Jan 22
Which French military decoration is called the "medal of the brave" or "the jewel of the armies"?
The Military Medal (Médaille Militaire), established by Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte in Paris on 22 January 1852, is France’s highest military honor for non-commissioned officers and soldiers, known as “the medal of the brave” or “the jewel of the armies.” Renowned for recognizing courage and devotion, it has been awarded to more than a million individuals, including 950,000 during the First World War—most posthumously. A striking detail is the monument at the Hôtel national des Invalides, inaugurated in 1925, which features a tribute “A LA GLOIRE DES MÉDAILLÉS MILITAIRES MORTS AU CHAMP D’HONNEUR” and continues to be the site of annual remembrance ceremonies, most recently illuminated in 2017 to keep their legacy shining for future generations.
