The Patriot Files

Red Cross Medals

David — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 12:18:03 -0700

by: David

Description: Red Cross Medals. During the First World War, the French Red Cross was composed of three distinct, and fairly autonomous societies. The oldest was the Soci?t? de Secours aux Bless?s Militaires, (SSBM) established in 1864. Next was the Association des Dames Fran?aise (ADF), created in 1879. The youngest of the three was the Union des Femmes Fran?aises, (UFF) begun in 1881. Each of these three Red Cross societies issued three different types of medals. Each issued a membership medal, a commemorative for the war, and each issued a merit award. In some cases there were different models or designs. Each of these medals hung from a white ribbon with a red cross. Click the links below to view the obverse sides of each.

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David — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 12:17:38 -0700

by: David

Description: M?daille d'honneur des affaires ?trang?res, (Medal of honor of Foreign Affairs) In 1875, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs was allowed to award its own Medal of Honor, very similar to, but notreplacing the existing Medal of Honor described above. These were awarded by the Ministry for acts of courage by French citizens abroad, or foreigners. This medal hung from the same Blue / White / Red ribbon and came in three classes : bronze, silver and silver-gilt.

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David — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 12:17:09 -0700

by: David

Description: M?daille d'honneur pour actes de courage et de d?vouement (Medal of Honor for Acts of Courage and Devotion) This is an old award, with a somewhat complicated history. As an award, it existed since the days of Louis XIV. King Louis Philippe made it a wearable medal on April 12, 1831. Over the years, the design of the medal has varied depending of it was issued by the Monarchy, the Empire, or the Republic. Medals of Honor were bestowed by certain Ministries within the French government which had their own variations in medallion the design. The ribbon was always Blue / White / Red. There were five classes of this award. The lowest class had a bronze medallion, hung from a plain Blue/White/Red ribbon. Next came the Silver, 2nd Class, with a silver medallion, hung from the simple ribbon. Silver First Class had a silver medallion, but added a silver wreath device pinned to the ribbon. The 'Vermeill' award had a silver-gilt medallion, and silver-gilt wreath pin on the ribbon. The highest level of the award was the Gold, which had a gold medallion (though sometimes this was also silver-gilt when gold was in short supply). The Gold award also had a gold wreath pin and a tricolor rosette on the ribbon.

The Somme Medal

David — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 09:49:44 -0700

by: David

Description: The Somme Medal -- The Somme Medal was issued by the "Ceux de la Somme" veterans' association.

Chateau-Thierry Medal

David — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 09:48:46 -0700

by: David

Description: Chateau-Thierry Medal -- Created in July 1920 by the town, to celebrate the efforts of American and French soldiers who fought in the vicinity. Two basic designs exist for this medal, but there are variants. One design depicts, on its obverse, the busts of George Washington and Lafayette, both facing left, the latter in front. The words "Chateau-Thierry: Cote 204" are in raised letters on the 'sash' suspension device. The reverse has the image of the Legion d' Honneur. I've seen two variants of this first design. One has finer details, such as the inscription of "WASHINGTON" and "LAFAYETTE" around the rim of the obverse, and more delicate details in the suspension device. Another variant has more robust lettering, deeper relief and chunkier details in the suspension device. This other variant also has the artist's name inscribed in Lafayette's shoulder, where the finer variant has none. The second design also has Washington and Lafayette, but has the pair facing right, Washington in front. The second design's reverse has a stylized sunburst below the inscription text. It has the deeper relief and chunkier details, similar to the variant of the first design.

St. Mihiel Medal

David — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 09:47:57 -0700

by: David

Description: St. Mihiel Medal -- This medal was created by the town of St. Mihiel in 1936 to recognize the efforts of Allied soldiers in the liberation of St.Mihiel. Since St. Mihiel was in the American Sector, many American servicemen were eligible for this medal.

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Marne Medal

David — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 09:46:58 -0700

by: David

Description: Marne Medal -- This medal was issued to soldiers who fought in the Marne battles, by the Soldiers of the Marne Association (a private group). It was first issued in 1937, and was still awarded up into the 1980s until the Association deemed there to be no more surviving Marne veterans. The Association was then merged into another group as a general memorial organization which still holds yearly ceremonies and such.

