{"product_id":"french-croix-de-guerre-1914-1918-ww1-war-cross-bronze-star-citation-medal-origin","title":"French Croix de Guerre 1914-1918 WW1 War Cross Bronze Star Citation Medal Origin","description":"\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;\u0026lt;strong\u0026gt;Croix de Guerre 1914-1918\u0026lt;\/strong\u0026gt; - French War Cross, First World War. Instituted 2 April 1915 by President Raymond Poincare, awarded for acts of gallantry in the face of the enemy. One of the most iconic French decorations of the Great War, with approximately two million citations issued across the conflict.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\n\n\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;The bronze cross pattee features stippled arms with raised borders, crossed swords between the arms, and a central medallion bearing the profile of Marianne wearing a Phrygian cap, encircled by \"REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE\". The reverse medallion bears the dates \"1914 1918\", confirming this as a WWI-period strike. The cross is suspended by a ring from a 37mm green moire ribbon with seven narrow vertical red stripes.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\n\n\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;A bronze five-pointed star is affixed to the ribbon, denoting a \"Mention in Dispatches\" (citation a l'ordre du regiment) at regiment or brigade level. This means the recipient was cited for gallantry in the orders of their regiment or brigade - a genuine combat citation, not a routine award.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\n\n\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;\u0026lt;strong\u0026gt;Circa:\u0026lt;\/strong\u0026gt; 1915-1918 (WWI production). The reverse bearing \"1914 1918\" indicates this cross was struck toward the end of the war or shortly after, as earlier productions show intermediate dates (1914-1915, 1914-1916, 1914-1917). No maker marks are visible on the suspension ring.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\n\n\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;\u0026lt;strong\u0026gt;Condition:\u0026lt;\/strong\u0026gt; Used. The bronze has developed an even dark chocolate-brown patina throughout, consistent with age. No verdigris, active corrosion, or significant scratches. The cross is straight with no bending. Both crossed swords are intact and unbroken. The central medallion retains clear detail on both obverse (Marianne) and reverse (1914 1918). The ribbon retains strong green and red colour with the bronze star firmly attached. Minor age-related wear to the ribbon edges and a small pin mark visible near the star. Please review all six photos for condition detail.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\n\n\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;\u0026lt;strong\u0026gt;Details:\u0026lt;\/strong\u0026gt;\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\n\u0026lt;ul\u0026gt;\n\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Bronze cross pattee with crossed swords\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\n\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Obverse: Marianne, \"REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE\"\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\n\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Reverse: \"1914 1918\"\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\n\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Ribbon: Green with 7 vertical red stripes, 37mm\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\n\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Bronze star device = regiment\/brigade citation\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\n\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;No visible maker marks on suspension ring\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\n\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Approximately 37mm wide\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\n\u0026lt;\/ul\u0026gt;\n\n\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;A genuine WWI French gallantry decoration with its original citation star. The Croix de Guerre was awarded to both French and Allied personnel, including British and American soldiers serving alongside French forces.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\n\n\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;Packed carefully and dispatched same day from the UK.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\n\n\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;\u0026lt;em\u0026gt;Explore more vintage French militaria, WW1 medals and collectibles in our store, The Voyage Bird.\u0026lt;\/em\u0026gt;\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;","brand":"The Voyage Bird","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52611834347660,"sku":"TVB-FR-CROIX-GUERRE-1914-18-01","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0376\/0793\/2044\/files\/1_d6e9a33f-7f83-463c-a21a-e9c42bb378fc.jpg?v=1786917626","url":"https:\/\/www.thevoyagebird.co.uk\/products\/french-croix-de-guerre-1914-1918-ww1-war-cross-bronze-star-citation-medal-origin","provider":"TheVoyageBird","version":"1.0","type":"link"}