1939–1945 Commemorative war medal (France)

The 1939–1945 Commemorative war medal (French: "Médaille commémorative de la guerre 1939–1945") is a commemorative medal of France established on 21 May 1946 to recognize individual participation in the Second World War.

[1] The 1939–1945 Commemorative war medal was awarded to all soldiers serving under French authority or under a French government in a state of war against the Axis nations, or present on board a warship or armed merchant vessel under these same authorities and/or governments; to French citizens, whether military or civilian, who fought against the Axis forces or their representatives; to foreign military who served as Frenchmen in formations at war against the Axis forces.

[1] A 1949 decree further added the members of the French passive resistance as potential recipients of the 1939–1945 Commemorative war medal.

The obverse bears the relief image of a rooster superimposed in front of a Cross of Lorraine, its wings spread out and standing on a broken chain.

[1] Seven other clasps bearing the years "1939", "1940", "1941", "1942", "1943", "1944" and "1945" were available when the deed to commemorate took part outside the theatre and/or dates cited above.

Reverse of the medal
General Alphonse Juin, a recipient of the 1939–1945 Commemorative war medal
French fighter ace Pierre Clostermann, a recipient of the 1939–1945 Commemorative war medal