Awards of
World War IIThe French decoration for a wound in combat was established on December 11, 1916, as an award for those who were wounded in the line of duty, facing the enemy. Although the award was originally created as a temporary one, it remains in place to this day.
The Badge of Distinction for Combat Wounds, in accordance with regulations, was "for soldiers who were injured or wounded during military operations or while maintaining order, in the presence of the enemy or due to enemy action, as well as for prisoners of war and internees, as well as for prisoners of war wounded during their detention."
A combat injury or wound had to be confirmed by a document on the origin of the injury, issued by one of the military institutions.
Officially, the badge consists of a 38mm wide ribbon and a red enamel star attached to the ribbon for each wound. The ribbon consists of 15 stripes of the following colors: 3mm red in the center, 1mm white, 4mm yellow, 2mm white, 3mm blue, 2mm white, 5mm blue, and 1mm white.
Furthermore, the red star may be attached not to its own ribbon, but to the ribbon of a commemorative award received for the conflict in which the wound was sustained.
There is also an unofficial wound medal, which consists of a red enamel star suspended from the wound ribbon, with gold rays radiating from beneath, or superimposed on a gold laurel wreath.