This striking medal is a reproduction of the French Legion of Honor -  in full the National Order of the Legion of Honor (Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur).  It is France’s highest award for military and civil merit.  The order was established in 1802 by  Emperor  Napoléon Bonaparte

This is the medal for the grade of Commander.  It is worn around the neck on a red ribbon.  Each medal comes with 18 inches of the appropriate 40 mm wide red ribbon. American General George S. Patton was a recipient of this grade of the award.  

This medal measures a very large 80 mm from the top of the wreath to the bottom and 60 mm across. It weighs 45 grams (1.6 Oz.).  It is not a cheap lightweight, I assure you!

The front of the five-armed “Maltese Asterisk” (star) has a profile of the emperor in a gold medallion ringed  by the words “Republic Française.”    The reverse has two French flags in the center medallion and the motto “Honneur et Patrie (Honor and Fatherland) of the Order.