Grand Master of the order has always been the Emperor, King or President of France. [[President of France|President]] [[Emmanuel Macron]] therefore became the Grand Master of the Legion on 14 May 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Passation de pouvoir entre François Hollande et Emmanuel Macron |work=Public Senat |date=14 May 2017 |access-date=9 May 2021 |url= https://www.publicsenat.fr/article/politique/elysee-passation-de-pouvoir-entre-francois-hollande-et-emmanuel-macron-60574 |language=fr }}</ref>

The Grand Master appoints all other members of the order, on the advice of the French government. The Grand Master's insignia is the [[Grand Collar]] of the Legion. The President of the Republic, as Grand Master of the order, receives the Collar as part of his investiture, but the Grand Masters have not worn the Collar since [[Valéry Giscard d'Estaing]].<ref name=France24>{{Cite web |title=France's legion of honour: Who makes the cut and how? |publisher=FRANCE 24 English |work=France in Focus |via=YouTube |date=27 January 2019 |access-date=9 May 2021 |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW3d58Ckbi0 | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211028/mW3d58Ckbi0| archive-date=28 October 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

====The Grand Chancery====
The Grand Chancery is headed by the Grand Chancellor ({{lang|fr|grand chancelier}}), usually a retired general, as well as the Secretary-General ({{lang|fr|secrétaire général}}), a civilian administrator.
* Grand Chancellor: [[Army General (France)|General]] [[François Lecointre]] (since 2023)
* Secretary-General: Julien Le Gars (since 2023)<ref>[https://www.legiondhonneur.fr/fr/actualites/nouvelles-nominations-la-tete-de-la-grande-chancellerie/2013/6 "Nouvelles nominations à la tête de la grande chancellerie"], Legion of Honour (in French), 1 September 2023.</ref>

The Grand Chancery also regulates the [[National Order of Merit (France)|National Order of Merit]] and the {{lang|fr|[[médaille militaire]]}} (Military Medal). There are several structures funded by and operated under the authority of the Grand Chancery, like the [[Maison d'éducation de la Légion d'honneur|Legion of Honour Schools]] ({{lang|fr|Maisons d'éducation de la Légion d'honneur}}) and the [[Musée de la Légion d'honneur|Legion of Honour Museum]] ({{lang|fr|Musée de la Légion d'honneur}}). The Legion of Honour Schools are élite boarding schools in {{lang|fr|[[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]]|italic=no}} and {{lang|fr|Camp des Loges|italic=no}} in the forest of {{lang|fr|[[Saint-Germain-en-Laye]]|italic=no}}. Study there is restricted to daughters, granddaughters, and great-granddaughters of members of the order, the {{lang|fr|[[médaille militaire]]}} or the {{lang|fr|[[ordre national du Mérite]]}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.melh.info/spip.php?rubrique4|title=Modalités d'admission|website=Maison d'éducation de la Légion d'honneur|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225155804/http://www.melh.info/spip.php?rubrique4|archive-date=25 December 2013}}</ref>

===Membership===
{{See also|Lists of Légion d'honneur recipients}}

There are five classes in the Legion of Honour:

* '''{{lang|fr|Chevalier}}''' (Knight): minimum 20 years of public service or 25 years of professional activity with "eminent merits"
* '''{{lang|fr|Officier}}''' (Officer): minimum 8 years in the rank of {{lang|fr|Chevalier}}
* '''{{lang|fr|Commandeur}}''' (Commander): minimum 5 years in the rank of {{lang|fr|Officier}}
* '''{{lang|fr|Grand officier}}''' (Grand Officer): minimum 3 years in the rank of {{lang|fr|Commandeur}}
* '''{{lang|fr|Grand-croix}}''' (Grand Cross): minimum 3 years in the rank of {{lang|fr|Grand-officier}}

The "eminent merits" required to be awarded the order require the flawless performance of one's trade as well as doing more than ordinarily expected, such as being creative, zealous and contributing to the growth and well-being of others.

The order has a maximum quota of 75 Grand Cross, 250 Grand Officers, 1,250 Commanders, 10,000 Officers, and 113,425 (ordinary) Knights. {{As of|2010|post=,}} the actual membership was 67 Grand Cross, 314 Grand Officers, 3,009 Commanders, 17,032 Officers and 74,384 Knights. Appointments of veterans of [[World War II]], French military personnel involved in the [[North African Campaign]] and other foreign French military operations, as well as wounded soldiers, are made independently of the quota.

