It is thanks to your commitment, along with the other Allies’ relentless efforts, that Europeans managed to escape a brutal rule and are able today to enjoy democracy and freedom. France recognizes the tremendous sacrifice and courage that went into its liberation from Nazi occupation. It is our duty to honor those who participated in freeing France and Europe.
Mr. Fabien Fieschi, Consul General of France for the decoration of Mr. Aurele H. Gamache.
Letter of Gratitude, 1994
In 1994, American Merchant Mariners who served on the Normandy and Mediterranean coasts were welcome to petition the French Republic for a “Merchant Mariner Letter of Gratitude” signed by François Mitterrand, then-President of France. This honor came on the fiftieth anniversary of the D-Day operations by the allies.
It is a simple, elegant letter.
Légion d’honneur | Legion of Honor medal
My research for the earliest recorded Merchant Mariner to become a chevalier of the French Légion d’honneur is inconclusive. There was a ceremony in Florida in 2010 honoring a Merchant Mariner as worked in the crucial Mulberry Harbour project off Normand; however, the record afterwards is spotty. When looking for an American Merchant Marine roll of awardees, the Grande Chancellerie de la Légion d’honneur (The Grand Chancery of the Legion of Honor) was not able to give the precise number; however, they were able to state Merchant Mariners are among the 7,200 American veterans of the Second World War who hold “this honorific order for their action in the liberation of France.”
The Legion of Honor is not a blanket commemorative medal, rather an honor which one must be nominated or apply for. Below are the detailed qualifications and credentials one must present to the French Embassy for honor.
Application Information
Upon presentation of their military file US veterans who risked their life during World War II to fight on French territory, may be awarded this distinction. Those selected are appointed to the rank of Knight of the Legion of Honor. The Legion of Honor medal is not awarded posthumously.
To be eligible to this outstanding award, the veteran has to fit strict criteria:
Interested veterans of all the different armed forces must have fought in at least one of the 3 main campaigns of the Liberation of France: Normandy, Provence/Southern France or Northern France. Actions having taken place in Belgium, Germany, Italy or any other neighboring European country are not taken into consideration.
The file presented must contain a copy of the military separation record (honorable discharge), the Proposal Memory application and a copy of a current identity document with a picture.
If possible, it should also contain copies of citations for all the decorations already received in France or in the United States indicating meritorious action during wartime operations. This is particularly important for decorations that were not shown in the discharge document at the time of separation. To be considered, these citations must have been issued during WWII or the close aftermath, and must relate to events (outstanding actions, wounds, having been made prisoner, evasions, having taken action with the resistance, etc.) that took place on the French territory only which includes ground, airspace and coastal waters. Since only a small number of Legion of Honor medals are awarded each year in the United States, care is taken to nominate only those with the most distinguished records. It is important to have such decorations as the Bronze Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Silver Star and higher, earned in French territory in order to have a competitive record.
If the file meets the criteria, it is sent to The Legion of Honor committee in Paris, through the French Embassy in Washington and the French Foreign Affairs ministry. The Legion of Honor committee approves or rejects the candidate presented after appropriate review of his file.
Please note that other than receiving an acknowledgment of your records submittal, you will not receive further word unless you are ultimately selected for the honor. This process can take several months.
If you are interested in an application for the Legion of Honor, please either contact your local French Embassy for the necessary paperwork. It does take a considerable time for the application to be processed so please do so as soon as possible.
Médaille de la France libérée | Medal of a Liberated France, 1947
This medal is also known, among Americans, as the French “Normandy Medal.” It was first authorized by the re-installed French Republic on 12 September 1947 as an honor for those French and foreign nationals who made a “notable contribution to the liberation of France from the German occupation.” The Medal of a liberated France could be awarded:
- To soldiers of the allied armies who participated in war operations on the soil of Metropolitan France or soil under French mandate between 3 September 1939 and 20 August 1945
- To soldiers of allied armies who served as liaisons with the French forces between 18 June 1940 and 20 August 1945
- To French nationals who made a notable contribution to the liberation of Metropolitan France or soil under French mandate between 18 June 1940 and 20 August 1945
United States Merchant Mariners who participated in the Normandy and southern France landings were eligible for the medal.
The French Republic ceased all awards of the medal on 7 July 1957. A total of 13,469 medals were awarded.
Design
It is comprised of a 35mm round medal in bronze and a 36mm-wide ribbon; André Rivaud designed and engraved the medal.
Planchet
On the obverse: the date 1944 in the center of a map of France is surrounded by a chain broken to the northwest and southeast by two bursts symbolizing the landings.
On the reverse: in the center a lictor baton (fasces without blade) wearing the Phrygian cap, framed by the initials RF and along the edge the inscription “LA FRANCE A SES LIBERATEURS” (France to its Liberators).
Ribbon
The ribbon is the colors of the rainbow, purple in the center and red on the edges; it uses the colors of the ribbon of the Victory Medal 1914-1918, but placed inverse.