– French Croix De Guerre –

The Croix de Guerre (“Cross of war”) is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts. The Croix de Guerre was also commonly bestowed on foreign military forces allied to France.

The Croix de Guerre may be awarded either as an individual award or as a unit award to those soldiers who distinguish themselves by acts of heroism involving combat with the enemy. The medal is awarded to those who have been “mentioned in dispatches”, meaning a heroic deed or deeds were performed meriting a citation from an individual’s headquarters unit. The unit award of the Croix de Guerre with palm was issued to military units whose members performed heroic deeds in combat and were subsequently recognized by headquarters. This is the case for the following Regiments of the 9th Infantry Division:

French Croix De Guerre (with Palm)

39th Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion

French Croix De Guerre With Palm
Awarded under Decision Number 267, 22 July 1946, by the President of the Provisional Government of the French Republic, with the following citation:

A battalion animated by a remarkable dash and combativeness. It distinguished itself especially on 18 June 1944, in the region of Saint Jacques de Nehou. Attacked by elements of the 7th German Division, it heroically withstood the impact of an enemy which was very keen and greatly superior in numbers. In spite of an intense fire, it immediately countered with all its resources and succeeded in throwing back the enemy beyond the-seve, thus permitting the 9th U. S. Infantry Division to take possession of St. Christophe du Foc.

39th Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion

French Croix De Guerre With Palm
Awarded under Decision Number 267, 22 July 1946, by the President of the Provisional Government of the French Republic, with the following citation:

A magnificent battalion which engaged in the battle of Normandy, previously cited for its action on 18 June 1944. During the days from 6 to 9 August 1944, in the region of Cherence Le Roussel, it was attacked and encircled by a greatly superior force that was resolved to conquer at any cost. It inflicted heavy losses on the enemy in combat which involved hand-to-hand fighting. It forced the enemy to withdraw beyond the Mortain – Avranches road, leaving 10 tanks on the terrain.

9th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion

French Croix De Guerre With Palm
Awarded under Decision Number 267, 22 July 1946, by the President of the Provisional Government of the French Republic, with the following citation:

A battalion animated by remarkable combat spirit and dash. It rushed into the battle of Normandy and distinguished itself particularly on 13 and 14 June 1944, during the capture of Quineville by attacking a solidly fortified enemy. By a bold maneuver, it rushed without hesitation into a mined terrain. After a quick artillery barrage, it surprised the enemy, inflicted serious losses, and took 336 prisoners. With its offensive spirit, it contributed effective aid in an operation decisive for the success of the Allied landing.

47th Infantry Regiment

French Croix De Guerre With Palm
Awarded under Decision Number 267, 22 July 1946, by the President of the Provisional Government of the French Republic, with the following citation:

A magnificent unit which played an important part in the capture of Cherbourg. Thrown into the battle at the most critical moment, it carried on offensive combat against a powerfully organized enemy from 2 June to 1 July., After having mopped up the coast west of Cotentin, it reached, on 24 June, the outer defenses of Cherbourg, occupied Fort Equeredeville on 25 June, then, exploiting its success, liberated the towns of Orville, La Hague, Greville, and Grouchy, after violent combat. In spite of heavy losses, it entered Cherbourg after having captured more than 3000 prisoners, 40 anti-aircraft guns and a large amount of materiel. It thus demonstrated the highest military qualities and contributed, with exemplary bravery, to the outcome of the battles which liberated France.

47th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion

French Croix De Guerre With Palm
Awarded under Decision Number 267, 22 July 1946, by the President of the Provisional Government of the French Republic, with the following citation:

A battalion of remarkable dash and combat spirit. It was engaged from 24 to 28 November 1944, in the region of the Roer, after having mopped up Northberg, and defeated the principal line of enemy resistance. Exploiting its initial success it continued its attacks, without letting up, under a murderous mortar barrage, in the direction of Hucheln which was captured by stubborn house-by-house fighting. Stopped at the Chateau of Frenzenberg by an enemy greatly superior in numbers, it nevertheless continued its attacks in the face of a very heavy artillery barrage and succeeded in winning the positions. Due to magnificent courage and high conception of duty, it captured more than 450 prisoners in 5 days of deadly combat, destroyed almost three enemy battalions and captured a large amount of materiel. It contributed to the defeat of the enemy in a particularly difficult action.

60th Infantry Regiment

French Croix De Guerre With Palm
Awarded under Decision Number 267, 22 July 1946, by the President of the Provisional Government of the French Republic, with the following citation:

A magnificent unit which is skilled in maneuvers. It was engaged in the operations of Cotentin from 11 to 18 June It accomplished magnificently the mission that had been assigned to it. After having taken possession of Orglandes, it crossed the Douve at St. Colombe, then Valdecie and captured the neighboring heights. In 5 days of uninterrupted fighting, it attacked a powerfully organized enemy filled with the resolve to conquer. It thus contributed in a great measure to the fall of Barneville.