page_title: Medal for Merit
hierarchical_section_title: Medal for Merit
caption_attribution_description: English: US Medal of Merit awarded to Methodist Missionary Reverend Archie Wharton Ellesmere Silvester, WW2 for his assistance in hiding 165 survivors of USS Helena for 8 days on Vella Lavella in the Solomon Islands gold and enamel medal on grosgrain ribbon with ribbon bar and rosette in original medal box markings- medal name marked in gilt on lid of medal box- MEDAL FOR MERIT
context_page_description: The Medal for Merit was, during the period it was awarded, the highest civilian decoration of the United States. It was awarded by the President of the United States to civilians who "distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services" in the war effort "since the proclamation of an emergency by the President on September 8, 1939". Awards to civilians of foreign nations were eligible "only for the performance of exceptionally meritorious or courageous act or acts in furtherance of the war efforts of the United Nations."
  The medal is made of gold-finished bronze and enamel and is worn on the left chest from a ribbon.
context_section_description: The Medal for Merit was, during the period it was awarded, the highest civilian decoration of the United States. It was awarded by the President of the United States to civilians who "distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services" in the war effort "since the proclamation of an emergency by the President on September 8, 1939". Awards to civilians of foreign nations were eligible "only for the performance of exceptionally meritorious or courageous act or acts in furtherance of the war efforts of the United Nations."
  The medal is made of gold-finished bronze and enamel and is worn on the left chest from a ribbon.
caption: Obverse and reverse of the Medal for Merit
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