U.S. Legion of Merit presented to RCAF officer
News Article / June 19, 2012
David Jacobson, United States Ambassador to Canada, presented Colonel Todd Balfe, Royal Canadian Air Force, with the United States Legion of Merit (Degree of Officer) for his outstanding leadership as the deputy commander of NORAD's Alaska Region. The decoration was presented June 5, at the United States Embassy in Ottawa.
Colonel Balfe was commended for his exceptional devotion to duty, and his significant contributions both to the maintenance of North American air security as well as to the close relationship between United States and Canadian Forces in NORAD.
There are four divisions of the United States Legion of Merit; the first three are awarded only to members of armed forces of foreign nations.
The degree of Chief Commander is awarded to heads of state or government, The degree of Commander is awarded to recipients who are equivalent of a U.S military chief of staff or higher, but not a head of state, the degree of Officer is awarded general or flag officers, colonels or military attachés, and U.S. military personnel are awarded the degree of Legionnaire/Legion of Merit.