Honours and Medals — The Croix de Guerre — France


Obverse View	Reverse View


World War I	World War II

Background

The French Croix de Guerre was established on 8th April 1915 to commemorate individual mentions in dispatches during WWI. The medal was again authorised, with changes indicated above, in 1939 for WWII.

During WWI and WWII, the French Croix de Guerre was awarded to both U.S. Army units and to individuals. The Croix de Guerre may be awarded at different levels of command. The level of the awarding command determines the appurtenance worn on the ribbon. The bronze palm indicates awarded by the Army; a silver gilt star by a corps; a silver star by a division; and bronze star by a regiment or brigade.

The French Fourragére is authorised for both permanent and temporary wear. Personnel assigned to a unit which was awarded the fourragére may wear the fourragére while assigned to the unit.

Design

A bronze cross, 1 9/16 inches wide, surmounted by crossed swords hilt down saltirewise, overall a disk bearing the Head of the Republic. The medals are the same for World War I and World War II, except the WWI has 1914-1918 on the reverse and WWII medal has 1939 on the reverse.

Ribbon:

WWI

The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 1/16 inch old glory red; 5/32 inch Irish green; 1/16 inch old glory red; 5/32 inch Irish green; 1/16 inch old glory red; 5/32 inch Irish green; 1/16 inch old glory red; 5/32 inch Irish green; 1/16 inch old glory red; 5/32 inch Irish green; 1/16 inch old glory red; 5/32 inch Irish green; 1/16 inch old glory red.

WWII

The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 9/32 inch Old Glory Red; 5/32 inch Irish Green; 1/16 inch Old Glory Red; 5/32 inch Irish Green; 1/16 inch Old Glory Red; 5/32 inch Irish Green; 1/16 inch Old Glory Red; 5/32 inch Irish Green; 9/32 inch Old Glory Red.

Streamers

A streamer is displayed on the organisational flag/guidon to indicate award of the Croix de Guerre. The streamers are the same colour and pattern as the ribbon for the medal. Army units may display the Croix de Guerre on ceremonial occasions by pinning it on the streamer. The inscription and device will be as indicated in the unit's lineage and honours.

World War I Streamer

World War II Streamer

Fourragére:

The French fourragére may be awarded by the French government if a unit was cited twice in the dispatches. Award of the fourragére is not automatic and requires a specific decree of the French government. The fourragére is the same colours as the ribbon for the Croix de Guerre. If a unit is cited four times, the fourragére colours are changed to that of the French Medaille Militaire instead of the Croix de Guerre.


WWI (Two Citations)	WWI (Four Citations)


WW2 (Two Citations)	WW2 (Four Citations)