IdentifyMedals Logo

Category: WW2 Medals

The Civil Order of Alfonso X the Wise

The Civil Order of Alfonso X the Wise (Orden Civil de Alfonso X) is a Spanish civil order from 1939 recognizing education, science, etc.

The Civil Order of Alfonso X the Wise (or Orden Civil de Alfonso X el Sabio) is a Spanish civil order established in 1939 to recognize activities in the fields of education, science, culture, higher education and research.

The order was created on 23 May 1902 by Royal decree as the Order of Alfonso XII. In 1988 the order was reformed and given its current name. The Grand Chancellor is the Minister of Education, Culture and Sport of Spain.

The 1988 reform’s main innovation was to discontinue the previous award’s practice of distinguishing male and female achievements, thereby eliminating explicit sexual discrimination.

It’s awarded in the following grades:

  • Collar
  • Grand-Cross
  • Commander with Plaque
  • Commander
  • Cross
  • Medal

The Crosses of Aeronautical Merit

Crosses of Aeronautical Merit (or Cruces del Mérito Aeronáutico) are Spain’s military award for gallantry or merit in the air. The award can be made in war or at times of peace.

Established on 30 November 1945 by chief of state Francisco Franco as the Order of Aeronautical Merit (Orden del Mérito Aeronáutico) and amended in 1976, 1995, 2003 and 2007. Awarded originally in three classes and a cross in silver for non-commissioned ranks, in 1995 it lost the rank of an order of merit and reduced to two and the number of categories extended to four.

According to the current regulations the decoration is conferred in the following classes:

  • Grand Cross – to generals, admirals or civilian personnel of equivalent rank;
  • Cross – to other officers, non-commissioned ranks or equivalent civilian personnel.

The categories are as follows:

  • with Red Decoration (con distintivo rojo) – for courage, actions, deeds or service during an armed conflict or military operations that involve or may involve the use of armed force and may require significant military or command skills; since 2007 it can be awarded to for acts of gallantry while on an overseas mission and to soldiers fallen during such a mission;
  • with Blue Decoration (con distintivo azul) – for actions, events or extraordinary services including operations resulting from a mandate of the United Nations or of other international organizations;
  • with Yellow Decoration (con distintivo amarillo) – for actions, deeds or service that involve high personal risk and in cases of serious injury or death resulting from such actions or service;
  • with White Decoration (con distintivo blanco) – for actions, deeds or distinguished service during missions of ordinary or extraordinary service in the armed forces or in connection with defense of the country.

Multiple awards of each class and each category to the same individual are possible. The medal is awarded to members of the Spanish Armed Forces, Guardia Civil or civilians.

The Crosses of Aeronautical Merit Design

The decoration has the form of a Greek cross with the arms enameled red in the Red Decoration category and white in the remaining categories. The Blue Decoration and Yellow Decoration badges have an additional narrow bar in blue or yellow across the lower arm. The upper arm is surmounted by a Spanish royal crown and has a tablet to engrave the date of bestowal.

The round central shield of the obverse bears the coat of arms of Castile, León, Aragon, Navarre and Granada (until 2003 only alternate coats of arms of Castile and León); in the middle there is a blue oval shield of the House of Bourbon-Anjou. The central shield has gold wings extended to the lateral arms of the cross and is surmounted by a royal crown.

On the reverse there are letters “MA” (Mérito Aeronáutico) on red background. The cross is worn on a ribbon on the left side of chest. Each subsequent award is denoted by a bar with the date of bestowal on the ribbon.

The Grand Cross has the same form as the cross described above but is worn on a sash over the right shoulder. The star added to the class of Grand Cross is gilt, eight-pointed, with the cross superimposed on it; currently between the arms of the cross there are alternate towers (Castile) and lions (León).

The Aeronautical Medal

The Aeronautical Medal (“Médaille de l’Aéronautique”) is a French decoration awarded to military personnel and civilians for outstanding aeronautics.

The Aeronautical Medal (or “Médaille de l’Aéronautique”) is a state decoration of France established by the decree of 14 February 14. It is awarded to both military personnel and civilians for outstanding accomplishments related to the field of aeronautics.

