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Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 facts for kids

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Croix de Guerre 1939–1945
Croix de Guerre 1939 France AVERS.jpg
Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 with 2 silver-gilt (gold) stars
Type Bravery award
Eligibility Members of the French Armed Forces, foreign allied military personnel
Awarded for Military duty during World War II mentioned in dispatches
Status No longer awarded
Clasps silver-gilt palm
silver palm
bronze palm
silver-gilt star
silver star
bronze star
Statistics
Established 26 September 1939
Precedence
Next (higher) Croix de guerre 1914–1918
Next (lower) Croix de Guerre TOE
Croix de Guerre 1939-1945 ribbon.svg

French Croix De Guerre Streamer (World War II).jpg
Ribbon bar & streamer of the French Croix de guerre 1939–1945

The Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 (which means "War Cross 1939–1945" in English) is a special French military award. It was created on September 26, 1939. This medal was given to people who showed bravery during World War II.

It honored those who fought with the Allied forces against the Axis powers. After Germany took over mainland France in 1940, a different version of this award was made. However, the original Croix de Guerre was still used by Free France. Today, only the original version is officially recognized by the French government.

What is the Croix de Guerre?

This award recognized military service during World War II. It was given to soldiers, sailors, and airmen. People who fought in many different areas could receive it. This included battles in France, North Africa, and the Middle East. It also honored members of the French Forces of the Interior and Free French Forces.

How the Medal Looks

The Medal Design

The Croix de Guerre was designed by a sculptor named Paul-Albert Bartholomé. The medal is about 37 millimeters (1.46 inches) wide. It is shaped like a Maltese cross. Two swords cross behind the center of the medal.

In the middle of the front side, you can see the profile of the French Republic. This image wears a special hat called a Phrygian cap. Around this portrait, the words République française ("French Republic") are written. On the back of the medal, you will find the dates of the conflict. These dates are either 1939–1940, 1939–1945, or simply 1940.

The Ribbon

Croix de Guerre 1939-1945 ribbon
The ribbon for the Croix de Guerre 1939-1945

The ribbon that holds the medal is red. It has four green lines running through its center. This ribbon is worn on a uniform.

Ribbon Devices and What They Mean

Every medal and ribbon has at least one small device attached to it. These devices are shaped like a palm or a star. They can be made from bronze, silver, or silver-gilt (which is like gold-plated silver). These devices show how important the bravery was. The more devices a person has, the more times they were recognized for their courage. There is no limit to how many devices can be on a Croix de Guerre.

Award Levels

Croix de Guerre 1939 France REVERS
Reverse of the 1939–1945 War Cross

The different devices on the ribbon show different levels of recognition. This is called being "Mentioned in Despatches." It means a soldier's brave actions were officially noted in military reports.

  • Croix de Guerre 1939-1945 ribbon - with Bronze Star.svg A Bronze star (étoile en bronze) means the person was recognized at the regiment or brigade level.
  • Croix de Guerre 1939-1945 ribbon with Silver Star.svg A Silver star (étoile en argent) means the person was recognized at the division level.
  • Croix de Guerre 1939-1945 ribbon - with Silver Gilt Star.svg A Silver-gilt star (étoile en vermeil) means the person was recognized at the corps level.
  • Croix de Guerre 1939-1945 ribbon - with Bronze Palm.svg A Bronze palm (palme en bronze) means the person was recognized at the army level.
  • Croix de Guerre 1939-1945 ribbon - with Silver Palm.svg A Silver palm (palme en argent) is special. It means the person earned five bronze palms.
  • Croix de Guerre 1939-1945 ribbon - with Silver Gilt Palm.svg A Silver-gilt palm (palme en vermeil) was given for recognition at the Free French Forces level during World War II.

These awards are similar to the Bronze Star and Silver Star in the United States. They are also like the Military Cross and Military Medal in the United Kingdom.

The Vichy France Version

After Germany occupied France in May 1940, a different French government was formed. This was the Vichy French government. They created their own versions of the Croix de Guerre. These medals had a black and green ribbon instead of the original red and green.

The Free French government and the French government after the war did not recognize these Vichy awards. It is now against the law to wear them in France. The Vichy Croix de Guerre also had different levels of recognition, similar to the official one.

Ribbon Awards
Croix de Guerre Vichy ribbon.svg Croix de guerre (from Vichy France; for World War II service)
Croix de Guerre Vichy LVF ribbon.svg Croix de guerre of the French Volunteers Legion (for Eastern Front World War II service)

Famous People Who Received It (Non-French)

Many brave people from other countries also received the Croix de Guerre. Here are some of them:

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Croix de guerre 1939-1945 para niños

  • Ribbons of the French military and civil awards
  • Croix de guerre 1914–1918
  • Croix de Guerre (Belgium)
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