Commemorative medal for voluntary service in Free France information
Award
Commemorative medal for voluntary service in Free France
Commemorative medal for voluntary service in Free France (obverse)
Type
Commemorative war medal
Awarded for
Service in the Free French Forces prior to 1 August 1943
Presented by
France
Eligibility
French and foreign nationals
Status
No longer awarded
Established
4 April 1946
Last awarded
3 July 1958
Total
13,469
Ribbon of the Commemorative medal for voluntary service in Free France
Precedence
Next (higher)
Medal of French Gratitude
Next (lower)
United Nations operations in Korea commemorative medal
Reverse of the French Commemorative medal for voluntary service in Free France (1946)General Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque, a recipient of the Commemorative medal for voluntary service in Free FranceCommander Philippe Kieffer, a recipient of the Commemorative medal for voluntary service in Free France
The Commemorative medal for voluntary service in Free France (French: Médaille commémorative des services volontaires dans la France libre) was a French commemorative war medal established by decree on 4 April 1946 on the 1945 proposition of general Edgard de Larminat to the Minister to the armies.[1]
The general proposed the creation of a distinctive award for the members of the Free French Forces who fought the Axis forces on most fronts during World War II. Beginning with a modest 7,000 men in July 1940, the Free French Forces had grown to approximately 70,000 by June 1942[1] and were especially active in North Africa, where they particularly distinguished themselves during the Battle of Bir Hakeim. These forces would later form the nucleus of the 1st Free French Division which distinguished itself in the Italian campaign of 1944 under general Koenig and of the 2nd Armoured Division in the liberation of Paris under general Leclerc.[2]
Also, part of the whole, the Free French Naval Forces and Free French Air Force, although limited in numbers and equipment nonetheless took part in most major engagements alongside allied forces including in the Soviet Union.[1] Free French Forces had grown to over half a million by 1944 and numbered well over a million in 1945, they were instrumental in the final liberation of their country and participated in the invasion of Nazi Germany.[2]
^ abc"France Phaléristique web site" (in French). Marc Champenois. 2004-01-01. Retrieved 2013-10-04.
^ abBattini, Jean; Zaniewicki, Witold (2003). Guide pratique des décorations françaises actuelles. Paris: LAVAUZELLE. ISBN 2-7025-1030-2.
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