Originally envisioned before the Second World War, it was intended as an equal to the Order of Maritime Merit. The intent was to create an aerial order of merit intended for civilian and military personnel working in aeronautics. The war temporarily put an end to the project until February 1945.

Recipients are chosen by a council presided by a member of the office of the secretary of state for the armed forces (air) that will be composed of:

  • the chief of staff of the air force,
  • the director of the aeronautical administration control department,
  • the technical and industry director to the secretary of state for the armed forces (air),
  • a member named by decree of the minister for public works, transport and tourism, representing the ministry,
  • a representative of the aerial navigation companies named for two years by decree of the minister for public works, transport and tourism,
  • a personality with a history of exceptional services in aeronautics named for two years by decree of the secretary of state for the armed forces (air).

The Aeronautical Medal is limited to no more than 275 new recipients per year, it is awarded twice annually on 1 January and 14 July.

The Aeronautical Medal Design

The medal is rectangular and of gilt metal. The obverse bears the gilt left profile of Marianne from the 1940s representing France, below Marianne, the gilt inscription “Honneur et Patrie” (Honour and Country). The reverse bears the inscription on four lines “MÉDAILLE DE L’AÉRONAUTIQUE 1945” (AERONAUTICAL MEDAL 1945).

The medal is enameled in red except for Marianne, the inscription and a 2 mm exterior border. The medal is suspended to a 37 mm wide royal blue silk moiré ribbon by a wing shaped pendant with a relief five pointed star at its center and an horizontal slot to receive the ribbon.

The Cross of the Resistance Volunteer Combatant

The Cross of the Resistance Volunteer Combatant (“Croix du combattant volontaire de la Résistance”) is a decoration for the French resistance.

The Cross of the resistance volunteer combatant (or “Croix du combattant volontaire de la Résistance”) is a French decoration that recognizes, as its name implies, those who fought in one of the resistance groups, or who were deported or interned for acts of resistance, or who were killed or injured while taking parts in acts of resistance against the German occupation forces during World War II.

This award was created by a special law in 1954 and awarded to those who had been designated and issued cards certifying them as voluntary resistance fighters. It was issued to all cardholders of voluntary resistance fighter created in 1949, which itself is obtained using the following criteria:

  • Holders of the a card Resistant-Deported or Interned-Resistant.
  • Those executed, killed or injured in an act of resistance.
  • Those who were members of a resistance group, recognized as a fighting unit and who actually fought at least 90 days in the French Forces Combattantes (FFC) or French Forces of the Interior ( FFI) or the French Resistance Interior (RFI).
  • The people who have belonged for 90 days before June 6, 1944, the FFC, FFI, or RFI in an area occupied by the enemy, and have affidavits from two persons well known for their activity in the French Resistance.

The Cross of the Resistance Volunteer Combatant Design

The Cross of the resistance volunteer combatant, a design of engraver Frédéric de Vernon, is a 36 mm wide cross pattée made of gilt bronze.

On the obverse, over the central medallion of the cross, a relief Cross of Lorraine overflowing onto the four cross arms which are covered in laurel leaves. On the reverse, the relief inscription on three lines on the central medallion COMBATTANT VOLONTAIRE RÉSISTANCE.

The cross is suspended by a ring through a suspension loop which is an integral part of the top of the upper cross arm. It hangs from a 36 mm wide black silk moiré ribbon with 5 mm wide red vertical edge stripes, it is further divided by four vertical 1 mm wide green stripes, two at center spaced 2 mm apart and one on each side 2 mm from the red edge stripes.

The Volunteer Combatant’s Cross

The Volunteer combatant’s cross (Croix du combattant volontaire) was a French decoration for volunteers that served during World War II.

The Volunteer combatant’s cross (or “Croix du combattant volontaire”) was a French decoration that originally recognized those who volunteered to serve in a combat unit during World War II. It is the equivalent of the “1914–1918 Volunteer combatant’s cross“.

