[CJE]

The "Légion d'Honneur" is the best that can be awarded to a French soldier... There are several degrees: chevalier, officier, commandeur, grand officier and grand-croix. Only 75 "grand-croix" have been awarded.
It can be awarded to men, women, foreigners, whatever the rank.

When it was created by Napoléon Bonaparte in 1802, it was a high military award. Since it can now also be awarded to civilians for anything that can promote France abroad (singers, novelists, footballers...), military think it's kind of a devaluated medal.

We, French, have never been able since Napoléon to create a highly coveted award, such as the Ritterkreuz, "Pour le Mérite", Congressional Medal of Honor or VC (though, as most VCs were awarded posthumously, I doubt it was a highly coveted award!).