WWI French and Belgian Croix de Guerre

During WWI, both France and Belgium created medals known as Croix de Guerre (Cross of War) to recognize soldiers cited for bravery. Other countries, including the British and Americans, recognized soldiers “mentioned in dispatches” from their commanders with devices to attach to the campaign ribbon. The French and Belgians created a separate medal as well as the devices.

The French Croix de Guerre was created in April 1915 and could be awarded to individuals or units that were cited in dispatches for bravery. In the case of a unit award, a braided cord would be worn around the shoulder, known as the fourragere. The medal consists of a cross with swords crossed between the arms. The center features an effigy of the French Republic in profile in a circlet reading REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE. The back of this medal shows the year “1914” for the start of the war, and “1918” indicating a 1918 award. Earlier versions have the second year as 1915, 1916 or 1917. The ribbon has a bronze star device pined to it, indicating the citation was from his regiment or brigade. Other devices were:

Silver star – citation from Division
Gilt star – citation from Corps
Bronze palm – citation from Army
Silver palm equals five bronze palms

The Belgian Croix de Guerre was created in October 1915, and was only awarded to individual soldiers. In addition to bravery, it was also awarded for virtuous conduct on the battlefield, three years of front line service, volunteers older than 40 or younger than 16, escaped prisoners of war or injuries resulting in being placed on the inactive list. Like the French version, the medal consists of a cross with swords between the arms, but here the cross swings freely from a crown attached to the ribbon. A Belgian Lion replaces the liberty effigy in the middle. The monogram of King Albert appears on back. The ribbon bears a bronze palm with Albert’s monogram, indicating the medal was for a citation from Army level. Other devices were:

Bronze lion – citation from Regiment
Silver lion – citation from Brigade
Gold lion – citation from Division
Silver palm equals five bronze Army level citation palms
Gold Palm equals five silver palms
Black enamel bar – Posthumous award