Members convicted of a felony ({{lang|fr|crime}} in French) are automatically dismissed from the order. Members convicted of a misdemeanour ({{lang|fr|délit}} in French) can be dismissed as well, although this is not automatic.

Wearing the decoration of the {{lang|fr|Légion d'honneur}} without having the right to do so is a serious offence. Wearing the ribbon or [[rosette (decoration)|rosette]] of a foreign order is prohibited if that ribbon is mainly red, like the ribbon of the Legion of Honour.

In theory, French military personnel in uniform are required to salute other military members in uniform wearing the medal (but not the ribbon), whatever the {{lang|fr|Légion d'honneur}} rank and the military rank of the bearer. In practice, however, this is rarely done.

There is not a single, complete list of all the members of the Legion in chronological order. The number is estimated at one million, including about 2,900 Knights Grand Cross.<ref>{{cite book| author = M. Wattel, B. Wattel. | title = Les Grand'Croix de la Légion d'honneur de 1805 à nos jours. Titulaires français et étrangers |location= Paris |date = 2009 |publisher= Archives & Culture | isbn = 978-2-35077-135-9| ref = M. et B. Wattel}}</ref>

====French nationals====
French nationals, men and women, can be received into the {{lang|fr|Légion}}, for "eminent merit" ({{lang|fr|mérites éminents}}) in military or civil life. In practice, in current usage, the order is conferred on entrepreneurs, high-level [[French Civil Service|civil servants]], scientists, artists, including famous actors and actresses, sport [[champion]]s,{{efn|All Olympic Gold Medal winners are awarded the {{lang|fr|Légion}}.}} and others with connections in the [[executive branch|executive]]. Members of the [[French Parliament]] cannot receive the order, except for valour in war,<ref>{{lang|fr|Légion}} Code, article R22</ref> and ministers are not allowed to nominate their accountants.

Until 2008, French nationals could only enter the Legion of Honour at the class of {{lang|fr|Chevalier}} (Knight). To be promoted to a higher class, one had to perform new eminent services in the interest of France and a set number of years had to pass between appointment and promotion. This was however amended in 2008 when entry became possible at Officer, Commander and Grand Officer levels, as a recognition of "extraordinary careers" ({{lang|fr|carrières hors du commun}}). In 2009, [[Simone Veil]] became the first person to enter the Order at Grand Officer level.<ref>{{cite news |language=fr |title=Simone Veil grand officier de la légion d'honneur |url=http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/culture/20081231.OBS7893/simone-veil-grand-officier-de-la-legion-d-honneur.html |newspaper=[[Le Nouvel Observateur]] |location=Paris |date=31 December 2008 |access-date=25 August 2015 }}</ref> Veil was a member of the {{lang|fr|[[Académie française]]}}, a former [[Minister of Health (France)|Health Minister]] and [[President of the European Parliament]], as well as an [[Auschwitz]] survivor. She was promoted to Grand Cross in 2012.

Every year at least five recipients decline the award. Even if they refuse to accept it, they are still included in the order's official membership.<ref name=France24/> The composers [[Maurice Ravel]] and [[Charles Koechlin]], for example, declined the award when it was offered to them.<ref name=grove>{{cite encyclopedia |last=Kelly |first=Barbara L. |author-link=Barbara L. Kelly |year=2001 |encyclopedia=[[Grove Music Online]] |title=Ravel, (Joseph) Maurice |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |location=Oxford |doi=10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.52145 |isbn=978-1-56159-263-0 |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000052145 }} {{Grove Music subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Orledge |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Orledge |year=1989 |title=Charles Koechlin (1867–1950): His Life and Works |page=16|publisher=[[Psychology Press]] |location=London |isbn=978-3-7186-0609-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/charleskoechlin10001orle |url-access=registration }}</ref>

====Non-French recipients====
{{Main|List of foreign recipients of the Légion d'Honneur by country|List of foreign recipients of the Légion d'Honneur by decade}}

