History

The Medal for Liberated France was created on September 12, 1947. The original name was the Medal of Gratitude of Liberated France. Its actual name was established on June 16, 1948.

It was awarded to French nationals who made a significant contribution to the liberation of Metropolitan France, or other territories under French control between June 18, 1940 and August 20, 1945. It was awarded to allied military personnel who participated in operations in Metropolitan France or territories under French control between September 3, 1939 and August 20, 1945 and allied military personnel who acted as liaisons with French forces between June 18, 1940 and August 20, 1945. The Medal could not be awarded to those who had received the Order of the Legion of Honour, the Order of Liberation, the Military Medal, the Resistance Medal, or the Medal of French Gratitude for feats of resistance.

The reverse inscription translates to “France, To Its Liberators.”

The Medal was not awarded after July 7, 1957.