193. FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (1882-1945) Thirty-second President of the United States who instituted the "New Deal" programs and who led the United States through most of World War II. A fine and rare pair of documents awarding the Legion of Merit upon Soviet Lt. Col. Prokofi Mefodievich Sidorchuk. The lot includes a D.S. "Franklin D. Roosevelt" as President, 1p. oblong sm. folio, Washington, June 26, 1944 awarding the Legion of Merit for "...extraordinary fidelity and exceptionally meritorious conduct...". Countersigned by HENRY L. STINSON as Secretary of War and bearing an embossed color engraving of the medal at top of document. Together with the original citation for Sidorchuk, a typed D.S. "Franklin D. Roosevelt" as President on White Houe letterhead, 1p. 4to., Washington [n.d., c. 1944] which describes the activities of the Red Army officer: "...In the operations conducted by the troops under Colonel Sidorchuk an artillery battery and 7 tanks were destroyed on 10 May 1943 as a result of intense fighting and heavy casualties inflicted upon German troops. During later operations from 18 to 25 October 1943 under his command, many bridges and tanks were destroyed and large numbers of German officers and soldiers killed..." Apparently there were only about thirty of these documents issued and signed by Roosevelt. Both boldly signed, bearing a few light wrinkles, otherwise very good condition. $2000-3000