Physical Description

A triangular medal with a ball finial at each of the points, the obverse center bears a medallion with the bust of a soldier wearing a helmet, encompassed by the inscription REPUBLICA ESPANOLA, with three sword handles spread evenly around the edges of the triangle, the reverse center bears a medallion with the inscription REPUBLICA ESPANOLA COMBATIENTE, with an attached suspension loop, on a red ribbon.

History

The Medal for International Brigades was instituted on October 20, 1938 and was awarded to combatant members of the International Brigades, majority of which were Communist and Socialist volunteers from over fifty countries who traveled to Spain to fight for the Spanish Republic against the Nationalist forces of General Franco.

The International Brigades were military units set up by the Communist International to assist in the Spanish Civil War. The organization existed from 1936 to 1938.