The Insigne des blessés civils (Insignia for wounded civilians) is a French distinction for civilians, irrespective of age or sex, who have been injured or maimed as a result of war.
History
It was Maurice Barres, defender of the National Federation of the Disabled and President of the League of Patriots, to whom is attributed the idea of the creation of the Badge of the Wounded. In 1915, he launched a first call in the columns of the newspaper "
L'Echo de Paris
''L'Echo'' is a Belgian business newspaper, published by Mediafin and mainly distributed in Wallonia and Brussels. It is the French counterpart of the Flemish daily ''De Tijd'' which is its sister paper.
History and profile
''L'Echo'' originat ...
" on 28 March and another in the issue of June 10, for the creation of this distinctive insignia to designate, in the eyes of all, "un homme dont les blessures, l'infirmité, la maladie proviennent d'un fait de guerre (a man whose injury, disability, illness comes from an act of war)".
On July 18, 1918, a decree made at the initiative of Minister of the Interior, which instituted a lapel pin for civilian victims of war. This award is presented:
*for
World War I 1914-1918, by order of the Minister of Interior after consulting a board meeting at Head of the department of residence of the candidate.
*for
World War II 1939-1945, by the Minister of Veterans and War Victims, the candidate must be a pensioner or civilian casualties of war.
La Grande Chancellerie de la Légion d'honneur does not recognize this medal, or the military version, as an official decoration, therefore it is not mentioned on any order of precedence list. However, in view of the importance which many of its owners have, it is widely worn.
Description of the Medal
Currently, the most commonly worn medal is uniface of gilt bronze, 30 mm in diameter and consists of a white enamel star encircled by a wreath of oak and laurel leaves. The medal is hangs from a ribbon of blue and yellow. When the ribbon bar is worn alone it containts a white star clasp.
See also
*
Ribbons of the French military and civil awards This is a list of the ribbons of the French military and civil awards.
French national orders
French ministerial orders
French military decorations
Medals of Honor
French commemorative awards
Other awards
Order of precedence
Official ...
*
List of wound decorations
References
* https://web.archive.org/web/20100419062824/http://www.france-phaleristique.com/blesinsigns.htm
{{DEFAULTSORT:Insigne des blesses civils
Civil awards and decorations of France
Military awards and decorations of France
Wound decorations