The Legion of Valor is one of the two most unusual organizations in the United States. Membership is not achieved by birth, social position, political appointment, wealth, academic achievement or other requirements that most societies and organizations have established for membership qualification.
Eligibility is limited to recipients of our nation's two highest decorations for valor.
The official presentations of these decorations to members of the Armed Forces in appropriate ceremonies determine who its members will be. At its inception, the name was The Medal of Honor Legion . The membership was augmented following the Spanish Campaign of 1898 and following the Philippines Insurrection. In 1933, members of the United States Navy and Marine Corps, who were recipients of the Navy Cross, the second ranking Navy decoration for extraordinary heroism, were invited to join the membership and the name of this prestigious organization was changed to The Army and Navy Legion of Valor. Inc. Each of the three services has its own distinctive design for the Medal of Honor and the three Crosses.