French WW1 Medal | Croix de Guerre

The French Croix de Guerre (War Cross) is a military decoration first established in 1915 during World War I. It was created by the French government to recognize individuals, both French and foreign, who had demonstrated acts of bravery or were mentioned in dispatches for their heroic actions in the face of the enemy. The decoration was not limited to soldiers alone—it could also be awarded to civilians and even military units that displayed exceptional courage under fire.

The medal itself features a bronze cross with crossed swords behind it, symbolizing martial valor. In its center is a medallion bearing the image of the French Republic, represented as Marianne, wearing a Phrygian cap. Suspended from a ribbon with alternating red and green stripes, each award was personalized by the addition of various devices affixed to the ribbon—bronze, silver, or gold stars and palms—which indicated the level at which the individual had been mentioned in official dispatches. For example, a bronze star denoted a regimental mention, while a silver palm indicated an army-level mention, marking higher levels of distinction.

The Croix de Guerre was widely awarded during World War I, and many Allied soldiers, including Americans, received it for their service alongside French forces. It became a visible token of international solidarity and individual valor. In many cases, recipients were allowed to wear the decoration permanently, and it remained a proud emblem of courage and honor. The Croix de Guerre continues to be one of France’s most recognizable and respected military honors, with subsequent versions created for World War II and later conflicts.

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1. Ancient Artifacts exclusively sources artifacts from trusted and reputable antique distributors, many of whom have been selling Artifacts for decades.  
2. Next, the Artifact is inspected by an expert team member, who is professionally trained in counterfeit detection After the artifact passes inspection, the Certificate of Authenticity is signed and the Artifact is packaged. 
3. Finally, Ancient Artifacts gives an additional layer of protection by promising a full refund with no questions asked, in the extremely unlikely event that a counterfeit slips through our vetting process.

Your medal will look very similar to the one shown in the photos. There will always be some variety, given our items are unique historical pieces.If for whatever reason you get anything that does not fit this description you are entitled to your money back! 

It’s possible to own a French Croix de Guerre medal because it was widely issued during World War I to soldiers from many countries, including thousands of Americans, and many of those medals eventually made their way into private hands through inheritance, collecting, or the surplus market. Since it’s not a medal of lifelong restricted ownership and wasn’t always returned to the issuing authority, examples often appear in militaria shops, online auctions, and antique stores. The medal originates from France, having been established by the French government in 1915 as a way to recognize acts of bravery in combat, and it was awarded throughout the war to both French and Allied forces.