{"product_id":"ww2-france-libre-french-medal-voluntary-service-free-france-1940-1945","title":"WW2 France Libre French Medal Voluntary Service Free France 1940-1945","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eFrench Commemorative Medal for Voluntary Service in Free France (1946), with Free French Pin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe \u003cb\u003eCommemorative Medal for Voluntary Service in Free France\u003c\/b\u003e (French: \u003ci\u003eMédaille commémorative des services volontaires dans la France libre\u003c\/i\u003e) was instituted by decree on \u003cb\u003e4 April 1946\u003c\/b\u003e to recognise those who voluntarily answered General de Gaulle’s call and served with the \u003cb\u003eFree French Forces\u003c\/b\u003e during the early and most critical years of the Second World War.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe award was granted to \u003cb\u003eFrench and foreign nationals\u003c\/b\u003e, both military and civilian, who \u003cb\u003evoluntarily joined the Free French Forces prior to 1 August 1943\u003c\/b\u003e, or who served the Free French administration abroad during this formative period. At a time when the Free French movement was still small and operating in exile, recipients were among those who committed themselves before Allied victory was assured. In total, only \u003cb\u003e13,469 medals\u003c\/b\u003e were awarded, reflecting its relatively selective nature.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe medal is struck in \u003cb\u003esilvered bronze\u003c\/b\u003e and takes the distinctive form of the \u003cb\u003eCross of Lorraine\u003c\/b\u003e, the symbol of Free France.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0cm;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eObverse:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e Relief inscription \u003ci\u003e“FRANCE”\u003c\/i\u003e on the upper arm and \u003ci\u003e“LIBRE”\u003c\/i\u003e on the lower arm.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eReverse:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e Dated \u003ci\u003e“18 JUIN 1940”\u003c\/i\u003e (the date of de Gaulle’s appeal) on the upper arm and \u003ci\u003e“8 MAI 1945”\u003c\/i\u003e (Victory in Europe Day) on the lower arm.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe medal is suspended from a \u003cb\u003edark blue silk moiré ribbon\u003c\/b\u003e, decorated with fine \u003cb\u003ered diagonal stripes\u003c\/b\u003e, symbolising sacrifice and resistance. Suspension is via a rigid rectangular ring integral to the cross.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe award was normally issued with an official certificate and, in many cases, accompanied by a scroll signed by \u003cb\u003eGeneral Charles de Gaulle\u003c\/b\u003e, thanking the recipient for having stood “in the front ranks” during France’s darkest hour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThis medal remains one of the most historically significant French Second World War decorations, directly associated with the \u003cb\u003eFree French Forces\u003c\/b\u003e, early resistance, and the eventual liberation of France.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eAJMS Medals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AJMS Medals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53365450539354,"sku":null,"price":62.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0958\/9850\/1466\/files\/20260119_120327.png?v=1768824772","url":"https:\/\/ajms-medals.com\/products\/ww2-france-libre-french-medal-voluntary-service-free-france-1940-1945","provider":"AJMS Medals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}