National Defence Medal

(Médaille de la Défense Nationale)

 

with ‘ARTILLERIE’ bar & pin

 

Circular gilt bronze medal on laterally pierced ball suspension; the face with the figure of the ‘Marseillaise’ circumscribed ‘RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE’, with assay mark and signed;  the reverse with a Phrygian bonnet on a laurel branch and inscribed ‘ARMÉE-NATION’ and ‘DÉFENCE NATIONALE’; on original ribbon with ‘ARTILLERIE’ bar. The medal was instituted by the decree of 21 April 1982 by Charles Hernu, Minister of Defence, from an idea of General de Boissieu (Grand Chancellor of the Légion d'Honneur and former head of the French Army) to reward military on national service, as well as career soldiers. The medal is awarded in three classes - gold, silver and bronze – and awards are based on a complex points system based on length and places of service, good conduct and other factors. Military decoration of the French Republic first established in

 

Medals   Ref.2041