1943–1944 Italian campaign medal
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The 1943–1944 Italian campaign medal (French: Médaille commémorative de la campagne d'Italie 1943-1944) was a French commemorative campaign medal awarded to soldiers and sailors who served on Italian soil or Italian waters as part of the "French Expeditionary Corps of Italy" (French: "Corps Expéditionaire Français (CEF)") under the command of general Alphonse Juin.[1]
1943–1944 Italian campaign medal | |
---|---|
Type | Commemorative war medal |
Awarded for | Military service on Italian soil or Italian waters between 1943 and 1945 |
Presented by | France |
Eligibility | French soldiers and sailors |
Status | No longer awarded |
Established | 1 April 1953 |
Precedence | |
Next (higher) | United Nations operations in Korea commemorative medal |
Next (lower) | Indochina Campaign commemorative medal |
The French Expeditionary Corps (CEF) participated in the allied amphibious landing and the ensuing campaign in Italy in 1943 and 1944. Composed in part of Frenchmen from North Africa and in part with colonial troops, the CEF covered itself with glory during this long campaign and especially during the battle of the Garigliano.[1] Such was the impact of the CEF and resulting national pride following the first major action on European soil by a large French military formation that by the early 1950s, many politicians felt the "ITALIE" clasp worn on the ribbon of the 1939–1945 Commemorative war medal simply wasn't enough of a mark of respect and admiration on the part of the nation for what was in effect the resurrection of the French army in the eyes of the enemy.[2]
In January 1953, a proposition was made in parliament by a group of its members requesting the creation of a distinct medal to adequately recognize the valour in combat and the sacrifice of the men of the CEF who lost more than 7,000 members of the 1st Free French Division.[2] The 1943–1944 Italian campaign medal was finally established on 1 April 1953 by law 53-273.[1]