While membership in the {{lang|fr|Légion}} is technically restricted to French nationals,<ref>{{lang|fr|Légion}} Code, article 16</ref> foreign nationals who have served France or the ideals it upholds<ref>"{{lang|fr|Les étrangers qui se seront signalés par les services qu'ils ont rendus à la France ou aux causes qu'elle soutient}}", {{lang|fr|Légion}} Code, article 128</ref> may receive the honour.<ref>{{cite web |title=5 Things to Know about the Legion of Honor |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2015/08/24/a-look-at-the-legion-of-honor-frances-most-storied-medal |website=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=24 August 2015 }}</ref> Foreign nationals who live in France are subject to the same requirements as the French. Foreign nationals who live abroad may be awarded a distinction of any rank or dignity in the {{lang|fr|Légion}}. Foreign heads of state and their spouses or consorts of monarchs are made Grand Cross as a courtesy. American and British veterans who served in either [[World War]] on French soil,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/L-55282-24SI|title=Honours and Awards &#124; The Gazette 15 October 1998. Issue: 55282. Notice ID:L-55282-24SI|website=www.thegazette.co.uk}}</ref> or during the 1944 campaigns to liberate France,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/d-day-veterans-award-of-the-legion-dhonneur|title=D-Day veterans to be awarded the Legion d'Honneur|website=GOV.UK}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://boston.consulfrance.org/The-Legion-d-Honneur-for-US-veterans|title=The Legion d'Honneur for US veterans|website=Consulat Général de France à Boston}}</ref> may be eligible for appointment as Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, provided they were still living when the honour was approved.

====Collective awards====
Collective appointments can be made to cities, institutions or companies. A total of 64 settlements in France have been decorated, as well as six foreign cities: [[Liège]] in 1914,<ref>{{cite web |title=Liège. From the siege of 1914 to the honours of 1919 – The image of Belgium – RTBF World War 1 |url=https://www.rtbf.be/ww1/topics/detail_liege-from-the-siege-of-1914-to-the-honours-of-1919?id=8355948 |website=RTBF |access-date=18 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref> [[Belgrade]] in 1920,<ref>{{cite web |title=Received Decorations |url=http://www.beograd.rs/en/discover-belgrade/201227-received-decorations/ |website=www.beograd.rs |access-date=18 June 2020}}</ref> [[Luxembourg City]] in 1957, [[Volgograd]] (the World War II 'Stalingrad') in 1984,<ref>{{cite news |title=What is the Legion d'Honneur? |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3742905.stm |access-date=18 June 2020 |work=BBC News |date=24 May 2004}}</ref> [[Algiers]] in 2004, and [[London]] in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.legiondhonneur.fr/fr/actualites/londres-recoit-la-legion-dhonneur/1668/1|title=Londres reçoit la Légion d'honneur &#124; La grande chancellerie|website=www.legiondhonneur.fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=French President Macron presents London with the Legion d'Honneur |url=https://news.sky.com/video/french-president-macron-presents-london-with-the-legion-dhonneur-12009757 |access-date=18 June 2020 |work=Sky News |date=18 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref> French towns display the decoration in their [[civic heraldry|municipal coat of arms]].

Organisations to receive the honour include the [[French Red Cross]] ({{lang|fr|Croix-Rouge Française}}), the {{lang|fr|Abbaye de Nôtre-Dame des Dombes}} ([[Abbey of Notre-Dame des Dombes]]), the French National Railway Company ({{lang|fr|[[SNCF]], Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français}}), the {{lang|fr|Préfecture de Police de la Ville de Paris}} ([[Prefecture of Police of Paris]]), and various {{lang|fr|[[Grandes Écoles]]}} (National (Elite) Colleges) and other educational establishments.

====Military awards====
[[File:Ordre national de la Légion d’Honneur, Croix de Chevalier attribuée au lieutenant Tessier.jpg|thumb|Notice of posthumous award of the {{lang|fr|Croix de Chevalier}} to Lieutenant Robert Léon Tessier—{{lang|fr|[[Mort pour la France]]}} ("Died for France") in [[World War I]]]]

The military distinctions ({{lang|fr|Légion d'honneur à titre militaire}}) are awarded for bravery ({{lang|fr|actions de guerre}}) or for service.

