France, Republic. A Lot of Medals

1. A Commemorative Medal for United Nations Operations in Korea. In bronze, obverse center medallion bearing the relief image of the national emblem of the Republic of South Korea, reverse bearing the inscription MÉDAILLE COMMÉMORATIVE FRANÇAISE DES OPÉRATIONS DE L'ORGANISATION DES NATIONS UNIES EN CORÉE, on original ribbon, 55 mm (h) x 36 mm (w), extremely fine condition. 

Footnote: The medal was a French commemorative war medal established on 8 January 1952 for award to members of the French armed forces who fought in the Korean war.

2.A Commemorative Medal for Voluntary Service in Free France. Silvered bronze Cross of Lorraine, the obverse bearing the inscription FRANCE LIBRE, the reverse bearing the dates “18 JUIN 1940” on the upper arm and “8 MAI 1945” on the lower arm, on dark blue silk ribbon, evidence of gilt wear, 37 mm (h) x 28 mm (w), better than very fine. 

Footnote: The medal was instituted on 4 April 1946 and awarded to members of the Free French Forces who fought the Axis forces on most fronts during World War II.

3.Commemorative medal of the 1870–1871 War. In bronze, obverse bearing the left profile of a helmeted woman with the inscription RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE, reverse bearing the inscription AUX DÉFENSEURS DE LA PATRIE, superimposed over the images of military weapons, a naval anchor and a flowing banner, on original ribbon, evidence of wear on reverse, 37 mm, extremely fine condition. 

Footnote: The Commemorative medal of the 1870–1871 War was instituted on 9 November 1911 and awarded to those who served during the Franco-Prussian War. 

4.A 1939–1945 Commemorative war medal. In bronze, obverse bearing the image of a rooster superimposed in front of a Cross of Lorraine, reverse bearing the inscription RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE  over a sprig of laurel leaves and the inscription GUERRE / 1939 / 1945, 37 mm (h) x 28 mm (w), extremely fine condition.

Footnote: The medal was instituted on 21 May 1946 to recognize individual participation in the Second World War.

5. A Cross For Military Valour. Bronze cross, the obverse bearing the side profile of Marianne surrounded by the inscription REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE, reverse bearing the inscription, "Croix de la Valeur militaire", does not include the original ribbon, 37 mm,  in extremely fine condition. 

Footnote: The medal was instituted on 11 April 1956 and awarded to soldiers, sailors, and airmen serving in Algeria who had committed acts of valor or gallantry in combat. 

6. A United Nations Service Medal Korea. In bronze, obverse bearing the ‘World-in-a Wreath' emblem of the United Nations, reverse inscription FOR SERVICE IN DEFENSE OF THE PRINCIPLES OF THE CHARTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS, worn with a medal bar bearing the inscription KOREA, includes original bar suspension and ribbon, evidence of slight wear, 37.8 mm, better than very fine. 

Footnote: This medal was instituted on12 December 1950 by the United Nations. The decoration was the first international award ever created by the United Nations and recognized the multi-national defense forces which participated in the Korean War.

7.Voluntary Military Services Cross. Bronze cross, obverse shows helmeted man with the inscription RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE, reverse inscription reads Services Militaires Volontaires, awarded to Air Force volunteers, on original ribbon, 45 mm (h) x  34 mm (w), extremely fine condition. 

Footnote: The Cross was instituted on May 13, 1934 and awarded for voluntary service in the sea and air armies.