Military Medal (France)

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The military medal (French Médaille militaire ) was donated on January 22, 1852 by the President of the Second French Republic Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte and can be awarded to non-commissioned officers and men of the armed forces who have distinguished themselves through courageous efforts or were wounded in battle. It can also be awarded to foreigners and members of the French merchant fleet in French military service . It can also be awarded to units that have stood out in combat. It is attached to the top of the flag; the soldiers of this unit have the right to wear the corresponding (green and yellow) Fourragère on their uniform.

In special exceptional cases, the military medal can be awarded to marshals and commanding generals.

It is a gold-plated silver medal that hangs on a trophy . It shows the symbolic female head of the Republic with the inscription RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE 1870  (French Republic 1870) on a blue background, which is surrounded by a silver laurel wreath . The reverse reads VALEUR ET DISCIPLINE  (bravery and discipline).

The award is worn on a yellow ribbon with green stripes on the left chest.

To date, it has been awarded an estimated 1.1 million times.

literature

  • Paul Ohm Hieronymussen: Handbook of European Orders in Color. Universitas Verlag, Berlin 1975, ISBN 3-8004-0948-8 .

Web links

Commons : Médaille militaire  - collection of images, videos and audio files