AN ANTIQUE FRENCH COMMANDER OF THE NATIONAL ORDER OF THE LEGION OF HONOUR BADGE the badge of the order designed as a Maltese Asterisk accented by olive and oak branches, with the motto of the order 'HONEUR ET PATRIE' translating to 'Honour and Fatherland', decorated with green, blue, white and red enamel, French maker's mark, the bail with French assay marks for 18ct yellow gold, 8.5cm, 37.6g. Accompanied by the original Cartier presentation box, red ribbon, and enamel badge for the Princeton University Triangle Club. The inside of the presentation box is written, 'Awarded Jan. 1, 1919 Conferred N.Y. Mar. 22, 1919.' The National Order of the Legion of Honour is the highest French order of merit. Membership of the order is restricted to French nationals, although exceptions are made for foreign nationals who have served France or the ideals it upholds. This order was awarded to Dr. Henry van Dyke Jr. in 1919. Princeton graduate Henry van Dyke was a prolific author, scholar and poet who later served as the American ambassador to the Netherlands during WWI, during which time he worked tirelessly to assist American citizens in Europe.