Croix de Guerre: Placement of Palms and Stars

[jimn]

Hello

I was wondering if there is an official regulation on how these emblems are worn?

Are the palms worn above the stars or  the other way around...and is there any correct way the different grades of the stars are displayed?

Thanks

Jim

[Hendrik]

Hello Jilm,

 

Good question and the answer is yes ...

On 13 May 1915 the following instruction saw the light of day (published in the Official Journal of the French Republic on 6 June 1915) :

"Dispositions sur le ruban, des marques distinctives de citations. – Les titulaires de plusieurs citations porteront, sur le ruban de la croix de guerre, autant de palmes et d'étoiles que de citations.
Les étoiles seront réparties sur une, deux ou trois lignes, de manière à former, suivant leur nombre, soit une ligne (2), soit un triangle (3), soit un losange (4 ou 5). L'étoile distinctive de la citation la plus élevée sera la plus rapprochée du milieu de la poitrine.
La palme ( ou les palmes ) surmontera les étoiles.
En cas de citation unique, l'étoile ou la palme tiendra le centre du ruban."

In short, citation stars will be placed in 1, 2 or 3 lines in order to form a line (2 citations), a triangle (3) or a diamond (4 or 5). The star denoting the highest degree of citation will be placed closest to the middle of the chest. Palm(s) will be placed above the stars.

In case of a single citation, the star or palm will be in the centre of the ribbon.

 

 

That's the theory ... in practice, as citations were received over a period of time, its recipient would in many cases just add the new device on the ribbon without rearranging the old one(s) to comply with the above.

 

Regards,

Hendrik

[jimn]

Hello Hendrik

Thanks for the information you provided....it is more involved than I  had thought...this will help as I  am restoring an old CdG.

Cheers

Jim