France French Modern ribbon bars

[Ulsterman]

I was at a local showon Sunday I bought these little bits of cloth because they brought to mind chris B's excellent article on his own ribbon bar (RE: "heretic" thread).

I recognize the Medal Militaire and the National Service medal of course, but after perusing the OMSA site I am left wondering as to what and why the other two are.

Also, the MM I thought was awarded rather infrequently, which makes me wonder. Still, you never know.

Also, can anyone help me obtain relevant and common bars for these?

Ta

[buellmeister]

Jeff,

They certainly are nice pieces and are quite decorative and I'm sure will display well. Wish I could help in giving an explaination on what is unexplained.

Joel

[JBFloyd]

The last one on the 3-place bar is the Commemorative Medal for Security Operations and Maintaining Security (for Algeria).

The blue/red/blue ribbonis the Medal for Volunteer Military Service.

[Ulsterman]

ah thankee-Jeff

Any thoughts on a possible bar of the nationals sevice medal?

What bar should/could be on the Algerian medal?

Is the volunteer service medal still awarded?

Edited April 7, 2008 by Ulsterman

[JBFloyd]

The bars for the Algerian medal could be: Algerie, Tunisie, Maroc, Sahara or Mauritanie.

The Medal for Volunteer Service was created in 1975, so it should still be awarded.

There are quite a few bars possible for the National Defense medal. See Marc Champenois' excellent site: http://france-phaleristique.com/accueil.htm

[Ulsterman]

ah-

thanks very much!

Any chance anyone out there has a few extra bars sitting about ?

I'll give them a good home.

[Veteran]

A slight adjunct to Jeff's identifcation of the last French ribbon : it is indeed the Voluntary Service Medal ... for the bronze medal.

This decoration is similar to the British Efficiency Medal. It is awarded to members of Armed Forces Reserves after a minimum 10 years services, usually more since a yearly contingent is allowed.

The silver medal's ribbon has a white line along each edge and the "gold" has a typical French rosette on the silver grade ribbon

Regards

Veteran

[Hendrik]

Hello Gents,

A couple of pictures may help to confirm Veteran's post :

Army 1st Class

Navy 3rd Class

As you can see, I'm missing the Air Force one

Cheers,

Hendrik

Edited April 8, 2008 by Hendrik

[Hendrik]

... and some National Defence Medals' stuff, classes 1 - 3 :

Cheers,

Hendrik

P.S. Ulsterman : I'm off to a militaria sale in Paris on the 20th ... send me a PM on what you would like and I'll see what I can find ...

[Ulsterman]

thanks Hendrik-just the common ones.

pm sent.

ta