Instituted on 2 April 1915, the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 was created by the French Government to recognise members of the French Armed Forces and Allied servicemen who had been mentioned in dispatches for acts of courage under fire. Awarded throughout the First World War, the decoration became one of the most respected gallantry medals of the conflict and was frequently bestowed upon British, Commonwealth, Belgian, American, and other Allied personnel serving alongside French forces.
The medal is formed as a bronze cross pattée with crossed swords between each arm, symbolising military service in combat. The obverse bears the effigy of the French Republic, while the reverse is dated 1914–1918, representing the final wartime issue of the medal. It is suspended from the distinctive green ribbon with narrow red vertical stripes and is fitted with a silver star, indicating that the recipient was mentioned in dispatches at Divisional level for an act or acts of gallantry.
Citation devices attached to the ribbon denoted the level at which the recipient had been recognised. A bronze star represented a brigade-level citation, a silver star denoted a divisional citation, a gilt star signified a corps-level citation, and bronze or silver palms indicated the highest level of recognition—an Army citation. The addition of a silver star therefore reflects a significant award for distinguished service in combat.
The Croix de Guerre was awarded during many of the major campaigns of the First World War, including the Battles of the Marne, Verdun, the Somme, Arras, Passchendaele, and the Hundred Days Offensive. Thousands of Allied servicemen received the medal in recognition of bravery while serving with or in support of French forces on the Western Front.
Original Croix de Guerre medals complete with their original citation devices are especially desirable to collectors of First World War medals and militaria, as the devices provide additional insight into the level of gallantry for which the decoration was awarded.
Condition
Good overall original condition, with crisp detailing and an attractive age-related bronze patina. The original ribbon retains its silver star citation device. Light wear, minor surface marks, and gentle ribbon ageing are consistent with the medal’s age and service. No significant damage or repairs are evident
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