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Cécile DeWitt-Morette has been elevated to Officer in the French Legion of Honor
Cécile DeWitt-Morette named Officer in French Legion of Honor
Cécile DeWitt-Morette, the Jane and Roland Blumberg Professor of Physics, was recently promoted to the rank of Officer in the French Legion of Honor. The Order is the highest decoration in France, and her promotion within the Order is a major honor. While the exact reasons for receiving the honor are never specified, it recognizes Cécile’s continuing contribution to French science and culture.
Having already been awarded the medal of the Knights of the Legion of Honor, she will be changing the red ribbon denoting her status as a Knight for the red ribbon with a Rosette denoting an Officer of the Legion, the next rank of the Legion of Honor. The remaining three ranks are Commander, Grand Officer, and Grand Cross. Grand Cross is usually dedicated to Heads of State (kings, emperors, and presidents).
Napoleon Bonaparte created the French Legion of Honor in 1802 to honor exemplary civil or military conduct.