13th Handbook: World War Two Medals of the French Foreign Legion

World War Two Medals of The French Foreign Legion

Legionnaires were eligible to be awarded basically the same medals as regular troops in the French Army, though obviously such medals as the Colonial Medal, were more predominant among legion troops. Below is a brief list of some of the medals, which would have been, or currently are avaible for members of the 13th DBLE in World War Two.

Colonial Medal 1939-45

Created in 1893, the Colonial Medal was issued for a vast plethora of campaigns and service, which took place in colonies of the French Empire. Individual bars were awarded for each of these campaigns. Legionnaires in the 13th DBLE, who had served previously in the pre-war years would have bars associated with their campaigns service. The WW2 Campaign bars awarded with the Colonial Medal are as follows, the parenthesis is for when the campaign bar was institued: "1940 - C'TE DES SOMALIS - 1942" (26 December 1941), "ERYTHREE", "FEZZAN", "KOUFRA" and "LIBYE" (all on 26 March 1942), "ETHIOPIE" (1 August 1942), "BIR HAKEIM 1942" (October 1942), "FEZZAN-TRIPOLITAINE" (23 February 1943), "AFL" (Afrique France dil'aise Libre, 25 July 1943), "TRIPOLITAINE" (7 January 1944) and "TUNESIE 1942-1943" (17 April 1944).

Croix De Guerre 1939-45

A new Croix de Guerre was created on 26 September 1939 similar to the 1914-1918 type but with a different ribbon (the colors of the Great War ribbon inverted) and the "1939" date on the reverse. As with the 1st World War type this cross was meant to show the recipient's bravery and individual citations are designated by stars or palms on the ribbon.

Médaille Militaire

Médaille 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)

Légion d'Honneur

The Légion d'honneur (officially Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur) [1] is a French order established by Napoléon Bonaparte, First Consul of the First Republic, on May 19, 1802. It is the premier order of France, and its award is therefore considered a great distinction. The order’s motto is Honneur et Patrie ("Honour and Fatherland"), and its seat is the Palais de la Légion d'Honneur on the Left Bank of the River Seine in Paris.

Medal For Voluntary Service In The Free French Forces

Those who had volunteered for service in the FFF before 1 August 1943 were eligible for award of this silvered Lorraine Cross. It was instituted on 4 April 1946

War Commemorative Medal 1939-45

Adopted on 21 May 1946, this somewhat pear-shaped medal was awarded to all military personnel for service in a recognized unit. The pale blue ribbon with red and green side stripes has a row of red V's (Victoire, Victory) running down the centre. A number of bars were created for this medal : "FRANCE", "NORVEGE", "ITALIE" (see also Medal for Italy 1943-44), "LIBERATION", "ALLEMAGNE", "GRANDE BRETAGNE", "U.R.S.S." for European land or air campaigns, "AFRIQUE" and "EXTREME ORIENT" for non-European theatres of war, "ATLANTIQUE", "MEDITERANNEE", "MANCHE" and "MER DU NORD" to commemorate maritime operations and also "DEFENSE PASSIVE" and "ENGAGE VOLONTAIRE".

The Commemorative Medal For The Italian Campaign 1943-44

Upon the creation of this silvered bronze medal on 1 April 1953, the bar "ITALIE" for the War Commemorative medal fell into disuse. The medal was awarded, as was the bar previously, to all members of the French Expeditionary Corps (FEC) serving in Italy and on Elba between 1 December 1943 and 25 July 1944. The FEC is perhaps best known for its participation in the Battle of Monte Cassino. The ribbon with its red and white stripes is reminiscent of the 1859 Medal for Italy's ribbon.

Cross of The Combatant Volunteer In The War 1939-45

This cross with the self-explanatory title is identical to the one award for WW1 but for the dates "1939-1945" in the reverse medallion. The ribbon is an inverted pattern of the WW1 version. It was authorised on 4 February 1953.

Medal For Liberated France

On 12 September 1947 this bronze medal was created to reward French or Allied personnel for service towards liberating France. The obverse is very symbolic : a map of France surrounded by a chain that is broken by two shellbursts, one in the northwest, the other in the southeast, i.e. one for each Allied landing place. The reverse inscription simply reads "LA FRANCE - A SES LIBERATEURS" (France - to its liberators). The ribbon has the WW1 Victory Medal's colours (rainbow) inverted. In June 1948, further decrees broadened the possibilities of awarding this medal but at the same time stated that holders of the Lion d'Honneur, the Medal of the Resistance, the Maille Militaire, the Order of Liberation or the Medal of Gratitude could not recieve this medal.