Marshal Petain and one medal

[xxx]

Gentleman, see this pic of marshal petain in 1942 and it find my interest because of all the stuff he probably had he is wearing only one small medal here.

I have absolute no clue what it can be but think it would have been than a political statement. Can anyone identify this little thing? Sorry, don't become bigger or better in quality.

[Alex K]

French Medaille militaire probably

[xxx]

yes, looks possible

 

the german wikipedia site have two possibilitys that going to both ends of the ranking list:

"The Military Medal (French: Médaille militaire) was established on 22 January 1852 by the President of the Second French Republic, Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte, and can be awarded to non-commissioned officers and enlisted men of the armed forces who have distinguished themselves through courageous service or have been wounded in battle"

 

so an award for the common man but not for the officer corps but

 

"In special exceptional cases, the Military Medal may be awarded to marshals and commanding generals."

so if a french marshal wear it its probably one of the highest decorations at all

Edited February 1 by xxx

[augustin1813]

Yes, it is.