* award for extreme bravery: the {{lang|fr|Légion d'Honneur}} is awarded jointly with a [[mention in dispatches]]. This is the top valour award in France. It is rarely awarded, mainly to soldiers who have died in battle.
* award for service: the {{lang|fr|Légion}} is awarded without any citation.

=====French service-members=====
For active-duty commissioned officers, the Legion of Honour award for service is achieved after 20 years of meritorious service, having been awarded the rank of {{lang|fr|Chevalier}} of the {{lang|fr|[[Ordre National du Mérite]]}}. Bravery awards lessen the time needed for the award—in fact decorated servicemen become directly chevaliers of the {{lang|fr|Légion d'Honneur}}, skipping the {{lang|fr|Ordre du Mérite}}. NCOs almost never achieve that award, except for the most heavily decorated service members.

=====Collective military awards=====
Collective appointments can be made to military units. In the case of a military unit, its flag is decorated with the insignia of a knight, which is a different award from the {{lang|fr|[[fourragère]]}}. Twenty-one schools, mainly schools providing reserve officers during the World Wars, were awarded the Légion d'Honneur. Foreign military units can be decorated with the order, such as the [[U.S. Military Academy]].

The Flag or Standard of the following units was decorated with the Cross of a Knight of the Legion of Honour:{{efn|Officially, military units are not members of the Legion of Honour, which include only individuals. As for foreign Legionnaires, they are "decorated with the Legion of Honour insignia", not "member of the Legion of Honour". Do not confuse military units that received the {{lang|fr|[[fourragère]]}} to the colour of the ribbon of the Legion of Honour (units quoted at six, seven or eight times in the order of the army with military units whose flag is decorated with the Cross of the Legion of Honour.}}

* [[1st Foreign Regiment]]
* [[1st Marine Artillery Regiment]]
* [[1st Marine Infantry Regiment]]
* [[1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment]]
* [[324th Intelligence Squadron|1st Photographic Technical Unit]] ([[United States Army Air Forces|USAAF]] Forward-deployed Reconnaissance Unit)
* [[1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment|1st Parachute {{lang|fr|Chasseur|nocat=y}} Regiment]]
* 1st Regiment of African {{lang|fr|[[Chasseur]]s}}
* 1st Regiment of Algerian {{lang|fr|[[Tirailleur]]s}}
* 1st Regiment of Riflemen
* 1st Regiment of Senegalese {{lang|fr|Tirailleurs}}
* 1st Train Regiment
* [[2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment]]
* [[2nd Marine Infantry Regiment]]
* 2nd Regiment of Algerian {{lang|fr|Tirailleurs}}
* 2nd Regiment of {{lang|fr|[[Zouave]]s}}
* 3rd Algerian Infantry Regiment
* [[3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment]]
* 3rd Regiment of {{lang|fr|Zouaves}}
* [[4th Tunisian Tirailleurs Regiment]]
* 4th Regiment of {{lang|fr|Zouaves}}
* Joint 4th Regiment of {{lang|fr|Zouaves}} and {{lang|fr|Tirailleurs}}
* 7th Algerian Infantry Regiment
* 8th Infantry Regiment
* [[8th Zouaves Regiment]]
* 9th Regiment of {{lang|fr|Zouaves}}
* [[11th Marine Artillery Regiment]]
* 23rd Infantry Regiment
* 23rd Marine Infantry Regiment
* 24th Marine Infantry Regiment
* 26th Infantry Regiment
* 30th Battalion of {{lang|fr|Chasseurs}}
* 43rd Marine Infantry Regiment
* 51st Infantry Regiment
* 57th Infantry Regiment
* 112th Line Infantry Regiment (French infantry regiment consisting of mostly Belgians, known as "The Victors of [[Battle of Raab|Raab]]")
* 137th Infantry Regiment
* 152nd Infantry Regiment
* 153rd Infantry Regiment
* 298th Infantry Regiment
* Fighter Squadron 1/30 [[Normandie-Niemen]]
* {{lang|fr|[[Fusiliers Marins]]}} (Naval Infantry)
* [[Moroccan Goumier|Moroccan {{lang|fr|Goumier|nocat=y}}]]
* [[Paris Fire Brigade]]
* {{lang|fr|[[Régiment d'infanterie-chars de marine]]}} (Colonial Infantry Regiment of Morocco). Book of the regiment will be fighting its most decorated emblem of the French army.