Speculative grouping for family member MPLF 1940

[Michael Johnson]

Brigadier-chef Alexandre Verzieux was my 1st cousin twice removed, born in 1897.  He served in the First War, was wounded, and was awarded the Croix de Guerre.  He volunteered in 1939, and was killed in May 1940, and awarded the Croix de Guerre and Medaille Militaire.

 

I'm thinking of trying to re-assemble his group, to join those of Marcel Verzieux and his nephew Antonin Gautier.

 

Obviously there is no way of knowing what medals he actually received, but I'm looking for thoughts on his entitlement.

 

First War:

Croix de Guerre, probably 1916, with silver star

Victory Medal

Commemorative medal

Wound medal

Croix de combattant

 

Second War

Medaille Militaire - gazetted 1947, so Fourth Republic version - one star replacing 1870

Croix de Guerre (awarded 1943 according to his matricule)

Croix de combattant volontaire with Guerre 1939-45 clasp (although he wasn't around to claim this).

Commemorative medal, clasp France.

 

Any others?  and what would the wearing order be?

 

Thank you

[Hendrik]

Hello Michael,

 

The WW2 Commemorative Medal was, as far as I know, not awarded posthumously. Similarly, the Croix du Combattant Volontaire would not have been posthumously awarded for WW2 service. However, I think your ancestor would have been entitled to the 1914-1918 one.

His WW2 Croix de Guerre was awarded with a gilt star on its ribbon.

 

A tentative order of wear would be as follows :

Médaille Militaire

CdG 1916 with silver star on ribbon

CdG 1939 with gilt star on ribbon

Croix du Combattant Volontaire 1914-1918

Croix du Combattant

Médaille Commémorative française de la grande guerre

Victory Medal

Wound ribbon with 1 red enamel star

 

Regards,

Hendrik

[Michael Johnson]

Thank you Hendrik, I knew you would have the answers!  I had missed that his First War service was also voluntary, as he was Class of 1917.

 

Michael

 

 

Edited March 21, 2022 by Michael Johnson
Improved