This decoration is equivalent to that awarded to the soldiers of the First World War. At the request of the associations of veterans the state fixed by Act of 4 February 1953, accompanied by a decree of 19 November 1955, the award Croix du Combattant Volontaire 1939–1945, designated for those who volunteered to serve. Additional revisions of the act establishing this award in 1995 and 2007 have added a total of five clasps:

  • Guerre 1939–1945
  • Indochine
  • Corée
  • Afrique du Nord
  • Missions extérieures

The Volunteer combatant’s cross was created to honor those who voluntarily participated in an armed conflict, during which they put their lives at risk.

In this spirit, the candidate for this distinction must provide proof from what he has done is a voluntary act of serving in a combat unit, so that because of his age or his circumstances, he was compelled to any “service obligation” (read “no obligation such “). From what he has in fact been present in a unit recognized fighter, during a specified time.

The Volunteer Combatant's Cross Design

A cross with four arms in bronze, 36 mm wide. Engraved by Frédéric de Vernon.

On the obverse is a round central medallion with the legend surrounding REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE. An effigy of a helmeted Poilu (World War I infantryman), on a sword drawn vertically on the arms of the cross which is covered with laurel leaves and oak leaves in relief.

On the reverse is, inside the central medallion, a branch of laurel is surrounded by the inscription: COMBATTANT VOLONTAIRE 1939–1945. The reverse of the 1983 version has no date. The cross arms are covered with leaves of laurel and oak forming relief.

Find This Medal

Right Now on eBay 
Clicking a link to eBay may result in a referral commission being paid if a purchase is made.
Loading...

The Resistance Medal

The Resistance medal (Médaille de la Résistance) was a decoration bestowed by the French Committee of National Liberation during World War II.

The Resistance medal (or Médaille de la Résistance) was a decoration bestowed by the French Committee of National Liberation, based in the United Kingdom, during World War II.

It was established by a decree of General Charles de Gaulle on 9 February 1943 “to recognize the remarkable acts of faith and of courage that, in France, in the empire and abroad, have contributed to the resistance of the French people against the enemy and against its accomplices since 18 June 1940“.

The Resistance medal was awarded to approximately 38,288 living persons and 24,463 posthumously. These awards were both for membership in the Free French forces and for participation in the metropolitan clandestine Resistance during the German occupation of France in World War II. The medal was also awarded to 18 communities and territories, 21 military units, and to 15 other organizations including convents, high schools, and hospitals that particularly distinguished themselves.

The Resistance Medal Design

The Resistance medal is a 37mm in diameter circular medal struck from bronze. Its slightly concave obverse bears at center a vertical Cross of Lorraine with the relief semi circular inscription of the date of General de Gaulle’s appeal of 18 June 1940 in Roman numerals “XVIII.VI.MCMXL” (18.06.1940) bisected by the lower part of the cross.

The reverse bears the relief image of an unfurling ribbon bearing the relief inscription in Latin”PATRIA NON IMMEMOR” translating into “THE NATION DOES NOT FORGET”. The suspension is cast as an integral part of the medal.

The medal hangs from a 36mm wide black silk moiré ribbon with six vertical red stripes of varying widths, 3mm wide edge stripes, two 1mm wide central stripes 2mm apart, and two 1mm wide stripes 6mm from the central stripes. A 28mm in diameter rosette is on the ribbon of the Officer of the Resistance medal.

The Medal of the Gendarmerie Nationale

The Medal of the National Gendarmerie or Federal Police (Médaille de la Gendarmerie nationale) is a military decoration created in 1949.

The Medal of the National Gendarmerie or Federal Police (or Médaille de la Gendarmerie nationale) is a French military decoration created on 5 September 1949 on the proposition of the then Minister of Defence, mister Paul Ramadier.

It was originally created in a single grade for award to officers and NCOs of the Gendarmerie nationale who were cited in the orders of the entire service. Such a citation in the orders of the entire service, and all potential subsequent ones would be denoted by a grenade device on the ribbon as the medal could, and can still only be awarded once to any potential recipient.

