Volunteer combatant's cross 1914–1918

Volunteer combatant's cross 1914–1918
Obverse bar of the Volunteer combatant's cross 1914–1918
Awarded by  France
Type	Medal
Awarded for	Volunteers for the war 1914–1918
Statistics
Established	4 July 1935
Precedence
Next (higher)	Escapees' Medal
Next (lower)	Croix du combattant volontaire 1939–1945
Ribbon of the Volunteer combatant's cross 1914–1918

The Volunteer combatant's cross 1914–1918 (French: "Croix du Combattant Volontaire 1914–1918") is a French decoration that recognizes those who have volunteered to serve on the front in a combat unit during World War I. When the 1914–1918 Commemorative war medal (France) (French: "Médaille commémorative de la guerre 1914–1918") was established, it was anticipated that a clasp bearing "ENGAGÉ VOLONTAIRE" (English: "VOLUNTEER ENLISTEE") would be worn on its ribbon for those who had freely and voluntarily enlisted in the French Armed Forces for combat service. This clasp was produced, however it was short lived due to parliament demanding the establishment of a special insignia to distinguish the special merit of the voluntary combatant.

The Act of July 4, 1935 created the Croix du Combattant Volontaire, designated for those who volunteered to serve on the front in a combat unit during the Great War.

The requirements for obtaining the cross were defined by the decree of November 28, 1935.

The qualifications of the candidates have been reviewed by a panel from 1951, twelve members as follows:

The decree of 10 April 1936 extended the award to the few surviving volunteer firefighters from the War of 1870–1871.

The Volunteer combatant's cross 1914–1918 is considered a war decoration during the review of applications for Légion d'honneur, la Médaille militaire and l'Ordre national du Mérite.

A cross with four arms in bronze, 36 mm wide. Engraved by Frédéric de Vernon.

On the obverse: a round central medallion with the legend surrounding REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE:

On the reverse: inside the central medallion, a branch of laurel is surrounded by the inscription: COMBATTANT VOLONTAIRE 1914–1918.

The cross arms are covered with leaves of laurel and oak forming relief.

A special version was made for the volunteer fighters from the war of 1870–1871 with the dates 1870–1871 on the back replacing those of 1914–1918.