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What does a fourragère look like?

A fourragère is a thick, braided cord worn on the left shoulder of a dress uniform. It is made of sturdy material that loops around the shoulder and ends in a metal tip that looks like a pencil point. Because it is bright and easy to spot, it tells everyone that the soldier belongs to a unit with a heroic history. It serves as a visual sign of the great pride and bravery of the group.

Is this medal given to individual soldiers or units?

This award is special because it honors an entire group instead of just one person. France created this award in 1916 during the hard battles of World War I to reward units for their collective grit. To earn it, a unit had to be named in official French army reports for extreme bravery multiple times. Once the unit was chosen, every soldier in that group earned the right to wear the cord while serving with that unit.

Why did Allied troops receive French fourragères?

During World War I and World War II, many countries fought together against common enemies in Europe. When American or British units fought alongside French troops and showed great courage in the field, France wanted to show its thanks. By giving this award, France honored the hard work of these foreign allies. It became a lasting symbol of friendship and shared strength between the nations that fought together.

Can modern soldiers still wear the cord today?

Yes, soldiers today can still wear the cord if they belong to a unit that earned it in the past. It is a way to honor the brave actions of the soldiers who served in that group during World War I or World War II. By wearing the cord on their dress uniforms, new soldiers show they are proud of their unit's story. It connects the soldiers of today to the heroes of the past.

What color represents the Legion of Honour fourragère?

The most important version of this award is a bright, solid red. This color was chosen to match the famous Legion of Honour, which is France's highest medal for service and bravery. Because it is red, it stands out clearly to show that a unit performed the most heroic deeds possible under fire. It marks a unit as one of the most respected groups to ever serve in battle.

What does a fourragère look like?

A fourragère is a thick, braided cord worn on the left shoulder of a dress uniform. It is made of sturdy material that loops around the shoulder and ends in a metal tip that looks like a pencil point. Because it is bright and easy to spot, it tells everyone that the soldier belongs to a unit with a heroic history. It serves as a visual sign of the great pride and bravery of the group.

Is this medal given to individual soldiers or units?

This award is special because it honors an entire group instead of just one person. France created this award in 1916 during the hard battles of World War I to reward units for their collective grit. To earn it, a unit had to be named in official French army reports for extreme bravery multiple times. Once the unit was chosen, every soldier in that group earned the right to wear the cord while serving with that unit.

Why did Allied troops receive French fourragères?

During World War I and World War II, many countries fought together against common enemies in Europe. When American or British units fought alongside French troops and showed great courage in the field, France wanted to show its thanks. By giving this award, France honored the hard work of these foreign allies. It became a lasting symbol of friendship and shared strength between the nations that fought together.

Can modern soldiers still wear the cord today?

Yes, soldiers today can still wear the cord if they belong to a unit that earned it in the past. It is a way to honor the brave actions of the soldiers who served in that group during World War I or World War II. By wearing the cord on their dress uniforms, new soldiers show they are proud of their unit's story. It connects the soldiers of today to the heroes of the past.

What color represents the Legion of Honour fourragère?

The most important version of this award is a bright, solid red. This color was chosen to match the famous Legion of Honour, which is France's highest medal for service and bravery. Because it is red, it stands out clearly to show that a unit performed the most heroic deeds possible under fire. It marks a unit as one of the most respected groups to ever serve in battle.

Home Library Allied PowersFourragère de la Légion d'Honneur

Valor decoration

Fourragère de la Légion d'Honneur

A braided cord distinction awarded by the French military to allied units cited multiple times in orders.

Allied Powers Established 1916 All servicesPrecedence: Worn on the left shoulder of dress uniforms as a unit decoration.

Medals & Awards

Awarded For

Awarded to entire military units that received repeated citations in dispatches for frontline valor.

Eligibility

Granted to allied military personnel serving with units decorated by the French military command.

Branch

All services

Precedence

Worn on the left shoulder of dress uniforms as a unit decoration.

Fourragère de la Légion d'Honneur, Valor decoration, Allied Powers medal

History

The fourragère was revived in 1916 by the French military during World War I to reward entire units that performed remarkable bravery. When an Allied unit was mentioned multiple times in the general army orders, soldiers in that regiment were granted the right to wear a distinctive braided cord over their left shoulder.

The highest level used the red color of the Legion of Honour and was given to French, British, American, and other allied units fighting on the Western Front. Throughout World War II, the award continued to be presented to Allied units fighting together against Axis forces in Europe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Used In

World War I World War II

Veterans Who Received This Award

Realistic illustration of the military medals and badges awarded to Dwight Eisenhower, including Legion of Merit (Allied Degree of Chief Commander), Fourragère de la Légion d'Honneur, Order of the Patriotic War (Allied Presentations), Inter-Allied Victory Medal, Croix de Guerre with Allied Palms, Order of the British Empire (Military Division - Allied Conferred), Inter-Allied Commemorative Medal of the Federation of Interallied Combatants, shown against a light Allied Powers flag background. AI-generated illustration, not an authentic photograph.

WWII

Legion of Merit (Allied Degree of Chief Commander) Fourragère de la Légion d'Honneur Order of the Patriotic War (Allied Presentations)+4

Dwight Eisenhower

Who Was Dwight D. Eisenhower?

The Supreme Allied Commander who led the liberation of Western Europe during World War II.

Allied Powers1944-06-06

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Sources

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