The 1939–1945 Commemorative war medal was awarded to all soldiers serving under French authority or under a French government in a state of war against the Axis nations, or present on board a warship or armed merchant vessel under these same authorities and/or governments; to French citizens, whether military or civilian, who fought against the Axis forces or their representatives; to foreign military who served as Frenchmen in formations at war against the Axis forces. A 1949 decree further added the members of the French passive resistance as potential recipients of the 1939–1945 Commemorative war medal.
Award description
The 1939–1945 Commemorative war medal was hexagonal and struck from bronze. It was 28mm at its widest and 38mm high excluding the suspension loop. The obverse bore the relief image of a rooster superimposed in front of a Cross of Lorraine, its wings spread out and standing on a broken chain. The reverse bore the relief semi circular inscription "RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE" over a sprig of laurel leaves and the inscription on three lines "GUERRE" "1939" "1945". The medal hung from a ribbon passing through the medal's suspension loop. This silk moiré ribbon was 36mm wide and light blue with 3mm green stripes bordered in 1mm red at its edges, at its center, a vertical series of red "V" letters denoting "Victory". Twelve operational theater clasps can be worn on the ribbon:
FRANCE for operations between 3 September 1939 and 25 June 1940;
NORVÈGE for operations between 12 April 1940 and 17 June 1940;
AFRIQUE for operations between 25 June 1940 and 13 May 1943;
LIBÉRATION for operations in Corsica or in the French Campaign between 25 June 1940 and 8 May 1945;
ALLEMAGNE for operations between 14 September 1944 and 8 May 1945;
ATLANTIQUE for naval operations between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945;
MANCHE for naval operations between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945;
MER DU NORD for naval operations between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945;
MÉDITERRANÉE for naval operations between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945.
The clasp "ITALIE" was repealed in 1953 following the establishment of the 1943-1944 Italian campaign medal. Seven other clasps bearing the years "1939", "1940", "1941", "1942", "1943", "1944" and "1945" were available when the deed to commemorate took part outside the theater and/or dates cited above. Two further clasps were authorized for wear on the 1939–1945 Commemorative war medal:
DÉFENSE PASSIVE for those receiving an invalid's pension following injury from work aimed at the protection of the civilian population.
ENGAGÉ VOLONTAIRE for those able to prove they voluntarily enlisted for service in the 1939-1945 war.
