The Escapees' Medal is a military award bestowed by the government of France to individuals who were prisoners of war and who successfully escaped internment or died as a result of their escape attempt. The "Escapees' Medal" was established by a 1926 law, intended to honour combatants not only of the First World War, but also of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. Its statute was later amended to include combatants of the Second World War and later conflicts.
Escapees' Medal (obverse)
Reverse of the Escapees' Medal
Colonel Paul Arnaud de Foïard, a recipient of the Escapees' Medal
Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is an order of France established on 2 May 1957 by the Minister of Culture. Its supplementary status to the Ordre national du Mérite was confirmed by President Charles de Gaulle in 1963. Its purpose is the recognition of significant contributions to the arts, literature, or the propagation of these fields.
Insignia of an Officier and a Chevalier
Ray Bradbury wearing the Commander's badge in 2009