Verdun Medal

David — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 09:45:43 -0700

by: David

Description: Verdun Medal, created 20 november 1916, for issue to the soldiers in the battle for Verdun -- February to November 1916. There were six or seven different designs for the Verdun Medal's medallion. These were unofficial awards as far as the nation of France was concerned. As such, they could not be 'legally' worn on the military uniform as part of parade-dress. They were awarded by the town itself, to Allied servicemen who fought between the Argonne and St.Mihel. As such, many American soldiers came back with this medal. Other versions of Verdun medal were struck as replacements, commemoratives, or just souviners, so possession of a Verdun medals does not necessarily denote active service in that area.

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David — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 09:44:05 -0700

by: David

Description: M?daille de la Fid?lit? Fran?aise - (The Medal for Fidelity to France) instituted on 3 July 1922 and awarded to inhabitants of the two border regions of Alsace and Lorraine, who had been either imprisoned or exiled by the occupying Germans because of their loyalty to France. A bar on the ribbon bears the word "Fid?lit?" and a bronze star indicates each year of imprisonment or exile. Ribbon = blue with red outer and white inner side stripes an a narrow white edge. Obverse : two women seated, looking out across country. Reverse : a bundle of fasces between crossed oak and laurel sprays, with a 3-foldriband, lettered "Libert? / Egalit? / Fraternit?" (the French national motto). Metal : bronze.

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David — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 09:43:35 -0700

by: David

Description: M?daille des Victimes de l'Invasion - (The Medal for Victims of the Invasion ) instituted on 30 June 1921 in 3 classes (silver-gilt, silver and bronze) and awarded to those who had been rendered homeless or otherwise endured suffering resulting from the German invasion. A bar "Prisonniers Politiques" or "Otages de Guerre" (resp. "political prisoners" and "war hostages") could be worn on the ribbon.

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David — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 09:43:10 -0700

by: David

Description: M?daille de la Reconnaissance Fran?aise - Awarded to civilians for works of benevolance at home or abroad, in helping the sick or wounded, caring for families of those killed in the war, caring for mutilated, blind, orphaned, or homeless families ruined by the war etc. It was instituted on 13 july 1917 in three classes : the 1st class in silver-gilt, the 2nd class in silver and the 3rd class in bronze. (Reverse shown enlarged) In 1945 a new medal was established, with the same ribbon but with an altered design, to recognize the same deeds performed during WWII.

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David — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 09:42:45 -0700

by: David

Description: M?daille Comm?morative des Dardanelles - Awarded to all members of the expeditionary army which fought in the Dardanelles. This medal was instituted together with the previous one, on 15 June 1926 and is identical but for the ribbon and the reverse inscription "Dardanelles" (instead of Orient). The ribbons vary too.

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David — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 09:42:20 -0700

by: David

Description: M?daille Comm?morative d'Orient - Awarded to all members of the expeditionary army which fought in the Balkans. This theatre of war is generally lesser known. The Orient army was formed by French and British troops and also included Serbian units and units of other Balkan countries. They fought the German and Bulgarian armies in Macedonia and the Balkan. The medal was instituted on 15 June 1926. Medal's reverse bearing the word "Orient" and in the central flag "Honneur et Patrie 1915 1918" (Honour and Fatherland) The medal's obverse is the same as the Dardanelles medal.

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David — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 09:41:51 -0700

by: David

Description: M?daille de la Victoire 1914-1918 - also called "M?daille Interalli?e" as all allies issued one with this particular ribbon. Awarded to all members of the armed forces who served for a minimum of 3 months during WWI. It was instituted on 20 July 1922 and was also conferred on medical personnel, prisoners of war, escaped prisoners etc. It is worn immediately after French orders and decorations, i.e. before any colonial orders or decorations and before any campaign or commemorative medals. A number of unofficial medals were struck and can be found regularly. The medal's reverse bearing the text "RF La Grande Gverre povr la Civilisation 1914-1918" (RF = R?publique Fran?aise - The Great War for Civilization)

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David — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 09:41:24 -0700

by: David

Description: M?daille Comm?morative Fran?aise 1914-1918 - Awarded to all members of the French Armed Forces who saw service between 2 August 1914 and 11 November 1918. Instituted on 23 June 1920, it could also be conferred on members of the Merchant Navy, medical personnel, local authorities, police of fire brigades of bombed cities etc. Before the Cross for Volunteer Combatants was instituted, a bar "Engag? Volontaire" could be worn on the ribbon.

