TacHel Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 (edited) The medal for the war wounded (Médaille des blessés de guerre) that has existed albeit unofficially for a century has finally been decreed as official by the French government. Provisional instruction N° 1403 of 14 April 2015 from the Army High Command allowed the insignia for the war wounded, this has now been ratified by decree n° 2016-1130 of the President of the Republic of 17 August 2016. It is now an official decoration of the French Republic. The photo below shows the model described in the decree. . Edited November 21, 2016 by TacHel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megan Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 Thanks Frank, well spotted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TacHel Posted November 14, 2016 Author Share Posted November 14, 2016 Here's a link to the official decree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul C Posted November 18, 2016 Share Posted November 18, 2016 It looks like something from the former Soviet Union. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim B Posted November 18, 2016 Share Posted November 18, 2016 The wreath design has changed quite a bit over time but this version appears close to what has been around since at least WW2, the suspension is slightly different and maybe a bit more high relief to the leaves but the nicer wreath pattern IMO. Surprised it took so long for an "official" wound award. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TacHel Posted November 21, 2016 Author Share Posted November 21, 2016 On 11/18/2016 at 17:54, Tim B said: The wreath design has changed quite a bit over time but this version appears close to what has been around since at least WW2, the suspension is slightly different and maybe a bit more high relief to the leaves but the nicer wreath pattern IMO. Surprised it took so long for an "official" wound award. Quite surprised it took so long myself. But if you can find Provisional Instruction N° 1403/DEF/EMAT/CAB/ADM/REC from the French Army High Command of 14 April 2015, I think they just got tired of waiting and came straight out and allowed army personnel to wear it. The government only followed suit two months later. The darn thing had been tolerated for a century, I very much doubt the civilians would'Ve ever done anything about it without the army nudging them this way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim B Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 Correct me if I'm wrong here as its been sometime looking at French awards but, wasn't the ribbon and small red star already authorized prior to this. Only the medal itself was lacking the official authorization? Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megan Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 You are mostly correct, Tim. The ribbon bar and small star were authorised for wear until a campaign medal was issued for the campaign in which the wound was received, then you were supposed to wear the small red star on its ribbon instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim B Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 Hi Megan, Interesting, I did not know that. Thank you for the additional clarification here. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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