Gen. Dr. Tibor Benkő Receives the Legion of Merit

Lt.-Gen. Mark P. Hertling presented the Chief of the Defence Staff with the commander
degree of the prestigious US Army Legion of Merit medal. This medal is awarded
for „exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and
achievements". The commander degree of the Legion of Merit is the second highest
decoration that has been awarded to Gen. Benkő for his military service. The first degree
(Chief Commander) of the medal is awarded to heads of states and governments.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 20, 1942,
has awarded the Legion of Merit (Degree of Commander) to

GENERAL TIBOR BENKŐ

CHIEF OF DEFENSE, HUNGARIAN DEFENSE FORCES

for exceptionally meritorious service as the Chief of Defense of the Hungarian Defense
Forces from June 2010 to March 2012.

General Benkő worked with the United States
Army Europe to advance European security cooperation and actively support the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization’s International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
His modernization of the Hungarian Defense Forces’ interoperability and deployment
capabilities has set the framework for the twenty-first century security challenges.

General
Benkő’s contributions to collective security cooperation reflect great credit upon himself, the
Hungarian Defense Forces, and Hungary.