France

                

Medals and Distinctions

  Médaille des évadés
  Médaille de la Résistance française
  Médaille des blessés
  Médailles de la Défense Nationale
  Médaille Coloniale
  Médaille d'Outre-Mer

La Médaille des évadés
Evaders' Medal (literal, albeit vague translation)

Primarily intended for award to escaped prisoners of war.
 

La Médaille de la Résistance française
Medal of the French Resistance

Authorized by Gen. Charles de Gaulle on Feb. 9, 1943 to recognize the courage of French resistance fighters and others who aided the French resistance. Around 45,000 were awarded. There were two classes, distinguished by a rosette on the ribbon.

  

La Médaille des blessés
Wounded Medal

Awarded for wounds received as a result of enemy action.

  

Les Médailles de la Défense Nationale
National Defense Medals

The National Defense Medal comes in three classes: gold, silver and bronze. Awards are based on a complicated point system which counts time in service, good conduct, honors received, and other factors. There are a variety of clasps for the medals, some geographical and some representing particular types of service.

National Defense Medal in Gold
with bars
"Troupes de Marine",
"Troupes Aeroportees" and
"Missions d'Assistance Exterieure"
Reverse
  
National Defense Medal in Silver
with bars
"Troupes Alpines" and
"Forces Francaises en Allemagne"
National Defense Medal in Silver
with bars
"Troupes Aeroportees",
"Troupes de Marine" and
"Missions d'Assistance Exterieure"
  
National Defense Medal in Bronze
with bars
"Missions d'Assistance Exterieure",
"Legion Etrangere" and
"Troupes Aeroportees"
National Defense Medal in Bronze
with bars
"Missions d'Assistance Exterieure" and
"Nageurs de Combat"

Médaille Coloniale
Colonial Medal

The Colonial Medal was awarded for service in various French colonial campaigns and expeditions. There are several bars. This example has the bar "Maroc" for service in Morocco in the 1920s.
 

Médaille d'Outre-Mer
Overseas Medal

This medal replaced the Colonial Medal above. This example has the bars "Somalie", "Moyen-Orient" and "Rwanda".

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