Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Who could receive the Medal for Merit during World War II?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
medal
Pierre and Marie Curie depicted on the obverse of a medal from the Unio Internationalis Contra Cancrum (International Union Against Cancer) commemorating the Curies' discovery of radium in 1898.
The Medal for Merit was established in 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to recognize civilians who performed exceptionally meritorious service or courageous acts that aided the war effort.1
It is important to clarify that this decoration was strictly reserved for civilians; military personnel were not eligible to receive it. The award could be conferred upon civilians of the United States as well as civilians from allied nations. The final authority to grant the medal rests with the president.1