Order of the Liberation

Order of the Liberation. It is a distinguished French order established during World War II to honor exceptional contributions to the liberation of France from occupation. Founded by Charles de Gaulle in Brazzaville in November 1940, it recognizes the heroic actions of individuals, military units, and cities within the Free French Forces and French Resistance. As a singular honor, it is considered second only to the Legion of Honour within the French system of awards and was formally closed after the war, making its recipients a finite and revered group.

History and creation

The order was created by an ordinance signed by Charles de Gaulle in Brazzaville on 16 November 1940, a pivotal moment for the nascent Free French Forces. This act was a foundational element of de Gaulle's effort to establish a legitimate alternative authority to the Vichy regime and to rally French citizens against the German occupation. The first awards were conferred in January 1941, with the inaugural recipient being the military officer Georges Thierry d'Argenlieu. Throughout the conflict, the order served as a crucial symbolic tool for the Provisional Government of the French Republic, honoring feats of arms and resistance from the Battle of Bir Hakeim to the Normandy landings and the final Liberation of Paris.

Criteria and award process

The award criteria were exceptionally stringent, reserved for those who performed "remarkable deeds in the work of liberation" of France and its empire. Eligibility extended to military personnel of the Free French Forces, members of the French Resistance, and allied soldiers who fought under French command in significant engagements like the Battle of Kufra. Civilians who provided outstanding service, as well as entire military units and communes that demonstrated collective heroism, such as during the Battle of the Alps, could also be honored. The award process was directly overseen by Charles de Gaulle himself, acting as the Grand Master, with recommendations reviewed by the Council of the Order of the Liberation.

Insignia and design

The insignia is a rectangular bronze shield, bearing a vertical Lorraine Cross—a potent symbol of Free France—superimposed on a Roman sword. The chain of bondage broken at the sword's hilt represents liberation from oppression. The reverse is engraved with the Latin motto "PATRIAM SERVANDO VICTORIAM TULIT" ("By serving the Fatherland, he achieved victory"). The ribbon is green with black horizontal stripes, symbolizing hope and mourning. For collective awards to units like the 2nd Armored Division or communes such as Nantes, a fourragère in the same colors is authorized.

Recipients and notable members

In total, 1,061 awards were made: to 1,038 individuals, 18 military units, and 5 communes. Among the illustrious individual recipients were Jean Moulin, the unifying leader of the French Resistance; Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque, commander of the 2nd Armored Division; and Pierre Messmer, a future Prime Minister of France. Notable foreign companions included Dwight D. Eisenhower, Winston Churchill, and King George VI. Honored military formations include the 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion for its role at the Battle of Narvik and the Brigade of Marine Infantry of the Pacific. The five recognized "Companion Cities" are Nantes, Grenoble, Paris, Vassieux-en-Vercors, and Île de Sein.

Legacy and status

The order was officially closed by decree on 23 January 1946, preserving its exclusivity as a testament to the war era. Its members, known as Companions, hold a unique status; the last living Companion, Hubert Germain, was interred in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe in 2021. The order's legacy is perpetuated by the Council of the Order of the Liberation and the Museum of the Order of the Liberation at the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris. It remains a preeminent symbol of honor for the Free French Forces and the French Resistance, its history intimately tied to the narrative of the Liberation of France.

Category:Orders, decorations, and medals of France Category:World War II awards and decorations Category:Free France