France, Fourth Republic. An Order of the Legion of Honour, Grand Cross Breast Star Hold with a leather tab sewn

with a leather tab sewn to the belt with six sets of vertically oriented doubled-up holes for length adjustment

A silvered brass bar extends from the back of the fixture and continues down the side of the shell

the first of this rank to do so

At that early stage of the war

France, Fourth Republic. An Order of the Legion of Honour, Grand Cross Breast Star Hold with a leather tab sewn(Ordre de la Lgion d'Honneur, Chevalier). Instituted in 1802. Type VIII (1870 1951). A Star of the Order, in silver with a five pointed star with ball finials, five smooth rays in each quadrant, measuring 90. 5 mm (w) x 89. 4 mm (h), weighs 106. 37 grams, vertical pinback flanked by dual stays, dark patina on Maltese rays, extremely fine. Contained in original case of issue, brown exterior with interior silk in the lid marked ARTHUS BERTRAND PARIS,