Croix de Guerre, (Croix de Guerre), French military decoration created in 1915 and 1939 to reward feats of bravery, either by individuals or groups, during the two world wars. This medal could be awarded to any member of the armed forces, to French and foreign citizens who had been mentioned in army dispatches and, in special cases, to military units and cities.

 

During World War II there was a proliferation of different conflicting medals. The marshalPhilippe Petaindel État Français(Vichy government)issued aCroix de Guerrein 1941and the GeneralHenri Giraudof the Free French Forces in North Africa issued a cross in 1943. By order (January 7, 1944) of the French National Liberation Committee, theCroix de GuerreInstituted in 1939, it was declared the only one valid for World War II.

There are different grades of the decoration corresponding to the different levels of army (or navy) dispatch in which the feat of valor being rewarded is mentioned. A bronze palm for mention in an army dispatch, a silver gilt star for an army corps dispatch, a silver star for a divisional dispatch and a bronze star for a brigade or regimental dispatch. A warship named in a dispatch and receiving the decoration may raise a pennant in the colors of the cross.

The cross design is a large Maltese cross in bronze with crossed swords; one side of the medal represents the Republic with the inscriptionFrench Republic. The other side has the year inscribed on it.