The Indochina Campaign commemorative medal (or Médaille commémorative de la campagne d’Indochine in French) is a military decoration established on 1 August 1953 to recognize participation in the Indochina War by the members of the French Far East Expeditionary Corps, regular and reserve.
The conflict in Indochina started right after the end of World War II with the French forces initially under the command of general Philippe Leclerc. During the first eight years of the conflict, French and colonial troops received the Colonial Medal with the “EXTRÊME-ORIENT” clasp, but this award couldn’t be earned by all in theater and outright excluded indigenous personnel.
Politicians and generals alike petitioned the government for a dedicated commemorative award available to all participants under French command. The Indochina Campaign commemorative medal was awarded to soldiers of the army, navy and air force involved, for a minimum of ninety days, in a regular or supplementary unit in the Indochina campaign between 16 August 1945 and 11 August 1954. The medal could also be awarded to civilians, citizens of France or of the French Union, members of the Merchant navy or civil aviation.
The Indochina Campaign Commemorative Medal Design
The medal measures 36mm in diameter, is circular and struck in bronze.
On the obverse a 24mm wide by 5mm high rectangular panel bearing the relief inscription “INDOCHINE” is supported by a seven headed naja, five of its heads being below the panel, two being above the upper corners, one on each side. Atop the panel, a three headed elephant surrounded by the relief semi circular inscription “RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE” along the medal circumference.
On the reverse in relief, a 25mm in diameter wreath of laurels and oak leaves surrounded by the inscription “CORPS EXPÉDITIONNAIRE FRANÇAIS D’EXTRÊME-ORIENT” (“FRENCH FAR EAST EXPEDITIONARY CORPS”) running along the entire medal circumference.
The ribbon suspension ring is adorned with a 20mm high by 25mm wide bronze twisted dragon. The ring passes through a loop atop the medal which hangs from a 39mm wide green ribbon bearing four 5mm wide yellow stripes set 5mm apart starting 2mm from the edges.
