France WWI Military Medal Valor & Discipline 1870 7th type 1910 1951 in Gold with Eagle's Head Mark for Generals

FRANCE: Valor and Discipline Medal (or simply 
"Military Medal" in French) for military merit. 
Dated 1870. 
Rare luxurious type of the medal in gold (marked 
with the Eagle's head - gold purity mark), silver 
and enamel.
This gold type of superior quality is known as the 
version "for Generals".
Note though that the Military Medal was never 
issued to officers, with the exception of Generals 
who have commanded Armies and brought them 
to victory. 
Such flag officers must have received the Grand 
Cross of the Legion of Honor previously to 
receiving the Military Medal, which in this case 
is the highest French military award.
This is the 7th version of the medal that was 
issued during the period of the 3rd French 
Republic (specifically during the years 1910 to 
1951.
The Military Medal was created by Emperor Louis 
Napoleon in 1852 to be awarded specifically to 
non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and soldiers 
for completion of 8 years of military service, for 
bravery in front of the enemy as well as for acts 
of courage and devotion to duty. 
The military medal ranks 3rd among the Decora-
tions and Orders of the French Republic, being 
inferior only to the Order of the National Legion 
of Honor and to the Order of the Liberation. 
There are nine main versions and nearly 30 
variations of the medal.

FULL SIZE

WW1 1914 1918

Item 100% original - ribbon original

Condition as on the photos: Some damages on 
the blue enamel

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