Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 70A.djvu/146

This page needs to be proofread.

88

(2) require a member of the armed forces to march to any voting place. (c) Nothing in this chapter prohibits the free discussion of political issues or candidates for political office. (d) No act done in good faith under this chapter by a member of the armed forces, an officer or employee of the Department of Commerce, or a member of the merchant marine of the United States, while exercising his judgment as to what is practicable and compatible with military and merchant-marine operations, is a violation of any law defining offenses against the elective franchise. § 1086. F r e e postage Whether sent individually or in bulk, official post cards, ballots, voting instructions, and envelopes referred to in this chapter are free of postage, including air mail postage, in the United States mails. CHAPTER 57.—DECORATIONS A N D AWARDS Sec.

1121. Legion of Merit: award. 1122. Medal for Merit: award. 1123. Rigtit to wear badges of military societies.

§1121. Legion of Merit: award The President, under regulations to be prescribed by him, may award a decoration called the Legion of Merit", having suitable appurtenances and devices and not more than four degrees, to any member of the armed forces of the United States or of any friendly foreign nation who, after September 8, 1939, has distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in performing outstanding services. §1122. Medal for Merit: award The President, under regulations to be prescribed by him, may award a decoration called the "Medal for Merit", having distinctive appurtenances and devices and only one degree, to any civilian of any nation prosecuting the war in existence on July 20, 1942, under the joint declaration of the United Nations, as then constituted, or of any other friendly foreign nation, who, after September 8, 1939, has distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in performing outstanding services. The Medal for Merit may be awarded to a civilian of a foreign nation but only for performing an exceptionally meritorious or courageous act in the furtherance of the war efforts of the United Nations as then constituted. § 1123. Right to wear badges of military societies (a) A member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps who is a member of a military society originally composed of men who served in an armed force of the United States during the Revolutionary War, the W a r of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrection, or the Chinese Relief Expedition of 1900 may wear, on occasions of ceremony, the distinctive badges adopted by that society. (b) A member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps who is a member of the Army and Navy Union of the United States