Resistance Medal
French military decoration / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Resistance Medal?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
The Resistance Medal (French: Médaille de la Résistance) was a decoration bestowed by the French Committee of National Liberation, based in the United Kingdom, during World War II. It was established by a decree of General Charles de Gaulle on 9 February 1943 "to recognize the remarkable acts of faith and of courage that, in France, in the empire and abroad, have contributed to the resistance of the French people against the enemy and against its accomplices since 18 June 1940".[1]
Resistance Medal | |
---|---|
Type | Decoration |
Awarded for | Remarkable acts of courage that contributed to the resistance of the French people against the enemy |
Presented by | France |
Status | No longer awarded |
Established | 9 February 1943 |
Last awarded | 31 March 1947 |
Total awarded posthumously | 24,463[1] |
Total recipients | 62,000[1] |
Precedence | |
Next (higher) | Medal for the War Wounded[2] |
Next (lower) | Ordre des Palmes Académiques[2] |
The Resistance medal was awarded to approximately 38,288 living persons and 24,463 posthumously. These awards were both for membership in the Free French forces and for participation in the metropolitan clandestine Resistance during the German occupation of France in World War II. Higher deeds were rewarded with the Ordre de la Libération. Proposals for the medal ceased to be accepted on 31 March 1947. For acts that occurred in Indochina, however, that date was moved back to 31 December 1947.[3]
The medal was also awarded to 18 communities and territories, 21 military units, and to 15 other organizations including convents, high schools, and hospitals that particularly distinguished themselves.[1]