<I>Légion d'honneur</I>
date: label: Date
content: July 24, 1992
name: label: Created by
content: Grand Chancery of the Legion of Honor, French, founded 1802
label: Received by
content: General Colin L. Powell, American, 1937 - 2021
notes: label: Caption
content: This is a miniature version of the Legion of Honor that was awarded to General Colin Powell at the French embassy in Paris in 1992. The Legion of Honor was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in May 1802 and is the highest decoration in France. It is divided into five degrees of increasing distinction: Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), Commandeur (Commander), Grand Officier (Grand Officer) and Grand Croix (Grand Cross). General Powell was awarded the medal with the degree of Commandeur. The miniature version of the medal is worn on informal attire.
label: Description
content: A miniature Legion of Honor ribbon badge awarded by the Grand Chancery of the Legion of Honor to General Colin L. Powell. This ribbon badge is a replica of the larger badge and includes indication of the rank given to General Powell, Commandeur, as seen by the round red wheel over the silver square. The badge is an intricately constructed five-armed Maltese Asterisk, a pennant-ended cross of enamel over yellow gold. The cross arms have gold borders and the interstices between the arms are covered with white enamel. The center of the cross is a gold medallion with a white enamel border and bears the emblem of the Legion of Honor, which is a five-pointed star with a crown above it. The French Tricolor of two crossed red, white, and blue flags, in enamel, is also represented. The dark blue enameled ring of the medallion features the engraved words "HONNEUR ET PATIE" (Honor and Fatherland). A gold oak wreath is superimposed beneath the cross and enameled in verdant green. The obverse side of the medallion features an engraved portrait of Marianne, the symbol of the French Republic, wearing a Phrygian cap and surrounded by the engraved words, "République Française" (French Republic). The badge was originally stored alongside its larger parent in a red presentation box (A2022.101.1.6.1b).
place: label: Place made
content: France, Europe
title: label: Title
content: Miniature Legion of Honor badge awarded to General Colin L. Powell
topic: label: Topic
content: African American
label: Topic
content: Government
label: Topic
content: International affairs
label: Topic
content: Men
label: Topic
content: Military
label: Topic
content: U.S. History, 1969-2001
setName: label: See more items in
content: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
label: Classification
content: Awards, Medals, and Insignia
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Alma J. Powell
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of African American History and Culture
identifier: label: Object number
content: A2022.101.1.6.2
objectType: label: Type
content: regalia
label: Type
content: badges
objectRights: label: Restrictions & Rights
content: Unknown – Restrictions Possible
label: Restrictions & Rights
content: Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
physicalDescription: label: Medium
content: enamel on gold , silk (fiber)
label: Dimensions
content: H x W x D: 2 3/4 × 1/2 × 3/16 in. (7 × 1.3 × 0.4 cm)