History

This Medal was issued by the Société de Secours aux Blessés Militaires (SSBM) to its members. It was in use from the late 1870s until 1940, when the Society was officially absorbed into the Croix-Rouge Française along with the Association des Dames Françaises (ADF), and the Union des Femmes de France (UFF) in 1940.

The obverse inscription translates to "Fatherland, Devotion," and the reverse inscription translates to "French Society for Aid of Wounded Military."

The Medal may appear with clasps. The palm clasp with cross was created in 1917 and was awarded to nurses for wartime service. It was known as the "Insigne spécial" (Special Insignia). The bronze clasp was awarded for 1 year of service, the silver clasp was awarded for 2 years of service, and the gold clasp was awarded for 3 years of service. The palm clasp was awarded in bronze, silver, and gold for distinguished service.

The Medal may also appear with a special suspension brooch. This suspension is inscribed "CROIX-ROUGE SOCIÉTÉ FRANÇAISE DE SECOURS AUX BLESSÉS MILITAIRES 1864." The reverse of the medal may be inscribed with the number of the recipient or the date of attribution.

There may be additional versions of the medal which vary in composition.