Croix de guerre 1939–1945

Croix de guerre 1939–1945. The Croix de guerre 1939–1945 is a French military decoration created to honor individuals, both military and civilian, for acts of heroism during the conflict of World War II. It reinstated the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 established during the First World War, adapting its statutes for the new global conflict. The award could be conferred upon members of the French Armed Forces, Allied forces, and members of the French Resistance.

History and establishment

The decoration was formally established by a decree issued on 26 September 1939 by Édouard Daladier, President of the Council of Ministers, shortly after the Invasion of Poland and the French declaration of war on Nazi Germany. Its creation mirrored that of its World War I predecessor, intended to recognize gallantry in the face of the enemy across all services. Following the Armistice of 22 June 1940 and the establishment of Vichy France, the award continued to be issued by the Vichy government, which also created its own variant, the Order of the Francisque. Simultaneously, the Free French Forces under Charles de Gaulle continued to award the original cross for actions in campaigns such as the Battle of Bir Hakeim and the Liberation of Paris. After the Liberation of France, the Provisional Government of the French Republic standardized the award, validating all citations granted by both Vichy and Free French authorities.

Design and symbolism

The medal's design is identical to the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, featuring a pattée cross with two crossed swords between the arms. The obverse center bears the effigy of the Republic in the form of a Marianne head, surrounded by the inscription "RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE". The reverse center displays the dates "1939–1945". The cross is suspended from a green ribbon with seven narrow vertical red stripes. The level of a citation is denoted by devices attached to the ribbon: a bronze star for a regimental or brigade citation, a silver star for a divisional citation, a gilt silver star for a corps-level citation, a bronze palm for an army-level citation, and a silver palm in place of five bronze ones.

Award criteria and recipients

The cross was awarded to any individual, French or allied, military or civilian, who was mentioned in dispatches for an act of combat heroism. Citations could be awarded posthumously. The scale of the conflict and the breadth of the French Resistance led to a wide distribution of the award. It was bestowed upon soldiers from the French Army, sailors of the French Navy, aviators of the French Air Force, and fighters within the French Forces of the Interior. Notable collective awards were made to entire units, such as the French 2nd Armored Division and the Régiment de marche du Tchad. In total, approximately 256,000 individual awards were made.

Notable recipients

The list of recipients includes some of the most prominent military and resistance figures of the war. Key French recipients included General Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque, General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny, and resistance leader Jean Moulin. Among international recipients were American General George S. Patton, British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, and Soviet Marshal Georgy Zhukov. The decoration was also awarded to cities such as Saint-Nazaire and Verdun for their collective suffering and resistance, as well as to foreign units like the Polish 1st Armoured Division and the US 3rd Infantry Division.

Post-war status and legacy

With the end of World War II, the Croix de guerre 1939–1945 was superseded by new decorations for subsequent conflicts, namely the Croix de guerre des Théâtres d'opérations extérieurs. It remains a respected symbol of valor from one of history's most defining conflicts. The award is frequently seen in commemorative ceremonies, such as those on Victory in Europe Day, and its recipients are honored in institutions like the Musée de l'Armée. Its legacy is intertwined with the narrative of French and Allied resistance, liberation, and the complex memory of the Vichy period.

Category:Military awards and decorations of France Category:World War II awards and decorations