History

The Fire Cross was awarded to all front-line military personnel who came under fire during the First World War. The recipients of the Cross were holders of the “Fire Card” (Carte du Feu) which was replaced when the Cross was created. No applications for the award were accepted after 1951.

There are three versions of the cross which differ slightly in design. The first version has a “large cannon” on the obverse, the second version has a “small cannon” on the obverse, and the third version resembles the second, but is smaller in size. All three versions have a reverse inscription that translates to “The Nation’s Salvation is Our Highest Duty.”