History

The Military Medal was created on January 22, 1852 by Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte. It is second only to the Order of the Legion of Honour in the modern order of precedence.

It was motivated by a need to restore equality to military decorations in France. Over time, the Legion of Honour had become a decoration for Officers, seldom awarded to troops. In addition, ever since Veteran’s Medal (Medal of the Two Swords) was discontinued, there was no reward for a long military career. The French military campaigns in the second half of the nineteenth century quickly established the prestige the Military Medal.

It is awarded to Non-Commissioned Officers, Corporals, Brigadiers, soldiers and sailors for long service and acts of bravery.

The first version has the tail of the surmounting eagle extended onto the reverse medallion. Both versions have a reverse inscription that translates to “Valour and Discipline.”