Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures

Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieurs


War Cross for foreign operational theaters (obverse)
Reverse of the War Cross for foreign operational theaters
Awarded by France
Type Medal
Awarded for Citations for courage during foreign operations
Status Active
Statistics
Established 30 April 1921
Precedence
Next (higher) Croix de guerre 1939-1945
Next (lower) Cross for Military Valour

Ribbon bar of the French croix de guerre des théâtres d’opérations extérieures
General Mariano Goybet, a recipient of the Croix de Guerre TOE
General Paul Azan, a recipient of the Croix de Guerre TOE
Croix de Guerre TOE in Spanish regimental heraldry (Rif War operations)
Coat of Arms of the 1st Tercio, Spanish Legion
Coat of Arms of the 2nd Tercio, Spanish Legion
Coat of Arms of the 3rd Tercio, Spanish Legion

The Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieurs (War Cross for foreign operational theaters), also called the Croix de Guerre TOE for short, is a French military award denoting citations earned in combat in foreign countries. The Armistice of November 11, 1918 ended the war between France and Germany, but French soldiers continued fighting in theaters outside metropolitan France. Combat operations continued in Syria, Palestine, Constantinople, Morocco, French West Africa and French Equatorial Africa.[1]

History

A law was passed on April 30, 1921 establishing the new Croix de guerre for "Théâtres d'opérations extérieurs" (TOE). It was intended to commemorate the individual citations awarded during operations carried out since November 11, 1918 or that would occur in the future, for war service directly related to an expeditionary force used outside of the borders of France, otherwise, the statute of the Croix de guerre TOE was the same as that of the 1914 - 1918 Croix de guerre.[1]

Following the combat operations of the immediate post World War 1 Era, the Croix de Guerre TOE was again awarded for actions in Indochina, Madagascar, Korea, and during the Suez Crisis.[1]

After a hiatus of thirty-five years, it was again awarded for actions between January 17, 1991 and May 5, 1992 during the Gulf War (Order of Minister of Defense of 17 January 1991). It was also extended to military operations conducted in Kosovo in 1999.[1]

Statute

The award criteria for the Croix de Guerre TOE are substantially the same as those governing the Croix de Guerre 1914-1918, the citations for the entire armed forces are made by the Minister of Defense unless this authority has been specially delegated to the commanding general of the expeditionary forces.[1]

The Croix de Guerre TOE is awarded to military personnel and civilians who have received an individual citation during war/combat operations on foreign soil. More precisely, it was awarded for citations earned in the following operational foreign theaters:

For naval citations, their levels differ from the army as follows:

Description

Cross

The Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures is a bronze 37 mm wide cross pattée, between the arms, two crossed swords pointing upward. It was designed by the sculptor Albert Bartholome. On the obverse in a circular medallion, the effigy of the Republic (Marianne) wearing a cap decorated with a laurel wreath, surrounded by a ring bearing the legend: "RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE". On the reverse, in the circular medallion the inscription: "THÉÂTRES D'OPÉRATIONS EXTÉRIEURS".[1]

The cross is suspended by a ring through the suspension loop to a 38 mm wide grey silk moiré ribbon with 10 mm wide red edge stripes. The Croix de guerre TOE is worn on the left side of the chest and when in the presence of other medals of France, is located immediately after the Croix de guerre 1939 - 1945.[1]

Ribbon devices

Citations (same as the Croix de guerre 1914-1918):

Notable recipients (partial list)

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Battini, Jean; Zaniewicki, Witold (2003). Guide pratique des décorations françaises actuelles. Paris: LAVAUZELLE. pp. 67–69. ISBN 2-7025-1030-2.

External links