Property from the Buzz Aldrin Family Trust
Buzz Aldrin's Legion of Merit
Auction Closed
July 26, 06:15 PM GMT
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
United States Air Force Legion of Merit (Legionnaire Degree). Obverse of gilt metal, enamel wreath of green laurel joined at bottom by gold bow with five crossed arrows inside, five-pointed white enamel star bordered in crimson, points reversed with v-shaped extremities tipped with gold ball, blue enamel disk encircled by gold clouds, 13 white stars arranged in the pattern appearing on the Great Seal of the United States. Reverse with five crossed arrows and gold bow repeated, motto "Annuit Coeptus MDCCLXXII," Latin for "He [God] Has Favored Our Undertakings 1782." WITH: associated service ribbon.
Directly from the Personal Collection of Apollo 11 Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin
BUZZ ALDRIN'S LEGION OF MERIT, AWARDED FOR HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS DURING THE GEMINI AND APOLLO SPACE PROGRAMS, JANUARY 15, 1964 - APRIL 30, 1971
The citation for Buzz Aldrin's Legion of Merit, bestowed on May 24, 1971, reads:
"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Edwin E. (Buzz) Aldrin, Jr., United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as an Astronaut with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration while assigned to the 1st United States Air Force Special Activities Squadron, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston, Texas, from 15 January 1964 to 30 April 1971. During this period, the leadership, diligence, and perseverance displayed by Colonel Aldrin in the areas of mission planning and orbital rendezvous were of major importance in the success of the GEMINI and APOLLO space programs. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Aldrin reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force."
REFERENCES:
"The Hall of Valor Project - Edwin E. (Buzz) Aldrin." Military Times, https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/33821
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