An Internationally-Recognized United States' Businessman

International Recognition for IBM's Thomas J. Watson Sr.

The image above is a high-quality, black-and-white picture of Thomas J. Watson Sr. receiving the Medal for Merit after World War II from U.S. Secretary of War Robert P. Patterson in 1947 [THINK Magazine, June 1957].

The following are some of the expressions of appreciation expressed in more than forty decorations given to Thomas J. Watson Sr. from 1937 through 1955:

• “To reward a good friend of our country [Dominican Republic] and acknowledgement of your noble endeavors in behalf of Pan-Americanism—the political gospel of the New World.”
• “To express the high esteem of the Government of Haiti for the service which you have rendered.”
• “The people of Athens vote and proclaim as a token of honor and gratitude Thomas J. Watson as Honorary Citizen of Athens [other Honorary Citizens included Winston Churchill, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and David Lloyd George] for his valuable and excellent services which he offered to the Greek Nation.”
• “In recognition of Mr. Watson’s efforts in promoting cooperation and good relations between Chile and the U.S..”
• The Salvation Army for his “devotion to the cause of peace, his support of education, and his unwavering adherence to spiritual ideals and moral principles, in bringing to the people of all nations recognition of the essential dignity of man.”

• To recognize both Mr. and Mrs. Watson as “longtime friends of the Greek people.”
  

• For “furthering international good fellowship and understanding, not only in South America [Peru] but the whole world.”

This is a partial list of Thomas J. Watson Sr.'s international awards that few other 20th Century business figures have matched. The date, country, and name of the award presented is provided:

• 1937 Germany: Merit Cross of the German Eagle with Star (returned June 1940)
• 1937 Sweden: Order of Vasa, Cross of Commander, First Class
• 1937 Yugoslavia: Order of the Yugoslav Crown, Commander First Class
• 1937 Belgium: Order of the Crown of Belgium, Commander
• 1938 Finland: Order of the White Rose, Grand Officer, Commander 1st Class
• 1938 Greece: Royal Order of George I, Cross of Commander
• 1939 Cambodia: Grande Croix de Cambodge
• 1939 Brazil: National Order of the Southern Cross, Commander
• 1939 Denmark: Royal Order of Dannebrog, Commander, First Grade/Class
• 1939 Hungary: Cordon of the Grande Croix
• 1939 Portugal: Ancient and Most Noble Order of Christ, Commander
• 1940 Ecuador: National Order of Merit, Officer
• 1940 United States: Captain Robert Dollar Memorial Award
• 1943 Ecuador: National Order of Merit, Grand Officer
• 1943 Bolivia: Condor of the Andes
• 1943 Peru: Order of the Sun, Grand Officer (highest civilian award)​
• 1944 Dominican Republic: Order of Merit Juan Pablo Duarte, Cavalier
• 1944 Republic of Haiti: National Order of Honor and Merit, Grand Officer
• 1945 Venezuela: Order del Libertado, Commander
• 1945 Athens, Greece: Honorary Citizen of Athens
• 1946 Paraguay: National Order of Merit, Commander
• 1946 Cuba: Order of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, Knight Commander
• 1947 Mexico: Order of the Aztec Eagle
• 1947 United States: Medal for Merit (highest civilian award)  (select link to read)
• 1948 Britain: Order of the British Empire, Honorary Commander
• 1948 China: Order of Ching Hsin, Auspicious Star
• 1949 Republic of Panama: Eloy Alfaro International Foundation Cross
• 1949 United States: Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Citation
• 1950 Americas: First Arbitration Association International Award
• 1950 Lima, Peru: Honorary Citizen
• 1951 Chile: O’Higgins Order of Merit, Grand Officer Class (highest civilian award)
• 1952 United States: American Foundation for the Blind Migel Medal
• 1953 Italy: Order of the Stella della Solidarieta Italia (highest civilian award)
• 1953 United States: Annual National American Legion Citation
• 1953 United States: The Salvation Army Pinnacle of Achievement Award
• 1954 Greece: Royal Order of George I, Grand Commander
• 1955 United States: Yeshiva University, Charter Day Award

Full Article on Tom Watson: The World's Most Internationally Honored Businessman.