The medal could also be exceptionally awarded to persons not members of the service for important services rendered to the gendarmerie or for help during special missions. These presentations were made without a citation and thus without any ribbon device.

The ribbon of the medal will be adorned by a device denoting the degree of the award as described in its accompanying citation:

  • Bronze palm when cited to the entire service;
  • Gilt star when cited to its relevant army corps;
  • Silver star when cited to its relevant division;
  • Bronze star when cited to its relevant brigade or division.

The medal may be awarded posthumously.

The Medal of the Gendarmerie Nationale Design

The Médaille de la Gendarmerie nationale is a 36 mm in diameter circular gilt bronze medal. At its top, also in gilt bronze and hiding the ribbon suspension loop, is affixed a grenade with flames between laurel leaves.

The obverse bears the relief image of a plumed close helmet resting on a sword pointing upward, it bears the circular inscription along its circumference “GENDARMERIE NATIONALE”. The reverse bears a laurel wreath with the relief inscription “COURAGE DISCIPLINE” on two lines at the top, the center being reserved for the inscription of the recipient’s name.

The Médaille de la Gendarmerie nationale is suspended by a 37 mm wide silk moiré ribbon divided by vertical stripes in the following colors:

  • 10 mm wide yellow central stripe representing the color of the old “Maréchaussée”, the military service charged with police and jurisdictional duties under the old regime;
  • 2 mm wide white stripes bordering the central stripe, they represent the two subdivisions of the service, the police service and the Republican Guard;
  • these central stripes are themselves bordered by 9,5 mm wide blue vertical stripes representing the color of the police service;
  • 2 mm wide bright red edge stripes represent the Republican Guard.

The War Cross 1939-1945

The War Cross 1939–1945 (Croix de guerre 1939–1945) is a French military decoration to honor those who fought with the Allies during WW2.

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).

Find This Medal

Right Now on eBay 
Clicking a link to eBay may result in a referral commission being paid if a purchase is made.
Loading...

The Mobilisation War Cross

The Mobilization War Cross (or Mobilisatie-Oorlogskruis in Dutch) is a Dutch medal awarded for service during World War II.

The Mobilisation War Cross (or Mobilisatie-Oorlogskruis in Dutch) is a Dutch medal awarded for service during World War II.

The Mobilisation War Cross was established on 11 August 1948 by royal decree of Queen Wilhelmina. Those eligible for the award include military personnel who served for at least six months between 6 April 1939 – 20 May 1940. However, the Cross can also be awarded to non-military personnel or people who did not serve a full six months, as long as the subject performed military tasks for the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

On 1 December 1992, the original royal decree was rescinded and replaced.

The Mobilisation War Cross Design

The decoration is a cross in bronze over a ribbon of colors purple and orange. The obverse shows a helmet and set of swords.

The Medal of Recognition 1940-1945

The Medal of Recognition 1940–1945 is a medal of the Kingdom of the Netherlands that was established by Royal Decree on 9 February 1946.

The Medal of Recognition 1940–1945 (or Erkentelijkheidsmedaille 1940–1945 in Dutch) is a medal of the Kingdom of the Netherlands that was established by Royal Decree on 9 February 1946.

The decoration was of two classes, silver and bronze, and was awarded to those who aided the Dutch during the period of World War II, or afterwards helped relieve those who had suffered from the German occupation.

The Medal of Recognition 1940-1945 Design

The decoration was designed as a circular medal 29 millimeters in diameter and exists in two classes, silver and bronze.

On the front Androcles is portrayed taking the thorn from the lion’s paw. The choice of motif was guided by the fact that the lion is the royal emblem of the Netherlands and the story was once commonly cited as an example of enduring gratitude. The inscription round the front edge reads SIBI BENEFACIT QUI BENEFACIT AMICO (‘He benefits himself who benefits a friend’). On the reverse of the medal the inscription reads POPULUS BATAVUS GRATO ANIMO (‘With the gratitude of the Dutch people’).

The medal’s ribbon is orange with a broad white stripe down the middle, on which there is a small silver or bronze crown according to class.