The Medal of French Gratitude

• Time Period: The Great War
• Institution: 13 July 1917
• Country: France

The Medal of French Gratitude (or “Médaille de la Reconnaissance française” in French) is a French honor medal awarded only to civilians as a manner of expressing gratitude by the French government to all those who, without legal or military obligation, had come to the aid of the injured, disabled, refugees, or to those who had performed an act of exceptional dedication in the presence of the enemy during the First World War.

The Medal of French Gratitude was awarded to six French and eight foreign cities.

The Medal of French Gratitude Design

The first model of the Medal of French Gratitude measured 30 mm in diameter, was circular and made of bronze, silver or gilded medal, with a design by the engraver Jules Desbois.

The obverse bears charity personified by France supporting a wounded soldier. On the reverse can be read a circular inscription “RECONNAISSANCE FRANCAISE” with a palm leaf on the right.

The second model of this medal measured 32 mm and was designed by engraver Maurice Delannoy. Its obverse bears a woman wearing a Phrygian cap representing France offering a palm. On the reverse there is a relief inscription RECONNAISSANCE FRANCAISE around a wreath of roses and an escutcheon bearing the initials “RF”.

The medal hags from a 37 mm wide white silk moiré ribbon with tricolour 2 mm wide edge stripes of blue, white and red.