Already in 1996, Minister Pasquini, President Chirac and Prime Minister Alain Juppé had requested that the existing "Title of the Nation's Gratitude" in the form of an official scroll already awarded to soldiers and civilians having served in North Africa between 1952 and 1962, finally be linked to the award of a specific medal.

[1] The North Africa medal ceased to be awarded that very day following barely five years of existence.

It was replaced by the Medal of the Nation's Gratitude with the clasp "AFRIQUE DU NORD" (English: NORTH AFRICA").

[2] The North Africa medal was bestowed to French civilians and military personnel, as well as to foreign nationals serving in the ranks of the French Foreign Legion, who held the "Title of the Nation's Gratitude" (French: Titre de la Reconnaissance de la Nation) for at least ninety days service in:[1] The ninety-day period of service could be waived for personnel evacuated for treatment of wounds received during these operations.

[1] None can wear this medal that has been condemned to a fixed prison term of one year or more for a crime he committed.