From left to right, 1914-1915, 1914-1916, half-size 1914-1918, 1914-1917, 1914-1918. Center is a die for the 1914-1918 reverse, a souvenir ring, and a bracelet with enamel panels.

 

That is cool! All WWI pattern ribbons, right? Love the half-size. What are they made for? Also . . . any way to see a better pic of the bracelet? That is certainly a neat item that I've never seen before! Thanks for sharing!

Yes, all are WWI. I believe the half size is to a female recipient or perhaps for some kind of formal wear. I’ll open the case and take a photo of the bracelet tomorrow.

Oh, thanks! I would love to see it! Cool display!

Thanks! Here's a close up of the bracelet as well as the ring.

 

Very nice collection, I love the bracelet.

Wow! The bracelet is phenomenally cool! To even have the ribbon design in between! Thanks for the pics!

Wow! The bracelet is phenomenally cool! To even have the ribbon design in between! Thanks for the pics!

Thank you! I also had a necklace made out of a miniature CdG medal. I had it gold plated and gave it to my daughter who wears it in memory of her great-grandfather who earned one at Belleau Wood.

Cool idea about the necklace! Out of curiosity . . . how did you get started on your collection? Because your Grandfather won one? I mean, a bracelet like that and a die are not the normal thing to see in a collection. Very cool! Did they make bracelets like that for medals very often? I'm off to share the pics with my Sister!

Yes, my grandfather’s earning of it drove my interest. I like it because it is so emblematic of WWI when many French and Americans earned it. (And the varying levels it was awarded for denoted by devices on the ribbon is a unique feature.)

 

I found the ring and bracelet online. The die I found in an antique market in Paris.

 

I also like that the medal was resurrected for WWII and later conflicts. Unit awards were denoted by the fourragere, which my grandfather and his unit earned and which I also wore when I was assigned to the Second Infantry Division.

 

The whole concept of this particular medal is interesting and it became an iconic image in France seen in artwork, architecture, memorials, graphic design, etc.

Your collection is a pleasure to view. There are varying classes of this award, noted by the various devices?

A bronze palm denotes mention in an army-level dispatch, a gold star for a corps dispatch, a silver star for a division dispatch, and a bronze star for a brigade or regiment dispatch.

 

My grandfather’s Croix de Guerre was awarded for a citation at Division level, so his medal includes a silver star device on the suspension ribbon.

I always thought the CdG was a great looking medal. I never collected them per se, but have a number amongst WWI and WWII medal groups I have.

I’m trying to restrain myself by limiting the obsession to WWI and even then not to expand to all the devices, fourrageres, ribbons, home-front items, etc. It really could become an entire hobby in itself. I suppose that’s why I like this particular medal.

Beautiful presentation!

 

-Ski