Retired Gen. Ryoichi Oriki, former Chief of Staff of The Joint Staff, Japan Self Defense Forces, receives the Legion of Merit medal pinned by U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Sam Angelella, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, at Yokota Air Base, Nov. 30, 2012. Oriki received the award for meritorious conduct, performance and achievement during bilateral disaster relief operations at the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake last year. Oriki retired in January 2012. The Legion of Merit was established by Congress on July 20, 1942; by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Legion of Merit is also awarded to members of armed forces of friendly foreign nations who have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Osakabe Yasuo)

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U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Sam Angelella, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, presents The Legion of Merit to retired Japan Self Defense Forces Gen. Ryoichi Oriki, former Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, JSDF, at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2012. Oriki led more than 100,000 JSDF servicemembers in bilateral disaster relief operations at the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan last year. Oriki retired in January 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/Osakabe Yasuo)

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Retired Japan Self Defense Forces Gen. Ryoichi Oriki, former Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, JSDF, delivers a speech after he was awarded The Legion of Merit medal at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2012. "It is a medal for the concentrated efforts of the Self Defense Forces members," Oriki said of the award. (U.S. Air Force photo/Osakabe Yasuo)

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Retired JSDF general receives The Legion of Merit

Published Dec. 2, 2012