france Medal for the war wounded

[TacHel]

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.

 

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Edited November 21, 2016 by TacHel

[Megan]

Thanks Frank, well spotted!

[TacHel]

Here's a link to the official decree

[Paul C]

It  looks like something from the former Soviet Union.

[Tim B]

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.

[TacHel]

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. 

 

 

[Tim B]

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

[Megan]

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.

[Tim B]

Hi Megan,

Interesting, I did not know that.  Thank you for the additional clarification here.

Tim