| Croix du Combattant Volontaire 1914–1918 | |
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Obverse bar of the medal |
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| Awarded by France | |
| Type | Medal |
| Awarded for | Volunteers for the war 1914–1918 |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 4 July 1935 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Médaille des évadés |
| Next (lower) | Croix du combattant volontaire 1939–1945 |
Ribbon bar of the medal |
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The Croix du Combattant Volontaire 1914–1918 (Combatant Volunteer Cross 1914–1918) is a French decoration that recognizes those who have volunteered to serve on the front in a combat unit during World War I.
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When creating the Médaille commémorative de la guerre 1914–1918 (Medal of the 1914–1918 war), it was anticipated that the enlistees' medals bear a bronze clasp for Engagé Volontaire (Committed Volunteers). This clasp was short lived, due to parliament demanding the establishment of a special badge to distinguish the merits of the voluntary combatant.
The Act of July 4, 1935 created the Croix du Combattant Volontaire, designated for those who volunteered to serve on the front in a combat unit during the Great War.
A cross with four arms in bronze, 36 mm wide. Engraved by Frédéric De VERNON.
On the obverse: a round central medallion with the legend surrounding REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE:
On the reverse: inside the central medallion, a branch of laurel is surrounded by the inscription: COMBATTANT VOLONTAIRE 1914–1918.
The cross arms are covered with leaves of laurel and oak forming relief.
A special version was made for the volunteer fighters from the war of 1870–1871 with the dates 1870–1871 on the back replacing those of 1914–1918.
The requirements for obtaining the cross were defined by the decree of November 28, 1935.
The qualifications of the candidates have been reviewed by a panel from 1951, twelve members as follows:
The decree of 10 April 1936 extended the award to the few surviving volunteer firefighters from the War of 1870–1871.
The Croix du Combattant Volontaire 1914–1918 is considered a war decoration during the review of applications for Légion d'honneur, la Médaille militaire and l'Ordre national du Mérite.
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