It was established by royal decree of the Prince Regent on 16 February 1945 to recognise Belgian servicemen and women who served during World War II.

Later decrees allowed for its award to foreign recipients of the Belgian Croix de Guerre.

A 3mm wide laurel wreath encircled the entire medal on both the obverse and reverse.

On the reverse, within a 5mm wide raised circle, the relief inscriptions (French: MEDAILLE COMMEMORATIVE) within the upper half and (Dutch: HERINNERINGSMEDAILLE) in the lower half, in the center of the raised circle, two 3mm high raised horizontal bars positioned 8mm apart, the upper one bearing the relief inscription (French: DE LA GUERRE), the lower one bearing (Dutch: VAN DER OORLOG), at center, between the two horizontal bars, the relief years "1940–1945".

[1] Many ribbon devices are allowed for wear:[1] The individuals listed below were awarded the Commemorative Medal of the War 1940–1945:[2]