Médaille de la Résistance

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Médaille de la Résistance avec rosette

The French Médaille de la Résistance (Resistance Medal) was awarded by General Charles de Gaulle "to recognise 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 June 18, 1940".

The French Medal of Resistance was given to approximately 44,000 living persons and 20,000 posthumously, belonging just as well to the Free French as to the Internal Resistance during the German occupation of France in World War II. Higher deeds were rewarded with the Ordre de la Libération. The medal ceased to be awarded on December 31, 1947 in Indochina and on March 31, 1947 everywhere else.

The medal is held by red and black cloth with the Cross of Lorraine and the date of the beginning of the German occupation of France in Roman figures: 17th 6 month 1940. On the reverse are the words "PATRIA NON IMMEMOR" ("the Fatherland does not forget"). The medal exists in two ranks : simple medal, and medal with rosette (the later attirbuted to 4 253 people). The medal was also awarded to 21 army units, 14 Navy units, 6 towns, schools and hospitals, and to 9 others (including covents).