The Croix de Guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was first awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts; the croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures was established in 1921 for these. The Croix de Guerre was also commonly bestowed on foreign military forces allied to France.
Croix de Guerre
French Croix de guerre des TOE
Doughboys of the 369th Infantry Regiment posing after World War I with their Croix de Guerre medals
Colonel Jimmy Stewart being awarded the Croix de Guerre with Palm in 1944
Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (France)
The Croix de guerre 1914–1918 was a French military decoration, the first version of the Croix de Guerre. It was created to recognize French and allied soldiers who were cited for valorous service during World War I, similar to the British mentioned in dispatches but with multiple degrees equivalent to other nations' decorations for courage.
1914–1918 Croix de guerre with three citations 2 bronze palms 1 silver gilt star
Reverse of the four variants of the World War I Croix de Guerre
Colonel René Fonck, a recipient of the 1914-18 Croix de guerre with 29 citations
Fighter ace captain Georges Guynemer, a recipient of the 1914-18 Croix de guerre with 26 citations