Loading AI tools
Award From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Medal of French Gratitude (French: "Médaille de la Reconnaissance française") was a French honour medal created on 13 July 1917 and solely awarded to civilians.[1] The medal was created to express gratitude by the French government to all those who, without legal or military obligation, had come to the aid of the injured, disabled, refugees, or who had performed an act of exceptional dedication in the presence of the enemy during the First World War. The creation of this distinction was mainly the result of unsuccessful offensives of General Nivelle in 1917 and the serious crisis of confidence in France. The French government thus wanted to thank those who, despite the crisis, were always volunteering. It has three classes: bronze, silver, and gold. Nearly 15,000 people and communities were recipients of this award. The medal is no longer awarded, the last award was on 14 February 1959.[2]
| Medal of French Gratitude | |
|---|---|
Bronze level, type 2 (obverse) | |
| Type | Three grade medal |
| Awarded for | Support to the victims of war |
| Presented by |  France |
| Status | No longer awarded |
| Established | 13 July 1917 |
| Total recipients | ~15,000 |
 Gold
 Bronze | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Combatant's Cross |
| Next (lower) | Overseas Medal |
.jpg)
.jpg)
The Medal of French Gratitude was awarded following World War I to the following:[1]
The first model was a 30 mm in diameter circular bronze, silver or gilded medal depending on the level of the award, the design was by engraver Jules Desbois. The obverse bore charity personified by France supporting a wounded soldier. On the reverse at centre, the relief circular inscription "RECONNAISSANCE FRANÇAISE" along the circumference with at centre and a palm leaf on the right.
The second model is a 32 mm in diameter circular bronze, silver or gilded medal depending on the level of the award, the design was by engraver Maurice Delannoy. The obverse bears a woman wearing a Phrygian cap representing France offering a palm. On the reverse, the relief inscription RECONNAISSANCE FRANÇAISE around a wreath of roses surrounding an escutcheon bearing the initials "RF" (for République Française).
The medal hung from a 37 mm wide white silk moiré ribbon with tricolour 2 mm wide edge stripes of blue, white and red, the blue being outermost.
New Zealand
Ireland
United States
Switzerland
Laos
United Kingdom
Spain United States
Belgium United States United States Ireland United Kingdom
Australia United States United States Australia
Canada United States United States United States United States United States United States United Kingdom United Kingdom nurse with British Red Cross, an aunt of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, later Queen of Sweden 
Sweden United Kingdom United States United Kingdom United States United States United States Australia United States
Denmark United States United StatesThe Medal of French Gratitude was awarded to six French and eight foreign cities.[1]
Switzerland Belgium
Luxembourg
NorwaySeamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.