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David — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 09:39:53 -0700

by: David

Description: M?daille des Prisonniers Civils, D?port?s ereteken Otages de la Grande Guerre 1914-18. (Medal for Civilian Prisoners, Deportees and Hostages of the Great War, 1914-1918) This medal was awarded to inhabitants of the regions occupied by Germany during WWI, civilian prisoners, deportees, hostages or internees in concentration camps, who were not eligible for the Victims of the Invasion Medal. It was instituted as late as 14 March 1936 and some 11,000 were issued. The reverse bears the medal's title.

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David — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 09:39:23 -0700

by: David

Description: M?daille des ?vad?s -- (Medal for Escaped Prisoners of War, Reverse side shown enlarged) This medal was awarded to military personnel as well as civilians who escaped through enemy lines and put themselves at the disposal of the French military authorities. It was instituted on 20 August 1926 and could also be awarded to inhabitants of Alsace and Lorraine (two border regions which in the past changed hands between Germany and France a number of times) who deserted from the German Army to enlist in the French Forces.

Insigne du Bless

David — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 09:38:54 -0700

by: David

Description: Insigne du Bless? Militaire - Awarded to members of the French Army or Navy who were wounded or invalided through wounds or illnesses caused by the 1st World War. Originally only a ribbon was instituted in November 1916. Years later this ribbon was replaced by the cross. A civilian counterpart award, the Insigne du Bless? Civil, was warded to civilians who were wounded or invalided through wounds or illnesses caused by the 1st World War. Originally only a ribbon was instituted (probably on 1 July 1918). As with its military counterpart, only years later this ribbon was replaced by the medallion. It is thought that the youngest recipient was a 2-year old wounded by an artillery grenade during a bombardment of Paris.

Croix de Guerre des Th

David — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 09:38:25 -0700

by: David

Description: Croix de Guerre des Th?atres d'Op?rations Ext?rieurs. This war cross was created in 1921 for award to French and Colonial troops serving aborad. The 'regular' Croix de Guerre was intended to cover action in and around France only. The obverse of the crosses is the same, the reverse carries the cross's name in the center in lieu of the dates 1914-1918. The ribbon is also different, being red/blue/red instead of the other croix's green with thin red stripes.

Croix de Guerre

David — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 09:37:58 -0700

by: David

Description: Croix de Guerre (War Cross 1914-1918 ) Probably the best known French decoration, this cross was awarded to all those who were mentioned in dispatches since the outbreak of war (2 August 1914). It was instituted on 8 April 1915 as an outward recognition for being mentioned in the order of the day of an army, corps, division, brigade or batallion. Award of the Legion of Honour for valour displayed on the field or of the Military Medal automatically brought entitlement to the War Cross. According to the nature of the mention, emblems were affixed on the ribbon: Bronze palm for mention on army level (5 bronze palms to be replaced by a silver one by decree of 8 January 1917) Gilt star for mention on corps level Silver star for mention on division level Bronze star for mention on brigade or batallion level. By 1 March 1920 already more than 2,055,000 crosses had been awarded. The reverse side bears the year 1914 together with the year in which they were struck (1915, 1916, 1917 or 1918).

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David — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 09:37:22 -0700

by: David

Description: M?daille Militaire - This medal is roughly the French counterpart to the Distinguished Conduct Medal. It was awarded only to general officers in charge of armies, admirals in charge of fleets, or non-commissioned officers who distinguished themselves in war. The medal was instituted on 22 January 1852 during the reign of Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, President of the 2nd Republic. The example shown is as issued between 1870-1940 (French 3rd Republic)

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David — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 09:36:52 -0700

by: David

Description: L?gion d'Honneur -- This order, the highest French distinction, is awarded to all persons which distinguished themselves through civilian or military valour. The order was instituted early in the 19th century (1802) by the then First Consul, Napoleon Bonaparte, in 4 classes. In 1805 a fifth, and highest class, was added. These classes are : Grand Croix - Gold badge worn at left hip on broad scarlet sash from right shoulder to left hip. Star on left breast. Grand Officer - Gold badge worn on left breast. Star on right breast. Commandeur - Gold badge worn at neck on scarlet ribbon. Officer - Gold badge worn on left breast, suspended from scarlet ribbon with rosette. Chevalier - Silver badge worn on left breast, scarlet ribbon. When awarded for war services, the L?gion d'Honneur carried automatic award of the Croix de Guerre with palm. Shown, is the Obverse and Reverse of the 4th class award, i.e. "Officier" as issued between 1870-1940 (French 3rd Republic). Obverse text : REPUBLIQUE FRAN?AISE 1870 Reverse text : HONNEUR ET PATRIE (Honour and Fatherland)