The Combatant’s Cross (or “Croix du combattant”)

The Combatants Cross(or “Croix du combattant”) is a French decoration that recognizes, as its name implies, those who fought in combat for France.

The  Poilus(French combat soldiers) of World War I worked toward recognition by the government, of special status to those who had participated in the bitter fighting of 1914-1918 (as opposed to those who served behind the lines). The law of 19 December 1926 created la “carte du combatant”, or combatant’s card, for veterans of 1914-1918, as well as for the veterans of 1870-1871 and colonial wars before the First World War. The decoration was created only three years later by the law of 28 June 1930.

The Combatant’s Cross Design

The medal is a 36 mm wide bronze cross pattée with a laurel wreath between the arms 36 mm across.

On the obverse at the center, the effigy of the Republic wearing an Adrians Helmet crowned with laurel leaves surrounded by the relief inscription REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE (FRENCH REPUBLIC).

On the reverse, the relief inscription CROIX DU COMBATTANT (COMBATTANT’S CROSS) along the lower circumference framing a vertical sword pointing down, rays protruding horizontally and up from the hilt in a 180° arc.