History

The Medal for the Nation’s Gratitude was created on April 12, 2002. It replaced the Medal for North Africa. The Medal for North Africa did not recognize every holder of the Title of the Nation’s Gratitude. The new Medal solved this problem, and satisfied veteran’s associations who had been arguing for its creation since the Medal for North Africa was created in 1997.

The Medal is awarded to all those with the Title of the Nation’s Gratitude. In addition to the operations in Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco (North Africa), the Medal for the Nation’s Gratitude rewards at least 90 days of service in the following operations and conflicts: World War I, World War II, the Indochina War, the Korean War, Mauritania, Cambodia, Cameroon, Côte-d’Ivoire, Iraq, Lebanon, Madagascar, the East Mediterranean, Central African Republic, Somalia, Chad, Bosnia, Kosovo, Zaïre, East Timor, Congo, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda.

The Medal may be worn with the following white metal clasps: “1914-1918,” “1939-1945,” “INDOCHINE” (Indochina), “AFRIQUE DU NORD” (North Africa), “OPÉRATIONS EXTÉRIEURES” (Foreign Operations).

The obverse inscription translates to “French Republic,” and the reverse inscription translates to “Medal of the Nation’s Gratitude.”