Description

For sale is an original Legion of Merit, Legionnaire Degree, presented in its original case and officially engraved with the name of Colonel Pierre A. Finck, M.D. The Legion of Merit is among the highest United States military decorations, awarded to those whose conduct and achievements reflect exceptional merit and service. The medal itself, in bronze gilt with its characteristic white enamel star and crimson ribbon, remains in excellent condition within its velvet-lined presentation box. Colonel Pierre Antoine Finck (1922–2018) was born in Geneva, Switzerland, and later became a naturalized U.S. citizen. He served in the United States Army Medical Corps and became one of the most respected forensic pathologists of his time. A specialist in wound ballistics and autopsy procedure, he spent much of his career at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, where his work advanced both military and medical understanding of forensic science. His expertise placed him at the center of one of the most significant historical events of the twentieth century: he was one of the three military pathologists who conducted the autopsy of President John F. Kennedy at Bethesda Naval Hospital on November 22, 1963. Dr. Finck later testified before the Warren Commission and other official investigations, providing crucial professional insight into the circumstances of the assassination. The Legion of Merit awarded to Colonel Finck likely recognized his distinguished contributions to the field of forensic pathology and to the medical service of the United States Army. As both a symbol of honor and a record of a remarkable career, the decoration carries with it an inherent historical weight. It connects not only to a highly decorated military physician but also to a moment in American history that continues to be studied and discussed around the world. This piece is offered as a genuine historical and collectible item, reflecting respect for Colonel Finck’s service and professional legacy. It stands as a meaningful artifact for collectors, historians, or institutions interested in preserving materials related to U.S. military medicine and the broader history of twentieth-century forensic investigation. An amazing collectible piece of Americana. Inv: G2564