Order of Merit for Frontline Fighters (France)
The Order of Merit for Frontline Fighters (fr. Ordre du Mérite combattant ) was founded by decree on September 14, 1953 by the French President Vincent Auriol and was intended to reward officials who deal with the management and support of French veterans and their survivors and deserved war victims .
The award was presented on the proposal of the Minister for Veterans Affairs.
Classes
The order consists of three classes and the number of annual awards was regulated.
In order to be awarded the medal, one had to be 40 years of age and have already served 15 years. The officers' cross could be awarded no earlier than six years after being appointed knight, and the commander's cross no earlier than another four years.
Order decoration
The medal is a silver- gilt five-armed cross (knight without gold plating) with a small point between the cross arms. On the cross lies a green enamelled five-pointed star. In the center of the star is a medallion with Marianne's head turned to the right and the circumferential engraving REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE · MERITE COMBATTANT (Merited Fighter). On the back of the medallion two reaching hands and behind them a vertical sword . The inscription HONNEUR ET DEVOUEMENT (honor and devotion) all around .
Carrying method
The commander's cross is worn as a neck medal . The medals of the officers and knights on the ribbon on the left side of the chest, with a rosette on the ribbon of the officer's cross .
The ribbon is dark green with oblique yellow stripes from left to right.
Others
The award of the Order of Merit for front-line soldiers was discontinued in 1963 as part of the reorganization of the French order and the foundation of the National Order of Merit .
literature
- André Souyris-Rolland: Guide des Ordres Civil Français et Étrangers, des Médailles d'Honneur et des Médailles des Sociétés. Paris 1979.