Spirit Of Fighting

France

Purpose of New Medal

BY a decree dated February 9, General de Gaulle has instituted a medal which has been called the Medaille de la Resistance Francaise. It will be awarded “in recognition of outstanding acts of faith and courage in France, the French Empire or in foreign countries, which have contributed to the resistance of the French people against the enemy or against those who have been accom plices of the enemy since June 18, 1940.”

In the French Colonies this medal will be awarded by the leader of the Fighting French on the recommendation of the National Commissioner for Colonies. The following persons or representative French groups are eligible:— (1) Those who have taken an effective and exemplary part in resisting the invader and his accomplices in national territory. (2) Those who have taken an effective and important part in rallying the French Territories to Fighting France or have rendered signal service in the war effort of those territories. (3) Those who have played an impor tant and active part in organising the Fighting French movement in foreign countries, or in propaganda designed to group together and support the forces of resistance. (4) Those who rallied French troops, the navy or the air force in difficult, dangerous and exceptional circumstances. (5) Those who rejoined the Fighting French forces under circumstances which were particularly dangerous and meri torious.

The Medaille de la Resistance Francaise is to be worn on the left breast of the coat and after the Legion d’Honneur, the Croix de la Liberation, the Medaille Militaire, the Croix de Guerre, 1914-18 and 1939, the Croix de Guerre des T.O.E. and the Medaille des Evades.