1914–1918 Commemorative war medal (France)

1914–1918 Commemorative war medal (France)
Obverse with clasp ENGAGÉS VOLONTAIRES
Awarded by  France
Type	Medal
Awarded for	Service in World War I
Statistics
Established	23 June 1920
Precedence
Next (higher)	Médaille commémorative des batailles de la Marne (1914-1918)
Next (lower)	Médaille commémorative de la bataille de la Somme
Ribbon of the 1914–1918 Commemorative war medal Infobox

Ribbon of the 1914–1918 Commemorative war medal

The 1914–1918 Commemorative war medal (French: "Médaille commémorative de la guerre 1914–1918") was awarded to soldiers and sailors for service in World War I. It was also awarded to civilians who met certain requirements. Created by Act of June 23, 1920, is awarded to any military member for service between 2 August 1914 and November 11, 1918. It is also given to civilians who served in the same period in the army or the Interior.

An open contest was held which invited many engravers of the time, and 73 models were presented to the jury. The model of Pierre-Alexandre Morlon was ultimately adopted. The event had a certain impact since L'Illustration, a prestigious magazine, illustrated in an article of January 29, 1921, pictures of the six models selected.

The 1914–1918 Commemorative war medal was awarded to those who served in the following conditions between August 2, 1914, and November 11, 1918:

The medal is round with a diameter of 33 mm. It is bronze. On the obverse, is an effigy of a youthful Minerva in profile, wearing the helmet of 1914, representing France. She is crowned with laurels and holding a sword in her left hand. There are bay leaves mixed with oak leaves at the top to join the medal pendant ring that attaches the medal to the ribbon.

On the reverse is the legend: GRANDE GUERRE 1914-1918, surrounded by the inscription REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE.

There was originally a clasp "Engagés Volontaires" for volunteer enlistees. It was replaced when the Croix du combattant volontaire 1914-1918 was established in 1935.