andy, as I recall, other holders returned theirs in outrage that the Beatles got theirs?
But yes, Americans are honoured by their government, not by a non-existent empire. Mikey's suggestion that they be renamed as commonwealth honours is sensible, considering that other commonwealth citizens receive them. Or perhaps they should just be in the name of the monarch who nominally awards them.
TTT - //was that during their "more popular than god" phase Andy? //
No, the MPTJ (it was Jesus) phase was much earlier in their career.
To be fair to Mr Lennon, back then, no-one had any experience of the way a casual off the cuff remark can be blown up into a massive firestorm.
Even with vast experience of the media's willingness to spin something into something else, public figures and celebrities still fall foul of such things today.
I dread to think what all the trolls on tools of the devil would do now with that comment.
Still, back to the OP. I am alos of the opinion that if you dont like the name to such a degree then simply refuse the 'honour'. Why should it be changed because of the whinnings of a few anti British?
///It seems strange that you can be awarded with a membership, an order,
or made a commander of something that doesn't exist any more///
Neither do King George or Queen Victoria but their medals are still awarded.