France, III Republic. A Medal for the War Wounded, Combatant's Issue

(Insignes des Blesses). Instituted in 1916. In bronze gilt with red enamels, the red star indicating an award to a combatant, measuring 36 mm (w) x 40.2 mm (h) inclusive of its integral suspension, intact enamels, scattered gilt wear, bronze gilt and red enamelled star indicating a second wound affixed to its original combatant's ribbon, near extremely fine.

Footnote: The Medal for the War Wounded was established by the law of December 11, 1916, based on an idea by the nationalist writer Maurice Barrès. Although originally established as a temporary measure, the insignia survived for a century in some form or another. It could be awarded to wounded soldiers, prisoners of war, to the Second World War deportees and internees from the French resistance and to soldiers wounded in more recent conflicts. A variety of unofficial medals in the form of a red enamelled star suspended by the same ribbon appeared very early on and although tolerated for wear by the authorities, were not official until recently.