Médaille commémorative de la guerre 1939–1945

Médaille commémorative de la guerre 1939–1945 is a French campaign medal established to recognize participation in the global conflict of the Second World War. Instituted by a decree from the provisional government of the French Republic on 21 May 1946, it served as a broad commemorative award for military and civilian personnel. The medal acknowledges service across various theaters of the war, including the Battle of France, the Free French Forces campaigns, and the Liberation of France.

Description

The medal is a circular, bronze design suspended from a ribbon featuring a distinctive pattern of red, white, and blue stripes. Its obverse features the effigy of the symbolic Marianne wearing a Phrygian cap, representing the French Republic, surrounded by the inscription "RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE". The reverse is inscribed with the years "1939" and "1945" and the text "MÉDAILLE COMMÉMORATIVE DE LA GUERRE". The design follows a traditional French aesthetic for campaign medals, similar in form to the earlier Médaille commémorative de la guerre 1914–1918. The ribbon's colors deliberately echo those of the Flag of France.

Eligibility and award criteria

Eligibility for the award was defined by service of at least 90 days, consecutive or not, between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945 in a recognized military formation or service. This included members of the French Army, the French Navy, the French Air Force, and the French Resistance. It was also awarded to soldiers of allied armies who fought on French territory, such as the British Army, the United States Army, and the First Polish Army. Certain civilian personnel, including war correspondents and merchant mariners of the French Merchant Navy, were also eligible. Participation in specific campaigns like the Norwegian campaign or the Battle of Bir Hakeim automatically qualified individuals.

Recipients and notable awards

The medal was awarded to hundreds of thousands of individuals across a wide spectrum of service. Notable military recipients include General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French; General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny, commander of the French First Army; and General Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque, who led the 2nd Armored Division. Renowned members of the French Resistance like Jean Moulin and Marie-Madeleine Fourcade were posthumously eligible. Allied commanders who qualified included British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery and American General Dwight D. Eisenhower. The medal was also bestowed upon units like the French Foreign Legion and the Normandie-Niemen fighter regiment.

Design and symbolism

Crafted by the French engraver M. Delannoy, the medal's symbolism is deeply republican. The obverse image of Marianne in a Phrygian cap, a classic symbol of liberty, directly ties the award to the ideals of the French Republic and its restoration after the Vichy regime. The dual dates on the reverse encompass the entire global conflict, from the Invasion of Poland to the formal surrender of Japan. The ribbon's central wide blue stripe, flanked by thinner white and red stripes, and bordered by narrow green stripes, incorporates the national Tricolour while the green edges are said to symbolize hope and the French Resistance.

Historical context and significance

The medal's creation in 1946 was part of a broader effort by the Provisional Government of the French Republic to officially recognize and unify the diverse experiences of the war. It served to honor not only the regular armed forces but also the irregular fighters of the French Forces of the Interior and civilians who contributed to the war effort. Its award criteria deliberately encompassed service with the Free French Forces, the Army of Africa, and those who fought in major operations like the Allied invasion of Sicily and the Battle of the Bulge. As a mass-awarded commemorative, it stands alongside more exclusive awards like the Ordre de la Libération and the Médaille de la Résistance, forming a comprehensive system of French World War II recognition. The medal remains a tangible link to the service of a generation during pivotal events from the Fall of France to the final Victory in Europe Day.

Category:French military awards and decorations Category:World War II awards and decorations Category:Campaign medals of France