The Morocco Commemorative Medal

• Time Period: Pre-WW1
• Institution: 22 July 1909
• Country: France

The Morocco commemorative medal (1909) (or Médaille commémorative du Maroc 1909 in French) is a military campaign medal established by the law of 22 July 1909 and awarded to soldiers participating in the Second Franco-Moroccan War under the command of general Hubert Lyautey.

Long time French colonial interests in North Africa led to tensions between European nations but particularly disturbed Germany. France pushed established international agreements to their limits bringing tensions to a high point in the Agadir Crisis. Moroccan forces took advantage of the situation to attack French positions leading to an escalation in the number of French troops in their country under the auspices of so-called pacification operations. These military operations went on until 30 March 1912, the date on which the Treaty of Fez was signed making of Morocco a French Protectorate.

Four silver clasps of oriental design could be worn on the ribbon:

• CASABLANCA
• OUDJDA
• HAUT-GUIR
• MAROC

The Morocco Commemorative Medal Design

The medal measures 30mm in diameter, is circular and struck in silver.

The obverse bears the relief image of the effigy of the “warrior republic” in the form of the left profile of a helmeted woman’s bust, the helmet being adorned by a crown of oak leaves. On either side, the relief inscription along the circumference “RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE” (English: “FRENCH REPUBLIC”).

The reverse, representing both the army and navy, bears the relief images of an infantry rifle crossed with a naval anchor below two military banners and lances surmounted by the relief inscription “MAROC” (“MOROCCO”), the banners bore the inscriptions “HONNEUR ET PATRIE” and the words “CASABLANCA”, “HAUT-GUIR”, and “OUDJDA”. In the background, sand dunes, the wall of a Kasbah and palm trees.

The medal hangs from a 36mm wide silk moiré green ribbon with a 7mm white central stripe and two 2mm wide white stripes 1mm from the ribbon edges. The medal suspension ring was adorned by a silver laurel wreath and a crescent.