IAGenWeb Iowa in the Great War
 

Medals

 

 

Croix de guerre, 1914-1918

 

 

Croix de guerre

 

Croix de guerre with palm and silver and bronze stars

    It was designed by the sculptor Paul-Albert Bartholomé.  It was giving for excellent conduct during WWI. It is 37 mm large and there are four arms and two swords criss-crossed. In the center of the front side, we have the profile of the French Republic crested by a Phrygian cap. Around this portrait, we can read « République française » (French Republic). On the back of the medal, there are the dates of the conflict: first, it was 1914 - 1915 then 1914-1916, 1914-1917 and finally 1914- 1918.
  • Ribbon : green with seven tiny red lines
During World War I, the Croix de Guerre was awarded for bravery to military personnel mentioned in dispatches. Recipients of the Légion d'Honneur and Médaille Militaire were automatically entitled to the Croix de Guerre. For subsequent acts of bravery, the recipient was awarded a bronze palm leaf for Army citations, a gold star for Corps citations, a silver star for Division citations or a bronze star for Brigade and Regimental citations:
Régiment and Brigade citations étoile de bronze
Division citations étoile d'argent
Corps citations étoile de vermeil
Armée citations palme de bronze

1 palme d'argent equals = 5 palmes de bronze
 

 Degrees

  • a bronze star for those who had been cited at the regiment or brigade level.
  • a silver star, for those who had been cited at the division level.
  • a silver gilt star for those who had been cited at the corps level.
  • a bronze palm for those who had been cited at the army level.
  • a silver palm for those who had been cited 5 times at the army level.

 

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