- Time Period: World War II
- Institution: May 21, 1946
- Country: France
The 1939–1945 Commemorative War Medal (or “Médaille commémorative de la guerre 1939–1945” in French) is a commemorative medal of France established in 1946 to recognize individual participation in the Second World War.
The medal was awarded to all soldiers serving under French authority or under a French government in a state of war against the Axis nations, as well as present on board a warship or armed merchant vessel, to French citizens, military or civilian, who fought against the Axis forces or their representatives, and to foreign military who served as Frenchmen in formations at war against the Axis forces.
The 1939–1945 Commemorative War Medal Design
The 1939–1945 Commemorative war medal is hexagonal in shape and struck from bronze. It measures 28mm wide and 38mm high excluding the suspension loop.
The obverse of the medal bears the relief image of a rooster superimposed in front of a Cross of Lorraine. The reverse shows a relief semi circular inscription “RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE” over a sprig of laurel leaves and the inscription on three lines “GUERRE” “1939” “1945”.
