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French Croix de Guerre 1914-1918, a military decoration instituted on 2 April 1915 to recognize French and Allied military personnel who had received an official citation for acts of bravery or distinguished conduct in the face of the enemy during the First World War.
The insignia features a bronze cross pattée with two crossed swords between its arms. The central obverse medallion depicts Marianne, the personification of the French Republic, surrounded by the inscription “RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE”. The reverse bears the dates 1914-1918.
The decoration is suspended from a green ribbon with five vertical red stripes, characteristic of the French First World War Croix de Guerre.
This example features a bronze palm (palme en bronze) attached to the ribbon, indicating an Army-level citation (citation à l’ordre de l’armée), the highest level of military citation represented by the ribbon devices of this decoration. Each bronze palm denoted one citation at this level.
The bronze palm is a significant feature, identifying the level of recognition awarded to the recipient, although it does not, by itself, establish the recipient’s identity or the circumstances of the action.
French Croix de Guerre 1914-1918 with bronze palm, denoting an Army-level citation. First World War.
