RADM(NS) Ronnie Tay, Chief Executive Officer of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore and former Chief of Navy, Republic of Singapore Navy, has been conferred the title of Officer in the Order of Légion d'Honneur (Legion of Honour) by the French Government.

His Excellency Pierre Buhler, Ambassador of France to Singapore, conferred the medal to RADM(NS) Tay at a decoration ceremony on 13 November 2008.

RADM(NS) Ronnie Tay (right), was honoured for promoting cooperation between the French and Singaporean navies.

Originally created in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Order of the Légion d'Honneur became in 1830 the first National Order, and remains the most important one. The President of the French Republic is the "Grand Maître" of this Order, the aim of which is to reward civilians and militaries, French or foreigners, for their distinguished actions.

Past Singaporean recipients include former Chiefs of Defence Forces, Chiefs of Intelligence, Permanent Secretaries and Chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

In a statement, the French Embassy of Singapore said RADM(NS) Tay played an instrumental role in promoting cooperation between the French and Singaporean navies, as well as enhancing the logistical role of Singapore in the French defense organisation. He played a major role in the on-going transformation of the Republic of Singapore Navy into a Third Generation Navy, bringing into service the six "Formidable" class frigates built in cooperation with France.