- Time Period: World War II
- Institution: 26 September 1939
- Country: France
The War Cross 1939–1945 (or Croix de guerre 1939–1945) is a French military decoration, a version of the Croix de guerre created on September 26, 1939, to honor people who fought with the Allies against the Axis forces at any time during World War II.
Due to the large extent of the war zone, recipients included those who fought during, with, at, or in the following:
- Battle of France
- French Forces of the Interior
- Free French Forces
- Western Front
- Middle East Theater
- Mediterranean Theater
- African campaigns
The War Cross 1939-1945 Design
The Croix de Guerre was designed by the sculptor Paul-Albert Bartholomé. The medal measures 37 mm in size and is made in the shape of a Maltese cross with two swords crisscrossed through the center.
In the center of the obverse is the profile of the French Republic crested by a Phrygian cap. Around this portrait are the words “République française” (“French Republic”). On the reverse of the medal are the dates of the conflict: 1939–1940, 1939–1945, or simply 1940.
The suspension and service ribbon of the medal has a red background crossed with four green lines in its center.
On every medal and ribbon, there is at least one ribbon device, either in the shape of a palm or of a star, and fashioned from either bronze, silver, or gilded silver (gold).
The French Croix represents a mention in dispatches awarded by a commanding officer. An individual could be awarded the decoration several times, for different actions, and from different sources. The devices are:
- A bronze star for those who were mentioned at the regiment or brigade level.
- A silver star, for those who were mentioned at the division level.
- A silver-gilt (gold) star for those who were mentioned at the corps level.
- A bronze palm for those who were mentioned at the army level.
- A silver palm stands for five bronze ones.
- A silver-gilt (gold) palm for those who were mentioned at the Free French Forces level (World War II only).
