Ordre de la Libération

Ordre de la Libération. It is a French order established by General Charles de Gaulle during World War II to honor exceptional contributions to the liberation of France from occupation. Bestowed between 1941 and 1946, it is second only to the Legion of Honour in the French order of precedence. The order recognizes individuals, military units, and cities for their remarkable acts of resistance and valor.

History and creation

The order was founded in Brazzaville on 16 November 1940 by Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French Forces, to reward those who distinguished themselves in the effort to liberate Metropolitan France. Its creation followed the Fall of France and the establishment of the Vichy regime, providing a means to honor loyalty to the cause of Free France. The first awards were made in early 1941, with the final conferral occurring in January 1946, after the conclusion of the Liberation of Paris and the end of World War II in Europe. The order's chapter was officially closed by decree, making it a unique and historically finite distinction.

Award criteria and recipients

The order was awarded for outstanding service in the liberation of France, encompassing both military heroism and civilian resistance. Recipients included soldiers of the Free French Forces, members of the French Resistance networks like the Francs-Tireurs et Partisans and the Maquis, and allied figures such as Winston Churchill and King George VI. A total of 1,061 individuals were honored, including 6 women such as Émilienne Moreau-Evrard and Bertie Albrecht. It was also bestowed upon 18 military units, including the 2nd Armored Division and the 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion, and five communes: Nantes, Grenoble, Paris, Vassieux-en-Vercors, and Île de Sein.

Insignia and design

The insignia is a rectangular bronze shield surmounted by a gladiator's sword, overlaid with a black Lorraine cross, a symbol of Free France. The reverse bears the inscription in Latin: "PATRIAM SERVANDO VICTORIAM TULIT" ("By serving the Fatherland, he achieved victory"). The ribbon is green with black horizontal stripes, representing hope and mourning. The design was created by Captain Tony Mella and the medals were produced by the Monnaie de Paris. A special collar for the order's chancellor, held by General de Gaulle until his death, features links depicting the Lorraine cross and the Médaille de la Résistance.

Legacy and significance

As a dormant order, no new members have been created since 1946, preserving its status as a direct testament to the French Resistance and the Free French Forces. Its members, known as Companions of the Liberation, hold a revered place in French national memory, with the last living companion, Hubert Germain, interred in the Mont-Valérien memorial in 2021. The order's museum, the Musée de l'Ordre de la Libération, is located at the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris. Its legacy is intrinsically linked to the foundational narrative of the French Fifth Republic and remains a powerful symbol of honor, resistance, and national unity.

Category:Orders, decorations, and medals of France Category:World War II awards and decorations Category:Charles de Gaulle