Croix de Guerre 1939–1945

The Croix de Guerre was designed by the sculptor Paul-Albert Bartholomé. The medal is 37 millimetres (1.5 in) in size and is in the shape of a Maltese cross with two swords criss-crossed through the center. In the center of the front is the profile of the French Republic crested by a Phrygian cap. Around this portrait, are the words République française ("French Republic"). On the reverse of the medal are the dates of the conflict : 1939–1940, 1939–1945, or simply 1940.[1]

The suspension and service ribbon of the medal has a red background crossed with four green lines in its center.[2]

On every medal and ribbon, there is at least one ribbon device, either in the shape of a palm or of a star, and fashioned from either bronze, silver, or silver-gilt (vermeil). The relative importance of the six possible combinations is detailed below. The total number of devices on a "Croix de Guerre" is not limited.

The lowest degree is represented by a bronze star while the highest degree is represented by a bronze palm:[2]

• Bronze star (étoile en bronze) for those who had been mentioned at the regiment or brigade level.
• Silver star (étoile en argent), for those who had been mentioned at the division level.
• Silver-gilt star (étoile en vermeil), for those who had been mentioned at the corps level.
• Bronze palm (palme en bronze), for those who had been mentioned at the army level.
• Silver palm (palme en argent), represents five bronze ones.
• Silver-gilt palm (palme en vermeil), for those who had been mentioned at the Free French Forces level (World War II only).[1]

The clasps are awarded for gallantry to any member of the French military or its allies and are, depending on the degree, roughly the equivalent to the U.S. Bronze Star and Silver Star or UK Military Cross and Military Medal.