Speaking at a ceremony in Zagreb, Mesic said that Lee had played a major part in the development of forensic medicine in Croatia during the 1991-1995 Croatian war of independence.
The American scientist "contributed to the development of forensics in Croatia, which helped in identifying war victims," Mesic said. "Since we could not save some people during the war, at least we can give them a decent burial," he added.
Lee arrived in Croatia a few days ago to attend an international conference of forensic scientists in Dubrovnik, and took the opportunity to travel to Zagreb to accept the decoration.
Mesic made the decision to decorate him on 31 May.
This is a great honour to me and I thank President Mesic and the Croatian people for granting me this medal. I have received numerous decorations in my life, but this one has a special meaning and I will display it in my Henry Lee Institute at the University of New Haven, the American scientist said after receiving the Order of the Croatian Morning Star with the Image of Katarina Zrinska.
Dr Lee first came to Croatia in 1993 to help with identifying war victims buried in mass graves. He is considered one of the best forensic scientists in the world and has earned international fame for his work in the O.J. Simpson trial.