Awards of
World War IIThe Medal for Escape from Captivity is a military award of France, given to individuals who successfully escaped or died as a result of an attempt to escape from captivity. The award was established in 1926 and covered actions committed during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and the First World War. In 1959, its statute was amended, and from that moment on, it also covered the period of the Second World War.
According to the statute, the medal for escape was awarded to persons who could prove escape:
From a prisoner of war camp;
From internment facilities where the person was held for acts related to resistance;
From enemy-occupied territory, involving crossing the front line and secretly bypassing enemy checkpoints;
Two unsuccessful escape attempts, with subsequent disciplinary action measures;
Citizens of Alsace-Lorraine forcibly incorporated into the German armed forces, who subsequently deserted to serve in the resistance or the Allied armies;
Citizens of Alsace-Lorraine who escaped from their provinces to fight the enemy.
These actions are considered as criteria for the award of the Escape Medal if they were committed between September 2, 1939 and August 15, 1945.
The medal may be awarded to both French citizens and citizens of other countries serving in the French armed forces, as well as citizens who were killed or died from wounds received while attempting to escape.
The award is made of bronze, round, with a diameter of 30 mm. The design was created by the French engraver A. Dubois. On the obverse of the award is the profile of Marianne (the symbol of the French Republic), wearing an oak wreath. Along the right and left edges is the inscription REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE (French Republic). On the reverse, in the center, is the three-line inscription MÉDAILLE DES ÉVADÉS (Escape Medal), with an oak leaf wreath around the edge.
The award is suspended from a 36 mm wide silk moiré ribbon via an eyelet and ring. The ribbon is green, with a 7 mm wide orange stripe in the center, and thin 2 mm wide stripes along the edges, 2 mm from the outer edge.