French Liberation Medal
Encyclopedia
The French Liberation Medal or more precisely Liberated France Medal (Médaille de la France libérée) is a decoration of the French Republic which is issued to any veteran of the Second World War who participated in the liberation of France.
The Medal was created in 1947 for any person, military or civilian, who participated effectively in the Liberation of France from German occupation
and for any Allied
or French soldier who fought on French soil during the war. It has not been awarded since 1957.
The French Liberation Medal was issued extensively to the United States military between 1946 and 1950. The medal was authorized for wear on a military uniform until the 1950s, when the French Liberation Medal adopted the status as a commemorative decoration for civilian wear only.
The United States government considers the French Liberation Medal to be a foreign decoration and it is not issued by the U.S. military to veterans of the Second World War. The decoration may be purchased from civilian military insignia vendors (e.g. French Mint
) or by request from the French Embassy to the United States.
The Medal was created in 1947 for any person, military or civilian, who participated effectively in the Liberation of France from German occupation
German occupation of France in World War II
The Military Administration in France was an interim occupation authority established by Nazi Germany during World War II. It remained in existence from May 1940 to December 1944. As a result of the defeat of France and its Allies in the Battle of France, the French cabinet sought a cessation...
and for any Allied
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
or French soldier who fought on French soil during the war. It has not been awarded since 1957.
The French Liberation Medal was issued extensively to the United States military between 1946 and 1950. The medal was authorized for wear on a military uniform until the 1950s, when the French Liberation Medal adopted the status as a commemorative decoration for civilian wear only.
The United States government considers the French Liberation Medal to be a foreign decoration and it is not issued by the U.S. military to veterans of the Second World War. The decoration may be purchased from civilian military insignia vendors (e.g. French Mint
Monnaie de Paris
The Monnaie de Paris or, more administratively speaking, the "Direction of Coins and Medals", is an administration of the French government charged with issuing coins as well as producing medals and other similar items. Many ancient coins are housed there...
) or by request from the French Embassy to the United States.
See also
- Ribbons of the French military and civil awardsRibbons of the French military and civil awardsThis is a list of the ribbons of the French military and civil awards.-French National Orders:-French Ministerial Orders:-The principal French military awards:-The French commemorative awards:- Medals of Honor :-The other awards:...
- Awards and decorations of the United States militaryAwards and decorations of the United States militaryAwards and decorations of the United States Military are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces...