It was established in 1956 to reward soldiers, sailors, and airmen serving in Algeria who had committed acts of valour or gallantry in combat.

Algeria was a department of France at the time, so it was not considered a declared war but peacekeeping operations on French soil.

On 2 December 2005 this provision was amended in order to reward only civilian employees of the Ministry of Defence on official missions overseas.

This restriction was lifted on 9 November 2011 for acts of valour or performed valiant service while on joint operations with French forces.

Medal: suspended from a ribbon is a 36 mm bronze cross, with an effigy of the Republic crowned with a wreath, with the edge embossed: "REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE".