Resistance Medal

The French Resistance medal (Médaille de la Résistance) was established by General Charles de Gaulle on 9 February 1943 "to recognise the remarkable acts of faith and of courage that, in France, in the empire and abroad, have contributed to the resistance of the French people against the enemy and against its accomplices since June 18 1940".

History
The Resistance medal was awarded to approximately 38,288 living persons and 24,463 posthumously, awarded both for membership of the Free French forces and for participation in the metropolitan clandestine Resistance during the German occupation of France in World War II. Higher deeds were rewarded with the Ordre de la Libération. The medal ceased to be awarded on 31 December 1947 in Indochina and globally on 31 March 1947. The medal was also awarded to 18 communities and territories, 21 military units, and to 15 other organizations including convents, high schools, and hospitals.

Appearance
The medal, made of bronze, depicts the Cross of Lorraine and the date of General de Gaulle's Appeal of 18 June in Roman figures: XVIII.VI.MCMXL on the obverse of the medal. On the reverse are the words "PATRIA NON IMMEMOR" ("the Fatherland does not forget"). The medal is suspended from a red ribbon with black stripes. The medal exists in two grades: simple medal, and medal with officier's rosette which was awarded to 4,253  people.