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    What military and civilian honours were awarded to French president Charles de Gaulle during his lifetime?

    Question #77486. Asked by picqero. (Mar 19 07 3:33 PM)


    nikonforme

    		I can only think of one.He was awarded the Virtuti Militari during the Polish-Soviet War (1919-1921). It is the highest Polish Honor awarded.

    Mar 19 07, 5:08 PM
    picqero

    		In his presidential portrait he is shown wearing a variety of emblems, so presumably had more than the well known Polish award.
    Any further information appreciated!

    Mar 20 07, 12:27 AM
    spanishliz

    		In the photo referenced below, he is wearing the emblems of the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour (France), described by Taprell Dorling in "Ribbons and Medals" (1970, p.195) thus: "Grands Croix wear a gold badge suspended on the left hip by a broad scarlet watered ribbon passing over the right shoulder and on the left breast a silver star."

    I can't see the emblem around his neck well enough to identify it from this photo.

    http://www.orleans-tours.iufm.fr/ressources/ucfr/arts/copiearthistoire/De%20Gaulle.jpg

    Mar 20 07, 1:31 PM
    picqero

    		Thanks, that is in fact the portrait I was referring to, but I had no idea what the decorations were. I'm surprised he doesn't have a lot more military medals and awards, as he was seriously wounded in Verdun during WW1, and served with distinction in Poland, Lebanon, and of course France, where he commanded an armoured brigade during WWII.

    Mar 21 07, 5:10 PM
    spanishliz

    		I agree that it seems odd that he should have so few decorations. I found this photo

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:De_Gaulle-OWI.jpg

    that shows him wearing several ribbons, but I won't hazard a guess as to what they are from a black and white picture. The one with vertical stripes could be a Croix de Guerre OR a WWI campaign medal OR the Combatants Cross, depending on the colours of the stripes. The others are too fuzzy to even say that much. Other photos of him in uniform show him wearing no ribbons or medals at all, save what MAY be a Cross of Lorraine above his left pocket.

    He also founded the Order of the Liberation, and was its first (and only) Grand Master. That might be the insignia around his neck in the first photo.

    Mar 23 07, 3:03 PM
    picqero

    		Thanks again, the medal and ribbon of the 'Ordre de la Liberation' are shown at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordre_de_la_Lib%C3%A9ration
    The medal was presented by de Gaulle to Sir Winston Churchill and posthumously to King George VI, so it would seem strange if de Gaulle never received any British awards!

    Mar 23 07, 5:15 PM

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