Médaille des services militaires volontaires
Encyclopedia
The Médaille des services militaires volontaires (Medal of Voluntary Military Service) is a French military decoration which honors service in the reserves.
. The reserves had served as an important part of the defense of France. To reward their volunteerism during periods of reserve training, a decree of 13 May 1934 created the Croix des Services Militaires Volontaires (Volunteer Military Service Cross) in gold, silver, and bronze.
The Croix des Services Militaires Volontaires was later superseded by an other award, the Ordre du Mérite militaire. It had come about upon the suggestion of the Union Nationale des Officiers de Réserve (National Union of Reserve Officers), and was created by decree on 22 March 1957. This award had three grades Knight, Officer, and Commander. The award was short lived as it was abolished by decree on 3 December 1963 when sixteen other orders were replaced by the creation of the Ordre national du Mérite
(National Order of Merit).
The Médaille des services militaires volontaires was created by decree on 13 March 1975 amended on 2 January 2004. It is designed to reward the services performed in the "Réserve". The medal is awarded in three grades bronze, silver and gold.
History
The first incarnation of this award came about after World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. The reserves had served as an important part of the defense of France. To reward their volunteerism during periods of reserve training, a decree of 13 May 1934 created the Croix des Services Militaires Volontaires (Volunteer Military Service Cross) in gold, silver, and bronze.
The Croix des Services Militaires Volontaires was later superseded by an other award, the Ordre du Mérite militaire. It had come about upon the suggestion of the Union Nationale des Officiers de Réserve (National Union of Reserve Officers), and was created by decree on 22 March 1957. This award had three grades Knight, Officer, and Commander. The award was short lived as it was abolished by decree on 3 December 1963 when sixteen other orders were replaced by the creation of the Ordre national du Mérite
Ordre National du Mérite
The Ordre national du Mérite is an Order of State awarded by the President of the French Republic. It was founded on 3 December 1963 by President Charles de Gaulle...
(National Order of Merit).
The Médaille des services militaires volontaires was created by decree on 13 March 1975 amended on 2 January 2004. It is designed to reward the services performed in the "Réserve". The medal is awarded in three grades bronze, silver and gold.